Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080217548 | IMAGING APPARATUS, RADIATION IMAGING APPARATUS, AND RADIATION IMAGING SYSTEM - An imaging apparatus capable of reducing a line noise artifact in a simple configuration without complicated operations includes: a plurality of pixels arranged in row and column directions and having a photoelectric conversion element and a switch element; a plurality of signal wirings connected to the plurality of switch elements in the column direction; a read-out circuit connected to the plurality of signal wirings; and a power source for supplying a voltage to the photoelectric conversion element. With the configuration, the plurality of pixels are classified into a plurality of groups, and the power sources are independently provided for each of the plurality of groups. | 09-11-2008 |
20080226031 | RADIATION IMAGING APPARATUS, AND METHOD AND PROGRAM FOR CONTROLLING RADIATION IMAGING APPARATUS - A radiation imaging apparatus is provided that stabilizes a dark current, image ghosting, and the sensitivity of the imaging apparatus, reduces the power consumption and the heat generation of a light source, and improves the durability of a conversion element. The radiation imaging apparatus includes a flat panel detector including a conversion unit, where the conversion unit includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix and each of the pixels includes a conversion element capable of converting a radiation ray into electric charge, a light source capable of emitting light to the conversion unit, and a control unit configured to control the flat panel detector and the light source. The control unit controls the emission of light performed by the light source on the basis of a signal output from the flat panel detector. | 09-18-2008 |
20080246065 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING SYSTEM, ITS CONTROLLING METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM STORING ITS PROGRAM - An idling time period after applying a bias to a conversion element until a start of an accumulation of the conversion element for deriving an image and an accumulation period from the start of the accumulation to a termination of the accumulation are measured. An offset correction of the image is conducted by using a dark current accumulation charge quantity in the accumulation calculated based on the measured idling time period and accumulation period and stored dark current response characteristics. Thus, even just after applying the bias to the conversion element, the offset correction can be properly conducted. An imaging apparatus which can execute a good radiographing without increasing costs and a size even just after applying the bias to the conversion element is provided. | 10-09-2008 |
20080279334 | RADIATION IMAGING APPARATUS, RADIATION IMAGING SYSTEM, AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING RADIATION IMAGING APPARATUS - A radiation imaging apparatus is capable of taking a moving picture by acquisition by a reading circuit of a plurality of radiation image signals on the basis of a plurality of successive times of irradiation of a radiation detector with radiation rays. The radiation detector has a two-dimensional array of pixels. In a period between a start of an n-th time of irradiation with radiation rays and a start of an (n+1)-th time of irradiation with radiation rays, where n is a natural number, a controller switches an operation status of an analog-to-digital converter that converts electric signals read by the reading circuit into digital signals so that power consumption of the analog-to-digital converter is reduced. | 11-13-2008 |
20090001276 | RADIATION IMAGING APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME, AND RADIATION IMAGING SYSTEM - There are provided an apparatus capable of complying with arbitrary data acquisition period (frame rate) change instruction without increasing load and cost, and a method and a system for controlling such an apparatus. To realize this, in the present invention, there are included an area sensor for reading out an electric signal accumulated in a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, a line by line, and a control unit for controlling the area sensor. The area sensor operates in a first operation for deriving a radiation image data by the reading under an irradiation with a radiation, and a second operation for deriving the radiation image data by the reading under a non-irradiation with the radiation, alternately. The control unit switches a period for deriving the radiation image data during a time period from an end of the reading in the first operation until an end of the reading in the second operation. | 01-01-2009 |
20090014661 | RADIATION IMAGING APPARATUS - A single flat panel detector provides radiation images which can correspond with various radiographic modes. In a radiation imaging apparatus including a flat panel detector which derives a radiation image according to incident radiation, a holding unit which holds the flat panel detector and a connecting mechanism capable of performing an connecting and a disconnecting between the holding unit and the flat panel detector, the flat panel detector can be controlled so that the maximum number of images of radiation images that the flat panel detector can derive when the flat panel detector is disengaged from the holding unit is smaller than the maximum number of images of radiation images that the flat panel detector can derive when the flat panel detector is held by the holding unit. | 01-15-2009 |
20090021607 | IMAGING SYSTEM, METHOD FOR PROCESSING THEREOF AND PROGRAM - An imaging apparatus is provided, which improves correction accuracy at the time of pixel addition reading and scarcely deteriorates in resolution of the image data. This apparatus comprises: a conversion unit comprising a plurality of unit-pixels and converting an incident radiation or a light into pixel information; a signal processing unit capable of reading the pixel information for each unit-pixel, or capable of reading additional added pixel information for a plurality of unit-pixels, based on a control from a control unit for controlling a driving of the conversion unit according to a plurality of operation modes; a storage unit for storing a plurality of correction informations according to the plurality of operating modes; and a correction unit for performing the correction of the pixel information based on the correction information extracted from the plurality of correct informations according to the operation mode. | 01-22-2009 |
20090086915 | IMAGING SYSTEM AND DRIVING METHOD THEREOF - When a gain correction is performed for the radiographed object image, the acquisition of the object image having a high grade quality and no artifact is realized. For that purpose, an image storing unit is provided for storing an image for correction radiographed based on conditions set with the table in a state in which no object exists to each operation modes of the plurality of operation modes; and an image processing unit is provided for performing a gain correction processing of the radiographed object image and performs the gain correction processing of the radiographed object image obtained based on the conditions set in the table of the operation mode selected by the selecting unit in a state in which the object exists using a corresponding image for correction extracted from the image storage unit based on the operation mode selected by the selecting unit. | 04-02-2009 |
20090121143 | RADIATION IMAGING APPARATUS, DRIVE METHOD AND PROGRAM OF THE RADIATION IMAGING APPARATUS - Provided is a radiation imaging apparatus including: a conversion unit including a plurality of pixels arranged two dimensionally, wherein each of the pixels includes a conversion element (S | 05-14-2009 |
20090140155 | RADIATION IMAGING APPARATUS AND ITS DRIVING METHOD AND PROGRAM - As a radiation imaging apparatus which can easily and effectively correct a line noise, there is provided a radiation imaging apparatus having: a conversion unit having a pixel region in which a plurality of pixels each having a conversion element ( | 06-04-2009 |
20090146071 | Imaging Apparatus, Radiation Imaging Apparatus, and Radiation Imaging System - An imaging apparatus capable of reducing a line noise artifact in a simple configuration without complicated operations includes: a plurality of pixels arranged in row and column directions and having a photoelectric conversion element and a switch element; a plurality of signal wirings connected to the plurality of switch elements in the column direction; a read-out circuit connected to the plurality of signal wirings; and a power source for supplying a voltage to the photoelectric conversion element. With the configuration, the plurality of pixels are classified into a plurality of groups, and the power sources are independently provided for each of the plurality of groups. | 06-11-2009 |
20090218476 | RADIATION IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, ITS CONTROL METHOD, AND RADIATION IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM - A radiation image pickup apparatus or the like which realizes improvement of noise resistance characteristics when adding pixel signals is provided. For this purpose, the radiation image pickup apparatus has a switching unit which is arranged between a signal wiring and an amplifier and can switch electrical connection among a plurality of signal wirings and electrical connection between a predetermined one of the plurality of signal wirings and the amplifier corresponding thereto. In accordance with mode setting, the switching unit switches a first state where the plurality of signal wirings are electrically connected and the predetermined signal wiring and the corresponding amplifier are electrically disconnected and a second state where the plurality of signal wirings are electrically disconnected and the predetermined signal wiring and the corresponding amplifier are electrically connected. | 09-03-2009 |
20090256079 | IMAGING APPARATUS, METHOD FOR DRIVING THE SAME AND RADIATION IMAGING SYSTEM - For reducing extremely conspicuous line noise appearing in a picked up image with a simple configuration without complicating the configuration of an apparatus, an imaging apparatus a first sampling and holding circuit for sampling and holding an electric signal from pixels in one column of the detection unit and a second sampling and holding circuit for sampling and holding and electric signal from pixels in the other column of the detection unit, and a control unit for controlling such that the first and second sampling and holding circuits perform the sampling and holding in mutually different timings. | 10-15-2009 |
20090272909 | IMAGING APPARATUS, RADIATION IMAGING SYSTEM, CONTROLLING METHOD OF IMAGING APPARATUS, AND RECORDING MEDIUM RECORDING CONTROL PROGRAM OF IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes a transmitting path transmitting the output electric signal, and a read out circuit performing a sampling and holding operation for holding the electric signal read out through the transmitting path, and performing a reset operation for reset of the transmitting path, and includes a control unit for controlling an outputting drive circuit and a read out circuit so as to perform row by row the sampling and holding operation after a start of the output operation, to perform the reset operation after the sampling and holding operation, and to perform a termination of the output operation after the reset operation. This can provide an imaging apparatus and a radiation imaging apparatus that can reduce a frame time without reducing an S/N ratio of an image signal. | 11-05-2009 |
20090323897 | RADIATION IMAGING APPARATUS, ITS CONTROL METHOD, AND RADIATION IMAGING SYSTEM - A radiation imaging apparatus having high frame rate and picture quality by offset correction has: a sensor array having matrix-shaped pixels each including a converting element and a TFT; a driver for supplying signals to control terminals of the TFTs row by row; a reader for holding a signal into a first or second sampling/holding (S/H) circuit and outputting an image signal; and a controller for controlling the driver and reader. Until the image signal is output after the irradiation of pulsating radiation, the TFT of a pixel is driven so as to output a first signal, the TFT of the pixel to which the first signal has been output is driven so as to output a second electric signal, and the reader outputs the image signal of the signal showing a difference between the first and second signals held in the first and second S/H circuits. | 12-31-2009 |
20100001198 | RADIATION IMAGING APPARATUS AND ITS DRIVING METHOD AND PROGRAM - As a radiation imaging apparatus which can easily and effectively correct line noise, there is provided a radiation imaging apparatus having: a conversion unit having a pixel region in which a plurality of pixels each having a conversion element ( | 01-07-2010 |
20100044573 | RADIATION IMAGING APPARATUS - A single flat panel detector provides radiation images which can correspond with various radiographic modes. In a radiation imaging apparatus including a flat panel detector which derives a radiation image according to incident radiation, a holding unit which holds the flat panel detector and a connecting mechanism capable of performing a connecting and a disconnecting between the holding unit and the flat panel detector, the flat panel detector can be controlled so that the maximum number of radiation images that the flat panel detector can derive when the flat panel detector is disengaged from the holding unit is smaller than the maximum number of radiation images that the flat panel detector can derive when the flat panel detector is held by the holding unit. | 02-25-2010 |
20100086102 | RADIATION IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF DRIVING THE SAME, AND RADIATION IMAGING SYSTEM - There is provided a radiation imaging apparatus delivering an output image with a satisfactory image quality irrespective of the dosage of the X-rays incident on the detector. The radiation imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes a detection unit for detecting as an image signal an X-ray irradiated from the an X-ray generation apparatus and penetrating through an object; a read out unit for amplifying and reading out the image signal detected by the detection unit; and a control unit for controlling at least one of the X-ray generation apparatus, the detection unit and the read out unit such that the obtained SN ratio of the image signal according to the dosage of the X-rays incident on the detector can be equal to the S/N ratio required for the image signal. | 04-08-2010 |
20100148077 | ELECTRONIC CASSETTE TYPE OF RADIATION DETECTION APPARATUS - An electronic cassette type of radiation detection apparatus having a sensor array including a plurality of sensors for detecting incident radiation has a connecting portion to which detachable additional function modules are connected. A selection unit is provided for changing a radiographing mode from a still image radiographing mode and a moving image radiographing mode into a selectable state in response to a connection of at least one of the additional function modules changes. | 06-17-2010 |
20100148080 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND RADIATION IMAGING SYSTEM - First drive wirings electrically connected to output switching elements TT | 06-17-2010 |
20100149324 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM - An apparatus includes a detector including a plurality of pixels which converts radiation or light into analog electric signals, a signal processor including a reading circuit which reads an analog electric signal output from the detector and an A/D convertor which converts the analog electric signal into a digital signal, a power-supply unit configured to apply bias to the detector and the signal processor. The apparatus further includes a controller configured to control at least one of the signal processor and the power-supply unit in accordance with information on an A/D conversion characteristic of the A/D convertor and information on an input analog electric signal to be input to the A/D convertor. | 06-17-2010 |
20100149391 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM - An apparatus includes a detection unit including a plurality of pixels that are arranged in a matrix and that are divided into at least first and second pixel groups, a signal processing unit including first and second readout circuits and first and second A/D converters, a power supply unit configured to supply the components included in the signal processing unit with respective biases, and a control unit configured to control at least one of the signal processing unit and the power supply unit. The control unit is configured to perform processing of altering an analog signal capable of being input into at least one of the first and second A/D converters or altering an A/D conversion characteristic of at least one of the first and second A/D converters. | 06-17-2010 |
20100155614 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM - An apparatus includes a detecting unit having pixels that converts radiation or light to electric signals; a drive circuit that drives the detecting unit; a read circuit that outputs the electric signals as image signals; a power supply unit that supplies voltages to the detecting unit, the drive circuit, and the read circuit; and a control unit that controls at least the drive circuit and the power supply unit. The control unit performs a first process of stopping the voltage supply operation to the detecting unit, with the voltage supply operations to the drive circuit and the read circuit maintained; a second process of driving the detecting unit; and a third process of stopping the voltage supply operations to the drive circuit and the read circuit. | 06-24-2010 |
20100176285 | RADIATION IMAGING APPARATUS, RADIATION IMAGING SYSTEM, AND CORRECTION METHOD - The invention intends to be able to perform a gain correction fully adequately. Hence, at the time of radiographing an object, a gain correction of the object image is performed based on a gain correction image (XRc | 07-15-2010 |
20100277592 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING SYSTEM, SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD AND PROGRAM - A read out operation for reading out image data from a conversion circuit irradiated with a radiation, and a read out operation for reading out offset image data from the conversion circuit without irradiated with a radiation are selectively conducted, a control is conducted to repeat at a plurality of times the operation for reading out the offset image data, offset data corresponding to each pixel is extracted from one of the plurality of the offset image data to generate corrective offset image data such that offset data corresponding to all the pixels in a row of the matrix is not extracted from one of the plurality of offset image data, and the corrective offset image data is subtracted from the image data to perform an offset correction to render line noise less noticeable, for an offset correction without line noise by a simple signal processing to be provided. | 11-04-2010 |
20100327176 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM, AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - An image pickup apparatus includes a detection unit in which a matrix of pixels converts radiation or light into analog electrical signals, a reading circuit configured to perform signal processing operation by reading the analog electric signals on a row-by-row basis, an A/D converter configured to convert a pixel signal output from the reading circuit into pixel data, and a correction processing unit configured to correct the pixel data. A control unit performs control processing so that the reading circuit outputs reset signals to the A/D converter in a period in which the signal processing operation of a predetermined row is performed, the A/D converter converts the reset signals into pieces of reset data in the period, and the correction processing unit averages the pieces of reset data output from the A/D converter and performs subtraction with the averaged reset data and the pixel data output from the A/D converter. | 12-30-2010 |
20110024641 | RADIOGRAPHIC IMAGING APPARATUS AND RADIOGRAPHIC IMAGING SYSTEM, CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR, AND PROGRAM THEREFOR - An imaging apparatus includes a detector, having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, for performing first and second radiography operations, a bias light source, and a control unit that controls the operation of the detector and the bias light source. In the first radiography operation, image data corresponding to radiation in a first radiation field corresponding to some of the pixels is output. In the second radiography operation, image data corresponding to radiation in a second radiation field larger than the first radiation field is output. In accordance with a change from the first radiation field to the second radiation field, the operation of the bias light source is controlled so that the irradiation with the bias light is performed during a period between the first and second radiography operations at a bias-light integral dose determined based on radiation integral dose information in the first radiography operation. | 02-03-2011 |
20110044430 | IMAGING SYSTEM AND DRIVING METHOD THEREOF - When a gain correction is performed for the radiographed object image, the acquisition of the object image having a high grade quality and no artifact is realized. For that purpose, an image storing unit is provided for storing an image for correction radiographed based on conditions set with the table in a state in which no object exists to each operation modes of the plurality of operation modes; and an image processing unit is provided for performing a gain correction processing of the radiographed object image and performs the gain correction processing of the radiographed object image obtained based on the conditions set in the table of the operation mode selected by the selecting unit in a state in which the object exists using a corresponding image for correction extracted from the image storage unit based on the operation mode selected by the selecting unit. | 02-24-2011 |
20110049375 | RADIATION IMAGING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD THEREOF, AND RADIATION IMAGING SYSTEM USING RADIATION IMAGING APPARATUS - A radiation imaging apparatus comprises a first driving circuit unit to drive a first switching element connected to a conversion element, wherein the conversion element converting radiation into charges, a second driving circuit unit to drive a second switching element connected to the conversion element, and a control unit to control the first driving circuit and the second driving circuit independently at different timing. | 03-03-2011 |
20110095169 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING SYSTEM, METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE APPARATUS AND THE SYSTEM, AND PROGRAM - An imaging apparatus includes a conversion unit including a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, each pixel including a conversion element, an output switch element, and an initialization switch element; an output drive circuit controls an output operation; an initialization drive circuit controls an initialization operation; and a readout circuit performs a signal sample-and-hold operation and a reset operation. A control unit performs termination of the output operation of a certain row and start of the output operation of another row after the termination of the reset operation, the start of the signal sample-and-hold operation after the termination of the output operation of the certain row and the start of the output operation of the other row, the start of the reset operation and the initialization operation after the termination of the signal sample-and-hold operation, and the termination of the reset operation after the termination of the initialization operation. | 04-28-2011 |
20110121183 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING SYSTEM, ITS CONTROLLING METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM STORING ITS PROGRAM - An idling time period after applying a bias to a conversion element until a start of an accumulation of the conversion element for deriving an image and an accumulation period from the start of the accumulation to a termination of the accumulation are measured. An offset correction of the image is conducted by using a dark current accumulation charge quantity in the accumulation calculated based on the measured idling time period and accumulation period and stored dark current response characteristics. Thus, even just after applying the bias to the conversion element, the offset correction can be properly conducted. An imaging apparatus which can execute a good radiographing without increasing costs and a size even just after applying the bias to the conversion element is provided. | 05-26-2011 |
20110128359 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING SYSTEM, METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE APPARATUS AND THE SYSTEM, AND PROGRAM - An imaging apparatus includes a detector including multiple pixels arranged in a matrix. The detector performs an image capturing operation whereby light or radiation incident on the pixels is converted into an image signal. The imaging apparatus also includes a bias light source and a control unit. The image capturing operation includes a first image capturing operation in which the detector is scanned in a scanning area A and a second image capturing operation in which the detector is scanned in a scanning area B larger than the scanning area A. The control unit controls the bias light source to emit bias light on the basis of a control signal indicative of an amount of integration of accumulation times in the first image capturing operation during a period between the first and second image capturing operations in accordance with switching from an irradiation field A to an irradiation field B. | 06-02-2011 |
20110286582 | IMAGING SYSTEM AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR - An imaging system includes a plurality of imaging apparatuses, each of the imaging apparatuses includes a detector for performing an imaging operation for outputting image data corresponding to applied radiation or light and a controller for controlling the operation of the detector. The imaging apparatuses can independently perform an imaging operation and are movable in accordance with a relative positional relationship thereof. Sensing means obtain information indicative of the relative positional relationship between the imaging apparatuses. A control computer sends a control signal for determining operations of the imaging apparatuses to the controller. The control computer determines the operations of the imaging apparatuses by using the information obtained from the sensing means; and sets an appropriate scanning direction of each of the imaging apparatuses in accordance with the positional relationship thereof. | 11-24-2011 |
20110309262 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING SYSTEM, METHOD THEREOF AND PROGRAM FOR THE SAME - An imaging operation includes a first imaging operation for outputting image data according to irradiation to the detector with radiation or light in an irradiation field A corresponding to a part of the plurality of pixels, and a second imaging operation for outputting image data according to irradiation to the detector | 12-22-2011 |
20110317054 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING SYSTEM, AND CONTROL METHOD AND PROGRAM FOR THE SAME - An imaging apparatus | 12-29-2011 |
20120044392 | IMAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ERROR-REDUCTION PROCESSING - An imaging apparatus is provided, which improves correction accuracy at the time of pixel addition reading and scarcely deteriorates in resolution of the image data. This apparatus comprises: a conversion unit comprising a plurality of unit-pixels and converting an incident radiation or a light into pixel information; a signal processing unit capable of reading the pixel information for each unit-pixel, or capable of reading additional added pixel information for a plurality of unit-pixels, based on a control from a control unit for controlling a driving of the conversion unit according to a plurality of operation modes; a storage unit for storing a plurality of correction information according to the plurality of operating modes; and a correction unit for performing the correction of the pixel information based on the correction information extracted from the plurality of correct information according to the operation mode. | 02-23-2012 |
20120075600 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus includes a detector in which a plurality of pixels are arranged in a matrix; each pixel includes a conversion element that converts radiation or light into an electric charge. The detector performs an exposure imaging operation for outputting exposure image data, a correction imaging operation for outputting correction image data, and a correction imaging preparation operation including an initialization operation for initializing the conversion element between the exposure imaging operation and the correction imaging operation. A correction unit corrects the exposure image data using the correction image data; and a control unit controls the operation of the detector so that the detector performs the initialization operation based on an amount of variation in offset of the conversion element at the time of transitioning from an exposure imaging preparation operation to the exposure imaging operation. | 03-29-2012 |
20120127353 | IMAGE-PICKUP SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING SAME - An image-pickup apparatus including a detector comprising a detecting unit and a reading circuit, the detecting unit including pixels, each of which including a conversion element, the reading circuit which includes a connecting unit that is electrically connected to a signal wire transferring an electric signal and that electrically connects the signal wire to a node, and which performs a reading operation to output the electric signal from the pixel. A control unit controls an operation of the reading circuit, and a sensing unit senses the end of radiation irradiation based on an output of the reading circuit, which is acquired during the period of an accumulation operation of the detector. The control unit starts establishing the electrical connection between the signal wire and the node through the connecting unit based on the sensed irradiation end, and retains the electrical connection until the start of the reading operation. | 05-24-2012 |
20120138811 | IMAGING SYSTEM, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD THEREFOR, AND PROGRAM THEREFOR - An imaging system includes a detector ( | 06-07-2012 |
20120170827 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING SYSTEM, METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE APPARATUS AND THE SYSTEM, AND PROGRAM - An imaging apparatus includes a control unit and a detector that includes multiple pixels and that performs an image capturing operation to output image data corresponding to emitted radiation or light. The image capturing operation includes a first image capturing operation in which the detector is scanned in a first scanning area corresponding to part of the multiple pixels to output image data in the first scanning area and a second image capturing operation in which the detector is scanned in a second scanning area larger than the first scanning area to output image data in the second scanning area. The control unit causes the detector to perform an initialization operation to initialize the conversion element during a period between the first image capturing operation and the second image capturing operation in accordance with switching from the first scanning area to the second scanning area. | 07-05-2012 |
20120199749 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING SYSTEM, METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE APPARATUS AND THE SYSTEM, AND PROGRAM - An imaging apparatus includes a control unit and a detector that includes multiple pixels and that performs an image capturing operation to output image data corresponding to radiation or light that is emitted. The image capturing operation includes a first image capturing operation in a first scanning area corresponding to part of the multiple pixels to output image data in the first scanning area and a second image capturing operation in a second scanning area larger than the first scanning area to output image data in the second scanning area. The control unit causes the detector to perform an accumulation operation in the second image capturing operation in a time determined so that an image artifact caused by the scanning area is lower than a predetermined allowable value on the basis of information about the amount of integration of accumulation times in the first image capturing operation. | 08-09-2012 |
20120217413 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM, METHOD FOR CONTROLLING IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, METHOD FOR CONTROLLING IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM, AND PROGRAMS - An image pickup apparatus includes a detector having pixels divided into first and second pixel groups, a signal processor including a reading circuit unit including first and second reading circuits, an A/D conversion unit including first and second A/D converters, a digital data processing circuit, and a controller. The controller instructs the signal processor to perform a signal processing operation several times of adding direct current potentials to analog electric signals of pixels from the reading circuit unit, supplying the signals to the A/D conversion unit, and outputting digital data to the digital data processing circuit while the direct current potentials are changed, and an average processing operation of averaging the digital data for the pixels using the digital data processing circuit. | 08-30-2012 |
20120241634 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM, AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THEM - In an image pickup apparatus, a detector includes a detection unit and a driving circuit; the detection unit including a plurality of pixels each including a conversion element having a semiconductor layer, and the driving circuit being configured to drive the detection unit whereby the detector performs an image pickup operation to output the electric signal. A power supply unit supplies a voltage to the conversion element. A control unit controls the power supply unit such that the voltage applied to the semiconductor layer is higher in at least part of a period from the start of supplying the voltage to the semiconductor layer from the power supply unit to the start of the image pickup operation than in the image pickup operation. | 09-27-2012 |
20120241639 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - An image pickup apparatus includes a detector that includes a detection unit having a plurality of pixels in which conversion elements are included and a driving circuit that drives the detection unit and that executes an image pickup operation for outputting electrical signals, and a temperature control unit that includes a heating section that heats the conversion elements and that controls, before the image pickup operation begins, the temperature of the conversion elements by controlling the heating section such that the heating section heats the conversion elements in order to cause the temperature of the conversion elements before the image pickup operation begins to be higher than the temperature of the conversion elements during the image pickup operation. | 09-27-2012 |
20120242871 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM, AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THEM - In an image pickup apparatus, a calculation unit calculates an amount of noise and an amount of afterimage that can be included in an electric signal or image data in an image pickup operation, based on output characteristic information indicating a manner in which the amount of noise and the amount of after image change as a function of an elapsed time since a voltage is applied to a detection unit, a temperature of the detection unit detected by a temperature detection unit, the voltage supplied to the conversion elements from a power supply unit, and an image pickup operation start time indicating a time elapsed since the supplying of the voltage to the detection unit is started until the image pickup operation is started to output the electric signal corresponding to an electric charge generated by the conversion element in the detection unit. | 09-27-2012 |
20130082166 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus includes a detector having a plurality of conversion elements for converting radiation or light into an electric charge, a power supply unit that supplies a first voltage to the conversion element in a first imaging operation, and a control unit that controls the detector and the power supply unit. During a period between the first imaging operation and a second imaging operation, the control unit controls to perform a first inter-imaging operation in which a second voltage different from the first voltage is supplied to the conversion element, and, subsequently to the first inter-imaging operation, a second inter-imaging operation in which a third voltage different from the first and the second voltages is supplied to the conversion element. The absolute value of the difference between the third and the first voltages is smaller than the absolute value of the difference between the second and the first voltages. | 04-04-2013 |
20130169784 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An image pickup apparatus includes a detector and an image processing unit. The detector executes image pickup operations in which electrical signals based on radiation are output and executes, in a period between a first image pickup operation and a second image pickup operation, a first inter-image pickup operation for suppressing a lag generated by the first image pickup operation and a second inter-image pickup operation for obtaining dark signals from the detector after the first inter-image pickup operation. The signal processing unit calculates a correction coefficient using a first time ts, a second time te, and the dark signals, predicts an amount of offset to be included in electrical signals of the second image pickup operation using a third time ts′, a fourth time te′, and the correction coefficient, and executes calculation using the electrical signals and the amount of offset output from the detector in the second image pickup operation. | 07-04-2013 |
20130240712 | RADIATION IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING SYSTEM - A radiation imaging apparatus, comprising an imaging unit in which a plurality of pixels are arranged to form a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, and a control unit configured to control the imaging unit so as to perform reset operation for initializing each of the plurality of pixels repeatedly, and readout operation, after the reset operation, for reading out a signal from each of the plurality of pixels sequentially, wherein one cycle length of the reset operation is shorter than a period of time required for the readout operation, and a pulse width of a signal supplied to each of the plurality of pixels in the reset operation is shorter than a pulse width of a signal supplied to each of the plurality of pixels in the readout operation. | 09-19-2013 |
20130248727 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING SYSTEM, METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE APPARATUS AND THE SYSTEM, AND PROGRAM - An imaging apparatus includes a control unit and a detector that includes multiple pixels and that performs an image capturing operation to output image data corresponding to radiation or light that is emitted. The image capturing operation includes a first image capturing operation in a first scanning area corresponding to part of the multiple pixels to output image data in the first scanning area and a second image capturing operation in a second scanning area larger than the first scanning area to output image data in the second scanning area. The control unit causes the detector to perform an accumulation operation in the second image capturing operation in a time determined so that an image artifact caused by the scanning area is lower than a predetermined allowable value on the basis of information about the amount of integration of accumulation times in the first image capturing operation. | 09-26-2013 |
20130264487 | RADIATION IMAGING APPARATUS, RADIATION IMAGING SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE RADIATION IMAGING APPARATUS - A radiation imaging apparatus includes plural pixels arranged in a matrix each including a conversion element and a switch element, plural drive wires arranged in a column direction, a drive circuit configured to sequentially supply a conduction voltage to the plural drive wires and supply a non-conduction voltage to the drive wires other than the drive wire supplied with the conduction voltage among the plural drive wires, and a sensing unit configured to sense radiation irradiation to the pixel, in which the sensing unit includes a sensing circuit configured to sense the radiation irradiation to the pixel on the basis of a current flowing through the drive wire supplied with the non-conduction voltage among the plurality of drive wires. | 10-10-2013 |
20130264488 | RADIATION IMAGING APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME, AND RADIATION IMAGING SYSTEM - A radiation imaging apparatus including pixels; driving lines; a driving circuit; bias lines; an acquisition unit configured to acquire an evaluation value based on a current flowing in the bias line; a determination unit configured to compare the evaluation value with a comparison target value to determine whether radiation is irradiated; a control unit configured to control the acquisition unit and the determination unit; and a storage unit configured to store the evaluation value used in the determination process, is provided. A comparison target value used in a given determination process is based on one or more evaluation values used in one or more determination processes which are performed before the given determination process and in which it is determined that radiation has not been irradiated. | 10-10-2013 |
20130264489 | RADIATION IMAGING APPARATUS, RADIATION IMAGING SYSTEM, AND CONTROL METHOD FOR THE RADIATION IMAGING APPARATUS - A radiation imaging apparatus includes a pixel array including a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix in which each pixel includes a conversion element configured to convert radiation into a charge and a switch element configured to transfer an electric signal based on the charge, a bias wiring through which the conversion element is supplied with a voltage for the conversion element to convert the radiation into the charge, a power supply unit configured to supply the voltage to the bias wiring; and a detecting unit configured to detect start of radiation irradiation to the pixel array, in which the detecting unit includes a detecting circuit configured to detect the start of the radiation irradiation to the pixel array on the basis of a comparison result through computation on at least two currents flowing through at least two bias wirings among the plurality of bias wirings. | 10-10-2013 |
20130264490 | RADIATION IMAGING APPARATUS, RADIATION IMAGING SYSTEM, AND CONTROL METHOD FOR THE RADIATION IMAGING APPARATUS - A radiation imaging apparatus includes a pixel array including a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix in which each pixel includes a conversion element configured to convert radiation into a charge and a switch element configured to transfer an electric signal based on the charge, a plurality of wirings arranged in the pixel array, and a detecting unit configured to detect radiation irradiation to the pixel array, in which the detecting unit includes a detecting circuit configured to detect the radiation irradiation to the pixel array on the basis of a plurality of currents flowing through the plurality of wirings detected for each of the plurality of wirings. | 10-10-2013 |
20140001340 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING SYSTEM, METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE APPARATUS AND THE SYSTEM, AND PROGRAM | 01-02-2014 |
20140008519 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING RADIATION IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, RADIATION IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, AND RADIATION IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM - A radiation image pickup apparatus capable of setting an optimum threshold value used for instantaneously and highly accurately detecting the presence/absence of irradiation includes a pixel array having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, where each of the pixels includes a conversion element and a switch element, a drive circuit for supplying a drive signal for controlling the switch element between a conducting state and a non-conducting state, a detection unit for outputting a detection signal varying with the intensity of irradiation of the pixel array, and an arithmetic unit for calculating an end threshold value used to detect end of irradiation on the basis of the signal output from the detection unit during a period of time during which irradiation is applied to the pixel array in which the switch elements of the pixels are set in a non-conducting state by the drive circuit. | 01-09-2014 |
20140008544 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING RADIATION IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, RADIATION IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, AND RADIATION IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM - A radiation image pickup apparatus includes a pixel array having pixels each including a conversion element and a switch element, a drive circuit for controlling the switch element between a conducting state and a non-conducting state, a detection unit for outputting a detection signal varying with the intensity of irradiation of the pixel array, and an arithmetic unit for calculating a start threshold value used to detect start of irradiation based on the signal output from the detection unit during a period when radiation is not emitted onto the pixel array in which the switch elements are sequentially set in a conducting state on a row-by-row basis by the drive circuit and the signal output from the detection unit during a period when radiation is emitted onto the pixel array in which the switch elements are sequentially set in a conducting state on a row-by-row basis by the drive circuit. | 01-09-2014 |
20140014845 | IMAGE-PICKUP SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING SAME - An image-pickup apparatus including a detector comprising a detecting unit and a reading circuit, the detecting unit including pixels, each of which including a conversion element, the reading circuit which includes a connecting unit that is electrically connected to a signal wire transferring an electric signal and that electrically connects the signal wire to a node, and which performs a reading operation to output the electric signal from the pixel. A control unit controls an operation of the reading circuit, and a sensing unit senses the end of radiation irradiation based on an output of the reading circuit, which is acquired during the period of an accumulation operation of the detector. The control unit starts establishing the electrical connection between the signal wire and the node through the connecting unit based on the sensed irradiation end, and retains the electrical connection until the start of the reading operation. | 01-16-2014 |
20140042329 | RADIOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND RADIOGRAPHIC SYSTEM - A radiographic apparatus includes a scintillator configured to convert radiation into first light, a photoelectric conversion unit including a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements each configured to convert the first light into an electrical signal, and a light detection unit configured to detect the first light. In such a radiographic apparatus, the photoelectric conversion unit and the light detection unit are arranged to sandwich the scintillator therebetween, and the light detection unit includes a light guide plate, a photodetector arranged on a side face of the light guide plate, and a light reflection section arranged to reflect the first light toward the photodetector. | 02-13-2014 |
20140061488 | RADIATION IMAGING APPARATUS AND RADIATION IMAGING SYSTEM - A radiation imaging apparatus comprises: a detector that includes a detection unit in which pixels having a conversion element that converts radiation to an electric charge are arranged in a matrix shape, a drive circuit that drives the detection unit, and a read circuit that outputs an electric signal corresponding to the electric charge as image data; a radiation detection unit that detects a radiation irradiation state at a plurality of positions in the detection unit; and a control unit that controls operations of the drive circuit and the read circuit in accordance with a detection result obtained by the radiation detection unit, wherein the radiation detection unit detects a radiation irradiation state at least at a center region and a peripheral region in the detection unit, and a detection capability at the center region is set to a higher capability than a detection capability at the peripheral region. | 03-06-2014 |
20140061491 | RADIATION IMAGING APPARATUS, METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME, AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM - A radiation imaging apparatus, comprising a sensor array in which a plurality of sensors configured to output signals corresponding to irradiated radiation, a detection unit configured to detect radiation, a driving unit configured to drive the sensor array, so as to initialize the plurality of sensors for each row repeatedly at least until the detection unit detects irradiation of radiation and to read out signals from the plurality of sensors for each row sequentially, and a processing unit configured to process signals from the sensor array, so as to correct a signal from the sensor on a row, of the plurality of sensors, which has been initialized during the irradiation of radiation, based on a timing of the initialization. | 03-06-2014 |
20140061492 | RADIATION IMAGING APPARATUS AND RADIATION IMAGING SYSTEM - To provide a radiation imaging apparatus and a radiation imaging system that can detect radiation with high accuracy, the radiation imaging apparatus includes: a detection unit in which conversion elements that convert radiation into an electric signal are arranged in a matrix shape; a radiation detection unit configured to detect an irradiation state of radiation; a drive circuit configured to drive the detection unit in accordance with the irradiation state detected by the radiation detection unit; and a radiographing kind setting unit configured to set a radiographing kind, wherein the radiation detection unit changes a radiation detection capability in accordance with the radiographing kind set by the radiographing kind setting unit. | 03-06-2014 |
20140061494 | RADIATION IMAGING APPARATUS AND RADIATION IMAGING SYSTEM - A radiation imaging apparatus including: a detector that includes a detection section in which pixels having a conversion element that converts radiation to an electric charge are arranged in a matrix shape, a drive circuit configured to drive the detection section, and a read circuit configured to output an electric signal that corresponds to the electric charge as image data; a radiation detection unit configured to detect a radiation irradiation state using two detection units that are adjacently arranged in the detection section; and a control unit configured to control operations of the drive circuit and the read circuit in accordance with a detection result obtained by the radiation detection unit, wherein a detection capability by one of the detection units is set to a lower capability than a detection capability at by the other of the detection units. | 03-06-2014 |
20140061495 | RADIATION IMAGING APPARATUS, METHOD FOR DRIVING THE SAME AND RADIATION IMAGING SYSTEM - A radiation imaging apparatus, comprising a sensor array configured to output a signal in accordance with irradiated radiation, a driving unit configured to output a signal from the sensor array by driving the sensor array, a detecting unit configured to detect irradiated radiation, a control unit configured to control the driving unit to perform first readout to read out a signal corresponding to charge accumulated in the sensor array from the sensor array and perform second readout to further read out a signal from the sensor array at least in a case where the first readout has started during irradiation of radiation, and a processing unit configured to correct the signal obtained by the first readout based on the signal obtained by the second readout. | 03-06-2014 |
20140112448 | IMAGING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR, AND IMAGING SYSTEM - An imaging apparatus comprises: a detecting unit | 04-24-2014 |
20140185764 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING SYSTEM - An imaging apparatus has an AEC function that can prevent irregularities in photographed images, without being increased in size. The imaging apparatus comprises a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix shape, each of the plurality of pixels including a conversion element for converting radiation or light into an electric charge, a plurality of lines that are connected to the plurality of pixel units and that extend in different directions to each other, a current monitor circuit that monitors currents flowing in the plurality of lines, and an arithmetic unit that calculates a two-dimensional distribution by performing back-projection processing with respect to the currents flowing in the plurality of lines monitored by the current monitor circuit. | 07-03-2014 |
20140239186 | RADIATION IMAGING APPARATUS, RADIATION INSPECTION APPARATUS, METHOD FOR CORRECTING SIGNAL, AND COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM - A radiation imaging apparatus, comprising a pixel array on which a plurality of pixels are arrayed, a readout unit configured to read out a signal from the pixel array, a first unit configured to specify a portion of the signal read out by the readout unit, at which a saturated signal whose value has reached a saturation level of an output by the readout unit and a non-saturated signal whose value has not reached the saturation level are mixed, and a second unit configured to correct, based on the non-saturated signal, the saturated signal at the portion specified by the first unit. | 08-28-2014 |
20140239187 | RADIATION IMAGING APPARATUS AND RADIATION IMAGING SYSTEM - A radiation imaging apparatus includes a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels which detects radiation are arrayed to form a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, a detection circuit which detects information having correlation to a radiation dose to the pixel array and output a detection signal corresponding to the information, and a control unit which detects radiation irradiation to the pixel array based on a plurality of integrated values obtained by integrating one of the detection signal and a result of processing applied to the detection signal in a plurality of integral intervals and control the pixel array in accordance with the detection. | 08-28-2014 |
20140241501 | RADIATION IMAGING APPARATUS AND RADIATION IMAGING SYSTEM - A radiation imaging apparatus includes a pixel array having pixels, a bias line applying a bias potential to converters of the pixels, a detection circuit which detects a current flowing to the bias line, and a control unit which detects a start of radiation irradiation to the pixel array based on an output from the detection circuit and controls a charge accumulation operation of the pixels in accordance with the detection. The detection circuit includes a differential amplifier circuit and a feedback path, and applies a potential corresponding to a reference bias potential to the bias line. The differential amplifier circuit includes a first input terminal receiving the reference bias potential, a second input terminal connected to the bias line, and an output terminal, and the feedback path connects the output terminal and the second input terminal. | 08-28-2014 |
20140241506 | RADIATION IMAGING APPARATUS AND RADIATION IMAGING SYSTEM - A radiation imaging apparatus includes a pixel array having pixels including conversion elements and switching elements, a bias line for supplying a bias potential to the conversion elements; driving lines for supplying a signal to control the switching elements, a driving unit for performing an initialization operation of supplying a driving signal to each driving line group, switching each driving signal from an OFF voltage to an ON voltage, and then returning the driving signal to the OFF voltage; an acquisition unit configured to acquire a plurality of times in each driving cycle a signal value representing a current flowing through the bias line; a calculation unit configured to calculate radiation information based on the signal values; and a determination unit configured to determine whether irradiation of the pixel array with radiation is present based on the radiation information. | 08-28-2014 |
20140264060 | RADIATION IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, RADIATION IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM, METHOD FOR CONTROLLING RADIATION IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, AND PROGRAM - A radiation image pickup apparatus includes a pixel array including a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix and configured to convert a radiant ray into electric signals, signal processors configured to output digital signals obtained in accordance with the electric signals output from the pixel array in parallel, and a controller configured to operate the signal processors after the signal processors enter a second power consumption state in which power consumption is higher than that of a first power consumption state from the first power consumption state after irradiation of a radiant ray to the pixel array is terminated, and to cause the signal processors to output digital signals after the signal processors are operated. | 09-18-2014 |
20140284491 | RADIATION IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM - A radiation image pickup system includes a correction coefficient calculation unit that calculates a correction coefficient using pixel output values of a plurality of pixels, and a correction unit that corrects pixel output values of a plurality of pixels using the correction coefficient. A drive control unit repeatedly resets an electric charge caused by a dark current of a plurality of pixels until a detection unit detects a start of radiation exposure. The reset operation is performed simultaneously for n rows that are not adjacent to each other, where n is an integer equal to or greater than 2. The correction coefficient calculation unit calculates the correction coefficient using pixel output values of pixels in a row subjected to the reset operation in a period from a start of radiation exposure to a start detection time and pixel output values of pixels in an adjacent row. | 09-25-2014 |
20140285689 | IMAGING SYSTEM - An imaging system comprises: a plurality of pixels each for converting light, converted from radiation by a conversion unit, into an electrical signal; an extracting unit that extracts, based on an image formed based on output signals from the pixels, a pixel with noise generated by the radiation that has transmitted through the conversion unit to arrive at the pixels; and a correcting unit that performs correction to remove the noise with respect to an output signal from the extracted pixel, wherein the extracting unit extracts the pixel with the noise by performing division between first and second images, the first image being formed based on the output signals from the pixels in accordance with the radiation to the conversion unit during a first period, the second image being formed based on these output signals in accordance with that radiation during a second period after the first period. | 09-25-2014 |
20140320685 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING SYSTEM - An imaging apparatus, comprising a sensor array in which a plurality of sensors are arrayed, a first readout unit configured to read out, from each of the plurality of sensors, a first signal corresponding to an amount of one of an electron and a hole of each of electron-hole pairs generated in the sensor array in response to irradiation with radiation or light, and a second readout unit configured to read out, from each of the plurality of sensors, a second signal corresponding to an amount of the other of the electron and the hole of the electron-hole pairs. | 10-30-2014 |
20140361184 | RADIATION IMAGING APPARATUS AND RADIATION IMAGING SYSTEM - A radiation imaging apparatus comprises a conversion element and a transistor. A drive unit performs a reset operation at a plurality of times, by supplying a conducting voltage to gates of the transistors, successively, one row by one row, an operation of stopping the supplying of the conducting voltage responsive to detecting the irradiation of the radiation to perform an accumulation operation and, after the reset operation, a read out operation. During the reset operation, a period between the supplying the conducting voltage to the gates of the transistors in one row and the supplying the conducting voltage subsequently to the gates of the transistors in another row is different from a period between the supplying the conducting voltage to the gates of the transistors in the another row and the supplying the conducting voltage subsequently to the gates of the transistors in further another row. | 12-11-2014 |
20140361189 | RADIATION IMAGING SYSTEM - A radiation imaging system includes: a sensor unit including a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, and configured to convert a radiation into an electric charge and to output a pixel output value; a detecting unit configured to detect an irradiation start of the radiation; and a control unit configured to output image information based on the irradiation of the radiation and to output dark image information for the plurality of pixels. | 12-11-2014 |