JP2002199172A - Radiograph reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radiograph reader whose image quality can be confirmed without service engineer having to visit a hospital or the like where the radiograph reader is installed and whose maintenance is easily executed, in the case that the serviceman visits the installation place. SOLUTION: In the radiograph reader, a picture signal for examination is sent to an image processing means at the time of maintenance to evaluate the image signal for examination which has been subjected to image processing, and this evaluation is stored or transmitted to a remote site.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a radiation image reading apparatus, and more particularly, to a radiation image reading apparatus capable of easily performing maintenance.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When radiation such as X-rays is irradiated, a part of radiation energy is accumulated. Then, by irradiating excitation light such as visible light, photostimulated light having a quantity corresponding to the accumulated energy is emitted. Using the stimulable phosphor to emit,
A radiation image of a subject such as a human body is once photographed and recorded on a sheet-like stimulable phosphor sheet, the stimulable phosphor sheet is scanned and exposed with excitation light such as a laser, and the emitted stimulable emission light is photoelectrically converted. 2. Description of the Related Art A system has been put to practical use in which an image signal is acquired by reading the image signal and the image signal is visualized on a recording material such as a photosensitive material or a monitor such as a CRT based on the image signal.

A radiation image reading apparatus used in this system includes a scanning optical system for irradiating a stimulable phosphor sheet storing radiation image information with excitation light, and a stimulable phosphor sheet by irradiating the excitation light. A photodetector for detecting photostimulated light emitted from the photodetector, a light guide that guides photostimulated light to the photodetector, and a filter that cuts the excitation light and transmits the photostimulated light. I have.

As the photodetector, for example, a photomultiplier or the like is used, and the received photostimulated light signal is converted into an electric signal by the photomultiplier and amplified.

The electric signal from the photomultiplier is processed by an image processing means into an image signal suitable for diagnosis. The processing by the image processing means is usually such that after logarithmic conversion by a log amplifier, the signal is converted to a digital signal by an A / D converter via an analog section such as an analog filter, and processing such as gradation processing is performed. The image signal processed by the image processing means is output to a monitor for displaying or an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a film, and is converted into a two-dimensional image.

When image quality is checked during maintenance of the above radiation image reading apparatus, usually, the stimulable phosphor sheet is irradiated with X-rays, the sheet is irradiated with excitation light, and the stimulable phosphor emitted from the sheet is emitted. Since an image cannot be obtained unless light is detected, processed by an image processing means, and output to an image forming apparatus or the like, the stability of the X-ray source, uneven irradiation or sensitivity unevenness of the stimulable phosphor sheet, deterioration over time. As a result, there is a problem that the accuracy of checking the image quality performance of the apparatus alone is reduced. Further, even if the X-ray source and the stimulable phosphor sheet do not have the above-mentioned problem, it is necessary to irradiate X-rays from the X-ray source every time an image is confirmed, and there is a problem that it takes time to confirm the image quality.

[0007] As a method of improving the maintenance problem of such an apparatus, instead of acquiring the photostimulated light from the photomultiplier, an inspection signal is input to the image processing means to confirm the operation of the electric system. There are known ways to do so. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-275758 describes that an inspection signal is input instead of an image signal from stimulated emission light, and the operation of a log amplifier, an A / D converter, and the like is checked.

However, in the above-mentioned known technique, in order to input a test signal, it is necessary to manually operate a switch for outputting the test signal provided in the apparatus. That is, there is a problem that the service person must go to the site where the device is installed. Further, in the above-mentioned known example, after inputting the inspection signal to the image processing means, there is no specific description of how to check the image quality or the malfunction of the apparatus, and from the viewpoint of facilitating maintenance. No disclosure has been made.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. Even when a service person does not go to a hospital or the like where the device is installed, the object of the present invention is considered. It is an object of the present invention to provide a radiation image reading apparatus capable of confirming its own image quality performance and easily performing maintenance even when a service person goes.

[0010]

The above object of the present invention has been attained by the following constitutions.

1. An optical system that irradiates the recording material on which the radiation image information is recorded with excitation light, and obtains an image signal by photoelectrically reading emission corresponding to the radiation image information emitted from the recording material by the irradiation of the excitation light. Reading means, image processing means for processing image signals, storage means for storing the image signals processed by the image processing means,
In a radiation image reading apparatus having an image signal output unit that outputs an image signal stored in the storage unit, an inspection image signal output unit that outputs an inspection image signal, and an image signal that is input to the image processing unit. Selecting means for selecting between an image signal obtained by the reading means and an image signal for inspection output by the image signal for inspection output means; A radiation image reading apparatus, comprising: evaluation means for evaluating the inspection image signal processed by the means; and transmission means for transmitting the evaluation by the evaluation means to a remote place.

2. The evaluation by the evaluation unit is performed by comparing an inspection image signal before being processed by the image processing unit with an inspection image signal after being processed by the image processing unit. 2. The radiation image reading device according to 1.

3. The evaluation by the evaluation means is performed by accumulating a plurality of inspection image signals processed by the image processing means in the storage means and comparing the plurality of inspection image signals accumulated in the storage means. 2. The radiation image reading device according to the above item 1, wherein

4. 2. The radiation image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the evaluation by the evaluation means is an analysis of the image quality of the inspection image signal processed by the image processing means.

[0015] 5. The evaluation by the evaluation unit compares the analysis result of the image quality of the inspection image signal before being processed by the image processing unit with the analysis result of the image quality of the inspection image signal after being processed by the image processing unit. 2. The radiation image reading device according to the above item 1, wherein the radiation image reading device performs the operation.

6. In the evaluation by the evaluation means, a plurality of analysis results of the image quality of the inspection image signal processed by the image processing means are stored in the storage means, and the plurality of analysis results stored in the storage means are compared. 2. The radiation image reading device according to the above item 1, wherein the radiation image reading device performs the operation.

[7] Selection of an image signal by the selection means,
A control signal for controlling the output of the inspection image signal by the inspection image signal output unit, the processing of the inspection image signal by the image processing unit, the evaluation by the evaluation unit, or the transmission of the inspection image signal by the transmission unit. The radiation image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising: a receiving unit that receives the remote control from a remote place; and a control unit that executes the control.

[8] An optical system that irradiates the recording material on which the radiation image information is recorded with excitation light, and obtains an image signal by photoelectrically reading emission corresponding to the radiation image information emitted from the recording material by the irradiation of the excitation light. Reading means, image processing means for processing image signals, storage means for storing the image signals processed by the image processing means,
In a radiation image reading apparatus having an image signal output unit that outputs an image signal stored in the storage unit, an inspection image signal output unit that outputs an inspection image signal, and an image signal that is input to the image processing unit. Selecting means for selecting between an image signal obtained by the reading means and an image signal for inspection output by the image signal for inspection output means; and selecting by the selecting means; A transmission means for transmitting the inspection image signal processed by the means to a remote place.

9. The apparatus according to the above item 8, further comprising a receiving unit that receives the inspection image signal transmitted from a remote place, wherein the inspection image signal output unit outputs the inspection image signal received by the receiving unit. A radiation image reading apparatus according to claim 1.

[10] Selected by the selection means, and
The apparatus according to the above item 8 or 9, further comprising evaluation means for evaluating the image signal for inspection processed by the image processing means, wherein the transmission means transmits the evaluation by the evaluation means to a remote place. Radiation image reading device.

11. The evaluation by the evaluation unit is performed by comparing an inspection image signal before being processed by the image processing unit with an inspection image signal after being processed by the image processing unit. 8 ~
The radiographic image reading device according to any one of claims 10 to 13.

12. The evaluation by the evaluation means is performed by accumulating a plurality of inspection image signals processed by the image processing means in the storage means and comparing the plurality of inspection image signals accumulated in the storage means. The radiation image reading device according to any one of the above items 8 to 10, wherein

13. The radiation image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the evaluation by the evaluation unit is an analysis of the image quality of the inspection image signal processed by the image processing unit.

14. The evaluation by the evaluation unit compares the analysis result of the image quality of the inspection image signal before being processed by the image processing unit with the analysis result of the image quality of the inspection image signal after being processed by the image processing unit. 11. The radiation image reading apparatus according to any one of the above items 8 to 10, wherein the radiation image reading apparatus performs the operation.

[15] In the evaluation by the evaluation means, a plurality of analysis results of the image quality of the inspection image signal processed by the image processing means are stored in the storage means, and the plurality of analysis results stored in the storage means are compared. The radiographic image reading apparatus according to any one of the above items 8 to 10, wherein the radiographic image reading apparatus performs the radiographic image reading.

16. Selection of an image signal by the selection unit, output of an inspection image signal by the inspection image signal output unit, processing of the inspection image signal by the image processing unit, evaluation by the evaluation unit or the inspection by the transmission unit, The radiation image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 15, further comprising control means for receiving a control signal for controlling transmission of an image signal from a remote place by the receiving means and executing the control. .

17. An optical system that irradiates the recording material on which the radiation image information is recorded with excitation light, and obtains an image signal by photoelectrically reading emission corresponding to the radiation image information emitted from the recording material by the irradiation of the excitation light. Reading means, image processing means for processing image signals, storage means for storing the image signals processed by the image processing means, and image signal output means for outputting the image signals stored in the storage means. In a radiation image reading apparatus having
Inspection image signal output means for outputting an inspection image signal,
Selecting means for selecting an image signal to be input to the image processing means between an image signal obtained by the reading means and an inspection image signal output by the inspection image signal output means; And evaluation means for evaluating the image signal for inspection processed by the image processing means, and evaluation by the evaluation means,
A plurality of inspection image signals or analysis results of images of the inspection image signals processed by the image processing unit are stored in the storage unit, and the plurality of inspection image signals or analysis results stored in the storage unit are stored. A radiographic image reading apparatus characterized by comparing results.

18. 18. The radiation image reading apparatus according to the above item 17, further comprising a transmission unit that transmits the evaluation by the evaluation unit to a remote place.

19. The apparatus according to the above item 17, further comprising a receiving unit that receives the inspection image signal transmitted from a remote place, wherein the inspection image signal output unit outputs the inspection image signal received by the receiving unit. 19. A radiation image reading apparatus according to item 18.

20. Selection of an image signal by the selection unit, output of an inspection image signal by the inspection image signal output unit, processing of the inspection image signal by the image processing unit, evaluation by the evaluation unit, or evaluation of the evaluation by the transmission unit. 20. The radiation image reading apparatus according to 19 above, further comprising control means for receiving a control signal for controlling transmission from a remote place by the receiving means and executing the control.

[0031]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the radiation image reading apparatus of the present invention. Here, a portion surrounded by a dashed line indicates an internal configuration of the apparatus, and an outside thereof indicates an externally connected device or the like.

In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes a stimulable phosphor sheet as a recording material, which receives radiation such as X-rays and stores radiation image information. An optical system 20 includes a laser light source 201 and a polygon mirror 202 for deflecting a laser beam emitted from the laser light source 201, and scans and exposes the stimulable phosphor sheet 10 to excitation light. Numeral 30 denotes a reading means, which is a stimulable phosphor sheet 1 when irradiated with excitation light.
Light guide 301 (optical fiber, acrylic resin plate, or the like) that receives and guides the photostimulated light emitted from 0, and a long photomultiplier 3 that converts and amplifies the photostimulated light into an image signal.
02 and a filter 303 that cuts excitation light and transmits stimulated emission light.

Reference numeral 40 denotes a D / A converter as an inspection image signal output unit for outputting an inspection image signal for inspecting the image quality performance of the apparatus itself, and 50 denotes a reading unit 30 and the D / A
A switch as selection means for switching (ON / OFF) an image signal input to the converter 40;
0 is an image processing means (a log amplifier, an analog filter, an A / D) for processing the image signal selected by the switch 50.
Converter, etc.). The image processing means will be described later.

Reference numeral 70 denotes an image signal processed by the image processing means 60 or a digital /
HDD as storage means for storing image signals for inspection before analog conversion in the form of digital data; 80, a memory such as a RAM for handling data during various types of arithmetic processing; 90, converting digital data to analog data; A modem for transmitting / receiving data to / from a remote location via a communication line,
Reference numeral 00 denotes a CP which controls the operation or sequence control of the entire apparatus, the operation control of an externally connected apparatus, the evaluation of image signals (evaluation means), various controls based on control signals received from a remote place, and the like.
Reference numerals U and 105 denote controllers which receive commands from the CPU 100 and control specific operations of various units (optical system 20, reading unit 30, D / A converter 40, switch 50, image processing unit 60, etc.) in the apparatus. is there.

The radiation image reading apparatus is connected to a CRT 110 as a monitor, which is an externally connected device, and a printer 120 as an image forming apparatus via a monitor cable, a printer cable, or the like (image signal output means).
It is designed to be dimensionally visualized.

In the present embodiment, the modem 90 serving both as a transmitting means and a receiving means is built in the apparatus. However, other communication means may be used, or an externally connected device may be used. The modem 90 is directly connected to an analog telephone line to transmit and receive signals to and from a remote place such as a service station. However, when a digital telephone line such as ISDN is used,
A terminal adapter or a router can be used as the transmitting means / receiving means. LA not connected directly to telephone line
Transmission and reception with a remote place via the Internet via N may be performed.

Further, in the present embodiment, the CRT 110 and the printer 120 are shown as the externally connected devices. However, the present invention is not limited to these. For example, when the device is used in a hospital, the device is connected via a network. The apparatus may be connected to another radiation image reading apparatus or a host computer in the hospital, and the host computer may be configured to centrally manage image signals (image data) or share functions as subsystems. You may.

Further, in this embodiment, the D / A converter 40 is used as the inspection image signal output means. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Output the same kind of image signal,
Alternatively, any signal may be used as long as the signal is converted into the same kind of image signal.
The inspection image signal before digital / analog conversion input to the D / A converter 40 may be a signal stored in advance in the HDD 70 or may be transmitted from a remote location via the modem 90. May be used.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the radiation image reading apparatus. The operation of the radiation image reading apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. The same reference numerals in FIG. 1 denote the same units. Reference numeral 601 denotes a log amplifier, 602 denotes a low-pass filter, and 603 denotes an A / D converter.

First, the stimulable phosphor sheet 10 storing the X-ray image information is conveyed by a driving means (not shown) in the direction of the black arrow in FIG. 1 (main scanning direction). A laser light source 201 is applied to the stimulable phosphor sheet 10 being conveyed.
Is reflected and deflected by the rotating polygon mirror 202 in the direction of the white arrow (sub-scanning direction).
Is subjected to scanning exposure. When the laser beam is applied, a stimulable luminescent light is emitted in an amount corresponding to the energy stored in the stimulable phosphor sheet 10.

The emitted photostimulated light is applied to the filter 303.
Then, the light reaches the light receiving surface of the long photomultiplier 302 via the light guide 301 having a high transmittance. The photostimulated light that has reached the light receiving surface undergoes photoelectric conversion and signal amplification, and is output as a current.

Next, the image signal (current) output from the long photomultiplier 302 is input to the image processing means 60. The image processing means has a log amplifier 601, a low-pass filter 602, and an A / D converter 603 in this order. First, the image signal is transmitted to the log amplifier 601.
And logarithmically converted. Next, the image signal logarithmically converted by the log amplifier 601 is passed through a low-pass filter 602 to remove unnecessary high-frequency signals. The image signal output from the low-pass filter 602 is supplied to an A / D converter 603
And digitized. Thereafter, the CPU 100 may perform appropriate image processing such as gradation processing. In this case, the CPU 100 functions as an image processing unit.

The above-mentioned optical system 20, reading means 30, and D
/ A converter 40, switch 50, image processing means 60
The operation of various units in the apparatus, such as, is controlled by the controller 105 in response to a command from the CPU 100.

The image signal that has been subjected to the image processing in this manner is temporarily stored in the HDD 70 and transmitted to a remote location via the modem 100 or transmitted to the CRT 110 or the printer 12.
0 is output as a two-dimensional image. Alternatively, the image may be transferred to a device or the like that performs centralized management of image storage via a network such as a LAN.

Next, maintenance of the radiation image reading apparatus of the present invention will be described. HD in radiation image reader
The inspection image signal (A1) read from D70 or externally transmitted via the modem 90 is D / D
After being converted into an analog signal by the A converter 40, the analog signal is input to the log amplifier 601. The subsequent steps up to the image output are the same as those in the normal reading. The inspection image signal returned via the A / D converter 603 is represented by (A
2).

Although the HDD 70 is used as storage means for storing (A1) and (A2), it may be a memory 80 or another storage device.

Here, the original inspection image signal (A1) and
Image processing means (log amplifier 601, low-pass filter 6
02, the inspection image signal (A2) returned through the A / D converter 603) is evaluated by the evaluation means (CPU 100 or the like), so that the S / N ratio deterioration and the frequency characteristic deterioration caused by the failure of the image processing means are evaluated. And so on.

The evaluation means makes an evaluation by appropriately using (A1) and (A2). For example, as an evaluation method performed by comparing: 1. Method of comparing signal levels of (A1) and (A2) There is a method of accumulating a plurality of (A2) for a certain period or every certain number of readings, and comparing the signal levels of the plurality of (A2).

In the case of the above-mentioned comparison method 1, it is performed at the time of failure or the like, and particularly, the deteriorated image quality performance can be extracted, and the defect of the related image processing means can be specified.

According to the second comparison method, the deterioration of the image processing means with time can be grasped by comparing (A2) at the time of shipment of the device with (A2) after a certain period of time after the installation of the device. it can. In both cases 1 and 2, A
It is necessary to digitally perform antilogarithmic conversion of the inspection image signal digitized by the / D converter 603.

The inspection image signal input to the log amplifier 601 is not a signal obtained by converting a digital signal into an analog signal using the D / A converter 40, but a signal obtained by directly forming an analog signal by another means. Good. In this case, the unit functions as an inspection image signal output unit.

As other evaluation methods, there are methods of analyzing image quality such as Wiener spectrum analysis and MTF used when evaluating the standard deviation of image noise and the granularity of an image. That is, 3. This is a method of analyzing the image quality of (A2). The analysis of the image quality enables the following. For example, when an image signal for inspection having a constant signal value is input and the standard deviation of the obtained digital signal is obtained, the amount of noise generated by the image processing means of the apparatus can be confirmed, and the SN ratio can also be confirmed. Also,
If software for analyzing the Wiener spectrum incorporated in the apparatus is used, the power spectrum of the noise can be confirmed.

As a method for measuring the MTF, a chart method and a slit method are well known. If a signal corresponding to a rectangular wave chart or a slit used for these methods is created and input, the MTF of the apparatus can be confirmed.

By using the above-described image quality analysis method, it is possible to perform a more detailed evaluation of the image quality as compared with a method of simply comparing the signal levels of the inspection image signals (A1) and (A2).
This is effective when identifying the cause of a failure.

Methods 1 and 2 for comparing the image signals for inspection
Instead of the above, comparison of the analysis results of the image quality is also included in the evaluation by the evaluation means of the present invention. That is, 4. 4. A method of comparing the analysis result of the image quality such as the Wiener spectrum and MTF of (A1) with the analysis result of the image quality of (A2). This is a method of accumulating a plurality of image quality analysis results of (A2) for a certain period or every certain number of readings, and comparing the plurality of analysis results.

The image signal for inspection may be stored in the storage means of the radiation image reading apparatus, or a communication means such as a telephone line may be used for the radiation image reading apparatus from outside such as a service station of the apparatus maker. May be transmitted.

The inspection image signals (A1) and (A1)
2) Alternatively, only the comparison result by the above-mentioned evaluation means and the evaluation based on the analysis of the image quality (A1 and A2 itself are not included) are transmitted to the modem 9 outside the service station of the device maker.
By using the communication means such as 0, the maintenance of the radiation image reading apparatus can be easily performed.

As a method of operating the inspection image signal output means and inputting the inspection image signal to the image processing means, a method of manually operating a switch or the like provided in the apparatus may be used. According to the invention, a control signal is transmitted to the image reading apparatus from outside such as a service station, and the selection of the image signal by the switch 50 and the D / A converter 4 are performed.
Output of the inspection image signal from 0, processing of the image signal by the image processing means, evaluation by the evaluation means, evaluation by the modem 90, and transmission of the inspection image signal after processing by the image processing means can be performed by remote control. It is possible.

At this time, the CPU 100 which receives the control signal and controls the entire radiation image reading apparatus functions as a control means.

Accordingly, the image quality performance of the apparatus itself can be confirmed without the need for a service person to go to the installation location of the radiation image reading apparatus, and, for example, changes over time of the apparatus can be monitored. In addition, by storing such evaluations and the like in the storage means, even when a service technician goes to the installation location and performs maintenance, the operation status of the apparatus can be known over time, so that the cause of the failure can be identified and the service life is short. Replacement of parts and the like can be performed accurately and with good timing.

Next, a specific example in which the cause of the failure of the apparatus is specified based on the evaluation by the evaluation means will be described. a) Vertical streak (sheet conveyance direction): not generated during maintenance using an image signal for inspection, but generated when actually reading a sheet, if dust is attached to the optical system 20,
The stimulable phosphor sheet 10 may be damaged. b) Horizontal streak (laser scanning direction): This does not occur during maintenance using an image signal for inspection, but when it occurs when a sheet is actually read, uneven exposure of the optical system 20 and transport speed of the stimulable phosphor sheet. Unevenness and the like are considered. c) There is a lot of noise in the image: it does not occur at the time of maintenance using the image signal for inspection, but when it occurs when the sheet is actually read, the defect of the X-ray source, the insufficient X-ray dose, the stimulable phosphor sheet Degradation, a decrease in the sensitivity of the photomultiplier, and the like are considered.

The evaluation using the inspection image signal can be performed, for example, by storing the initial value in a nonvolatile memory or the like at the time of the shipment inspection of the radiation image reading apparatus, and performing the re-evaluation every year. In addition, it is possible to confirm the temporal change of the image quality, and the maintenance management becomes easy.

Further, even if there is no failure, the temporal change of the radiation image reading apparatus can always be confirmed at a remote place, so that maintenance schedule management becomes easy.

The analog section after the D / A converter 40 or the analog section when an analog signal is directly input to the image processing means by another means has sufficient DC accuracy, frequency band, low waveform distortion, low It must satisfy basic performance such as noise. If this part is underperforming, you will not know what you are testing.

[0066]

According to the present invention, the image quality performance of the apparatus itself can be confirmed even if the service person does not go to a hospital or the like where the apparatus is installed.
A radiation image reading apparatus capable of easily performing maintenance can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a radiation image reading apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the radiation image reading apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 stimulable phosphor sheet 20 optical system 201 laser light source 202 polygon mirror 30 reading means 301 light guide 302 long photomultiplier 303 filter 40 D / A converter 50 switch 60 image processing means 601 log amplifier 602 low-pass filter 603 A / D converter 70 HDD 80 Memory 90 Modem 100 CPU 105 Controller

Claims (20)

[Claims] An optical system for irradiating a recording material on which radiation image information is recorded with excitation light, and photoelectrically reading emission corresponding to the radiation image information emitted from the recording material by irradiation of the excitation light. Reading means for obtaining an image signal by scanning; image processing means for processing the image signal; storage means for storing the image signal processed by the image processing means; and outputting the image signal stored in the storage means. In a radiation image reading apparatus having an image signal output unit, an inspection image signal output unit that outputs an inspection image signal, an image signal input to the image processing unit, an image signal acquired by the reading unit, Selecting means for selecting between the inspection image signal output by the inspection image signal output means; and selecting by the selection means and processing by the image processing means. By evaluation means for evaluating the test image signal, the radiographic image reading apparatus characterized by having a transmitting means for transmitting the evaluation by the evaluation unit to a remote location. 2. The evaluation by the evaluation unit is performed by comparing an inspection image signal before being processed by the image processing unit with an inspection image signal after being processed by the image processing unit. The radiation image reading device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The evaluation by the evaluation unit includes: storing a plurality of inspection image signals processed by the image processing unit in the storage unit; and storing the plurality of inspection image signals stored in the storage unit. 2. The radiation image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the comparison is performed by comparing. 4. The radiation image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the evaluation by the evaluation means is an analysis of the image quality of the inspection image signal processed by the image processing means. 5. The evaluation by the evaluation unit includes the analysis result of the image quality of the inspection image signal before being processed by the image processing unit and the image quality of the inspection image signal after being processed by the image processing unit. 2. The radiation image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the radiographic image reading is performed by comparing the analysis result. 6. The evaluation by the evaluation unit is such that a plurality of analysis results of the image quality of the inspection image signal processed by the image processing unit are stored in the storage unit, and the plurality of analysis results stored in the storage unit are stored. The radiation image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measurement is performed by comparing the analysis results. 7. An image signal selection by the selection unit, an inspection image signal output by the inspection image signal output unit, a processing of the inspection image signal by the image processing unit, an evaluation by the evaluation unit or the transmission. 7. A receiving means for receiving a control signal for controlling transmission of the inspection image signal by means from a remote place, and a control means for executing the control.
Item 6. The radiation image reading device according to Item 1. 8. An optical system for irradiating a recording material on which radiation image information has been recorded with excitation light, and photoelectrically reading emission corresponding to the radiation image information emitted from the recording material by irradiation of the excitation light. Reading means for obtaining an image signal by scanning; image processing means for processing the image signal; storage means for storing the image signal processed by the image processing means; and outputting the image signal stored in the storage means. In a radiation image reading apparatus having an image signal output unit, an inspection image signal output unit that outputs an inspection image signal, an image signal input to the image processing unit, an image signal acquired by the reading unit, Selecting means for selecting between the inspection image signal output by the inspection image signal output means; and selecting by the selection means and processing by the image processing means. The radiation image reading apparatus characterized by having a transmitting means for transmitting the inspection image signal to a remote location. 9. A receiving means for receiving an inspection image signal transmitted from a remote place, wherein the inspection image signal output means outputs the inspection image signal received by the receiving means. The radiation image reading device according to claim 8, wherein 10. An evaluation means for evaluating the image signal for inspection selected by the selection means and processed by the image processing means, wherein the transmission means remotely controls the evaluation by the evaluation means. The radiographic image reading apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the radiographic image is transmitted to a ground. 11. The evaluation by the evaluation unit is performed by comparing an inspection image signal before being processed by the image processing unit with an inspection image signal after being processed by the image processing unit. Claims 8 to
The radiographic image reading device according to any one of claims 10 to 13. 12. The evaluation by the evaluation means is such that a plurality of inspection image signals processed by the image processing means are stored in the storage means, and the plurality of inspection image signals stored in the storage means are stored. The radiographic image reading apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the radiographic image reading is performed by comparing. 13. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the evaluation by the evaluation unit is an analysis of the image quality of the inspection image signal processed by the image processing unit. Radiation image reader. 14. The evaluation by the evaluation unit is performed by analyzing an image quality analysis result of the inspection image signal before being processed by the image processing unit and an image quality of the inspection image signal after being processed by the image processing unit. The radiation image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the radiation image reading apparatus performs the comparison by comparing the analysis result. 15. The evaluation performed by the evaluation unit is such that a plurality of analysis results of the image quality of the inspection image signal processed by the image processing unit are stored in the storage unit, and the plurality of analysis results are stored in the storage unit. The radiation image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the radiation image reading apparatus performs the comparison by comparing the analysis results. 16. An image signal selection by said selection means,
A control signal for controlling the output of the inspection image signal by the inspection image signal output unit, the processing of the inspection image signal by the image processing unit, the evaluation by the evaluation unit, or the transmission of the inspection image signal by the transmission unit. The radiation image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 15, further comprising control means for receiving the information from a remote place by the receiving means and executing the control. 17. An optical system for irradiating a recording material on which radiation image information is recorded with excitation light, and photoelectrically reading emission corresponding to the radiation image information emitted from the recording material by irradiation of the excitation light. Reading means for obtaining an image signal by scanning; image processing means for processing the image signal; storage means for storing the image signal processed by the image processing means; and outputting the image signal stored in the storage means. In a radiation image reading apparatus having an image signal output unit, an inspection image signal output unit that outputs an inspection image signal, an image signal input to the image processing unit, an image signal acquired by the reading unit, Selecting means for selecting between the inspection image signal output by the inspection image signal output means, and selecting by the selection means, and by the image processing means Evaluation means for evaluating the processed inspection image signal, wherein the evaluation by the evaluation means is performed by analyzing the inspection image signal or the image of the inspection image signal after being processed by the image processing means. A radiation image reading apparatus, wherein a plurality of results are accumulated in the storage means, and the result is compared by comparing a plurality of inspection image signals or analysis results accumulated in the storage means. 18. The radiation image reading apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising a transmission unit for transmitting the evaluation by the evaluation unit to a remote place. 19. A receiving means for receiving an inspection image signal transmitted from a remote place, wherein the inspection image signal output means outputs the inspection image signal received by the receiving means. 19. The radiation image reading device according to claim 17, wherein 20. Selection of an image signal by said selection means,
Receiving the control signal for controlling the output of the inspection image signal by the inspection image signal output unit, the processing of the inspection image signal by the image processing unit, the evaluation by the evaluation unit, or the transmission of the evaluation by the transmission unit; 20. The radiation image reading apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising control means for receiving the information from a remote place by means and executing the control.