JP2003087528A - Method for acquiring dark data of photoelectric conversion element in radiation image information recorder/reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for acquiring dark data of a photoelectric conversion element in a radiation image information recorder/reader capable of obtaining highly accurate image data in a short time without lowering the accuracy of dark correction. SOLUTION: If patient ID information is inputted in an ID information inputting part 80, the main read control part 50 instructs a power supply 52 to start power supply to a CCD line sensor 40, also sets a prescribed time value showing start completion in the CCD line sensor 40 with respect to a start completion detecting part 54 and operates a timer for clocking the prescribed time. The start completion detecting part 54 outputs a signal showing the start completion of the CCD line sensor 40 to the main read control part 50 if time is up in the timer. The main read control part 50 decides the existence/nonexistence of the signal, and performs dark data acquisition processing if the signal is detected.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention irradiates a stimulable phosphor sheet with radiation emitted from a radiation source through an object to accumulate and record radiation image information on the stimulable phosphor sheet. The present invention relates to a method for acquiring dark data of a photoelectric conversion element in a radiation image information recording / reading apparatus, which reads stimulated emission light obtained by irradiating the stimulable phosphor sheet with excitation light as an electric signal by the photoelectric conversion element.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, radiation (X-ray, α-ray, β-ray,
When γ-rays, electron beams, ultraviolet rays, etc.) are irradiated, a part of this radiation energy is accumulated, and when irradiated with excitation light such as visible light after that, stimulable fluorescence that shows stimulated emission according to the accumulated energy intensity. Using the body (stimulable phosphor), radiation image information of a subject such as a human body is once recorded on a stimulable phosphor sheet having a sheet-shaped stimulable phosphor layer, and this stimulable phosphor sheet is used. An image signal obtained by photoelectrically reading stimulated emission light obtained by irradiating excitation light such as laser light to a recording medium such as a photographic light-sensitive material or a display device such as a CRT makes a radiation image of a subject visible. Radiation image information recording / reading device for outputting as image, so-called CR (Computed Radio)
graphy) devices are known.

By the way, in the reading unit for photoelectrically reading the stimulated emission light of the CR device, for example, image defects (image unevenness and streaks caused by variations in output characteristics due to temperature fluctuations of photoelectric conversion elements such as CCDs). In order to avoid (occurrence), dark correction is performed prior to reading.

That is, a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD has a predetermined output even when light is not incident,
There is a characteristic that this output depends on the ambient temperature. Therefore, prior to reading, it is necessary to obtain and hold the output of the photoelectric conversion element in the dark state as dark data, and to correct the actually read image data using the dark data.

By the way, since the temperature around the photoelectric conversion element is fluctuating successively, the accuracy of dark correction becomes higher as the time from the acquisition of dark data to the reading of image data becomes shorter. Therefore, in the conventional technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-55511 or 2001-94741, dark data is acquired immediately before the start of reading image data.

However, since the dark data is acquired each time immediately before reading, the accuracy of dark correction is high, but
It has been pointed out that the reading time including the acquisition time of dark data increases.

On the other hand, in order to avoid the above-mentioned inconvenience, in the prior art disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-116436,
When dark data is acquired at regular time intervals, and if a reading start instruction is received between the dark data acquisition processing, the dark data acquisition will start at that point and after the dark data acquisition ends. , Read the image data. On the other hand, when the reading start instruction is received during the acquisition of the dark data, the image data is read as soon as the acquisition of the dark data is completed.

Therefore, according to this conventional technique, when the image data reading start instruction is received during dark data acquisition,
Since the time for reacquiring the dark data acquisition from the beginning is saved, the dark data acquisition time is shortened. However, when the reading start instruction is received between the dark data acquisition processing, the dark data is acquired from the beginning, so that it does not contribute to the reduction of the dark data acquisition time.

As described above, it is hard to say that this conventional technique also has a sufficient effect of reducing the reading time including the acquisition time of dark data.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and it is possible to obtain highly accurate image data in a short time without lowering the accuracy of dark correction. An object of the present invention is to provide a method for obtaining dark data of a photoelectric conversion element in a radiation image information recording / reading device.

The present invention also provides a method for obtaining dark data of a photoelectric conversion element in a radiation image information recording / reading apparatus, which is capable of performing highly accurate dark correction and extending the life of the photoelectric conversion element. The purpose is to do.

[0012]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention irradiates the stimulable phosphor sheet with radiation emitted from a radiation source through a subject, thereby providing the stimulable phosphor. A photoelectric conversion element in a radiation image information recording / reading apparatus for reading the stimulated emission light obtained by irradiating the stimulable phosphor sheet with excitation light after accumulating and recording the radiation image information on the sheet as an electric signal by a photoelectric conversion element. The method for acquiring dark data according to claim 1, wherein dark data for dark correction of the photoelectric conversion element is acquired with reference to the time of information input processing relating to the subject prior to the irradiation of the radiation. Invention described in 1.).

According to the present invention, the dark data is acquired before the image data is read and at a substantially constant time very close to the reading timing. It is possible to obtain image data corrected with accuracy.

Further, according to the present invention, the photoelectric conversion element is activated based on the time of the information input processing, and after a predetermined time has elapsed from the activation of the photoelectric conversion element, before the reading of the stimulated emission light. In addition, dark data for dark correction of the photoelectric conversion element is acquired (the invention according to claim 4).

According to the present invention, the photoelectric conversion element is held in the non-activated state until the information input processing is performed, and after the information input processing, the photoelectric conversion element is activated and the dark data is acquired. It is possible to extend the life of the photoelectric conversion element without lowering the accuracy.

Further, according to the present invention, by irradiating the stimulable phosphor sheet with the radiation emitted from the radiation source through the subject, the stimulable phosphor sheet is accumulated and recorded, and then the accumulated image is accumulated. Is a dark data acquisition method of photoelectric conversion elements in a radiation image information recording / reading device for reading stimulated emission light obtained by irradiating a fluorescent phosphor sheet with excitation light as electric signals by photoelectric conversion elements, wherein the radiation is The dark data for dark correction of the photoelectric conversion element is acquired with reference to the time of irradiation of the subject (the invention according to claim 5).

According to the present invention, since the dark data of the photoelectric conversion element can be obtained at the timing immediately before the reading of the image data, the image data can be corrected with higher accuracy.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A dark data acquisition method for a photoelectric conversion element in a radiation image information recording / reading apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, with reference to preferred embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a radiation image information recording / reading apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. The radiation image information recording / reading apparatus 10 basically has a subject 18 such as a human body.
The radiation recording section 12 for temporarily recording the radiation image of the above onto the stimulable phosphor sheet P, and the stimulated emission that emits light according to the intensity of the radiation S by irradiating the stimulable phosphor sheet P with excitation light L such as laser The reading unit 14 photoelectrically reads the light R, and the erasing light source 16 that emits the radiation energy remaining on the stimulable phosphor sheet P.

The radiation recording unit 12 basically has a radiation source 20 for generating radiation S, a photographing table 22 for holding a subject 18 such as a human body at a predetermined position, and a storage phosphor sheet P.
Composed of and. A grid 24 for removing scattered rays is arranged behind the photographing table 22, and a stimulable phosphor sheet P is fixedly held at a predetermined photographing position behind the grid 24. The imaging table 22 has radiation transparency.

The reading unit 14 basically reads the radiation image from the stimulable phosphor sheet P.
And a reading unit driving section 32 for vertically shifting the reading unit 30.

The reading unit 30 comprises a line light source (linear light source) 36, a condenser lens array 38, and a CCD line sensor 40.

The line light source 36 comprises a laser diode array and a cylindrical lens (not shown). The laser diode array has an oscillation wavelength of 65, for example.
A plurality of laser diodes in the 0 to 690 nm band are arranged in a line. Excitation light in a divergent light state emitted from each laser diode is condensed in one direction by a cylindrical lens to become a fan beam, and the excitation light L formed by combining these fan beams is lined up on the stimulable phosphor sheet P. Irradiate in a shape.

The condenser lens array 38 is formed by arranging a plurality of gradient index lenses not shown in a line.
The plurality of gradient index lenses are arranged parallel to the width direction (X direction) of the stimulable phosphor sheet P irradiated with the excitation light L. Each gradient index lens collects the stimulated emission light R emitted from the stimulable phosphor sheet P and guides it to the CCD line sensor 40.

The CCD line sensor 40 is formed by arranging a plurality of sensor chips (photoelectric conversion elements) (not shown) in a line. The plurality of sensor chips are arranged parallel to the width direction (X direction) of the stimulable phosphor sheet P irradiated with the excitation light L. When the width of the storage phosphor sheet P is wide, a plurality of CCD line sensors 40 are connected in the width direction (X direction) so that the entire width direction of the storage phosphor sheet P can be read. It may be configured.

A filter (not shown) for cutting the excitation light L reflected by the stimulable phosphor sheet P is interposed between the CCD line sensor 40 and the condenser lens array 38.

The reading unit driving section 32 has a ball screw 34 extending in the up-down direction (Y direction) in the radiation image information recording / reading apparatus 10. By rotating the ball screw 34, the ball screw 34 is rotated. The reading unit 30 that meshes with can be vertically displaced. The reading unit 30 stands by at the home position indicated by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 1 except when reading.

The erasing light source 16 is arranged to face the stimulable phosphor sheet P with the reading section 14 interposed therebetween. The erasing light source 16 irradiates the stimulable phosphor sheet P with erasing light Q,
The radiant energy remaining in the stimulable phosphor sheet P is emitted.

The erasing light source 16 is a fluorescent lamp 42 having a length longer than the width direction (X direction) of the stimulable phosphor sheet P.
Are arranged in the lengthwise direction (Y direction) of the stimulable phosphor sheet P, and the erasing light Q is applied to the entire area of the stimulable phosphor sheet P.

Further, the output surface 44 from which the erasing light Q is output
A heavy element-containing filter 46 is arranged in the entire area. The heavy element-containing filter 46 transmits the erasing light Q and transmits the radiation S.
Has the property of absorbing. Therefore, during radiation recording, the heavy element-containing filter 46 absorbs the radiation S that has passed through the stimulable phosphor sheet P, so that the radiation S that has passed through the stimulable phosphor sheet P is inside the radiation image information recording / reading apparatus 10. And the stimulable phosphor sheet P is scattered again.
It is possible to prevent backscattering that is incident on the light source, and it is possible to prevent fogging, artifacts and the like caused by the backscattering.

The heavy element-containing filter 46 is U
Since it has a characteristic of removing a wavelength component shorter than V light, when the residual radiation image is erased, new radiation energy is prevented from being accumulated on the stimulable phosphor sheet P and the erasing light source 16 is erased. The efficiency can be improved. Examples of the heavy element-containing filter 46 include lead-containing acrylic resin and lead glass.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a control circuit of the radiation image information recording / reading apparatus 10 centering on the reading section 14.

Reading unit main control unit 50 for controlling the reading unit 14
Includes a power supply unit 52 that supplies power to the CCD line sensor 40, a startup completion detection unit 54 that detects completion of startup of the CCD line sensor 40, and a laser diode that is a light emitting element that emits a laser beam as the excitation light L. (LD) 58
LD driver 56 for driving the amplifier, amplifier 60 and A /
CCD line sensor 4 supplied via D converter 62
Selector 64 for selecting a processing mode for signals from 0
And are connected.

Further, the reading section main control section 50 is connected to an ID information input section 80 for inputting patient ID information such as a patient's name and medical history, and a radiation source 20 for inputting a radiation irradiation start signal. To be done. A card reader 82 for reading an ID card 84 on which the patient's ID information is recorded is connected to the ID information input unit 80. A shot switch 88 for instructing the start of irradiation of the radiation S is connected to the radiation source 20.

On the other hand, the line memory 66 is connected to the selection unit 64 via the control route A, and the dark correction unit 72 is connected to the selection unit 64 via the control route B. The reading unit main control unit 50 controls the selection unit 64 to select either the dark data acquisition process by the control route A or the image data reading process by the control route B.

A dark correction data calculation unit 68 is connected to the line memory 66. The dark correction data calculation unit 68 calculates dark correction data according to the dark data supplied from the line memory 66, and stores it in the dark correction data storage unit 70.

The radiation image information recording / reading apparatus 10 of the present embodiment is basically constructed as described above, and next, the radiation image information recording / reading apparatus according to the first embodiment. 3 to 7 for the operation procedure in FIG.
Will be explained.

First, the ID card 8 is operated by a doctor or the like.
The patient ID information recorded in No. 4 is read by the card reader 82 and input from the ID information input unit 80 (step S1).

Next, the ID information input section 80 outputs a signal indicating completion of ID information input to the reading section main control section 50. Specifically, the ID information input signal is turned ON (High level) at time T1 in FIG. 7 (step S1).
a).

When the reading section main control section 50 detects that the ID information input signal is turned on, the reading section main control section 50 starts the processing of the program as the basic processing of the reading section 14.

First, in step S11, the reading section main control section 50 instructs the power supply section 52 to start power supply to the CCD line sensor 40 (time T in FIG. 7).
2). At the same time, the reading unit main control unit 50 instructs the activation completion detection unit 54 to start detection of the activation completion of the CCD line sensor 40. Upon receiving an instruction from the reading unit main control unit 50, the startup completion detecting unit 54 starts, for example, a 10-second timer required for completing the startup of the CCD line sensor 40, and at the time when 10 seconds have elapsed, the reading unit main An activation completion signal is output to the control unit 50 (time T3 in FIG. 7). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the reading unit main control unit 50 turns ON (High level) when the timer starts counting,
When the timer times out, the signal line that turns off (low level) is monitored.

The timer value set in the activation completion detecting unit 54 is the CCD line sensor 40 after the power is supplied.
Is the time required for stable operation, and the time is C
It is determined in consideration of the temperature characteristics of the CD line sensor 40 itself, the temperature around the CCD line sensor 40, and the like.

It should be noted that instead of measuring the time with a timer, the activation completion detecting section 54 is equipped with a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature, and the CCD line sensor 40 has a certain temperature.
May be configured to generate a start-up completion signal when the temperature reaches a stable operation temperature.

In step S12, the reading section main control section 50 determines whether or not the signal line indicating whether or not the activation of the CCD line sensor 40 is completed is turned off. If the activation of the CCD line sensor 40 is not completed, step S12 is repeated until the activation is completed, and when the activation is completed (see T3 in FIG. 7), the process proceeds to step S13.

In step S13, dark correction data is obtained. Specifically, the processing shown in FIG. 5 is executed.

First, in step S13a, the reading section main control section 50 sets the dark data acquisition mode (control route A) to the selection section 64.

In step S13b, the reading main controller 50 outputs the laser output to the LD driver 56.
Instruct to keep FF.

In step S13c, the CCD line sensor 40 reads. Here, since the purpose is to obtain dark data, the dark data of each pixel of the CCD line sensor 40 is read in the dark state in which the laser output is kept OFF in step S13b, and the obtained dark data is the line memory 66. Stored in.

In step S13d, the dark correction data calculation unit 68 calculates dark correction data from the dark data stored in the line memory 66.

In the dark correction data calculation unit 68 in this embodiment, for example, the average value of the dark data of each pixel of the CCD line sensor 40 is calculated and used as the dark correction data G. Specifically, n pieces of dark data are D1, D2, ..., D
When n is set, the dark correction data G is given by the following calculation formula (1).

G = (D1 + D2 + ... + Dn) / n (1) Note that the dark correction data G is not calculated as an average value of the dark data D1 to Dn, but the dark correction data G is set for each pixel, or Alternatively, the line memory 66 may be divided into a plurality of pixels, and the dark correction data G may be set for each set of pixels. In this case, the dark data D1 to Dn are detected a plurality of times, and the average value thereof is used as the dark correction data G, so that the influence of an error at the time of detection can be avoided.

Dark correction data G obtained as described above
In step S13e, the dark correction data storage unit 7
Stored in 0. The processing of steps S13a to S13e is performed between times T4 and T5 in FIG. 7.

On the other hand, the series of processes in the reading main controller 50 (that is, the CCD line sensor 40) accompanying the detection of the ID information input signal ON in step S1a.
The following processing is performed in parallel with the start of energization to the CCD line, the detection of the completion of activation of the CCD line sensor 40, and the acquisition processing of dark data.

In step S2, the patient moves to the radiation recording section 12 to record radiation. After the patient moves to the radiation recording unit 12, recording position alignment such as raising and lowering the imaging table 22 is performed in step S3 by an operation of a doctor or the like.

Next, in step S4, when the doctor or the like presses the shot switch 88, radiation recording is started (time T6, T7 in FIG. 7). At this time, the radiation source 2
The radiation output from 0 reaches the stimulable phosphor sheet P through the subject 18 to record a radiation image.

When the radiation recording is completed, the radiation source 20 outputs a signal indicating the end of the radiation recording to the reading section main controller 50. Specifically, as shown at time T8 in FIG. 7, the signal that was ON (High level) during radiation recording becomes OFF (Low level).

In step S5, the reading section main control section 50 which has detected the Low level (or the edge section from High to Low) reads the radiation image recorded on the stimulable phosphor sheet P and obtains the obtained image. Darken the data. Specifically, the processing shown in FIG. 6 is executed.

First, in step S5a, the reading section main control section 50 sets the normal reading mode (control route B) to the selection section 64.

In step S5b, the reading section main control section 50 turns on the laser output to the LD driver 56.
Give instructions to

In step S5c, the normal reading of the stimulable phosphor sheet P by the CCD line sensor 40 is started (time T9 in FIG. 7).

That is, the LD driver 56 drives the LD 58, and the excitation light L output from the LD 58 scans the stimulable phosphor sheet P in the X direction. On the other hand, the reading unit 3
0 is displaced in the Y direction as the ball screw 34 rotates.
As a result, the stimulable phosphor sheet P on which the radiation image is accumulated
Are two-dimensionally scanned by the excitation light L.

The stimulable phosphor sheet P irradiated with the excitation light L outputs stimulated emission light R corresponding to the radiation image, and this stimulated emission light R passes through the condenser lens array 38 and the CCD line sensor. It is incident on 40. CCD line sensor 40
Converts the incident stimulated emission light R into an electric signal. This electric signal is supplied to the A / D converter 62 via the amplifier 60, converted into image data, and supplied from the selection unit 64 to the darkness correction unit 72.

Therefore, the dark correction section 72 determines in step S5d.
In, the dark correction is performed on the image data obtained in step S5c using the dark correction data G stored in the dark correction data storage unit 70. In this case, assuming that the image data before correction is I and the image data after correction is J, the image data J is calculated as J = IG (2).

In the reading section 14, after the reading including the dark correction is completed (time T10 in FIG. 7), step S5e.
At the reading section main control section 50, the reading section main control section 50 instructs the power supply section 52 to stop the power supply to the CCD line sensor 40, whereby the CCD line sensor 40 is turned off.
This is the state (time T11 in FIG. 7).

On the other hand, the stimulable phosphor sheet P from which the radiation image has been read is irradiated with the erasing light Q from the fluorescent lamp 42 of the erasing light source 16 to release the remaining radiation energy, and the next radiation energy is emitted. It is used for photography.

Next, the operation procedure in the radiation image information recording / reading apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In the first embodiment, the start of a series of processes such as the energization of the CCD line sensor 40, the detection of the completion of the activation of the CCD line sensor 40, and the acquisition of dark data is based on the input of patient ID information. In contrast to this, in the second embodiment, the series of processes (CCD
Start of energization to the line sensor 40, CCD line sensor 4
It is different in that the start completion detection of 0 and the acquisition of dark data) are started on the basis of the start of radiation recording by the radiation source 20 (at the time of irradiation of radiation). Therefore, the same step numbers are given to the same processes as those in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

After the patient ID information is input from the ID information input section 80 (step S1), the patient moves to the radiation recording section 12 to perform radiography (step S2). Then, recording position alignment such as raising and lowering the photographing table 22 is performed (step S3).

After the above-mentioned preparation for photographing is completed, a doctor or the like presses the shot switch 88 to start radiation recording (step S4).

At this time, the radiation source 20 outputs a radiation recording start signal based on the start of radiation recording by the shot switch 88 to the reading unit main control unit 50 (step S4a).

When the reading section main control section 50 detects the radiation recording start signal, the selection section 64 selects the control route A and starts energization of the CCD line sensor 40 according to the processing procedure shown in FIG. 4 (step S11). Then, the completion detection of the CCD line sensor 40 is detected (step S12), and the dark correction data G is calculated (step S13).

On the other hand, when the radiation recording on the stimulable phosphor sheet P is completed, the reading unit main control unit 50 causes the selection unit 6 to operate.
After selecting the control route B in 4, the radiation image recorded on the stimulable phosphor sheet P is read according to the processing procedure shown in FIG. 6, and the obtained image data is dark-corrected to obtain a desired image. Image data is obtained (step S5).

Whether a series of processes such as the start of energization of the CCD line sensor 40, the detection of the completion of the activation of the CCD line sensor 40, and the acquisition of dark data are performed based on the timing of inputting the patient ID information (first (Embodiment) Whether the radiation recording is started with reference to the timing (second embodiment) is performed in consideration of the processing time in the radiation image information recording / reading apparatus 10, the average operation time of humans, etc. It is desirable to decide to select the timing closest to the reading of the image data by 40.

In the dark data acquisition method in the radiographic image information recording / reading apparatus 10 of each of the above-described embodiments, since the time from the acquisition of dark data to the reading of image data is short, the temperature fluctuation of the CCD line sensor 40 can be prevented. Image data can be dark-corrected with almost no influence. Moreover, since the dark correction data has been acquired before the image data is read, the image data reading process can be started quickly.

Further, since the time from the start of the ID information input of the patient or the start of the radiation recording to the start of the reading of the image data is considered to be about tens of seconds at the longest, the temperature of the CCD line sensor 40 is high during that time. There is no risk of fluctuation. Therefore, since the time from the acquisition of dark data to the reading of image data is almost constant, the accuracy of dark correction does not change for each reading, and an image of stable quality can be obtained.

Further, prior to the acquisition of the dark data, C
By energizing the CD line sensor 40 and cutting off the energization to the CCD line sensor 40 when the reading is completed, the power consumption of the device is suppressed and the total energization time of the CCD line sensor 40 is shortened. Is
It is possible to obtain the effect of extending the life of the CCD line sensor 40.

[0077]

According to the present invention, the photoelectric conversion is performed by acquiring dark data of the photoelectric conversion element based on the information input process of the object before the start of reading the radiation image information or the irradiation of the radiation. It is possible to perform dark correction with extremely high accuracy without the temperature variation of the element affecting dark correction.

Further, by acquiring the dark data with reference to the information input process or the radiation irradiation, it is possible to completely complete the dark data acquisition at the subsequent reading of the image data. Acquisition does not affect the image data reading process. As a result, the processing throughput of the device can be improved.

In addition, prior to the acquisition of the dark data, energization of the photoelectric conversion element is started, and after the reading is completed,
By cutting off the power supply to the photoelectric conversion element, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the device, shorten the total power supply time to the photoelectric conversion element, and extend the product life of the photoelectric conversion element.

Further, after obtaining the dark data, the dark data of a plurality of pixels forming the photoelectric conversion element is averaged to obtain dark correction data, or the dark data of each pixel is individually averaged. By obtaining the dark correction data,
It is possible to avoid the influence of an error when acquiring dark data.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a radiation image information recording / reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a control circuit block diagram of the radiation image information recording / reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure in the radiation image information recording / reading apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a basic process of a reading unit.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure for acquiring dark correction data.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for normal reading.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart illustrating an operation procedure in the radiation image information recording / reading apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure in the radiation image information recording / reading device according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Radiation image information recording / reading apparatus 12 ... Radiation recording section 14 ... Reading section 16 ... Erase light source 18 ... Subject 20 ... Radiation source 30 ... Reading unit 36 ... Line light source 38 ... Condensing lens array 40 ... CC
D line sensor 42 ... Fluorescent lamp 50 ... Reading unit main control unit 52 ... Power supply unit 54 ... Startup completion detection unit 56 ... Laser diode driver 58 ... Laser diode 60 ... Amplifier 62 ... A /
D converter 64 ... Selection unit 66 ... Line memory 68 ... Dark correction data calculation unit 70 ... Dark correction data storage unit 72 ... Dark correction unit 80 ... ID
Information input section 82 ... Card reader 84 ... ID
Card 88 ... Shot switch

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04N 1/04 H04N 1/04 E 1/407 1/40 101B F term (reference) 2G083 AA03 BB05 DD20 2H013 AC06 5B047 AA17 BA02 DA06 DB01 DC06 5C072 AA01 BA15 EA05 FA02 UA06 VA01 5C077 LL04 MM03 MP01 PP07 PP47 PQ12 PQ24 SS01 TT10

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A stimulable phosphor sheet is irradiated with radiation emitted from a radiation source through a subject to accumulate and record radiation image information on the stimulable phosphor sheet, and then the stimulable phosphor sheet. A method for obtaining dark data of a photoelectric conversion element in a radiographic image information recording / reading device that reads stimulated emission light obtained by irradiating excitation light as an electric signal by a photoelectric conversion element, wherein the subject prior to irradiation with the radiation The dark data acquisition method for a photoelectric conversion element in a radiation image information recording / reading device, characterized in that dark data for dark correction of the photoelectric conversion element is acquired with reference to the time of the information input processing according to the above. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein dark correction data is obtained by averaging dark data of a plurality of pixels forming the photoelectric conversion element. Dark data acquisition method of conversion element. 3. The radiation image information recording / reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein dark correction data is obtained by individually averaging dark data of each pixel forming the photoelectric conversion element. Method for obtaining dark data of photoelectric conversion element. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the photoelectric conversion element is started based on the time of the information input processing, and after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the photoelectric conversion element, the stimulated emission A method for obtaining dark data of a photoelectric conversion element in a radiation image information recording / reading device, characterized in that dark data for dark correction of the photoelectric conversion element is obtained before reading light. 5. A stimulable phosphor sheet is irradiated with radiation emitted from a radiation source through a subject to accumulate and record radiation image information on the stimulable phosphor sheet, and then the stimulable phosphor sheet. A method for obtaining dark data of a photoelectric conversion element in a radiation image information recording / reading device that reads the stimulated emission light obtained by irradiating excitation light as an electric signal by a photoelectric conversion element, when irradiating the subject with the radiation. Based on
A method for acquiring dark data of a photoelectric conversion element in a radiation image information recording / reading device, characterized by acquiring dark data for dark correction of the photoelectric conversion element. 6. The photoelectric conversion device according to claim 5, wherein dark correction data is obtained by averaging dark data of a plurality of pixels forming the photoelectric conversion element. Dark data acquisition method of conversion element. 7. The radiation image information recording / reading apparatus according to claim 5, wherein dark correction data is obtained by individually averaging dark data of each pixel forming the photoelectric conversion element. Method for obtaining dark data of photoelectric conversion element.