JP2004081822A - Method for recording image, apparatus for recording image, and material for recording image - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a clear grasp of conditions when an image is recorded into an image recording material, preparing for a case, for instance, where the image recording material is sent back from a user. <P>SOLUTION: Attribute information of a film F and background information of an image recording apparatus are converted into visible information 100 and are recorded into a prescribed position in the film F. As to the position for recording the visible information F, for instance when a center section of the film F is occupied by an image recording area 102 of the visible information, an upper area 104 or the like in a peripheral section around the image recoding area 102 is allotted for recording. The visible information 100 is recorded in an indication form which the user can easily perceive. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image recording method and an image recording apparatus for recording image data as a visible image on an image recording material, and an image recording material for recording image data as a visible image.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, computer-aided diagnosis devices such as CT (Computed Tomography) devices, CR (Computed Radiography) devices, and MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) devices have been widely used in the medical field. The radiographic image information of the subject as an electrical signal obtained by using these devices is transferred to an image processing device, and then subjected to desired image processing suitable for diagnosis, and is subjected to CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), film, etc. Output to the image recording material.
[0003]
In this case, in the image recording apparatus that records the radiation image information on the image recording material, for example, after the sheet-like image recording material supplied in a stacked state is conveyed to the image recording unit, the radiation image information is obtained. By irradiating the image recording material with a laser beam modulated according to the above, a radiographic image subjected to desired image processing is obtained.
[0004]
By the way, in such an image recording apparatus, image processing information input from a terminal device or a console is temporarily stored together with identification information as a file in a memory, and the image recording material is recorded when an image is recorded on the image recording material. A method has been proposed in which image processing information corresponding to an image recorded on the image recording material is read from the memory from the identification information and recorded on the image recording material (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 59-28146 (FIG. 1)
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional image recording apparatus, the gender, name, other unique information of the subject (patient), input information such as imaging conditions, and input information such as image processing conditions such as gradation processing and frequency processing are imaged. Recording is performed on a recording material. That is, the information such as the expiration date of the image recording material, the attributes of the image recording material itself such as the product type, the history information of the image recording device when the image is recorded on the image recording material such as the opening date and development temperature of the package, etc. Not done.
[0007]
For this reason, for example, when there is a defect in the image recording material for the user and the defective image recording material is returned from the user, the situation information at the time of image recording is insufficient, and the cause analysis of the defect is sufficiently performed. There was a risk of not being able to.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems. For example, when the image recording material is returned from the user, the situation at the time of image recording on the image recording material can be clearly grasped. An object is to provide an image recording method, an image recording apparatus, and an image recording material.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The image recording method according to the present invention is an image recording method for recording image data as a visible image on an image recording material. In addition to image recording on the image recording material, information including at least attributes of the image recording material Is recorded on the image recording material.
[0010]
Further, an image recording apparatus according to the present invention is an image recording apparatus that records image data as a visible image on an image recording material, means for recording an image on the image recording material, and at least the image recording material And means for recording information including attributes on the image recording material.
[0011]
In the image recording material according to the present invention, in the image recording material in which image data is recorded as a visible image, information including at least the attribute of the image recording material is recorded in a portion other than the portion where the visible image is recorded. It is characterized by.
[0012]
Thus, for example, when the image recording material is returned from the user, information including at least the attribute of the image recording material is recorded on the image recording material. I can grasp it.
[0013]
When the image recording material is taken out from a package in which a plurality of image recording materials are stored and image data is recorded as a visible image on the taken image recording material, the information including the attribute is: Information displayed at least on the package may be used.
[0014]
Further, it is preferable that the information is recorded in a portion of the image recording material other than the portion where the image data is recorded. The information may include history information of an apparatus that records image data on the image recording material, in addition to the attribute of the image recording material described above.
[0015]
The information may be recorded by visual display, or a magnetic medium may be provided on the image recording material and recorded as magnetic information on the magnetic medium. In particular, when recording is performed by visual display, it is preferable to record the information after converting it into a predetermined display form. The predetermined display form includes a form that can be easily grasped by human eyes, a bar code form that can be read by a computer, and the like.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of an image recording method, an image recording apparatus, and an image recording material according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
[0017]
The image recording apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 observes radiographic image information supplied from a CT apparatus, CR apparatus, MRI apparatus, etc. (not shown) by transmitting light from the back side with a Schaukasten or the like. It is recorded and output as a visible image on an image recording material (transmission observation type image recording material).
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 2, the package 12 loaded in the image recording apparatus 10 is a light shielding bag 14 that holds the image recording material in a light-tight manner and an image recording material that is stored in a stacked state in the light shielding bag 14. A sheet-like film F and a backing paper 16 for protecting the film F are included.
[0019]
The light shielding bag 14 has fin portions 18a and 18b having a predetermined amount of width in the front and rear. The backing paper 16 is formed by bending cardboard or the like, for example, and includes a lower surface portion 20a disposed at the lowermost portion of the film F, an upper surface portion 20b disposed at the uppermost portion of the film F, a lower surface portion 20a, and It has the side part 20c which connects the upper surface part 20b, and the side part 20d arrange | positioned at the side part of the film F of the fin part 18a.
[0020]
Further, in the outer surface of the light shielding bag 14, as shown in FIG. 3, the portion of the backing paper 16 on the lower surface portion 20a side and closer to the fin portion 18a has a size, sensitivity, manufacturing time, A barcode 22 in which identification information used as an index of attribute information such as a manufacturing location, a manufacturing lot number, and a manufacturer name is recorded, and numerical data 24 corresponding to the identification information recorded in the barcode 22 are printed. A bar code label 26 is attached. Similarly, a barcode label 28 having the same configuration as the barcode label 26 and having the same identification information recorded thereon is attached to the lower surface portion 20 a of the backing paper 16 in the light shielding bag 14.
[0021]
Next, the configuration of the image recording apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4. The image recording apparatus 10 includes mounting tables 36, 38, and 40 on which a plurality of packaging bodies 12 can be loaded from the side surface of the housing 35. Above the uppermost mounting table 36, a display unit 42 for displaying an operation state of the image recording apparatus 10 and a display for performing a desired work instruction, and for inputting data to the image recording apparatus 10. A data input unit 44 is provided.
[0022]
In the housing 35 of the image recording apparatus 10, a sheet-fed mechanism 48 that leaves the film F in an open state in the image recording apparatus 10 in proximity to the top of each of the mounting tables 36, 38, 40 in the stored state. , 50, 52 are disposed. Further, barcode labels 26 and 28 (FIG. 3) attached to the light-shielding bag 14 (see FIG. 2) of the package 12 loaded thereon and the backing paper 16 are mounted on the lower surfaces of the mounting tables 36, 38, and 40. Opening portions 37, 39, 41 are formed corresponding to the positions of the reference), and bar code readers 43, 45, 47 are arranged so as to face these opening portions 37, 39, 41.
[0023]
A recording unit 54 is disposed above the uppermost mounting table 36. As shown in FIG. 5, the recording unit 54 includes an image recording unit 55, a display form conversion unit 90, and an information recording unit 96.
[0024]
The image recording unit 55 records a radiographic image composed of a latent image by irradiating the transported film F with a laser beam L modulated based on the radiographic image information.
[0025]
The display form conversion unit 90 converts the attribute information and the like of the film F into data in a display form that can be easily recognized by the user, and outputs the data to the information recording unit 96 (see FIG. 5) at the subsequent stage. For example, when the date data included in the attribute information is “020325”, the data is converted into data such as “2002/3/25”.
[0026]
The information recording unit 96 records the data supplied from the display form conversion unit 90 (see FIG. 5) at a predetermined location on the film F.
[0027]
In the recording unit 54, the film F is conveyed while being pressed against the plate 58 by the roller 56.
[0028]
A heat developing unit 60 that converts the latent image into a visible image by heating the film F on which the radiation image information is recorded is disposed on the upper side of the image recording apparatus 10 and on the side of the recording unit 54. The heat developing unit 60 rotates a plurality of rollers 62 that transport the film F, plate heaters 64 a to 64 c that are curved along the plurality of rollers 62, and that heats the film F being transported, and a plurality of rollers 62. And a drum 66 to be driven.
[0029]
A cooling unit 68 is disposed at the top of the housing 35 so as to be connected to the heat developing unit 60. The film F cooled by the cooling unit 68 is discharged to the discharge unit 70 that is the upper surface of the housing 35.
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 5, the entire operation of the image recording apparatus 10 is controlled by the control unit 72. In addition to the recording unit 54 and the heat development unit 60 described above, the barcode readers 43, 45, 47, the display unit 42, and the data input unit 44 are connected to the control unit 72, respectively. The control unit 72 also controls the sheet mechanisms 48, 50, 52 and the transport mechanism 74 that transports the film F in the image recording apparatus 10.
[0031]
Further, the control unit 72 includes a mounting table detection unit 76 that detects that the mounting tables 36, 38, and 40 (see FIG. 4) are stored in the image recording apparatus 10, and light shielding within the image recording apparatus 10. A light shielding bag detection unit 78 that detects the presence or absence of the bag 14 (see FIG. 2) is connected. Furthermore, a data storage unit 80 that stores identification information read by the barcode readers 43, 45, 47 is also connected to the control unit 72.
[0032]
The control unit 72 is connected to a monitoring unit 92 that monitors the system state in the image recording apparatus 10. Various sensors 94 are connected to the monitoring unit 92, and the detection values sent from these sensors 94 are sent to the control unit 72 as data strings, for example.
[0033]
Further, the control unit 72 reads out the attribute information of the film F corresponding to the identification information stored in the data storage unit 80 from the data storage unit 80 and sends it to the display form conversion unit 90.
[0034]
As described above, the display form conversion unit 90 converts the attribute information and the like supplied from the control unit 72 into data in a display form that can be easily recognized by the user, and outputs the data to the subsequent information recording unit 96.
[0035]
The information recording unit 96 records the data sent from the display form conversion unit 90 as a visible information 100 at a predetermined location on the film F as shown in FIG. As the recording location, when the central portion of the film F is the image recording area 102 of the visible image, the upper area 104 of the periphery of the image recording area 102 is preferably employed.
[0036]
For example, when the background color of the film F is black, recording is performed by transparent characters, white characters, or engraving. For example, when the film F is transparent, the information recording unit 96 records on the film F. Make recordings with system letters and inscriptions.
[0037]
Of course, as shown in FIG. 7A, a barcode 110 (a one-dimensional barcode, a two-dimensional barcode, etc.) may be recorded instead of the visible information 100 of the attribute information, and as shown in FIG. The barcode 110 may be recorded together with the visible information 100 of the attribute information.
[0038]
Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8A, a magnetic recording medium 112 is provided in any one of the peripheral portions of the film F, and the magnetic information of the attribute information is used instead of the visible information 100 of the attribute information. 8B, for example, the visible information 100 of the attribute information is recorded on the upper part of the peripheral portion, and the magnetic information of the attribute information is recorded on the magnetic recording medium 112 as shown in FIG. 8B. You may make it do.
[0039]
In the above-described example, the case where the attribute information of the film F is recorded is shown. However, the history information of the image recording apparatus 10 may be recorded together. The history information includes the opening date and time of the film F, the total number of films F output so far by the image recording apparatus 10, information on the devices connected to the image recording apparatus 10, and information in the image recording apparatus 10 ( Development temperature, information on image correction at the time of development / recording, setting values of various internal devices, etc.), serial number of the image recording apparatus 10, what number of film F is output, version information of basic software and application software Etc.
[0040]
As the history information, a data string (information obtained by collecting detection values from various sensors 94 as a data string) supplied from the monitoring unit 92 (see FIG. 5) to the control unit 72 can be used. Therefore, by supplying this data string to the information recording unit 96 via the display form conversion unit 90, the history information of the image recording apparatus can be recorded as the visible information 100 together with the attribute information of the film F. Of course, it may be recorded as magnetic information.
[0041]
The image recording apparatus 10 and the package 12 loaded thereon are basically configured as described above. Next, a processing method in the image recording apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG. It demonstrates based on the process flowchart shown in FIG.
[0042]
As a preparatory stage, as shown in FIG. 1, after pulling out one of the mounting tables 36, 38, 40 (in this case, the mounting table 36), the barcode label 26 (attached to the light shielding bag 14) ( The packaging body 12 is accommodated in the mounting table 36 in a state where the lower side (see FIG. 3) is placed downward. In this case, the barcode label 26 can be detected from the outside through the opening 41 formed in the mounting table 36. Next, after the packaging body 12 is stored on the mounting table 36, the end portion of one fin portion 18b of the light shielding bag 14 is cut off. In addition, since the light shielding bag 14 is stored in the state pressed against the inner peripheral wall of the mounting table 36, the internal film F is maintained in a light-tight state. The other fin portion 18 a is set so as to protrude from the mounting table 36 to the front of the image recording apparatus 10.
[0043]
After the packaging body 12 is stored on the mounting table 36 as described above, the mounting table 36 is loaded into the image recording apparatus 10 (step S1). When the control unit 72 confirms that the mounting table 36 is loaded in the image recording apparatus 10 based on the mounting table detection signal from the mounting table detection unit 76 (step S2), the package 12 stored in the mounting table 36 is displayed. The bar code reader 43 reads the bar code 22 recorded on the bar code label 26 attached to the light shielding bag 14 (step S3).
[0044]
On the other hand, after loading the mounting table 36 containing the package 12 into the image recording apparatus 10, the operator pulls out the fin portion 18 a of the light shielding bag 14 exposed to the outside of the image recording apparatus 10. At this time, the film F is left in the image recording apparatus 10 while being held on the application paper 16 and the mounting table 36.
[0045]
The control unit 72 checks the barcode data obtained from the barcode 22 read by the barcode reader 43 (step S4). As a barcode data check method, for example, a known method using a check digit system is known.
[0046]
As a result of checking the barcode data, if it is determined that the reading has been performed normally, the identification information related to the barcode data is stored in the data storage unit 80 together with the information for specifying the mounting table 36 (step S5).
[0047]
As a result of checking the barcode data, if it is determined that the reading is abnormal, the control unit 72 displays a reading abnormality on the display unit 42 (step S6) and sets a reading abnormality flag for the barcode data. (Step S7). The reason why such a reading abnormality occurs is that the operator pulls out the light shielding bag 14 from the image recording apparatus 10 before the barcode reader 43 completes the reading process of the barcode 22, or A barcode 22 reading error by the barcode reader 43 is assumed.
[0048]
After the identification information related to the barcode data is stored in the data storage unit 80 or the reading abnormality flag is set, the control unit 72 determines whether the light shielding bag 14 is based on the light shielding bag detection signal from the light shielding bag detection unit 78. It is confirmed that it has been extracted (step S8). Next, the reading abnormality flag is checked (step S9).
[0049]
In step S9, when it is confirmed that the reading abnormality flag is set, the controller 72 reads the barcode 22 recorded on the barcode label 28 attached to the backing paper 16 stored in the mounting table 36. Is performed by the barcode reader 43 (step S10).
[0050]
The control unit 72 stores the identification information related to the barcode data in the data storage unit 80 together with information for specifying the mounting table 36 (step S11). Next, the reading abnormality flag set in step S7 is reset (step S12).
[0051]
As described above, when the barcode data is input and the reading abnormality flag is not set, or when the reading abnormality flag is reset, the control unit 72 cuts the desired film F one by one. The process of recording the radiation image information is started.
[0052]
In this case, the control unit 72 uses the identification information of the film F stored in the data storage unit 80 and the information of the mounting tables 36, 38, and 40 in which the film F is stored to determine the desired film F. One of the storage platforms 36, 38, 40 stored is selected (step S13).
[0053]
When one of the mounting tables 36, 38, 40 is selected, the control unit 72 urges the sheet mechanisms 48, 50, 52 and the transport mechanism 74 to sheet the desired film F to the recording unit 54. Transport (step S14).
[0054]
On the other hand, the control unit 72 reads the attribute information corresponding to the identification information of the selected film F from the data storage unit 80 (step S15), and further reads the history information of the image recording apparatus 10 through the monitoring unit 92 (step S15). Step S16). Thereafter, in step S <b> 17, the control unit 72 outputs the read attribute information and history information to the information recording unit 96 via the display form conversion unit 90.
[0055]
The film F conveyed to the recording unit 54 is nipped and conveyed in the sub-scanning direction by the roller 56 and the plate 58, and through the recording unit 54, the radiation image, the attribute information of the film F, and the image recording apparatus 10. History information and the like are recorded (step S18). Specifically, a radiation image as a latent image is two-dimensionally recorded on the film F by irradiating the laser beam L modulated in accordance with the radiation image information from the image recording unit 55 in the main scanning direction. The attribute information and the history information from the control unit 72 are converted into a display format that is easy for the user to recognize through the display format conversion unit 90 and the information recording unit 96 and recorded in a predetermined location on the film F.
[0056]
The film F in which the radiographic image, the attribute information of the film F, the history information, and the like are recorded is heated by the heat applied from the plate heaters 64 a to 64 c while being transported by the roller 62 and the drum 66 in the heat developing unit 60. Development is performed, and the latent image is converted into a visible image (step S19). The film F on which the visible image is recorded is cooled in the cooling unit 68 (step S20) and then discharged to the discharge unit 70 (step S21).
[0057]
As described above, in the present embodiment, in addition to image recording on the film F, at least attribute information of the film F (and history information of the image recording apparatus 10) is recorded on the periphery of the film F. For example, when the film F is returned from the user, the situation at the time of image recording can be clearly grasped. Therefore, even if the film F returned from the user has a problem, the optimum treatment can be performed promptly.
[0058]
In the above example, the attribute information and the like are recorded on the film F simultaneously with the image recording on the film F. However, the image recording unit 55 records the image and the attribute information and the like simultaneously with the laser beam L. It may be. In this case, if the information from the display form conversion unit 90 is provided to the image recording unit 55, the information recording unit 96 can be omitted, and the circuit configuration can be simplified.
[0059]
As another recording method, after image recording on the film F, attribute information or the like may be recorded on the film F.
[0060]
Of course, the image recording method, the image recording apparatus, and the image recording material according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various configurations can be adopted without departing from the gist of the present invention.
[0061]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the image recording method, the image recording apparatus, and the image recording material according to the present invention, for example, when the image recording material is returned from the user, the situation at the time of image recording on the image recording material Can be clearly understood.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a package loaded in the image recording apparatus according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of the package viewed from the back.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an internal configuration of an image recording apparatus according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a control block diagram of the image recording apparatus according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a recording location of visible information on a film.
7A is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example in which a barcode is recorded instead of visible information, and FIG. 7B is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example in which visible information and a barcode are recorded.
FIG. 8A is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which magnetic information is recorded on a magnetic recording medium instead of visible information, and FIG. 8B shows an example in which the magnetic information is recorded on the magnetic recording medium and the visible information is recorded. It is explanatory drawing.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing operation in the image recording apparatus according to the present embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image recording device 12 ... Package 14 ... Shading bag 22, 110 ... Bar code 90 ... Display form conversion part 92 ... Monitoring part 94 ... Sensor 96 ... Information recording part 100 ... Visible information 102 ... Image recording area 104 ... Upper part Area 112 ... Magnetic recording medium

Claims (8)

In an image recording method for recording image data as a visible image on an image recording material,
In addition to image recording on the image recording material, information including at least the attribute of the image recording material is recorded on the image recording material. The image recording method according to claim 1,
When the image recording material is taken out from a package that contains a plurality of image recording materials, and when image data is recorded as a visible image on the taken image recording material,
The information including the attribute is at least information displayed on the package. The image recording method according to claim 1 or 2,
An image recording method for recording the information on a portion of the image recording material other than a portion on which the image data is recorded. The image recording method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The image recording method according to claim 1, wherein the information includes history information of an apparatus for recording image data on the image recording material. In the image recording method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An image recording method characterized in that the information is recorded by visual display. The image recording method according to claim 5, wherein
An image recording method, wherein the information is converted into a predetermined display form and recorded. In an image recording apparatus for recording image data as a visible image on an image recording material,
Means for performing image recording on the image recording material;
An image recording apparatus comprising: means for recording information including at least the attribute of the image recording material on the image recording material. In an image recording material in which image data is recorded as a visible image,
An image recording material, wherein information including at least an attribute of the image recording material is recorded in a portion other than the portion where the visible image is recorded.

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