JP2012070776A - Radiographic imaging apparatus, radiographic imaging system, radiographic imaging program, and radiographic imaging method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a settable radiographic imaging apparatus for imaging a radiographic image in a state being unconnected to a control device, and to provide a radiographic imaging system, a radiographic imaging program, and a radiographic imaging method.SOLUTION: The radiographic image is imaged by detecting radiation applied from a radiation generator 14, by a TFT section 30 without synchronization with an irradiation operation of the radiation generator 14, and a set image identification section 42 checks whether the radiographic image is a set indicating image. When the radiographic image is the set indicating image, the set image identification section 42 outputs a signal OUTPUT-1 to an image transfer section 46, and performs suppression so that image data of the set indicating image cannot be transferred to the control device 12. Setting information based on a setting item is acquired from the set indicating image, and control is performed so that the acquired setting information based on the setting item can be stored by outputting a signal OUTPUT-2 to a set value storage section 44.

Description

  The present invention relates to a radiographic image capturing apparatus, a radiographic image capturing system, a radiographic image capturing program, and a radiographic image capturing method, and in particular, radiographic image capturing that captures a radiographic image without synchronizing with the radiation irradiation operation of the radiation generating apparatus. The present invention relates to an apparatus, a radiographic imaging system, a radiographic imaging program, and a radiographic imaging method.

  Conventionally, a radiographic imaging system that performs radiography for the purpose of medical diagnosis is known. The radiographic imaging system includes a radiation generating apparatus that generates radiation, a radiographic imaging apparatus that detects radiation transmitted through a subject and captures a radiographic image, a radiation detection panel unit such as a cassette, and the radiation There is a radiographic imaging system including a generation device and a control device that controls the radiation detection panel unit.

  Generally, since it is difficult to provide a user interface for performing various settings in a radiation detection panel unit, only one or two button switches and a simple LED are provided. It is preferable to omit even these button switches in order to achieve durability, light weight, thinning, failure rate, and reduction of erroneous operations. Therefore, when performing various settings of such a radiation detection panel unit, it is common to instruct various settings to the radiation detection panel unit to which the control device is connected.

  In recent years, a wireless radiation detection panel unit connected to a control device by wireless communication such as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) is known. In such a wireless radiation detection panel unit, various setting instructions are given from a control device connected by wireless communication. However, as an exception, an ID (for example, for determining the association between the control device and the radiation detection panel unit) In the case of a wireless LAN, it may not be possible to set a so-called SSID (Service Set Identifier), which is an identifier (ID) for identifying each individual wireless node (access point). If the setting is changed, the control device linked to the radiation detection panel unit is switched.If the switched control device does not exist, In a state where there is no control device associated with the radiation detection panel unit Therefore, there is a case in which it is impossible to perform any tying action, and it is impossible to change the setting, and as a result, there is a problem that the radiation detection panel unit cannot be used. This is the case, for example, when the radiation detection panel unit is brought into the room B and connected to the control apparatus B in the room B after being connected (linked) to the control apparatus A in the room A. Trouble may occur.

  In order to suppress the occurrence of such a failure, for example, the technique described in Patent Document 1 can be used. Patent Document 1 discloses an access point (terminal device) connected to a radiographic image detection device in order to easily associate radiographic image data acquired by radiography with a console (control terminal) even when moving between radiographing rooms. ) Is described. Further, there is described a technique for connecting to an access point having the highest radio wave intensity when there are a plurality of access points connected to one radiation image detection apparatus.

JP 2001-21696 A

  However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 has the following problems, and the controller and the radiation detection panel unit cannot be appropriately linked, and the above-described failure may occur. is there.

  For example, the access point connected to the radiation image detection device or the access point with the strongest radio wave intensity is not necessarily in the room where the radiation image detection device is brought in, and is linked to an access point different from the access point to be connected. You might get lost. For example, it may be connected to an access point in a room in an adjacent room or an access point in a far room has a higher radio wave intensity. Further, for example, there may be a case where no access point is connected.

  In view of the problems of the conventional technology, the present invention is a radiographic image capturing apparatus that captures radiographic images in a radiographic image capturing apparatus that captures radiographic images without being connected to a control device. An object is to provide an imaging apparatus, a radiographic imaging system, a radiographic imaging program, and a radiographic imaging method.

  In order to achieve the above object, the radiographic image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, an imaging unit that captures a radiographic image corresponding to radiation applied to an imaging surface, and a setting item that can be changed related to radiographic image capturing. A setting information storage means for storing setting information relating to the image, and recognizing whether or not an image related to the setting information is included, based on a radiographic image obtained by shielding and capturing radiation with a radiation non-transparent material And when the image related to the setting information is included based on the recognition result of the recognition means, the setting information related to the image is stored in the setting information storage means And a control means.

  When setting information related to setting items that can be changed related to radiographic image capturing is stored in the setting information storage unit, the radiographing unit is shielded by a radiation non-transparent material for forming an image related to the setting information. Take a radiographic image.

  The recognizing unit recognizes whether an image related to the setting information is included based on the radiographic image obtained by imaging by the imaging unit, and the control unit sets based on the recognition result of the recognizing unit. When an image related to the information is included, the setting information related to the image is controlled to be stored in the setting information storage unit.

  As described above, since the setting information is stored in the setting information storage unit based on the radiographic image captured by the imaging unit, the radiographic image capturing device is configured to capture the radiographic image in a state of being disconnected from the external control device. It can be performed.

  Therefore, it is possible to easily store the setting information based on the captured radiographic image without providing a switch or the like for storing the setting information.

  Further, according to the present invention, as in the radiographic imaging device according to claim 2, an image related to the setting information is a first image having a shape representing the setting information, and a shape having a shape corresponding to the setting information. It may be at least one of the second image and a third image provided at a position corresponding to the setting information.

  The radiographic imaging apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention may further include a correspondence storage unit that stores a correspondence between the second image and the setting information.

  Further, according to the present invention, as in the radiographic image capturing apparatus according to claim 4, the imaging surface is divided into a plurality of divided areas, and the setting information different for each divided area is associated with the control area. The means recognizes in which region of the radiographic image the third image is included, and is associated with the segmented region corresponding to the region of the radiographic image recognized as including the third image. The setting information may be stored in setting information storage means.

  Further, according to the present invention, as in the radiographic image capturing apparatus according to claim 5, when the first image is a character or a code image, the control unit indicates the character or the code image. Information may be stored in the setting information storage unit as the setting information.

  Further, according to the present invention, as in the radiographic image according to claim 6, the setting item is irradiated with an identifier necessary for communication with an external apparatus regarding radiographing of the radiographic image, and radiation within the radiographing plane. The display unit may include at least one of a region in which a radiation image is displayed on the display unit and a charge accumulation time during which the photographing unit accumulates a charge corresponding to the radiation at the time of photographing.

  Further, according to the present invention, as in the radiographic image capturing apparatus according to claim 7, the recognition unit performs the control within a predetermined period after the power is turned on each time the power is turned on, or When the battery is mounted and the power is first turned on, the recognition may be performed within a predetermined period after the power is turned on.

  Further, according to the present invention, as in the radiographic image capturing apparatus according to claim 8, when the recognition unit receives a predetermined instruction operation while the power is turned on, the recognition unit receives a predetermined period after receiving the instruction operation. The above recognition may be performed within.

  According to the present invention, as in the radiographic image capturing apparatus according to claim 9, the recognition unit may repeatedly perform the recognition at a predetermined timing while the power is on.

  The radiographic image capturing system according to claim 10 is a control device that instructs setting related to radiographic image capturing, a radiation irradiation unit that irradiates radiation based on an instruction from the control device, and the radiation irradiation unit. The radiation according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a radiographic image corresponding to the radiation irradiated on the imaging surface from the radiation irradiating means is captured without synchronizing with the radiation irradiating operation by the apparatus. An image photographing device.

  The radiographic image capturing program according to claim 11 is an imaging step for capturing a radiographic image corresponding to radiation irradiated on an imaging surface, and radiation obtained by capturing radiation while shielding the radiation with a non-transparent material. A recognition step for recognizing whether an image related to the setting information is included based on an image, and an image related to the setting information based on a recognition result of the recognition step Comprises a control step for controlling the setting information related to the image to be stored in the setting information storage means.

  In addition, the radiographic image capturing method according to claim 12 is obtained by capturing a radiographic image corresponding to the radiation irradiated on the imaging surface, and capturing the radiation with a non-transparent material. A recognition process for recognizing whether an image related to the setting information is included based on a radiation image, and an image related to the setting information based on a recognition result of the recognition process Includes a control step for controlling the setting information related to the image to be stored in the setting information storage unit.

  As described above, in the radiographic image capturing apparatus that captures a radiographic image, it is possible to obtain an effect that settings relating to radiographic image capturing can be performed without being connected to the control device.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the radiographic imaging system which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows an example of schematic structure of the radiation detector which concerns on this Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows typically an example of a structure of the TFT part of the radiation detector which concerns on this Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows typically another example of a structure of the TFT part of the radiation detector which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the setting information storage processing operation performed whenever a radiographic image is image | photographed in the radiation detector which concerns on this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the method to instruct | indicate setting information by the area | region which concerns on this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the method to instruct | indicate setting information by the character information which concerns on this Embodiment, (A) has shown the character-shaped shielding member, (B) has transmitted the radiation through the character-shaped part. The shielding member of the shape to be shown is shown. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the method to instruct | indicate setting information with the shape of the formed image which concerns on this Embodiment, and has shown the shielding member of the various shapes corresponding to setting information. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the method to instruct | indicate setting information with the code image which concerns on this Embodiment, (A) has shown the barcode-shaped shielding member which is a one-dimensional code image, (B) Indicates a QR code-shaped shielding member which is a two-dimensional code image. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the setting information storage process operation performed at the predetermined timing in the radiation detector which concerns on this Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an example of the radiographic imaging system of the present exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, an example of schematic structure of the radiographic imaging system which concerns on this Embodiment is shown. FIG. 1 shows a case where a similar radiographic imaging system 10 (10A, 10B, 10C) is installed for each of the rooms A, B, and C. Hereinafter, in order to distinguish the radiographic imaging systems 10A, 10B, 10C, etc. provided for the rooms A, B, C and the rooms A, B, C, the explanation will be given with reference numerals A, B, C. When referring generically without distinction, the description of the symbols A, B and C is omitted.

  The radiographic imaging system 10 of the present exemplary embodiment includes a control device 12, a radiation generation device 14, and a radiation detector 16.

  The control device 12 is wirelessly connected to the radiation detector 16 and has a function of executing various controls on the radiation detector 16 by wireless command / data transmission via the communication I / F 26. The control device 12 is connected to the radiation generation device 14 and has a function of controlling the timing of generating radiation (for example, X-ray (X-ray) or the like). The control device 12 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 20, a memory 22, a processing unit 24, and a communication I / F 26. The CPU 20, the memory 22, the processing unit 24, and the communication I / F 26 are configured with a CPU. Signals are mutually connected by a bus 28 such as a bus. The CPU 20 has a function of controlling the overall operation of the control device 12 by executing various programs stored in the memory 22 in advance. The processing unit 24 has a function of acquiring image data from the radiation detector 16 and performing various processes.

  The radiation generation device 14 irradiates the subject 18 with radiation from the radiation tube 15 at a timing based on the control of the control device 12. The radiation irradiated from the radiation generation device 14 passes through the subject 18 so as to carry image information and is irradiated to the radiation detector 16.

  In FIG. 2, the functional block diagram of an example of the schematic structure of the radiation detector 16 of this Embodiment is shown. The radiation detector 16 of the present embodiment is a radiation detection panel unit, and includes a so-called cassette such as an FPD (Flat Panel Detector).

  The radiation detector 16 includes a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) unit 30, a charge amplifier / MUX (multiplexer) 32, an A / D converter 34, a control unit 36, a gate drive unit 38, a processing unit 40, and a setting image identification unit 42. , A set value storage unit 44, an image transfer unit 46, and a power supply unit 48.

  The TFT unit 30 has a function of detecting the irradiated radiation. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of the configuration of the TFT unit 30. As shown in FIG. 3, the radiation detector 16 includes a TFT substrate 54 in which a switch element 52 such as a TFT is formed on an insulating substrate 50.

The switch element 52 is connected to a gate line 68 for turning each switch element 52 on and off. A scintillator layer 56 that converts incident radiation into light is formed on the TFT substrate 54. As the scintillator layer 56, for example, CSI: Tl, Gos (Gd ₂ O ₂ S: Tb) phosphor or the like can be used. The scintillator layer 56 is not limited to these materials.

  As the insulating substrate 50, for example, a glass substrate, various ceramic substrates, a resin substrate, or the like can be used, but is not limited to these materials.

  Between the scintillator layer 56 and the TFT substrate 54, a photoconductive layer 58 that generates charges when light converted by the scintillator layer 56 is incident is disposed. A bias electrode 60 for applying a bias voltage to the photoconductive layer 58 is provided on the surface of the photoconductive layer 58 on the scintillator layer 56 side.

  The TFT substrate 54 is provided with a charge collection electrode 62 for collecting charges generated in the photoconductive layer 58. On the TFT substrate 54, the charges collected by the charge collection electrodes 62 are read out by the switch element 52.

  The charge collection electrodes 62 are arranged in a matrix (two-dimensional shape) on the TFT substrate 54, and the switch element TFTs are arranged in a matrix on the insulating substrate 50 correspondingly. A flattening layer 64 for flattening the TFT substrate 54 is formed on the TFT substrate 54. An adhesive layer 66 for bonding the scintillator layer 56 to the TFT substrate 54 is formed between the TFT substrate 54 and the scintillator layer 56 and on the planarizing layer 64.

  The radiation detector 16 may be irradiated with radiation from the front side to which the scintillator layer 56 is bonded (front side is an imaging surface), or irradiated with radiation from the TFT substrate 54 side (back side) (back side is an imaging surface). Good. The radiation detector 16 emits light more strongly on the upper surface side (opposite side of the TFT substrate 54) of the scintillator layer 56 when irradiated with radiation from the front side, and transmitted through the TFT substrate 54 when irradiated with radiation from the back side. Radiation enters the scintillator layer 56, and the TFT substrate 54 side of the scintillator layer 56 emits light more intensely. Electric charges are generated in each photoconductive layer 58 by the light generated in the scintillator layer 56. For this reason, the radiation detector 16 can be designed with higher sensitivity to radiation because radiation does not pass through the TFT substrate 54 when radiation is irradiated from the front side than when radiation is irradiated from the back side. Moreover, since the light emission position of the scintillator layer 56 with respect to each photoconductive layer 58 is closer when the radiation is irradiated from the back side than when the radiation is irradiated from the front side, the radiation image obtained by imaging High resolution.

  The structure of the TFT unit 30 is not limited to this, and is not limited as long as it has a function of accumulating and outputting charges according to the radiation applied to the radiation detector 16. May be. An example of another structure of the TFT section 30 is shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing another example of the configuration of the TFT section 30. The TFT unit 30 shown in FIG. 4 shows a direct conversion type structure in which radiation is directly converted into electric charges by a sensor unit using amorphous selenium or the like.

In the TFT section 30 shown in FIG. 4, a photoconductive layer 59 that converts incident radiation into electric charges is formed on the TFT substrate 54 as an example of a radiation conversion layer that converts incident radiation. As the photoconductive layer 59, amorphous selenium (a-Se), Bi ₁₂ MO ₂₀ (M: Ti, Si, Ge), Bi ₄ M ₃ O ₁₂ (M: Ti, Si, Ge), Bi ₂ O ₃ , BiMO ₄ (M: Nb, Ta, V), Bi ₂ WO ₆ , Bi ₂₄ B ₂ O ₃₉ , ZnO, ZnS, ZnSe, ZnTe, MNbO ₃ (M: Li, Na, K), PbO, HgI ₂ , PbI ₂ , compounds such as CdS, CdSe, CdTe, BiI ₃ , GaAs, etc. are used, but they have high dark resistance, show good photoconductivity against radiation, and are vacuum-deposited. An amorphous material capable of forming a large area film at a low temperature by the method is preferable.

  On the photoconductive layer 59, a bias electrode 61 that is formed on the surface side of the photoconductive layer 59 and for applying a bias voltage to the photoconductive layer 59 is formed.

  In the direct conversion type TFT unit 30, as in the indirect conversion type TFT unit 30 (see FIG. 3 described above), a charge collection electrode 62 that collects charges generated in the photoconductive layer 59 is formed on the TFT substrate 54. ing.

  In addition, the TFT substrate 54 in the direct conversion type TFT unit 30 includes a charge storage capacitor 63 that stores charges collected by the charge collection electrodes 62. The charge accumulated in each charge storage capacitor 63 is read by the switch element 52.

  The electric charges read out in the TFT section 30 are output to the charge amplifier / MUX 32. The charge amplifier 32 has a function of converting electric charge into an analog voltage as electrical information. As a specific example, the charge amplifier 32 includes an operational amplifier and a capacitor. In the present embodiment, more specifically, the charge amplifier 32 has 256 channels × 12 systems, and if 3072 circuits are configured, it leads to an increase in cost. Therefore, parallel-serial conversion is performed by the MUX 32, and each channel 1 × 12 systems. Are sequentially selected and output to the A / D converter 34.

  The A / D converter 34 has a function of converting a serially input analog voltage into a digital signal that is easier to handle. The two-dimensional image data of the radiation image converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 34 is output to the control unit 36. The control unit 36 is configured by a microcomputer, and includes a non-illustrated non-illustrated memory including a CPU, a ROM and a RAM, a non-volatile storage unit such as a flash memory, and the like, and stores various programs stored in the memory. It has a function of controlling the overall operation of the radiation detector 16 by being executed by the CPU.

  The control unit 36 transmits the image data to the processing unit 40. An image memory (not shown) is connected to the processing unit 40, and the transmitted image data is stored in the image memory in order. In this embodiment, the image memory has a storage capacity capable of storing a predetermined number of image data, and each time a radiographic image is captured, the image data obtained by the imaging is sequentially stored in the image memory. It is configured to be.

  The image data is further transmitted from the processing unit 40 to the image transfer unit 46. The image transfer unit 46 has a function of wirelessly transmitting image data for each line. As described above, the image transfer unit 46 according to the present embodiment has a function of performing wireless communication with an external device (in this case, the control device 12), and is an IEEE (Institut of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11a / b / It is compatible with wireless LAN standards such as g / n, and controls the transmission of various information to and from external devices by wireless communication. The image transfer unit 46 performs wireless communication with the access point associated with the SSID 47 with reference to the SSID 47. In the SSID 47, the SSID stored in the SSID item of the setting value storage unit 44 is set.

  Further, through the image transfer unit 46, the control unit 36 can wirelessly communicate with an external device that controls the entire radiographic image capturing such as the control device 12, and various information can be communicated with the control device 12. Transmission and reception are possible. When capturing a radiographic image of the subject 18, the control unit 36 stores various information such as imaging conditions and subject 18 information received from the control device 12 via the image transfer unit 46, and is based on the imaging conditions. The charge is read out.

  Thus, in the radiation detector 16 of this Embodiment, the radiographic image according to the irradiated radiation is image | photographed. In addition, the radiographic image capturing operation by the radiation detector 16 of the present embodiment is executed without being synchronized with radiation irradiation by the radiation generator 14 (details will be described later).

  The processing unit 40 according to the present embodiment also transmits the two-dimensional image data (INPUT) transmitted from the control unit 36 to the set image identification unit 42. The setting image identification unit 42 has a function of recognizing whether the transmitted two-dimensional image is a setting instruction image. When the setting image identification unit 42 is a setting instruction image, the setting image identification unit 42 sets setting information corresponding to the setting instruction image. And a function of controlling to be stored in 44. Although details will be described later, the setting instruction image refers to a radiographic image including an image for instructing setting information.

  The setting image identification unit 42 recognizes whether the INPUT is a subject photographed image obtained by photographing the subject 18 or a setting instruction image. In the case of the setting instruction image, a signal OUTPUT-1 indicating that the two-dimensional image data is the setting instruction image (or not the subject captured image) is output to the image transfer unit 46. By the input of the signal OUTPUT-1, the image transfer unit 46 suppresses the transfer operation so as not to transfer the two-dimensional image data transmitted from the processing unit 40 to the control device 12.

  In the case of a setting instruction image, setting information corresponding to the setting instruction image is acquired. In the present embodiment, setting information corresponding to the setting item is acquired, signal OUTPUT-2 is output to setting value storage unit 44, and setting information corresponding to the acquired setting item is stored in setting value storage unit 44. Control as follows. The set value storage unit 44 has a function of storing setting information regarding setting items related to radiographic image capturing in the radiographic image capturing system 10. In the present embodiment, the setting item includes at least an identifier (SSID) for performing wireless communication with the control device 12. In addition, the setting items are not particularly limited. For example, the control device 12 determines the charge accumulation time of the TFT unit 30 and a part of the region (not the region corresponding to the imaging region of the subject 18) instead of the entire imaging surface. Other display setting items (setting information corresponding to the setting items) such as an area to be displayed on the display unit may be used. When other setting information related to imaging is stored in the setting value storage unit 44 as described above, the control unit 36 captures a radiographic image based on the setting information stored in the setting value storage unit 44. I do.

  Note that the setting value storage unit 44 may be configured by a nonvolatile memory so that the stored setting information is retained even when the power of the radiation detector 16 is shut off.

  Further, the radiation detector 16 of the present embodiment is provided with a power supply unit 48, and each of the above-described units and the like is operated by electric power supplied from the power supply unit 48. The power supply unit 48 incorporates a battery (a rechargeable secondary battery) so as not to impair the portability of the radiation detector 16, and supplies power from the charged battery to each unit. In FIG. 2, in order to prevent the drawing from becoming complicated, the wiring connecting the power supply unit 48 and each unit is omitted.

  Next, in the radiation detector 16 of the present embodiment, a process (hereinafter referred to as a setting information storage process) for controlling the setting information to be stored in the setting value storage unit 44 based on the setting instruction image will be described with reference to the drawings. Will be described in detail. Here, when controlling to store the SSID in the set value storage unit 44, more specifically, in order to associate the SSID with the control device 12B (SSID = B) in the room B, control is performed to store SSID = B. A case where the setting item is SSID and setting information = B will be described in detail.

  There are various timings for performing the setting information storage process. When the setting item is the SSID, the desired SSID is not stored in the setting value storage unit 44 at the timing when the setting information storage process is performed, so that the radiation detector 16 cannot be connected to the desired control device 12. is there. However, since the radiation detector 16 according to the present embodiment can perform the radiographic image capturing operation without synchronizing with the radiation irradiation operation in the radiation generation device 14, the radiation detector 16 is not connected to the control device 12. Even in the state, a radiation image (setting instruction image) can be acquired. As a method of capturing a radiographic image without synchronizing with the irradiation operation, a condition for starting charge accumulation in the TFT unit 30 is determined in advance, and the imaging timing is determined by using that condition as a trigger. A method of performing photographing (charge accumulation), or reading out charges accumulated in a predetermined pixel or a dedicated pixel, and determining that it is a photographing timing when the value of the read charge exceeds a predetermined threshold. Although the method of performing is mentioned, it does not specifically limit. In any of the methods, it is preferable to perform a reset operation for resetting the charge accumulated so far just before the start of charge accumulation for radiographic imaging.

  First, the case where the setting information storage process is performed every time a radiographic image is taken will be described in detail as the timing for performing the setting information storage process. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of setting information storage processing executed in the radiation detector 16. When performing the setting information storage process, the control unit 36 executes a program stored in advance in a predetermined area of the memory by the CPU.

  In step 100, it is determined whether it is a shooting timing. It is determined whether or not it is a shooting timing by the above-described method or the like. If the result is negative, the process enters a standby state. If the result is positive, the process proceeds to step 102. In step 102, the above-described reset operation is performed.

  In the next step 104, a radiographic image is captured, and in the next step 106, it is determined whether or not the captured radiographic image is a setting instruction image. If the radiographic image is a subject-captured image obtained by capturing the subject 18, the process is terminated. On the other hand, if a setting instruction image has been taken, the determination is affirmative and the routine proceeds to step 108. In step 108, the setting image identification unit 42 outputs a signal OUTPUT-1 indicating that it is a setting instruction image to the image transfer unit 46, thereby suppressing image transfer to the control device 12.

  In the next step 110, setting information acquisition processing for acquiring setting information based on the setting instruction image is performed, and setting information is acquired. In the present embodiment, as described above, SSID = B is acquired as a specific example. In the next step 112, the signal OUTPUT-2 indicating the acquired setting information (SSID = B) is output to the setting value storage unit 44, and the setting information (B) is stored in the setting item SSID of the setting value storage unit 44. Then, this process is terminated. As a result, the radiation detector 16 and the control device 12B are associated with each other. Thereafter, the SSID 47 referred to by the image transfer unit 46 becomes B, and the image transfer unit 46 transfers the image data to the control device 12B. Is done.

  Here, the method for instructing the setting information of the present embodiment, the setting instruction image, and the setting information acquisition processing in step 110 described above will be described in detail. There are various methods for instructing setting information (setting and self-portrait).

  First, referring to FIG. 6, a method for designating by area will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the area of the imaging surface of the radiation detector 16 is divided into, for example, six areas of 2 columns × 3 rows, and setting information (specifically, SSID = A to F) are assigned. When the setting instruction image is captured, the shielding member 70 is placed on the divided area to which the setting information desired to be set is assigned, and radiation is emitted from the radiation generator 14 to capture the radiation image. In this case, the radiation image in which the image of the shielding member 70 is formed in the area to which the setting information is assigned is referred to as a setting instruction image.

  In step 110, the setting image identification unit 42 recognizes the segmented area where the image of the shielding member is formed from the setting instruction image. In the present embodiment, the correspondence between the classification area and the setting information is stored in a storage unit such as the setting value storage unit 44, and the setting image identification unit 42 recognizes the classification based on the stored correspondence. Get the setting information assigned to the area. As illustrated in FIG. 6, when a setting instruction image in which the shielding member 70 is placed on the segmented region B is captured, the setting item = SSID setting information = B is acquired.

  In addition, for example, when the position where the shielding member 70 is placed is shifted and the image of the shielding member 70 is formed over a plurality of partitioned regions, the area of the image of the shielding member 70 is assigned to the partitioned region having the largest area. It is preferable to acquire the setting information.

  Further, the method of dividing the area on the imaging surface is not limited to this. For example, if a region is classified for each radiographing room using a sketch (arrangement diagram) of the radiographic image radiographing room such as the rooms A to C in FIG. It becomes easy.

  Next, a method for instructing by character information will be described with reference to FIG. A character-shaped shielding member 72 with setting information is prepared in advance and photographed. As shown in FIG. 7A, a character-shaped shielding member 72 (“SSID B” in FIG. 7) is placed in the region of the imaging surface of the radiation detector 16 and irradiated with radiation from the radiation generator 14. In this case, the radiation image on which the character image of the character shape is formed is referred to as a setting instruction image, and the character-shaped shielding member is not limited to the shielding member 72. For example, FIG. The shielding member 72 shown in (A) has a shape in which the character portion is shielded, but on the contrary, as shown in FIG. 7B, the shielding member 72 has a shape that allows radiation to pass through the character portion. May be.

  In step 110, the setting image identification unit 42 performs character recognition on the setting instruction image using a known character recognition method, and acquires setting information. In the case illustrated in FIG. 7, the setting item = SSID setting information = B is acquired.

  Next, a method for indicating by the shape of the image formed will be described with reference to FIG. A shielding member 74 having a shape (for example, a symbol) corresponding to the setting information is prepared in advance and photographed. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a shielding member 74 having a star shape, a round shape, a square shape, an arrow shape, a triangular shape, or the like is prepared in advance. In the present embodiment, the correspondence relationship between the shape and the setting information is further stored in a storage unit such as the set value storage unit 44. As a specific example, a correspondence relationship that the round shape is SSID = B may be stored. Then, the shielding member 74 having a shape corresponding to desired setting information (in the above-described specific example, the circular shielding member 74 in the above-described specific example) is placed in the region of the imaging surface of the radiation detector 16. Then, radiation is emitted from the radiation generator 14 and a radiation image is taken. In this case, a radiation image on which an image of a shape corresponding to the setting information is captured is referred to as a setting instruction image.

  In step 110, the setting image identification unit 42 recognizes the shape of the image using a known image recognition method for the setting instruction image, and corresponds to the recognized shape based on the stored correspondence. Get configuration information. In the specific example described above, it is recognized that the shape is round, and setting information = SSID setting information = B is acquired based on the correspondence.

  Note that the shielding member having a shape corresponding to the setting information is not limited to the shielding member 74. For example, like the character-shaped shielding member 72 described above, the shape corresponding to the setting information may be shielded, or the shape portion corresponding to the setting information may be transmitted by radiation. . Although not limited to the shape shown in FIG. 8, when the shielding member 74 is placed on the imaging surface of the radiation detector 16 by a user or an administrator, the right-pointing arrow shape as shown in FIG. In the downward arrow-shaped shielding member 74, if the mounting direction (state) is wrong, the direction of the arrow changes, so the shape does not depend on the mounting direction or the like (a shape other than the arrow shown in FIG. 8). Etc.) is preferable from the viewpoint of preventing an error in the setting information instruction, the convenience of the user, the administrator, and the like.

  Next, a method of instructing with a code image will be described with reference to FIG. A shielding member 76 having a shape representing a code image representing desired setting information (SSID = B) is prepared in advance and photographed. FIG. 9A shows a barcode-shaped shielding member 76 that is a one-dimensional code image, and FIG. 9B shows a QR-code-shaped shielding member 76 that is a two-dimensional code image. Yes. A shielding member 76 having a shape representing a code image is placed on the region of the imaging surface of the radiation detector 16 to capture a radiation image. In this case, the radiation image on which the code image is formed is referred to as a setting instruction image.

  In step 110, the setting image identification unit 42 recognizes the code image using a known code image recognition method for the setting instruction image, and reads information from the code image (here, setting item = SSID, setting information). = B) is acquired as setting information.

  The bar code and the QR code shown in FIG. 9 are not limited to the one-dimensional code, the two-dimensional code, and the like. For example, it may be a two-dimensional code such as Data Matrix, PDF417, or Maxi Code.

  Further, the shielding member having a shape representing the code image is not limited to the shielding member 76. For example, like the character-shaped shielding member 72 described above, the shape representing the code image may be shielded, or the shape portion representing the code image may be transmitted by radiation.

  Next, a case where the setting information storage process is performed at a predetermined timing as the timing for performing the setting information storage process will be described in detail. Examples of the predetermined timing include timing instructed by a switch (not shown) connected to the radiation detector 16 by the user. Further, for example, as a situation where the setting of the SSID of the radiation detector 16 is changed, there is a case where the room where the radiation detector 16 is used is changed (the radiation detector 16 is brought to another room). In general, after the radiation detector 16 is turned off and carried, the power is turned on from the power supply unit 48 to set the SSID. Considering such a case, there is a timing within a predetermined period after power is supplied from the power supply unit 48. Moreover, after the battery of the radiation detector 16 is replaced, there is a timing within a predetermined period after the power is first turned on from the power supply unit 48. However, the timing is not limited thereto, and the power is turned on. Other timings may be used such as periodically.

  FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of an example of the setting information storage processing flow executed in the radiation detector 16. In addition, since this process performs substantially the same process as the flowchart in the case where the setting information storage process is performed every time a radiographic image shown in FIG. 5 is captured, the substantially similar process is described as such and a detailed description is provided. Is omitted.

  In step 200, it is determined whether or not the setting instruction image reading mode is to be started. When setting information storage processing is performed at a predetermined timing, the radiation detector 16 enters a setting instruction image reading mode for reading a setting instruction image at a predetermined timing. Therefore, if the predetermined timing as described above has not been reached, it is denied and enters a standby state, whereas if the predetermined timing has been reached, it is affirmed and enters the setting instruction image reading mode, Proceed to step 202.

  In step 202, in order to capture the setting instruction image instead of the subject captured image, the signal OUTPUT-1 is output from the setting image identification unit 42 to the image transfer unit 46 to the control device 12 as in step 108 of FIG. The transfer of image data is suppressed.

  The next step 204 corresponds to step 100 in FIG. 5, and the next step 206 corresponds to step 102 in FIG. 5. Similarly, the imaging timing is determined without synchronizing with the radiation irradiation operation of the radiation generator 14. When the shooting timing comes, a reset operation is performed. In the next step 208, a setting instruction image is taken.

  The next step 210 corresponds to step 110 in FIG. 5, and the next step 212 corresponds to step 112 in FIG. 5. Similarly, the setting item and setting information are acquired from the setting instruction image photographed in step 208. After the setting information is stored in the setting value storage unit 44, the present process is terminated. In the present embodiment, the setting instruction image reading mode is also terminated when the present process is terminated.

  As described above, the radiation detector 16 of the radiographic imaging system 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment is irradiated from the radiation generator 14 by the TFT unit 30 without synchronizing with the radiation irradiation operation of the radiation generator 14. The detected radiation is detected to capture a radiographic image, and the setting image identification unit 42 recognizes whether or not the radiographic image is a setting instruction image. If it is a setting instruction image, the setting image identification unit 42 outputs the signal OUTPUT-1 to the image transfer unit 46 to suppress the image data of the setting instruction image from being transferred to the control device 12. Further, setting information corresponding to the setting item is acquired from the setting instruction image, and the signal OUTPUT-2 is output to the setting value storage unit 44 so that the setting information corresponding to the acquired setting item is stored.

  In this way, based on the radiographic image taken, it is recognized whether or not it is a setting instruction image. If it is a setting instruction image, setting information corresponding to the setting item is obtained from the setting instruction image, and the setting value storage is performed. Since control is performed so as to be stored in the unit 44, settings relating to radiographic image capturing can be performed in a state of being disconnected from the control device 12.

  Accordingly, it is possible to appropriately set an identifier (in this embodiment, an SSID as a specific example) for wireless communication with the control device 12 in a state in which the control device 12 is not connected. Further, the setting information can be easily stored based on the captured radiographic image without providing a switch or the like for storing the setting information. Furthermore, since various setting information can be set in a mysterious state with the control device 12, convenience in terms of usability and workflow is enhanced.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case of setting the SSID setting information by storing it in the setting value storage unit 44 has been described in detail. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other setting information may be set. In general, the setting information set from the control device 12 may be set for the radiation detector 16 by the setting information storage processing of the present embodiment. For example, as described above, the charge accumulation time of the TFT unit 30, the region that is desired to be displayed on the display means (not shown) of the control device 12, and the like. In particular, when setting a display area to be displayed on the display means of the control device 12, the display on the display means of the control device 12 is usually displayed on the imaging surface of the radiation detector 16 and displayed with an interface such as a mouse or a keyboard. Although the area has been specified, if the setting information storage processing of the present embodiment is used, the display area can be specified directly on the imaging surface of the radiation detector 16, so that an error can be prevented and the instruction can be It becomes easy to do. In this case, the light shielding member corresponding to the display area is placed on the imaging surface of the radiation detector 16, the setting instruction image is captured, the display area is acquired as setting information, and the display area acquired by the control device 12 is acquired. May be transmitted. In this case as well, the shielding member may have a shape that shields the display area, a shape that allows radiation to pass through the portion of the display area, and a side of the display area, or The shape may indicate four corners, and is not particularly limited.

  In the above embodiment, a method for instructing setting information by area (FIG. 6), a method for instructing setting information by character information (FIG. 7), and a method for instructing setting information by the shape of the formed image (FIG. 6). 8) and the method (FIG. 9) for instructing the setting information by the code image have been described in detail. However, the present invention is not limited to this. May be instructed. When setting information is instructed by combining a plurality of methods, for example, in a case where a method in which setting information is instructed by an area and a method in which setting information is instructed by character information are combined, the setting information and characters instructed by the area When the setting information instructed by the information is different, it may be notified to the user or the like by some method such as blinking an LED provided in the radiation detector 16 or shutting off the power supply.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the setting image identification unit 42 recognizes the radiation image as the setting instruction image, the signal OUTPUT-1 is output to the image transfer unit 46 to suppress the transfer of the image data. At this time, the fact that the setting information is instructed by the setting instruction image may be transmitted to the control device 12 as necessary.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the setting image identification unit 42 forms a setting instruction image by placing a shielding object on the imaging surface and irradiating with radiation from the radiation generator 14 to perform imaging. Not limited to this, the setting instruction image may be formed by another method that does not expose the radiation detector 16. For example, the capacitance of the TFT section 30 of the radiation detector 16 changes when pressure is applied from the surface. That is, since the pressure distribution appears in the image as it is, the distribution may be shaped to indicate the setting information. In this case, the pressing member is pressed against a desired area of the divided area to which the setting information of the surface (imaging surface) of the TFT unit 30 is assigned, or the surface of the TFT unit 30 (imaging surface) is pressed with characters or a predetermined shape. Or the like) to form a setting instruction image. Further, the handwriting is left so as to write characters on the surface (photographing surface) of the TFT unit 30, the setting instruction image of the pressing handwriting is periodically sampled, and the setting instruction image is obtained using an existing handwriting pursuit method. You may make it recognize.

  For example, the TFT unit 30 has temperature characteristics, and an image can be obtained based on the temperature characteristics. As a specific example, when a human hand is pressed against the surface (imaging surface) of the TFT unit 30, the temperature of the pressed portion is increased by the body temperature, and a hand-shaped image is formed. Using this characteristic, a finger is pressed against a desired area of the divided area to which the setting information of the surface (imaging surface) of the TFT unit 30 is assigned, or a character or the like is applied to the surface (imaging surface) of the TFT unit 30 with the finger. Alternatively, the handwriting may be left as it is written, the setting instruction image of the pressing handwriting may be periodically sampled, and the setting instruction image may be recognized using an existing handwriting pursuit method. In addition, instead of a finger (human body), an instruction may be made using another member capable of maintaining a surface temperature higher than the ambient temperature where the radiation detector 16 is placed.

  In addition, the configuration of the radiographic imaging system 10, the control device 12, the radiation generation device 14, and the radiation detector 16 described in the present embodiment, the shape of the shielding member, and the like are merely examples, and do not depart from the gist of the present invention. Needless to say, the range can be changed according to the situation.

  Further, the example of the setting information storage process (FIGS. 5 and 10) described in the present embodiment is also an example, and it goes without saying that it can be changed according to the situation without departing from the gist of the present invention. .

  In this embodiment, the case where X-rays are applied as the radiation of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and γ-rays or the like may be applied.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Radiation imaging system 12 Control apparatus 14 Radiation generation apparatus 16 Radiation detector 30 TFT part 36 Control part 40 Processing part 42 Setting image identification part 44 Setting value memory | storage part 46 Image transfer part 47 SSID
48 Power supply unit 70, 72, 74, 76 Shield

Claims (12)

An imaging means for taking a radiographic image corresponding to the radiation applied to the imaging surface;
Setting information storage means for storing setting information related to setting items that can be changed with respect to radiographic image capturing;
Recognizing means for recognizing whether or not an image related to the setting information is included, based on a radiographic image obtained by shielding and photographing radiation with a radiation non-transparent material;
Control means for controlling the setting information related to the image to be stored in the setting information storage means when an image related to the setting information is included based on the recognition result of the recognition means;
A radiographic imaging apparatus comprising:   An image related to the setting information includes a first image having a shape representing the setting information, a second image having a shape corresponding to the setting information, and a third image provided at a position corresponding to the setting information. The radiographic image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the radiographic image capturing apparatus is at least one of the following.   The radiographic image capturing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a correspondence storage unit that stores a correspondence between the second image and the setting information.   The imaging surface is divided into a plurality of divided areas, and the different setting information is associated with each divided area, and the control means includes in which area of the radiographic image the third image is included. The setting information associated with the segmented region corresponding to the region of the radiographic image that is recognized and recognized to include the third image is stored in a setting information storage unit. The radiographic imaging apparatus described.   The control means, when the first image is a character or a code image, causes the setting information storage means to store the information indicated by the character or the code image as the setting information. Item 5. The radiographic image capturing device according to any one of Item 4 above.   The setting items include an identifier required when communicating with an external device regarding imaging of the radiographic image, an area for displaying a radiographic image on a display unit from an area irradiated with radiation within the imaging surface, and the imaging 6. The radiographic image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the radiographing unit has at least one of charge accumulation times for accumulating charges corresponding to the radiation.   Each time the power is turned on, the recognition unit performs the control within a predetermined period after the power is turned on, or when the power is turned on for the first time after the battery is mounted. The radiographic image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recognition is performed within a predetermined period of time.   8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recognition unit performs the recognition within a predetermined period after receiving the instruction operation when a predetermined instruction operation is received while the power is turned on. The radiographic imaging apparatus described.   The radiographic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recognition unit repeatedly performs the recognition at a predetermined timing while the power is turned on. A control device for instructing settings relating to radiographic imaging;
Radiation irradiation means for irradiating radiation based on an instruction from the control device;
The radiographic image according to the radiation irradiated to the imaging | photography surface from the said radiation irradiation means is image | photographed, without synchronizing with the irradiation operation | movement of the said radiation by the said radiation irradiation means. A radiographic imaging device according to claim 1,
Radiographic imaging system equipped with. An imaging step of capturing a radiographic image corresponding to the radiation applied to the imaging surface;
A recognition step for recognizing whether or not an image related to the setting information is included, based on a radiographic image obtained by shielding and capturing radiation with a radiation opaque material;
A control step for controlling the setting information related to the image to be stored in the setting information storage means when an image related to the setting information is included based on the recognition result of the recognition step;
A radiographic imaging program for causing a computer to execute a process comprising: An imaging process for capturing a radiographic image corresponding to the radiation applied to the imaging surface;
A recognition step for recognizing whether or not an image related to the setting information is included based on a radiographic image obtained by shielding and capturing radiation with a non-radiopaque material;
A control step for controlling the setting information related to the image to be stored in the setting information storage means when an image related to the setting information is included based on the recognition result of the recognition step;
A radiographic imaging method comprising:

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