JP5824899B2 - Electronic device for photographing and photographing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographing electronic device and a photographing system, and particularly relates to a photographing electronic device including a chargeable capacitor and a photographing system using the same.

  For example, radiographic imaging devices and digital cameras are known and are being developed as imaging electronic devices including a rechargeable built-in power source (also referred to as a battery, a battery, a power storage unit, a power storage device, etc.). (See, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  For example, in a radiographic imaging apparatus, a charge is generated by a detection element according to the dose of radiation such as X-rays irradiated, or the irradiated radiation is converted into electromagnetic waves of other wavelengths such as visible light by a scintillator or the like. After the conversion, electric charges are generated by a photoelectric conversion element such as a photodiode in accordance with the converted electromagnetic wave energy, and the generated electric charges are converted into electric signals (that is, image data) to take a radiographic image.

  For example, in a digital camera, visible light incident on the camera is photographed by an optical sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor. In the present invention, the detection element or photoelectric conversion element in the radiographic image capturing apparatus and the optical sensor such as a CCD image sensor in the digital camera are collectively referred to as an imaging element.

  In these electronic devices for photographing, when the remaining amount of the built-in power supply is low, photographing cannot be performed. In particular, in the case of a radiographic imaging device, when imaging is performed by irradiating the patient's body, which is the subject, the remaining amount of the built-in power source is small, and if the radiographic image cannot be appropriately captured by the imaging, the radiation It is necessary to re-image after recharging the image capturing device, or to re-image using another radiographic image capturing device. Problems such as an increased burden arise.

  In addition, if you repeat shooting with these electronic devices for shooting, and the remaining power of the built-in power supply falls below the lower limit, that is, if it becomes overdischarged, the built-in power supply deteriorates or the built-in power supply fails There is. Therefore, these electronic devices with built-in power supply usually have a level that prohibits new shooting for the remaining power of the built-in power supply or a level that protects the internal power supply from overdischarge. Etc. are set.

  More specifically, when the remaining amount of the built-in power supply is managed by a voltage value, the built-in power supply is used between the upper limit value Vmax and the lower limit value Vmin of the remaining voltage V as shown in FIG. Is required. In this case, the overdischarge protection voltage Vod is a voltage value higher than the lower limit value Vmin of the residual voltage V by a predetermined voltage value so that the residual voltage V of the built-in power source is less than the lower limit value Vmin and no overdischarge occurs. Set to

  When the residual voltage V of the built-in power supply decreases to the overdischarge protection voltage Vod, all the functional units such as the microcomputer and the power generation circuit in the photographing electronic device are turned off. That is, it is shut down. However, even if all the functional units are turned off, there is usually a slight discharge from the built-in power supply. Therefore, how much the overdischarge protection voltage Vod is set to a voltage value higher than the lower limit value Vmin of the residual voltage V depends on the amount of discharge from the built-in power supply or a small amount of discharge from the built-in power supply. It is determined based on whether it is allowed to be left for a certain period of time.

  In addition, before each function unit is turned off and shut down because the residual voltage V of the built-in power supply is reduced to the overdischarge protection voltage Vod, for example, the microcomputer stores necessary data. It is necessary to perform necessary processing. Therefore, a system shutdown voltage Vssd that is higher than the overdischarge protection voltage Vod by a predetermined voltage value is set in order to secure power necessary for these processes.

  Note that the system in this case refers to the photographing electronic device. The system shutdown voltage Vssd can be said to be a voltage value set to enter a stage where each functional unit of the photographing electronic device enters a preparatory work for performing a process necessary for the shutdown.

  When the remaining voltage V of the built-in power supply decreases to the system shutdown voltage Vssd, each function unit performs necessary processing before being shut down. After that, when the built-in power supply is not charged and the remaining voltage V of the built-in power supply further decreases and reaches the overdischarge protection voltage Vod, all the functional units are shut down and turned off as described above. It is said.

  On the other hand, the photographing prohibition voltage Vnp is set to a voltage value higher than the system shutdown voltage Vssd. When the photographing prohibition voltage Vnp is photographed at a voltage equal to or lower than this voltage, the remaining voltage V of the built-in power supply decreases to the system shutdown voltage Vssd, and each functional unit stops the operation for performing the photographing and shuts down. This is a voltage indicating that the photographing cannot be performed because necessary processing is performed.

  In this case, even if shooting is performed, the shooting cannot be performed in the end, and the above-described problem occurs. For this reason, in general, when the remaining voltage V of the built-in power supply is lowered to the photographing prohibition voltage Vnp, the photographing electronic device has made a photographing request when the user presses the shutter or a photographing request signal is transmitted from the host system. Even in such a case, the photographing request is not accepted and the photographing is not performed. In such a case, it is often configured to notify the user, the host system, or the like from the photographing electronic device side to request charging of the built-in power source.

JP 2011-19661 A JP 2011-35791 A

  By the way, when setting the photographing prohibition voltage Vnp (see FIG. 18) with respect to the remaining voltage V of the built-in power supply of the photographing electronic device, if the set value of the photographing prohibition voltage Vnp is too high, the upper limit of the remaining voltage V of the built-in power supply. The range Ra from the value Vmax to the photographing prohibition voltage Vnp is narrowed. Therefore, the number of shots that can be taken with one charge is reduced.

  Therefore, it is desirable that the photographing prohibition voltage Vnp be set to a voltage value as low as possible within a range in which the above-described problem such as re-photographing does not occur. Therefore, the photographing prohibition voltage Vnp is ideally higher than the system shutdown voltage Vssd by a residual voltage V (hereinafter referred to as “consumption voltage”) that decreases every time photographing is performed, or slightly higher than that. It is desirable to set the voltage value.

  However, if the built-in power supply deteriorates over time due to repeated charging and discharging, the capacity decreases, and even if the upper limit value Vmax and the lower limit value Vmin of the residual voltage V are the same, the amount of electricity that can be charged to the built-in power supply, that is, The amount of charge may be reduced. In such a case, assuming that the amount of charge required for one shooting does not change, the residual voltage V that decreases with each shooting increases.

  Therefore, in the normal case, when setting the shooting prohibition voltage Vnp in advance as described above, the amount of decrease in the residual voltage V due to aging degradation is expected in anticipation of an increase in the amount of decrease in the residual voltage V due to aging degradation of the built-in power supply. Estimate a large size in advance. In many cases, the photographing prohibition voltage Vnp is set to a relatively high voltage value from the system shutdown voltage Vssd.

  However, when the photographing prohibition voltage Vnp is set to a relatively high voltage value from the system shutdown voltage Vssd as described above, for example, if the photographing electronic device is new and the built-in power supply has not deteriorated, the remaining built-in power supply remains. In some cases, there may still be a margin in which several pictures can be taken before the voltage V drops from the photography prohibition voltage Vnp to the system shutdown voltage Vssd.

  However, in spite of this, since it becomes impossible to take a picture when the residual voltage V drops to the photographing prohibition voltage Vnp, the number of pictures that can be taken with one charge is reduced. For this reason, the photographing efficiency per charge is reduced. In addition, it is necessary to charge the built-in power supply more frequently, and the photographing electronic device will feel unusable for the user.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and provides a photographing electronic device and a photographing system that can improve photographing efficiency per charge and are easy to use for a user. With the goal.

In order to solve the above problems, the photographing electronic device of the present invention
In an electronic device for photography with a chargeable capacitor,
Estimating means for estimating a capacity of the capacitor based on a change in a charging voltage charged in the capacitor when the capacitor is charged;
In accordance with the capacity of the capacitor estimated by the estimation means, the amount of decrease in the residual voltage at which the residual voltage of the capacitor decreases for each imaging is calculated, and the calculated residual voltage for each imaging is calculated. A photographing prohibition voltage setting means for varying and setting a photographing prohibition voltage with respect to the remaining voltage of the capacitor based on a decrease in
When the residual voltage of the capacitor is a voltage value higher than the shooting prohibition voltage set by the shooting prohibition voltage setting means, it is allowed to perform shooting, and when it is a voltage value equal to or lower than the shooting prohibition voltage. Control means for prohibiting shooting,
It is characterized by providing.

The photographing system of the present invention is
In the photographing system including the photographing electronic device of the present invention,
Furthermore, the electronic system for photographing is provided with a host system that notifies the amount of electric charge consumed from the capacitor in the one photographing.
Alternatively, the shooting method is notified from the host system to the shooting electronic device,
The photographing prohibition voltage setting means of the photographing electronic device calculates the amount of charge consumed from the capacitor in the one photographing, corresponding to the photographing method notified from the host system, and The amount of decrease in the residual voltage at which the residual voltage of the capacitor decreases is calculated for each photographing.

  According to the photographing electronic apparatus and photographing system of the system of the present invention, a capacitor is used as a built-in power source, and the capacitance of the capacitor that fluctuates due to aging of the capacitor is estimated at each charging time. The shooting prohibition voltage is varied according to the capacity. Therefore, the range Ra from the upper limit value Vmax of the remaining voltage V of the capacitor to the photographing prohibition voltage Vnp can be expanded to the maximum according to the degree of deterioration of the capacitor at present, and photographing is performed with one charge. It is possible to increase the number of images that can be taken.

  Therefore, it is possible to improve the shooting efficiency per charge, and it is not necessary to charge the capacitor frequently, so that it is possible to make the shooting electronic device convenient for the user. .

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the radiographic imaging apparatus as an example of the imaging electronic device. It is sectional drawing which follows the XX line of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the radiographic imaging apparatus of the state which connected the cable. It is a block diagram showing the circuit structure of the radiographic imaging apparatus of FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a part from a connector in FIG. 4 to a control unit through a capacitor. It is a graph showing the time change etc. of the value of the charging current and charging voltage in constant current charging and constant voltage charging. It is a graph showing the relationship between predetermined time (DELTA) Tth at the time of constant current charge in the estimation method 1, and the increase (DELTA) V (= V2-V1) of charging voltage. (A) It is a graph showing that the constant current I2 of the pulse-like high value is supplied at the time of constant current charge in the estimation method 2, (B) It is a graph showing transition of the charging voltage of the capacitor in that case, etc. It is a figure explaining that a photography prohibition voltage is set as a low value, and the range from the upper limit of the residual voltage of a capacitor to a photography prohibition voltage expands. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the imaging | photography system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows another structural example of the imaging | photography system which concerns on this embodiment. 6 is a timing chart showing timings for sequentially applying an ON voltage to each scanning line in a reset process of each image sensor before photographing in the cooperative method. It is a timing chart showing the timing of transmission of the irradiation start signal in a cooperation system, completion | finish of a reset process, transfer to a charge accumulation state, transmission of an interlock release signal, and radiation irradiation. 6 is a timing chart showing timings for sequentially applying an on-voltage to each scanning line in the cooperation method. 6 is a timing chart showing the timing of sequentially applying an ON voltage to each scanning line when image data read processing is repeatedly performed before shooting in the non-cooperative method. It is a timing chart showing the timing which applies ON voltage sequentially to each scanning line in a non-cooperation system. It is the graph which plotted the image data read by the read-out process performed before imaging | photography in a non-cooperation system in time series. It is a figure showing the relationship of the imaging | photography prohibition voltage, system shutdown voltage, and overdischarge protection voltage which are set to the residual voltage, the upper limit value and lower limit value of the residual voltage of a built-in power supply.

  Embodiments of a photographing electronic device and a photographing system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  In the following, a case where the imaging electronic device is a radiographic imaging device (Flat Panel Detector: FPD) will be described. However, for example, a digital camera may be used. In the present invention, the imaging electronic device is a radiographic imaging device. It is not limited to a certain case.

[Configuration example of radiographic imaging device as an example of imaging electronic device]
First, a configuration example of the radiographic image capturing apparatus 1 will be described as an example of the imaging electronic device. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the radiographic image capturing apparatus, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX of FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is configured by housing a sensor panel SP including a scintillator 3, a substrate 4, and the like in a housing 2. In this embodiment, the housing | casing 2 is formed by obstruct | occluding the opening part of the both sides of 2 A of hollow square cylindrical housing main-body parts which have the radiation-incidence surface R with lid | cover members 2B and 2C.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the lid member 2 </ b> B on one side of the housing 2 includes a power switch 37, a changeover switch 38, a connector 39, and a state of a capacitor 24 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 described later) as a built-in power source. An indicator 40 composed of LEDs or the like for displaying the operating state of the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is disposed. Although not shown in the drawings, in the present embodiment, an antenna device 41 (to be described later) is used for the radiographic imaging device 1 to transmit and receive signals and the like to and from an external device on the lid member 2C on the opposite side of the housing 2. 4) is provided so as to be embedded in the lid member 2C, for example.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a connector C provided at the tip of the cable Ca is connected to the connector 39 of the radiographic image capturing apparatus 1, and transmission / reception of signals and the like with an external device is wired via the cable Ca or the like. It is also possible to configure so as to be carried out by a method.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a base 31 is disposed inside the housing 2 via a lead thin plate (not shown) on the lower side of the substrate 4, and an electronic component 32 and the like are disposed on the base 31. The PCB substrate 33, the capacitor 24, and the like are attached. Further, a glass substrate 34 for protecting the substrate 4 and the radiation incident surface R of the scintillator 3 is disposed, and a buffer material 35 is provided between the sensor panel SP and the side surface of the housing 2. ing.

  Although not shown, a plurality of image sensors 7 made of photodiodes or the like are arranged in a two-dimensional shape (matrix shape) on the detection portion P of the substrate 4. (Thin Film Transistor; hereinafter referred to as TFT) 8, a scanning line 5, a signal line 6, a bias line 9, and the like are connected. Further, the scintillator 3 is provided so as to face the detection part P of the substrate 4.

  The circuit configuration of the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, a plurality of image sensors 7 are two-dimensionally arranged on the substrate 4 to form the detection unit P. In addition, a bias line 9 is connected to the second electrode 7 b of each imaging element 7, and each bias line 9 is bound to a connection 10 and connected to a bias power source 14. The bias power supply 14 applies a reverse bias voltage to the second electrode 7 b of each imaging device 7 via the connection 10 and each bias line 9.

  In the scanning driving means 15, an ON voltage or an OFF voltage is supplied from the power supply circuit 15a to the gate driver 15b via the wiring 15c, and the voltage applied to each line L1 to Lx of the scanning line 5 by the gate driver 15b is turned ON and OFF. Switching between the voltages and switching between the on state and the off state of each TFT 8 performs a process of reading image data from each image sensor 7 and the like.

  Each signal line 6 is connected to each readout circuit 17 formed in the readout IC 16, and the readout circuit 17 includes an amplifier circuit 18 and a correlated double sampling circuit 19. An analog multiplexer 21 and an A / D converter 20 are further provided in the read IC 16.

  For example, when the image data is read from each image sensor 7, the TFT 8 connected to the scanning line 5 to which the on-voltage is applied from the gate driver 15b is turned on and turned on. Electric charges are discharged from the image sensor 7 connected to the TFT 8 to the signal line 6, and the discharged electric charges are converted into a charge voltage by the amplifier circuit 18 of the readout circuit 17.

  Then, the correlated double sampling circuit 19 provided on the output side of the amplifier circuit 18 calculates the difference between the output values from the amplifier circuit 18 before and after the charge is discharged from the image sensor 7, and the calculated difference is converted into an analog value. Output as image data. Then, the output analog value image data is sequentially transmitted to the A / D converter 20 via the analog multiplexer 21, and is converted into digital value image data by the A / D converter 20 and output. The data are sequentially stored in the storage unit 23. In this manner, image data reading processing from each image sensor 7 is sequentially performed.

  The control means 22 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an input / output interface, etc. (not shown) connected to the bus, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and the like. It is comprised by. And the control means 22 controls operation | movement etc. of each member of the radiographic imaging apparatus 1.

  The control means 22 is connected to a storage means 23 composed of SRAM (Static RAM), SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM) or the like. In the present embodiment, the control unit 22 is connected to the antenna device 41 described above, and further connected to the power switch 37, the changeover switch 38, the connector 39, the indicator 40 (see FIG. 1), and the like. ing.

  The control unit 22 is connected to a capacitor 24 for supplying power to the control unit 22, the scanning drive unit 15, the readout circuit 17, the storage unit 23, the bias power source 14, and the like.

  In the radiographic imaging apparatus 1, the capacitor 24 such as a lithium ion capacitor or an electric double layer capacitor (also referred to as an electric double layer capacitor) is used as the built-in power supply. In this embodiment, a lithium ion capacitor (LIC) is used as the capacitor 24.

[Configuration of capacitor part of radiographic equipment]
Next, the configuration and the like of each functional unit provided in the vicinity of the capacitor 24 of the radiographic image capturing apparatus 1 as an imaging electronic device will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the part from the connector 39 to the control means 22 via the capacitor 24 in FIG.

  FIG. 5 shows a state in which the capacitor 24 is charged in a state where the connector 39 of the radiographic imaging device 1 and the connector C of the charging device BC are connected. As the charging device BC, a cradle used for charging the radiographic imaging device 1 can be used, and another charging device can also be used.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, when the capacitor 24 is charged between the connector 39 and the capacitor 24, the charging current I supplied from the charging device BC to the capacitor 24 is controlled to control the capacitor. A charge control circuit 80 that performs 24 charge controls is provided. The charging control circuit 80 may be provided on the charging device BC side.

  In the present embodiment, the charging control circuit 80 charges the capacitor 24 of the radiographic imaging device 1 that is an imaging electronic device so that the charging current I becomes constant as shown in FIG. After performing constant current charging, switching to constant voltage charging is performed so that the charging voltage V is constant.

Specifically, when the charging voltage V charged in the capacitor 24 (see the scale on the right side and the broken line in FIG. 6) is smaller than the preset target voltage V ₀ , the charging control circuit 80 sets the capacitor 24. The constant current charging is performed by controlling the charging current I to be supplied at a constant value. When the charging voltage V of the capacitor 24 reaches the target voltage V ₀ , the charging control circuit 80 switches the charging method for the capacitor 24 to constant voltage charging.

Even if the detected charging voltage V of the capacitor 24 reaches the target voltage V ₀ by performing constant current charging as described above, a voltage drop due to the internal resistance or the like of the capacitor 24 exists, so that the actual charging of the capacitor 24 is performed. voltage V is not actually reach the target voltage V _0. Therefore, the charging control circuit 80 performs constant voltage charging while controlling the charging current I so that the charging voltage V of the capacitor 24 maintains the target voltage V ₀ at the time of constant voltage charging after switching the charging method.

  In this embodiment, the charging control circuit 80 ends the charging of the capacitor 24 when the charging current I supplied to the capacitor 24 is gradually attenuated and becomes very small and becomes equal to or lower than a preset threshold value. (See time t1 in FIG. 6).

  As shown in FIG. 5, a power supply generation circuit 25 for the radiographic imaging apparatus 1 is provided between the capacitor 24 and the control means 22.

  In a normal state, that is, when the radiographic imaging device 1 is not connected to the charging device BC, the power supply generation circuit 25 uses the power supplied from the capacitor 24 as the scanning driving unit 15 in the control unit 22 or the sensor panel SP. When the power is supplied to each functional unit such as the readout circuit 17 and the bias power supply 14 (see FIG. 4), power is generated and supplied in an appropriate state required by each functional unit.

  In addition, when charging the capacitor 24, the power generation circuit 25 is configured to supply a part of the charging current I supplied from the charging device BC to the capacitor 24 via the charging control circuit 80 to the power generation circuit 25. ing. The power generation circuit 25 converts a part of the supplied charging current I into a current in a form necessary for each functional unit such as the control means 22 and supplies the converted current.

[Estimating means, photographing prohibition voltage setting means, etc.]
In the present embodiment, the control unit 22 of the radiographic image capturing apparatus 1 described above is configured to function also as an estimation unit and an imaging prohibition voltage setting unit. Hereinafter, a processing configuration and the like in the control unit 22 as an estimation unit, a photographing prohibition voltage setting unit, and the like will be described.

  Note that the estimation means and the photographing prohibition voltage setting means can be formed separately from the control means 22.

[Estimation process by estimation means]
Hereinafter, first, the process of estimating the capacitance C of the capacitor 24 by the control means 22 as the estimation means will be described.

  When the capacitor 24 is charged as described above, the control means 22 as the estimation means monitors the change in the charging voltage V charged in the capacitor 24, and based on the change in the charging voltage V. The capacity C of the capacitor 24 at that time is estimated. An example of a method for estimating the capacitance C of the capacitor 24 will be specifically described below.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, at the time of charging, the charging control circuit 80 first performs constant current charging. The control means 22 as the estimation means performs an estimation process of the capacitance C of the capacitor 24 during the constant current charging.

  As described above, a part of the charging current I supplied from the charging control circuit 80 to the capacitor 24 is supplied to the power generation circuit 25. Hereinafter, a part of the charging current I supplied to the power generation circuit 25 is referred to as a discharging current Id in the sense of a current discharged during charging. Further, a constant current value set in advance when the charging control circuit 80 performs constant current charging on the capacitor 24 is referred to as a charging current setting value Icset.

In this case, during constant current charging, the discharge current Id of the charging current setting value Icset output from the charging control circuit 80 is supplied to the power generation circuit 25 and not supplied to the capacitor 24.
Ic = Icset−Id (1)
Current Ic is supplied.

  At that time, when constant current charging is performed on the capacitor 24 of the radiographic imaging apparatus 1, a constant current value is set in advance as the charging current setting value Icset output from the charging control circuit 80. In addition, during constant current charging, the power consumed by each functional unit in the radiographic imaging apparatus 1 has a constant value, and thus the discharge current Id supplied from the charging control circuit 80 to the power generation circuit 25 is described above. The value of also becomes a constant current value.

  Therefore, if the magnitude of the discharge current Id is known in advance, the value of the discharge current Id and the set value of the charge current set value Icset are substituted into the above equation (1) to actually supply the capacitor 24. The magnitude of the current Ic being obtained can be understood.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, information on the charging voltage V charged in the capacitor 24 is input to the control means 22 as the estimation means. FIG. 5 shows a case where the information on the charging voltage V is obtained directly from the capacitor 24. For example, the information on the charging voltage V of the capacitor 24 detected by the charging control circuit 80 is transmitted to the control means 22. It is also possible to configure.

  Then, when the charging control circuit 80 performs constant current charging as described above, the control means 22 determines the current state of the capacitor 24 based on the increase ΔV of the charging voltage V when the predetermined time ΔTth has elapsed. The capacity C at is calculated and estimated.

  In this embodiment, the microcomputer constituting the control means 22 is processed by software to estimate the capacitance C of the capacitor 24. For example, the estimation is performed on the FPGA portion of the control means 22. It is also possible to configure the estimation processing in hardware by constructing a circuit having a function as means.

[Estimation method 1]
Specifically, the control means 22 reads the charging voltage V of the capacitor 24 at the time when the radiographic imaging device 1 is connected to the charging device BC and the constant current charging is started, and stores it as the charging voltage V1. At that time, the count of the elapsed time ΔT is reset and then the count of the elapsed time ΔT is started.

Then, as shown in FIG. 7, when the elapsed time ΔT reaches the predetermined time ΔTth, that is, when the predetermined time ΔTth has elapsed, the charging voltage V charged in the capacitor 24 is read and stored as the charging voltage V2. To do. When the control means 22 stores this charging voltage V2,
ΔV = V2−V1 (2)
Is calculated to calculate an increase ΔV of the charging voltage V described above.

The current Ic supplied to the capacitor 24 during the predetermined time ΔTth is a current Ic (that is, Icset−Id) that is reduced by the discharge current Id from the charging current set value Icset as shown in the above equation (1). Therefore, the capacitor 24 has the above-described predetermined time ΔTth during
Q = Ic × ΔTth
= (Icset−Id) × ΔTth (3)
Charge Q is supplied.

Therefore, from the relationship of C = Q / ΔV, the capacitance C of the capacitor 24 is
C = Ic × ΔTth / (V2−V1)
= (Icset−Id) × ΔTth / (V2−V1) (4)
It can be calculated by performing the following calculation.

  Therefore, the control means 22 stores each value of the charging current set value Icset and the discharging current Id or the difference Icset−Id in the memory in advance. Then, before or after reading the charging voltages V1 and V2, the values Icset and Id or the difference Icset−Id are read from the memory.

  Then, the control means 22 substitutes these values into the above equation (4), calculates the capacitance C of the capacitor 24, and stores the calculated capacitance C of the capacitor 24 in the memory. .

  It is also possible to configure the charging current set value Icset and the discharging current Id, or the difference Icset−Id between them, to be input to the radiographic imaging apparatus 1 each time charging is performed.

  Further, the calculated capacitance C of the capacitor 24 is used for the setting process of the photographing prohibition voltage Vnp by the control unit 22 as a photographing prohibition voltage setting unit described later. At that time, the capacitance C of the capacitor 24 estimated in the most recent estimation process of the setting process can be used as it is for the setting process of the photographing prohibition voltage Vnp. It is also possible to calculate the moving average of the capacitance C of the capacitor 24 estimated by the number of times estimation processing, and use the calculated moving average value as the capacitance C of the capacitor 24 for the setting processing of the photographing prohibition voltage Vnp. It is.

[Estimation method 2]
Further, in order to check whether or not the capacitor 24 has failed when performing constant current charging to the capacitor 24, for example, as shown in FIG. 8A, a low current is supplied from the charging control circuit 80 to the capacitor 24. There is a case where the constant current I1 of a value is supplied and constant current charging is performed, and a constant current I2 of a high current value is supplied several times in the meantime to perform a failure detection process of the capacitor 24. .

  In the case of such a configuration, the estimation process of the capacitance C of the capacitor 24 is performed using the supply of the pulsed constant current I2 to the capacitor 24 during the failure detection process. It is possible to configure.

  In this case, when a constant current I2 having a high value is supplied in a pulse form as shown in FIG. 8A, the charging voltage V of the capacitor 24 increases as shown in FIG. 8B.

The charging voltage V at the moment when the current supplied to the capacitor 24 is switched from the low current I1 to the high current I2 is V _n−1, and the amount of charge stored in the capacitor 24 at that time is Q _n−1 , the capacitor When the internal resistance of 24 is r and the capacity is C, between them and the current I1,
Vn _-1 = Qn _-1 / C + r * I1 (5)
The relationship is established.

Further, after the current supplied to the capacitor 24 is switched to the high current I2 from low current I1, the charging voltage V at the time when the predetermined time Δt has elapsed and V _n, are stored in the capacitor 24 at that time If the amount of charge and _{Q n,
Q n = Q n-1 +} I2 × Δt ... (6)
V _n = Q _n / C + r × I 2 (7)
The relationship holds.

Therefore, when the increase ΔV of the charging voltage V during the predetermined time Δt is calculated, using the above equations (5) to (7),
ΔV = V _n −V _{n−1
= (Q n / C + r} × I2) - (Q n-1 / C + r × I1)
_{= (Q n -Q n-1} ) / C + r × (I2-I1)
= (Qn _-1 + I2 * [Delta] t-Qn _-1 ) / C + r * (I2-I1)
ΔV = I2 × Δt / C + r × (I2−I1) (8)
Holds.

Therefore, the capacity C of the built-in power supply 14 is modified from the above equation (8),
C = I2 * [Delta] t / {[Delta] V-r * (I2-I1)} (9)
Can be calculated as

In this case, since the values of the constant currents I1 and I2 and the predetermined time Δt are known, if the internal resistance r of the capacitor 24 is known, the increase ΔV is calculated from the detected charging voltages V _n−1 and V _n. Then, the capacitance C of the capacitor 24 can be calculated by substituting it into the above equation (9).

In addition, when a lithium ion capacitor is used as the capacitor 24 as in the present embodiment, the internal resistance r of the lithium ion capacitor is as small as several mΩ. Therefore, when r≈0 in the above equation (9), the capacitance C of the capacitor 24 is obtained by using the constant current I2, the predetermined time Δt, and the increase ΔV of the charging voltage V,
C = I2 × Δt / ΔV (10)
It is possible to calculate by performing the above calculation.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 8A, in this process, a constant current I2 having a high value is repeatedly supplied in a pulse shape a plurality of times, so that the charging voltage V increases as shown in FIG. 8B. The minute ΔV can be detected a plurality of times. Therefore, for example, the average value of the increase ΔV for a plurality of times is calculated and applied to the above equation (10), or the capacity C is calculated based on the increase ΔV for each time and the average value is calculated. By doing so, it is possible to accurately calculate the capacitance C of the capacitor 24.

  Also in this case, the control means 22 as the estimation means is used when the value of the pulse-like high current I2 or the internal resistance r of the capacitor 24 is not approximated to 0 (when the above equation (9) is used). Stores the value of the internal resistance r and the value of the low current I1 in a memory in advance. Alternatively, it is input every time charging is performed.

  Then, before or after the increase ΔV of the charging voltage V is detected, the above values are read from the memory. Then, the control means 22 substitutes these values into the above equations (9) and (10), calculates the capacitance C of the capacitor 24 and the average value thereof, and calculates and estimates the capacitance C of the capacitor 24. And the average value is stored in memory.

  In this case as well, the moving average of the capacitance C and the average value of the capacitors 24 estimated in the estimation process performed at the predetermined number of times of charging such as the past 10 times is calculated, and the calculated moving average value is used as the capacitor. It is also possible to employ a configuration in which the capacitance C of 24 is used for the setting process of the photographing prohibition voltage Vnp.

  Further, the estimation method in the estimation process of the capacitance C of the capacitor 24 in the estimation means (control means 22) is not limited to the estimation method 1 and the estimation method 2 described above, and the capacitance C of the capacitor 24 is accurately estimated. Any other estimation method can be adopted as long as it can be estimated.

[Setting process of shooting prohibited voltage Vnp]
Next, the setting process of the photographing prohibition voltage Vnp in the control unit 22 as the photographing prohibiting voltage setting unit will be described.

  The control means 22 as the photographing prohibition voltage setting means is configured so that the remaining voltage of the capacitor 24 is taken for each photographing according to the capacitance C of the capacitor 24 calculated and estimated by the estimation means (control means 22) as described above. A decrease δV of the remaining voltage V at which V decreases is calculated, and based on the calculated decrease δV of the remaining voltage V, the photographing prohibition voltage Vnp (see FIG. 18) is varied with respect to the remaining voltage V of the capacitor 24. It is supposed to be set.

  In this embodiment, the control means 22 as the photographing prohibition voltage setting means performs the setting processing of the photographing prohibition voltage Vnp as the estimation means as described above, and the control means 22 charges the capacitor C when the capacitor 24 is charged. It is comprised so that it may perform immediately after estimating.

  That is, in the present embodiment, the setting process of the photographing prohibition voltage Vnp is performed every time the capacitor 24 is charged. The photographing prohibition voltage Vnp is not changed until the capacitor 24 is charged next time.

  However, in addition to this, for example, the photographing prohibition voltage setting means can be configured to perform the photographing prohibition voltage Vnp setting processing for each photographing, and without waiting for the next charging of the capacitor 24, It is also possible to configure so that the photographing prohibition voltage Vnp is appropriately changed according to the situation.

  In the present embodiment, the control means 22 as the photographing prohibition voltage setting means, as described below, reduces the remaining voltage V of the capacitor 24 at every photographing as follows. The amount of decrease in the residual voltage V for each photographing is referred to as δV).

That is, the relationship Q = CV, where Qc is the total amount of charge consumed by each functional unit of the radiographic image capturing apparatus 1 for each imaging, that is, the amount of charge consumed from the capacitor 24 in one imaging. From this, the decrease δV of the remaining voltage V of the capacitor 24 for each shooting is calculated using the capacitance C of the capacitor 24 calculated by the estimation process.
Qc = C · δV (11)
∴δV = Qc / C (12)
Is calculated by

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the control means 22 as the photographing prohibition voltage setting means stores the amount of charge Qc consumed from the capacitor 24 by one photographing, and the estimation means (control means 22 as described above). ) Calculates and estimates the capacitance C of the capacitor 24, the value δV of the residual voltage V is calculated by substituting the value of the capacitance C and the value of the charge amount Qc into the above equation (12). Yes.

  Then, the control means 22 as the photographing prohibition voltage setting means adds the calculated residual voltage decrease δV or the value of the residual voltage obtained by adding a predetermined voltage value to the system shutdown voltage Vssd (see FIG. 18). Thus, the photographing prohibition voltage Vnp is calculated. In the present embodiment, when the control means 22 calculates the photographing prohibition voltage Vnp in this way, it is set by overwriting the previous photographing prohibition voltage Vnp already stored in the memory. .

  As described above, in this embodiment, the decrease δV of the residual voltage V of the capacitor 24 for each shooting is calculated using the relationship of Q = CV. However, in the built-in power source provided in the shooting electronic device The relationship between the decrease δV of the remaining voltage V of the capacitor 24 for each shooting and the charge amount Qc consumed from the capacitor 24 by one shooting is not proportional to the above equation (11). There are many things.

  On the other hand, if a capacitor 24 such as a lithium ion capacitor (LIC) or an electric double layer capacitor is used as a built-in power supply as in this embodiment, a decrease δV of the residual voltage V of the capacitor 24 for each shooting is The relationship with the charge amount Qc consumed from the capacitor 24 in one shooting is proportional as shown in the above equation (11).

  Therefore, as in this embodiment, a decrease δV in the remaining voltage V of the capacitor 24 for each shooting using the capacitance C of the capacitor 24 and the charge amount Qc consumed from the capacitor 24 by one shooting. Can be calculated easily and accurately. For this reason, the photographing prohibition voltage Vnp can be accurately set with respect to the remaining voltage V of the capacitor 24.

  Note that, as in the present embodiment, the imaging inhibition voltage Vnp is calculated by adding the calculated decrease δV of the remaining voltage V or the value of the remaining voltage obtained by adding a predetermined voltage value to the system shutdown voltage Vssd. It is also possible to calculate and set the photographing prohibition voltage Vnp by adding it to the overdischarge protection voltage Vod or the lower limit value Vmin (see FIG. 18) of the residual voltage V.

[About photographing permission / prohibition processing by control means]
Next, photographing permission / prohibition processing by the control means 22 will be described.

  As described above, the control unit 22 sets the imaging prohibition voltage setting unit by varying the imaging prohibition voltage Vnp according to the current capacity C of the capacitor 24. The residual voltage V is monitored for each photographing, and the residual voltage V of the capacitor 24 and the photographing prohibiting voltage Vnp are compared.

  Then, when the residual voltage V of the capacitor 24 is higher than the radiography prohibition voltage Vnp, the control means 22 operates the radiographic imaging apparatus 1 by the user or a console 58 (FIGS. 10 and 11 described later). When a shooting request signal is transmitted from a higher-level system such as (see FIG. 6) or the like, shooting is permitted.

  That is, necessary power is supplied from the power generation circuit 25 to each function unit such as the scanning drive unit 15 and the readout circuit 17 (see FIG. 4), and each function unit is allowed to perform each process for photographing. It is like that.

  On the other hand, when the residual voltage V of the capacitor 24 is equal to or lower than the imaging prohibition voltage Vnp, the control unit 22 operates the radiographic imaging apparatus 1 or transmits an imaging request signal from the host system. Even if there is a photographing request, the photographing request is not accepted and photographing is prohibited.

  In this embodiment, in this case, the control means 22 blinks the indicator 40 (see FIG. 1) or displays the display requesting that the capacitor 58 be charged on the console 58 to the user. A notification requesting charging of the capacitor 24 is made.

  Next, an operation of the radiographic image capturing apparatus 1 as the imaging electronic apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.

  As described above, in the conventional photographing electronic device, when setting the photographing prohibition voltage Vnp, charging and discharging are repeated, the built-in power supply deteriorates with time, and the remaining voltage V of the capacitor 24 for each photographing is reduced. In anticipation of an increase in the decrease amount δV, the imaging prohibition voltage Vnp is set by estimating the increased decrease amount δV in the internal power supply after deterioration.

  For this reason, the photographing prohibition voltage Vnp is set to a relatively high voltage value from the system shutdown voltage Vssd. For example, when the photographing electronic device is new and the built-in power supply has not deteriorated, the remaining voltage V of the built-in power supply is Even though there is still a margin for taking several pictures during the period from the shooting prohibition voltage Vnp to the system shutdown voltage Vssd, the shooting is prohibited.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as described above, when constant current charging is performed on the capacitor 24 as the built-in power source by the estimation unit, based on the change ΔV of the charging voltage V charged in the capacitor 24, The current capacity C of the capacitor 24 is calculated and estimated.

  Then, the control means 22 as the photographing prohibition voltage setting means calculates a decrease δV of the remaining voltage V of the capacitor 24 for each photographing according to the estimated capacitance C of the capacitor 24, and based on this, the photographing prohibition is performed. The voltage Vnp is set to be variable according to the current capacitance C of the capacitor 24.

  When the capacitor 24 is new and the capacitor 24 has not deteriorated yet, the capacitance C of the capacitor 24 becomes larger than that when the capacitor 24 deteriorates. Therefore, the decrease δV of the remaining voltage V of the capacitor 24 for each photographing is relatively small according to the relatively large capacitance C. When the capacitance C of the capacitor 24 decreases due to aging, the decrease δV of the residual voltage V of the capacitor 24 for each shooting is relative to the capacitance C of the capacitor 24 that has decreased due to the deterioration. Become bigger.

  In the present embodiment, while the capacitance C of the capacitor 24 varies in this manner, the capacitance C of the capacitor 24 is estimated each time charging is performed, and the current capacitance C of the capacitor 24 is estimated. Then, in accordance with the estimated current capacity C of the capacitor 24, a decrease δV of the remaining voltage V of the capacitor 24 for each current photographing is accurately calculated, and the photographing prohibiting voltage Vnp is made variable based on the calculation. To set.

  Therefore, when the capacitor 24 is not yet deteriorated and the capacitance C is large according to the current degree of deterioration of the capacitor 24, the photographing prohibition voltage Vnp becomes relatively small, and the capacitor 24 deteriorates over time. When the capacitance C decreases due to the above, the photographing prohibition voltage Vnp is varied so as to be relatively large.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, as described above, for example, when the photographing electronic device is new and the built-in power supply has not deteriorated, the photographing prohibiting voltage Vnp is appropriately set to a lower value as shown in FIG. Thus, the range Ra from the upper limit value Vmax of the remaining voltage V of the capacitor 24 to the photographing prohibition voltage Vnp can be expanded.

  Therefore, it is possible to increase the number of shots that can be taken with one charge, and it is possible to improve the shooting efficiency per charge. In addition, since the imaging efficiency per charge is improved, it is not necessary to frequently charge the capacitor 24, and the imaging electronic device (the radiographic imaging apparatus 1 in this embodiment) is convenient for the user. It becomes possible to do.

  As described above, according to the imaging electronic apparatus (radiation image capturing apparatus 1) according to the present embodiment, the capacitor 24 is used as the built-in power supply, and the capacitance C of the capacitor 24 that varies due to the aging of the capacitor 24 is changed every time it is charged. And the photographing prohibition voltage Vnp is varied in accordance with the estimated current capacitance C of the capacitor 24.

  Therefore, the range Ra from the upper limit value Vmax of the remaining voltage V of the capacitor 24 to the photographing prohibition voltage Vnp can be expanded to the maximum according to the degree of deterioration of the capacitor 24 in the current state, and can be performed by one charge. It is possible to increase the number of shots that can be taken.

  Therefore, it is possible to improve the imaging efficiency per charge, and it is not necessary to frequently charge the capacitor 24. Therefore, the imaging electronic device (radiation imaging apparatus 1) is convenient for the user. It becomes possible.

[Modification]
As described above, when the remaining voltage V of the capacitor 24 decreases to the system shutdown voltage Vssd (see FIGS. 9 and 18), each functional unit of the photographing electronic device performs necessary processing before being shut down. . The amount of charge necessary for these processes is known in advance. Therefore, it is possible to configure not only the above-described photographing prohibition voltage Vnp but also the system shutdown voltage Vssd to be set variable.

That is, as in the above equation (12), the total charge amount Q ^* required for the processing performed by each functional unit of the photographing electronic device before the shutdown is the current capacity C of the capacitor 24 estimated by the estimation processing. By dividing, i.e.
δV ^* = Q ^* / C (13)
By performing the above calculation, it is possible to calculate the decrease δV ^* of the remaining voltage V of the capacitor 24 that decreases when each functional unit of the photographing electronic device performs necessary processing before the shutdown in the current state. .

The system shutdown voltage Vssd can be variably set by adding the decrease δV ^* of the remaining voltage V and a value obtained by adding a predetermined voltage value to the overdischarge protection voltage Vod.

  Then, by setting the system shutdown voltage Vssd to be variable, the range Ra from the upper limit value Vmax of the remaining voltage V of the capacitor 24 to the photographing prohibition voltage Vnp is further expanded according to the current degree of deterioration of the capacitor 24. Thus, it is possible to further improve the shooting efficiency per charge. Similarly, the overdischarge protection voltage Vod can be varied and set in accordance with the current capacity C of the capacitor 24.

  On the other hand, in the above-described embodiment, the amount of charge consumed from the capacitor 24 in one imaging (that is, radiographic imaging for each imaging), which is substituted into the above equation (12) in the setting process of the imaging prohibiting voltage Vnp. The description has been made on the assumption that the sum (Qc) of electric charges consumed by the respective functional units of the apparatus 1 is set to a predetermined value.

  However, depending on the shooting conditions, it may be better to vary the amount of charge Qc consumed from the capacitor 24 in one shooting. Hereinafter, an example of such a case will be described.

  Here, first, a configuration example of an imaging system for performing imaging using the radiographic imaging device 1 as an imaging electronic device will be described. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the imaging system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 shows a case where the photographing system 100 is built in the photographing room R1 or its front room R2 (also referred to as an operation room or the like).

  In the radiographing room R1, a bucky device 51 capable of loading the radiographic image radiographing device 1 into a cassette holder (also referred to as a cassette holder) 51a is installed. FIG. 10 shows a case where a bucky device 51A for standing position shooting and a bucky device 51B for standing position shooting are installed as the bucky device 51.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, with the cable Ca connected to the connector 39 of the radiographic imaging apparatus 1, the radiographic imaging apparatus 1 is loaded into the cassette holding unit 51 of the bucky apparatus 51 and used. be able to.

  The imaging room R1 is provided with at least one radiation source 52 for irradiating the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 mounted on the Bucky apparatus 51 via a subject (not shown). In addition, a repeater 54 including an access point 53 for relaying communication between each device in the photographing room R1 and each device outside the photographing room R1 is provided.

  The repeater 54 is connected to a radiation generator 55 that controls irradiation of radiation from the radiation source 52 and a console 58 provided in the front chamber R2.

  The front room R2 is provided with a console 57 for the radiation generator 55. The console 57 is operated by a radiation engineer or the like to instruct the radiation generator 55 to start radiation irradiation. An exposure switch 56 is provided.

  Further, the console 58 is provided with a display unit 58a configured with a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), or the like, and a memory configured with an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or the like. Means 59 are connected or built in.

  As will be described later, the console 58 can notify the radiographic imaging apparatus 1 of a radiographing system to be performed from now on via the repeater 54 and the cable Ca. That is, in the present embodiment, the console 58 corresponds to a host system that notifies the radiographic imaging apparatus 1 that is an imaging electronic device of the imaging method and the like.

  Further, when imaging is finished and image data or the like is transmitted from the radiation image capturing apparatus 1, the console 58 displays a preview image based on the image data or performs image processing on the image data or the like to perform radiation processing. An image is generated.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of the photographing system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 11 shows a case where the imaging system 200 is constructed on the round-trip car 201 and the entire system is configured to be transportable.

  The imaging system 200 in this case can be brought into the hospital room R3 as shown in FIG. 11 when the patient H cannot get up from the bed B of the hospital room R3 and cannot go to the imaging room R1, for example. It has become. The radiographic imaging apparatus 1 is used by being inserted between the bed B and the patient's body or applied to the patient's body.

  In this case, the radiographic image capturing apparatus 1 can be used with the cable Ca connected as shown in FIG. 3, but the cable often interferes with imaging. Therefore, in such a case, imaging is often performed without connecting the cable Ca to the radiation image capturing apparatus 1.

  In this case, a portable radiation source 52P is used as the radiation source 52, and is suitable for the radiographic imaging apparatus 1 inserted between the bed B and the patient's body or applied to the patient's body. Radiation can be applied from any distance or direction.

  By the way, when imaging is performed in the imaging system 100 shown in FIG. 10, the radiographic image capturing apparatus 1 and the console 58 are connected between the radiographic image capturing apparatus 1 and the radiation generating apparatus 55 via the cable Ca, the relay 54, or the like. And the radiation generator 55 can be configured to perform imaging while exchanging signals.

  Hereinafter, a method in which signals are exchanged at least between the radiographic imaging device 1 and the radiation generation device 55 and imaging is performed in cooperation with each other will be referred to as a cooperative method.

  In this case, normally, the radiographic image capturing apparatus 1 first starts reset processing of each image sensor 7 for removing the charge remaining in each image sensor 7 (see FIG. 4). In the reset process, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, an on-voltage is applied to each line L1 to Lx of the scanning line 5 from the gate driver 15b (see FIG. 4), and each imaging is performed while sequentially turning on each TFT8. Electric charges remaining in the element 7 are discharged to the signal lines 6.

  The reset process performed by sequentially applying the ON voltage from the first line L1 to the last line Lx of the scanning line 5 is hereinafter referred to as a reset process Rm for one surface.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 13, when the radiation switch 56 (see FIG. 10) is operated by the radiation engineer during the reset process Rm for one surface, the radiation generator 55 changes the radiation image capturing apparatus 1. An irradiation start signal is transmitted. The control means 22 of the radiographic imaging device 1 ends the reset processing of each image sensor 7 when the reset processing Rm for one surface, which is performed when the irradiation start signal is transmitted, is completed.

  Then, an off voltage is applied from the gate driver 15b to all the scanning lines 5 to turn off all the TFTs 8, and charges generated in each image sensor 7 due to radiation irradiation are accumulated in each image sensor 7. Transition to the state. At the same time, the control means 22 transmits an interlock release signal to the radiation generator 55. When receiving the interlock release signal from the radiographic image capturing apparatus 1 via the relay 54, the radiation generation apparatus 55 causes the radiation source 52 to emit radiation.

  The control means 22 of the radiographic image capturing apparatus 1 transmits the interlock release signal to shift to the charge accumulation state, and when a predetermined time elapses, as shown in FIG. The image data D is read out by sequentially applying the ON voltage to the image pickup device 7 and reading out the image data D from the respective image pickup devices 7. In addition, the diagonal line in FIG. 14 represents that the radiation was irradiated in the period.

  In the cooperative method, shooting is performed as described above.

  On the other hand, when imaging is performed with the imaging system 200 illustrated in FIG. 11, imaging cannot be performed while exchanging signals between at least the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 and the radiation generating apparatus 55 as described above. For this reason, the radiographic image capturing apparatus 1 must detect itself that the radiation has been emitted from the radiation source 52P (see FIG. 11) and perform imaging.

  Hereinafter, as described above, signals are not exchanged between the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 and the radiation generating apparatus 55, that is, the two do not cooperate, and the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 detects radiation irradiation by itself and performs imaging. The method to perform is called non-cooperation method.

  When imaging is performed in a non-cooperative manner, the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 itself can be configured to detect radiation irradiation by several methods. In the following, one of these methods will be exemplified. Will be described.

  Specifically, for example, instead of performing reset processing (see FIG. 12 and the like) of each image sensor 7 before shooting as in the case of the cooperation method described above, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, the on-voltage is sequentially applied from the gate driver 15 b to each of the lines L <b> 1 to Lx of the scanning line 5, and the reading process of the image data d from each image sensor 7 is repeatedly performed as in the reading process of the image data D illustrated in FIG. 14. It can be configured as follows.

  In the following, the image data read in the read process before shooting is referred to as image data d, in distinction from the image data D as the main image read immediately after shooting. Further, in FIG. 15, one frame refers to a period during which image data d is read out from each imaging device 7 for one surface arranged in a two-dimensional manner on the detection unit P (see FIG. 4).

  When the reading process of the image data d is performed before imaging as described above, as shown in FIG. 16, when radiation irradiation to the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is started, the image data d (FIG. 16) read at that time is started. In FIG. 16, the image data d) read by applying the ON voltage to the line Ln of the scanning line 5 has a value significantly larger than the image data d read before that, as shown in FIG. (See time t1 in FIG. 17).

  Therefore, the control unit 22 is configured to monitor the image data d read in the reading process before radiographic image capturing, and the read image data d is set in advance as shown in FIG. When the threshold value dth is exceeded, it can be configured to detect the start of radiation irradiation.

  In this case, when the control means 22 detects that the irradiation of radiation has started as described above, it applies an on-voltage to each scanning line 5 at that time as shown in FIG. Stop and shift to the charge accumulation state. Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of radiation irradiation was detected, the control means 22 sequentially applies an ON voltage to each of the lines L1 to Lx of the scanning line 5 and reads out the image data D as the main image. Configured to do.

  In the non-cooperation method, for example, shooting is performed as described above.

  As described above, the processing performed by each functional unit at the time of shooting differs between the cooperative method and the non-cooperative method.

  That is, in the cooperation method, the reset process of each image sensor 7 is performed before shooting. In the reset process of each image sensor 7, the readout operation of the image data or the like in each readout circuit 17 (see FIG. 4) is not performed, so that it is consumed by each functional unit of the radiation imaging apparatus 1 for each imaging. The total charge amount Qc, that is, the charge amount Qc consumed from the capacitor 24 in one shooting is relatively small.

  On the other hand, in the non-cooperative method, since the readout operation of the image data d is performed by each readout circuit 17 (see FIG. 4) before photographing, the charge amount Qc consumed from the capacitor 24 by one photographing is It becomes relatively large.

  Therefore, the amount of charge Qc consumed from the capacitor 24 in one shooting can be set for each shooting depending on, for example, whether the shooting is performed in the cooperative method or the non-cooperative method. is there.

  Specifically, for example, the control unit 22 as the photographing prohibition voltage setting unit includes the charge amount Qc when photographing is performed in a cooperative manner and the charge amount Qc when photographing is performed in a non-collaborative manner. Are stored in the memory in advance, and when the radiographer inputs to the radiographic image capturing apparatus 1 or when an imaging method is instructed from the console 58, an appropriate charge amount Qc is read out and the above (12 It is configured to be used for the calculation of the formula.

  With this configuration, it is possible to vary and set the photographing prohibition voltage Vnp by appropriately varying the amount of charge Qc consumed from the capacitor 24 in one photographing that can change depending on the photographing method or the like. . Therefore, the range Ra (see FIG. 9) from the upper limit value Vmax of the remaining voltage V of the capacitor 24 to the photographing prohibition voltage Vnp can be maximized according to the photographing method or the like, which is beneficial according to the above embodiment. It becomes possible to exhibit the effective effect more effectively.

  On the other hand, when the patient's body, which is the subject, is photographed using the radiation image photographing apparatus 1, for example, a single radiation image is often photographed by photographing the patient's chest once in one photographing. However, for example, as in so-called long-length imaging, the radiographic imaging apparatus 1 is moved by one imaging, and for example, the patient's head, chest, abdomen, etc. are imaged multiple times, and a plurality of radiographic images are synthesized. In some cases, one radiation image is generated.

  In such a case, it is natural that the case of capturing a plurality of radiation images in one image capture is a capacitor in one image capture rather than the case of capturing a single radiation image in one image capture. The amount of charge Qc consumed from 24 increases.

  Therefore, in consideration of the case where imaging such as the above-described long imaging may be performed as an imaging method, for example, about the imaging to be performed from the console 58 that is a host system to the radiographic imaging apparatus 1. It is possible to notify the amount of charge Qc consumed from the capacitor 24 in one shooting.

  Further, for example, the radiographic image capturing apparatus 1 is configured to include a table in which each imaging method is associated with the amount of charge Qc consumed from the capacitor 24 in one imaging. Then, the radiography apparatus 1 is notified from the console 58, which is a host system, of an imaging method related to imaging to be performed.

  Then, the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 calculates the amount of charge Qc consumed from the capacitor 24 in one image capturing corresponding to the notified image capturing method, and the residual voltage V of the capacitor 24 for each image capturing described above. It is also possible to configure so as to calculate a decrease δV (see the above equation (12)).

  According to this configuration, even when the photographing method changes in the photographing systems 100 and 200, the amount of charge Qc consumed from the capacitor 24 in one photographing is appropriately changed accordingly, and the photographing prohibiting voltage Vnp is set. It is possible to set by varying. Therefore, the range Ra (see FIG. 9) from the upper limit value Vmax of the remaining voltage V of the capacitor 24 to the photographing prohibition voltage Vnp can be maximized according to the photographing method, which is beneficial according to the above embodiment. The effect can be exhibited more effectively.

  In the above-described embodiment and modification, the case where the imaging electronic device is the radiographic image capturing apparatus 1 has been mainly described, but the present invention is also applied to various imaging electronic devices such as a digital camera. It is possible. Further, the present invention can also be applied to a photographing system using those photographing electronic devices.

1 Radiation imaging equipment (electronic equipment for photography)
7 Image sensor 22 Control means (estimation means, photographing prohibition voltage setting means, control means)
24 capacitor 58 console (host system)
100, 200 Shooting system C Capacitor capacity Qc Charge amount consumed from the capacitor in one shooting V Charging voltage, remaining voltage Vmin Lower limit value of remaining voltage Vnp Shooting prohibition voltage Vod Overdischarge protection voltage Vssd System shutdown voltage ΔTth Predetermined time ΔV Increase in charge voltage δV Decrease in remaining voltage that causes the remaining voltage of the capacitor to decrease with each shooting.

Claims (10)

In an electronic device for photography with a chargeable capacitor,
Estimating means for estimating a capacity of the capacitor based on a change in a charging voltage charged in the capacitor when the capacitor is charged;
In accordance with the capacity of the capacitor estimated by the estimation means, the amount of decrease in the residual voltage at which the residual voltage of the capacitor decreases for each imaging is calculated, and the calculated residual voltage for each imaging is calculated. A photographing prohibition voltage setting means for varying and setting a photographing prohibition voltage with respect to the remaining voltage of the capacitor based on a decrease in
When the residual voltage of the capacitor is a voltage value higher than the shooting prohibition voltage set by the shooting prohibition voltage setting means, it is allowed to perform shooting, and when it is a voltage value equal to or lower than the shooting prohibition voltage. Control means for prohibiting shooting,
An electronic device for photographing, comprising:   The photographing electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the capacitor is a lithium ion capacitor or an electric double layer capacitor.   The said estimation means calculates the capacity | capacitance of the said capacitor based on the increase of the said charging voltage when predetermined time passes, when constant current charge is performed with respect to the said capacitor. The photographing electronic device according to claim 1 or 2.   The imaging electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the imaging electronic device is configured as a radiographic imaging device including a plurality of imaging elements arranged two-dimensionally.   The photographing prohibition voltage setting means is configured to use a system shutdown voltage, an overdischarge protection, or a value obtained by adding a predetermined voltage value to the calculated decrease in the remaining voltage for each shooting or the calculated decrease in the residual voltage. 5. The photographing electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photographing prohibiting voltage is calculated and set by adding a voltage or a lower limit value of the remaining voltage. 6.   6. The photographing prohibition voltage setting means sets the system shutdown voltage to be variable with respect to the remaining voltage of the capacitor according to the capacity of the capacitor estimated by the estimation means. The electronic device for photography described in 1.   The photographing prohibition voltage setting means determines the remaining voltage of the capacitor for each photographing based on the capacitance of the capacitor estimated by the estimating means and the amount of charge consumed from the capacitor in one photographing. 7. The photographing electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a decrease in the remaining voltage that decreases is calculated.   8. The photographing electronic apparatus according to claim 7, wherein an amount of electric charge consumed from the capacitor in the one photographing is set for each photographing. An imaging system comprising the imaging electronic device according to claim 7 or 8,
The photographing system further comprises a host system that notifies the photographing electronic device of the amount of charge consumed from the capacitor in the one photographing. An imaging system comprising the imaging electronic device according to claim 7 or 8,
Furthermore, a host system for notifying the photographing electronic device of a photographing method is provided,
The photographing prohibition voltage setting means of the photographing electronic device calculates the amount of charge consumed from the capacitor in the one photographing, corresponding to the photographing method notified from the host system, and An imaging system, characterized in that a reduction in the residual voltage at which the residual voltage of the capacitor decreases is calculated for each imaging.

Images