Information processing apparatus and method, storage medium, and computer program product

Abstract

The invention discloses an information processing apparatus and method, a storage medium, and a computer program product. The information processing apparatus includes at least one memory storing instructions and at least one processor. The at least one processor is configured to execute instructions to: generate a first integrated image by integrating a plurality of radiation images obtained by imaging using a radiation generation apparatus that generates radiation and a radiation imaging apparatus, and generating a second integrated image different from the first integrated image using the plurality of radiation images and at least one radiation image obtained by imaging after obtaining the plurality of radiation images; and controlling the display device to change display based on the determination on the image quality of the first integrated image to display based on the determination on the image quality of the second integrated image.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, a storage medium storing a program, and a computer program product. Background Art

[0002] A radiographic imaging device having a flat panel detector (abbreviated as FPD) formed of a semiconductor material is widely used as an imaging device for nondestructive testing using X-rays. In nondestructive testing, an integrated image obtained by integrating a plurality of radiographic images is used to reduce quantum noise components. In addition, the integrated image used in nondestructive testing needs to satisfy a defined signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) (Japanese Industrial Standard: JIS Z 31110: 2017).

[0003] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2019-058608 discloses a method of obtaining and displaying the SNR of a radiographic image after imaging is completed.

[0004] In the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-058608, for example, if it is found that the image does not satisfy the specified SNR after the image is taken, re-image may be required. In the case where re-image is required, the efficiency of detection is reduced. Summary of the invention

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to suppress the need for re-shooting.

[0006] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, an information processing device includes at least one memory storing instructions and at least one processor. The at least one processor is configured to execute the instructions, thereby: a generating unit that generates a first integrated image by integrating a plurality of radiographic images obtained by photographing using a radiation generating device that generates radiation and a radiation photographing device, and generates a second integrated image different from the first integrated image using the plurality of radiographic images and at least one radiographic image obtained by photographing after obtaining the plurality of radiographic images; and a control display unit that changes a display based on a determination of image quality of the first integrated image to a display based on a determination of image quality of the second integrated image.

[0007] Further features of various embodiments will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of an information processing system according to the present disclosure.

[0009] Figure 2is a flow chart of the operation of a computer according to the present disclosure.

[0010] Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of display on a display unit according to the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of display on a display unit according to the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 5 is a flow chart of the operation of a computer according to the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of display on a display unit according to the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of display on a display unit according to the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of display on a display unit according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Embodiments will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments do not limit the claims of the present disclosure. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of the multiple features are necessary for implementing the present disclosure, and multiple features can be combined in any manner. In the accompanying drawings, the same or similar structures are represented by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0017] First embodiment

[0018] Figure 1 An example of the configuration of an information processing system 100 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The information processing system 100 is configured to electrically capture an optical image formed by radiation and obtain an electrical radiation image. The radiation is typically an X-ray, but may also be an α-ray, a β-ray, or a γ-ray. The information processing system 100 includes, for example, a radiation imaging device 110, a computer 120 as an information processing device, a display unit 114, an irradiation control device 130, and a radiation generation device 140.

[0019] The radiation generation device 140 starts irradiation with radiation according to an irradiation command (radiation command) from the irradiation control device 130. The radiation emitted from the radiation generation device 140 passes through the subject 150 and enters the radiation imaging device 110. The radiation generation device 140 stops irradiation with radiation according to a stop command from the irradiation control device 130.

[0020] The radiation imaging device 110 is an imaging device that outputs a radiographic image based on radiation. The radiation imaging device 110 includes a flat panel detector 111 and a control circuit 112. The flat panel detector 111 generates an image signal based on radiation that has entered the radiation imaging device 110.

[0021] The image signal is data indicating a radiographic image. The control circuit 112 controls the operation of the flat panel detector 111. Furthermore, the control circuit 112 may generate a stop signal for stopping irradiation with radiation from the radiation generating device 140 based on the image signal received from the flat panel detector 111. The stop signal is supplied to the irradiation control device 130. The irradiation control device 130 sends a stop command to the radiation generating device 140 in response to the stop signal. The control circuit 112 may be a programmable logic device (PLD) such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or a dedicated circuit such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Furthermore, the control circuit 112 may be formed by combining a general processing circuit such as a processor and a storage circuit such as a memory. In this case, the function of the control circuit 112 may be realized by executing a program stored in the storage circuit by the general processing circuit.

[0022] In nondestructive testing that is performed without destroying an object not to be inspected, the irradiation control device 130 and the computer 120 may not be connected to each other to achieve synchronization. In this case, the user directly operates the irradiation control device 130 to stop irradiating with radiation. The object not to be inspected is, for example, a printed circuit board or a pipe. For example, in the inspection of a pipe, whether the inside and outside of the pipe are damaged, the deterioration state of the material forming the pipe, etc. are inspected.

[0023] The computer 120 as an information processing device is connected to the irradiation control device 130 and the radiation imaging device 110 so that the computer 120 can communicate with the irradiation control device 130 and the radiation imaging device 110. The communication includes direct communication between the computer 120 and the irradiation control device 130 and the radiation imaging device 110, and communication via other devices. The communication via other devices, for example, indicates a mode in which the computer 120 communicates with the radiation generating device 140 via the irradiation control device 130. The computer 120 includes an irradiation controller (not shown), a receiver (not shown), and a signal processor (not shown). The irradiation controller controls the radiation imaging device 110 and the irradiation control device 130. The receiver receives a radiation image from the radiation imaging device 110. The signal processor processes the radiation image obtained by the radiation imaging device 110.

[0024] The computer 120 further includes a control unit 121 and a display control unit 122 .

[0025] The control unit 121 generates an integrated image by integrating a plurality of radiographic images, and makes a determination regarding the image quality of the integrated image. In other words, the integration of a plurality of radiographic images is the addition of a plurality of radiographic images. In addition, adding a new radiographic image to an integrated image obtained by integrating a plurality of radiographic images is also referred to as the integration of a plurality of radiographic images. Furthermore, the determination regarding the image quality of the integrated image is, for example, a determination regarding whether the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the integrated image satisfies a predetermined value. The SNR is the ratio of the signal component of the integrated image to the noise component of the integrated image. The control unit 121 obtains the SNR of the integrated image, and compares the SNR with a predetermined value to determine whether the SNR of the integrated image satisfies the predetermined value.

[0026] The display control unit 122 controls the display unit 114 to display a display based on the determination of the control unit 121. In this case, in the case where the SNR of the integrated image satisfies the predetermined value, the display based on the determination is a display prompting the end of imaging, such as "Please stop irradiation with radiation", "Please stop the operation of the radiation imaging device", or "The detection image has been correctly stored". The display prompting the end of imaging may be a display of information such as "Please press the end imaging button", "Detection has been completed", or "SNR has reached a predetermined value". In addition, the display based on the determination may be a display of an SNR value such as "SNR: 70". In the case where the SNR of the integrated image does not satisfy the predetermined value, the display based on the determination may be a display of information such as "Please continue irradiation with radiation" or "SNR has not reached a predetermined value". The display control unit 122 controls the display unit 114 to display at least one of the above displays based on the determination regarding the image quality of the integrated image. These displays are examples of displays based on the determination regarding the image quality of the integrated image.

[0027] The computer 120 further includes a storage unit 124 and a storage control unit 123 . The storage unit 124 is, for example, a hard disk, a flash memory, etc. The storage control unit 123 performs control to store the integrated image generated by the control unit 121 in the storage unit 124 .

[0028] Each of the irradiation controller, the receiver, and the signal processor may be a dedicated circuit, or may be formed by combining a general-purpose processing circuit and a storage circuit in a manner similar to the control circuit 112. As an example, the irradiation control device 130 includes an irradiation switch. When the user turns on the irradiation switch, the irradiation control device 130 sends an irradiation command to the radiation generation device 140, and sends a start notification indicating the start of irradiation with radiation to the computer 120. The computer 120, which has received the start notification, notifies the control circuit 112 of the radiation imaging device 110 of the start of irradiation with radiation in response to the start notification. The control unit 121 may not be included in the computer 120, but may be included in the radiation imaging device 110.

[0029] In a case where the irradiation control device 130 and the computer 120 are not synchronously connected to each other, the flat panel detector 111 continues the image reading operation, and detects the start of irradiation with radiation based on the output value of the image signal.

[0030] The display unit 114 is, for example, a liquid crystal monitor. The display unit 114 is controlled by a display control unit 122. The display unit 114 displays a radiographic image, an integrated image, various notifications to the operator (irradiation stop notification, etc.), SNR, etc. The display unit 114 may be separated from the computer 120, or may be included in the computer 120.

[0031] Next, we will refer to Figure 2 The operation process of the computer 120 is described. Figure 2 An example of the process from acquiring a radiographic image to displaying the irradiation stop on the display unit 114 is shown. In this case, the operation of the information processing system 100 is controlled by the computer 120. The operation of the radiation imaging device 110 is controlled by the control circuit 112 under the control of the computer 120. For example, Figure 2 The operations shown in begin with the operation of the radiation imaging device 110 .

[0032] Figure 2 “Operation” shown in refs.

[0033] When the operation starts, in S201, the control unit 121 included in the computer 120 acquires a radiographic image from the radiation imaging device 110. The acquired radiographic image is stored in the storage unit 124 included in the computer 120. In this case, the acquired radiographic image may be one image or a plurality of images captured continuously.

[0034] Next, in S202, the computer 120 generates an integrated image using the radiographic image acquired in S201. The display control unit 122 included in the computer 120 controls the display unit 114 to display the generated integrated image. The generated integrated image is an example of a first integrated image. The display control unit 122 can control the display unit 114 to display a plurality of continuously captured radiographic images as a moving image instead of displaying the generated integrated image. Displaying the image as a moving image indicates that a plurality of captured radiographic images are displayed at predetermined time intervals (e.g., 1 second) in the order in which the radiographic images have been captured. The predetermined time interval can be set to any value, or can be a time interval (frame rate) at which imaging has been performed. The display control unit 122 can control the display unit 114 to display both the integrated image and the moving image.

[0035] Next, in S203, the computer 120 calculates the SNR of the integrated image. The computer 120 calculates the SNR in a predetermined area in the integrated image. The predetermined area can be selected and determined by the operator. And, the computer 120 can analyze the integrated image and determine the predetermined area. The method of calculating the SNR is not limited. For example, the computer 120 obtains the noise amount by subtracting two temporally consecutive captured images of the same subject from each other and dividing the subtraction result by the square root of 2. In this case, the two latest radiographic images can be used as the two images. Subsequently, the computer 120 calculates the SNR by dividing the signal amount of the integrated image by the obtained noise amount.

[0036] Next, in S204, the computer 120 compares the calculated SNR with a predetermined value. The predetermined value provides the image quality required as the image to be detected. The predetermined value is, for example, "70" or the like. For example, the predetermined value is defined in the Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS Z3110: 2017). In the present embodiment, the predetermined value is set in advance in the computer 120. However, the operator can change the set predetermined value. In the case where the SNR does not exceed the predetermined value as a result of the comparison between the SNR and the predetermined value (S204: No), the computer 120 acquires a new radiographic image (S201). Subsequently, the computer 120 integrates the acquired new radiographic image with the integrated image to generate a new integrated image (S202). The computer 120 may integrate the new radiographic image with a plurality of radiographic images used to generate the integrated image, rather than integrating the acquired new radiographic image with the integrated image. In addition, each time the computer 120 acquires a single new radiographic image, the computer 120 may integrate the acquired new radiographic image with the integrated image. Each time the computer 120 acquires three new radiographic images in succession, the computer 120 may integrate only the third radiographic image of the three new radiographic images with the integrated image. The new integrated image is an example of the second integrated image. Then, the display control unit 122 controls the display unit 114 to display the new integrated image.

[0037] In this case, if there is an integrated image that has been displayed, the displayed integrated image is updated to a new integrated image. The computer 120 calculates the SNR of the new integrated image (S203). Then, the computer 120 compares the calculated SNR of the new integrated image with a predetermined value (S204).

[0038] That is, in the case where the SNR does not exceed the predetermined value (S204: No), the computer 120 repeats the processing in S201 to S204 to repeat the generation of a new integrated image. That is, in the case where the SNR of the second integrated image does not exceed the predetermined value, the computer 120 generates a third integrated image that is newer than the second integrated image. By repeating the generation of the new integrated image, an integrated image can be obtained by integrating a larger number of radiographic images. The larger the number of radiographic images integrated into the integrated image, the higher the SNR of the integrated image.

[0039] In the case where the calculated SNR exceeds the predetermined value as a result of comparison between the calculated SNR and the predetermined value (S204: Yes), the computer 120 determines that the integrated image satisfies the required image quality, and displays a display of the SNR satisfying the predetermined value on the display unit 114 (for example, a display prompting the end of video recording as described above) (S205). Figure 3An example of displaying a prompt to end imaging is shown. When a display showing an SNR that does not meet the predetermined value is displayed before a display showing an SNR that meets the predetermined value, the computer 120 changes the display to a display showing an SNR that meets the predetermined value.

[0040] Then, the computer 120 stores the calculated SNR and the integrated image in the storage unit 124 included in the computer 120 (S206). After the storage, the computer 120 ends the operation. The storage unit 124 is, for example, a hard disk, a flash memory, or the like.

[0041] The operation procedure of the computer 120 according to the first embodiment has been described above.

[0042] Since the above-described operation process is provided, the operator can use the display unit 114 during imaging to check whether the integrated image satisfies the desired image quality. Therefore, the operator can stop irradiating with radiation after checking that the integrated image satisfies the desired image quality. That is, unlike the prior art, it is not necessary to check whether the integrated image satisfies the desired image quality after imaging ends, and re-imaging can be reduced.

[0043] The display control unit 122 included in the computer 120 can control the display unit 114 to Figure 4 In addition to the display prompting the end of imaging (such as "Please stop irradiation with radiation"), the SNR of the integrated image is also displayed. The SNR of the integrated image can be displayed only when the SNR of the integrated image exceeds a predetermined value (when the integrated image satisfies the expected image quality). The SNR of the integrated image can be displayed regardless of whether the SNR of the integrated image exceeds the predetermined value.

[0044] In the case where the SNR of the integrated image is displayed regardless of whether the SNR of the integrated image exceeds a predetermined value, the operator can check the SNR of the integrated image during imaging. Therefore, the operator can stop irradiation with radiation after checking that the SNR of the radiographic image reaches a predetermined value.

[0045] In addition, if Figure 6 As shown, the display control unit 122 included in the computer 120 can control the display unit 114 to further display a graph 601 indicating the change of the SNR of the integrated image. The graph 601 is, for example, a graph in which the horizontal axis represents the number of frames and the vertical axis represents the SNR of the integrated image. By displaying the graph 601, the operator can grasp the time (remaining time) required for the SNR of the integrated image to reach a predetermined value. The horizontal axis of the graph 601 can indicate time. That is, the graph 601 can be any graph as long as the graph indicates the change of the SNR of the integrated image. Therefore, for example, a table format indicating the SNR of the integrated image and time can be used instead of the graph 601.

[0046] In addition, if Figure 6 As shown, the display control unit 122 included in the computer 120 can control the display unit 114 to further display the time (remaining time 602) required for the SNR of the integrated image to reach a predetermined value. The control unit 121 included in the computer 120 calculates the remaining time 602 until the SNR of the integrated image reaches the predetermined value based on the change in the SNR of the integrated image. Then, the display control unit 122 controls the display unit 114 to further display the calculated remaining time 602. The method of calculating the remaining time 602 is, for example, to calculate the SNR of a new integrated image when a new integrated image is generated, compare the calculated SNR with the SNR of the integrated image before the new integrated image is generated, calculate the change rate of the SNR of the integrated image, and calculate the remaining time 602 based on the calculated change rate. The display control unit 122 can control the display unit 114 to display the number of remaining images to be captured instead of the remaining time 602. That is, the display control unit 122 can control the display unit 114 to display any display as long as the operator can grasp the time (remaining time) required for the SNR of the integrated image to reach the predetermined value.

[0047] In addition, in the case where the control unit 121 included in the computer 120 determines that the SNR of the integrated image has obviously not reached the predetermined value, the display control unit 122 included in the computer 120 can control the display unit 114 to display a warning. The case where "the SNR of the integrated image has obviously not reached the predetermined value" is, for example, a case where the SNR does not increase even when a new integrated image is repeatedly generated by repeating the processing in S201 to S204. In other words, the case where "the SNR of the integrated image has obviously not reached the predetermined value" is a case where the rate of change of the SNR of the new integrated image is less than a preset rate of change threshold. The rate of change threshold is set to, for example, "10%" or the like. In the case where "10%" is set as the rate of change threshold, for example, in the case where the ratio of the SNR2 of the new integrated image (the second integrated image) to the SNR1 of the integrated image (the first integrated image) immediately before the generation of the new integrated image (that is, SNR2 / SNR1) is less than 110%, a warning is displayed. The threshold for determining whether "the SNR has obviously not reached the predetermined value" may be, for example, the value of the SNR itself.

[0048] In the case where the threshold is the value of the SNR itself, for example, in the case where the difference between SNR2 of the new integrated image (the second integrated image) and SNR1 of the integrated image immediately before the generation of the new integrated image (the first integrated image) (i.e., SNR2-SNR1) is "less than 3", a warning is displayed. The above-mentioned "10%" and "less than 3" are examples of the first threshold.

[0049] And, for example, the case where "SNR obviously does not reach the predetermined value" may be a case where the estimated remaining time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time (e.g., 30 minutes). The predetermined time may be set by the operator. This is due to the fact that the time until the SNR reaches the predetermined value may vary greatly depending on the subject to be detected. The estimated remaining time is an example of time information. The predetermined time is an example of the second threshold value.

[0050] The display control unit 122 included in the computer 120 may control the display unit 114 to further display the individual radiographic images used to generate the integrated image, such as Figure 6 shown. Figure 6 An example of displaying the three most recently acquired radiographic images 603 is shown.

[0051] The display control unit 122 included in the computer 120 can control the display unit 114 to further display each of the SNRs of the radiographic images used to generate the integrated image. The display may be a display in a graph or table format (list format).

[0052] Figure 5 An operation procedure from acquisition of a radiographic image by the computer 120 to display of the SNR of the radiographic image on the display unit 114 by the computer 120 is shown.

[0053] The computer 120 starts operating by acquiring a radiographic image ( S201 ). Figure 5 The S201 shown in Figure 2 The same as S201 shown in .

[0054] After S201, the computer 120 calculates the SNR of the radiographic image (S501). The SNR calculation method can be the same as Figure 2 The method in S203 (calculation of SNR of integrated image) shown in is the same as or similar to that in S203 (calculation of SNR of integrated image).

[0055] After S501 , the computer 120 stores the radiographic image and the SNR in the storage unit 124 included in the computer 120 ( S502 ).

[0056] After S502 , the computer 120 displays the radiographic image and the SNR on the display unit 114 ( S503 ).

[0057] After displaying the radiographic image and SNR on the display unit 114, the computer 120 performs Figure 2 The processing in S202 and subsequent processing shown in .

[0058] Since each radiographic image and each SNR used to generate the integrated image are displayed in the above manner, the operator can check whether the radiation dose is stable. Therefore, from the aspect of the stability of the radiation dose, it is possible to grasp whether an integrated image with the desired image quality can be obtained in the current imaging. As a result, the operator can quickly determine whether re-imaging is necessary, and more effective detection can be performed.

[0059] In addition, in the case where the irradiation control device 130 and the computer 120 are synchronized with each other, the computer 120 can output a signal based on the determination about the image quality. For example, in the case where the SNR of the integrated image exceeds a predetermined value, the computer 120 can output an irradiation stop signal to the irradiation control device 130. By outputting the irradiation stop signal, irradiation with radiation can be stopped without manual operation of the operator. The irradiation stop signal is transmitted and received via communication by an output unit (not shown) included in the computer 120 and the irradiation control device 130. For example, the output unit may be an antenna for wireless communication, or may be a LAN terminal for wired communication.

[0060] The display control unit 122 included in the computer 120 can control the display unit 114 to display the Figure 7 In the figure, an integrated image 701 and an integrated image 702 are displayed side by side. The integrated image 702 is obtained by imaging at a time different from the time when the integrated image 701 is obtained. Figure 7 The following example is shown, in which an integrated image 701 obtained in imaging on April 1, 2023 (the current date) and an integrated image 702 obtained in imaging on April 1, 2022 (a past date) are displayed side by side. Integrated image 702 is an example of a fourth integrated image. Since integrated image 701 and integrated image 702 are displayed side by side, the operator can easily compare the current integrated image with the past integrated image and easily find, for example, a deteriorated portion. The display control unit 122 can control the display unit 114 to display three or more integrated images side by side.

[0061] The display control unit 122 may control the display unit 114 to not only display the integrated image 701 and the integrated image 702 side by side but also highlight the deteriorated portion detected by image processing, etc. Also, the display control unit 122 may control the display unit 114 to display a differential image in which the difference between the two integrated images is highlighted.

[0062] although Figure 7An example of displaying an integrated image (current integrated image 701 and past integrated image 702) obtained by capturing images of a single region of a single subject at different times side by side is shown, but the present embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, an integrated image obtained by capturing images of multiple regions of a single subject at different times may be displayed side by side. Figure 8 An example of a lossless instruction showing a pipeline. Figure 8 An example of displaying integrated images 801, 802, and 803 captured at different times side by side is shown. The integrated image 801 is obtained by capturing an image of region 1 (805) of the pipe 804. The integrated image 802 is obtained by capturing an image of region 2 (806) of the pipe 804. The integrated image 803 is obtained by capturing an image of region 3 (807) of the pipe 804. The display control unit 122 may synthesize the integrated images 801 to 803 into a panoramic image and display the panoramic image, instead of displaying the integrated images 801 to 803 captured at different times side by side. In the case where the integrated images are synthesized into a panoramic image and the panoramic image is displayed, the operator can easily associate multiple regions of the subject with multiple integrated images, and the subject can be effectively detected.

[0063] It is also possible to perform panoramic synthesis after the positions of the pipes included in the integrated images 801-803 are aligned. In the case where panoramic synthesis is performed after alignment, the sense of incongruity of the image of the synthesized part is reduced, and the operator will be able to effectively check the image to be detected. In addition, in the case where adjacent integrated images during panoramic synthesis include a common area, the accuracy of panoramic synthesis can be improved. Therefore, the display control unit 122 can control the display unit 114 to display a display prompting the operator to capture an image including the common area.

[0064] In addition, the display control unit 122 may control the display unit 114 to display side by side an integrated image obtained by photographing an image of the pipe from the front side of the pipe and an integrated image obtained by photographing an image of the pipe from the rear side of the pipe. The display control unit 122 may synthesize the integrated images into a panoramic image and control the display unit 114 to display the panoramic image.

[0065] According to the present disclosure, the need for re-imaging can be suppressed.

[0066] Other embodiments

[0067] The (multiple) embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented as follows: a computer of a system or device, the system or device reads and executes computer executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be more completely referred to as a "non-transitory computer-readable storage medium") to perform one or more functions of the above (multiple) embodiments, and / or the system or device includes one or more circuits (e.g., application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs)) for performing one or more functions of the above (multiple) embodiments; and a method performed by a computer of the system or device, for example, reading and executing computer executable instructions from a storage medium to perform one or more functions of the above (multiple) embodiments, and / or controlling the one or more circuits to perform one or more functions of the above (multiple) embodiments. The computer may include one or more processors (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessing unit (MPU)), and may include a network of separate computers or separate processors to read and execute the computer executable instructions. The computer executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or a storage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a memory of a distributed computing system, an optical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), or a Blu-ray disc (BD) TM ), one or more of a flash memory device and a memory card, etc.

[0068] The embodiments of the present invention may also be implemented by providing software (program) for performing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and a computer or a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessing unit (MPU) of the system or device reads and executes the program.

[0069] Although the present disclosure has described exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that some embodiments are not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments.The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. An information processing device, comprising: at least one memory storing instructions; as well as at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute instructions to: generating a first integrated image by integrating a plurality of radiographic images obtained by imaging using a radiation generating device that generates radiation and a radiation imaging device, and generating a second integrated image different from the first integrated image using the plurality of radiographic images and at least one radiographic image obtained by imaging after the plurality of radiographic images are obtained; as well as The display device is controlled to change a display based on the determination regarding the image quality of the first integrated image to a display based on the determination regarding the image quality of the second integrated image.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one processor is further configured to execute instructions to: generating a third integrated image using the plurality of radiographic images and the at least one radiographic image used to generate the second integrated image, and at least one radiographic image obtained by imaging after obtaining the at least one radiographic image used to generate the second integrated image, and The display device is also controlled to change a display based on the determination regarding the image quality of the second integrated image to a display based on the determination regarding the image quality of the third integrated image.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the displays based on the determination is a display prompting the end of imaging or a display prompting the continuation of imaging.

4. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one processor is further configured to execute instructions to: The display device is controlled to display the plurality of radiographic images obtained by imaging as a moving image.

5. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the determinations regarding image quality is a determination of the SNR, which is the ratio of the signal component to the noise component.

6. The information processing device according to claim 5, wherein: The at least one processor is further configured to execute instructions to: In a case where the SNR is determined to be greater than a predetermined value, the display device is controlled to display at least one of the SNR and an integrated image used to determine the SNR.

7. The information processing device according to claim 5, wherein: The at least one processor is further configured to execute instructions to: In the case where it is determined that the SNR is greater than a predetermined value, the display device is controlled to display a display prompting the end of imaging.

8. The information processing device according to claim 5, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute instructions so as to: In the case where it is determined that the SNR is greater than a predetermined value, the SNR and an integrated image used to determine the SNR are stored in a storage device.

9. The information processing device according to claim 5, wherein: The at least one processor is further configured to execute instructions to: The second integrated image is generated if the SNR is determined to be less than a predetermined value.

10. The information processing device according to claim 5, wherein: The at least one processor is further configured to execute instructions to: The display device is controlled to display the plurality of radiographic images and the SNRs of the plurality of radiographic images.

11. The information processing device according to claim 5, wherein: The at least one processor is further configured to execute instructions to: The display device is controlled to display a graph indicating changes in the SNRs of the plurality of radiographic images.

12. The information processing device according to claim 11, wherein: The at least one processor is further configured to execute instructions to: The display device is controlled to display time information which is obtained using the change and indicates a time required until an integrated image having an SNR greater than a predetermined value is obtained.

13. The information processing device according to claim 11, wherein: The at least one processor is further configured to execute instructions to: The display device is controlled to display a warning if a rate of change of the SNR obtained using the change is smaller than a first threshold value.

14. The information processing device according to claim 12, wherein: The at least one processor is further configured to execute instructions to: The display device is controlled to display a warning if the time indicated by the time information is longer than a second threshold value.

15. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one processor is further configured to execute instructions to: After a plurality of radiographic images are acquired, the second integrated image is generated each time at least one radiographic image is acquired.

16. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one processor is further configured to execute instructions to: The display device is controlled to display a fourth integrated image obtained at a time different from a time when the image capturing is performed.

17. An information processing device, comprising: at least one memory for storing a program; as well as at least one processor configured to execute instructions to: generating a first integrated image by integrating a plurality of radiographic images obtained by imaging using a radiation generating device that generates radiation and a radiation imaging device, and generating a second integrated image different from the first integrated image using the plurality of radiographic images and at least one radiographic image obtained by imaging after the plurality of radiographic images are obtained; as well as A signal is output based on a determination regarding image quality of the second integrated image.

18. An information processing system comprising: The radiation imaging device; as well as The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is communicably connected to the radiation imaging apparatus.

19. An information processing method, comprising: generating a first integrated image by integrating a plurality of radiographic images obtained by imaging using a radiation generating device that generates radiation and a radiation imaging device, and generating a second integrated image different from the first integrated image using the plurality of radiographic images and at least one radiographic image obtained by imaging after the plurality of radiographic images are obtained; as well as The display device is controlled to change a display based on the determination regarding the image quality of the first integrated image to a display based on the determination regarding the image quality of the second integrated image.

20. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to: generating a first integrated image by integrating a plurality of radiographic images obtained by imaging using a radiation generating device that generates radiation and a radiation imaging device, and generating a second integrated image different from the first integrated image using the plurality of radiographic images and at least one radiographic image obtained by imaging after the plurality of radiographic images are obtained; and The display device is controlled to change a display based on the determination regarding the image quality of the first integrated image to a display based on the determination regarding the image quality of the second integrated image.

21. A computer program product comprising a program which, when a computer executes the program, causes the computer to execute the information processing method according to claim 19.

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