Radiation imaging apparatus and control method thereof, control device and control method thereof, radiation imaging system, and program

Abstract

To provide a technology to wirelessly connect a control device and a radiation imaging apparatus that are operated by an operator quickly.SOLUTION: A radiation imaging apparatus 100 configured so as to communicate with a control device 310 for controlling the radiation imaging apparatus 100 includes: a wireless communication unit 104 for performing wireless communication by a first wireless communication system with the control device 310; and a short-range wireless communication unit 102 for performing wireless communication by a second wireless communication system different from the first wireless communication system with the control device 310. Upon receipt of a start signal transmitted from the control device 310, the radiation imaging apparatus performs processing to establish wireless connection between the wireless communication unit 104 and the control device 310 on the basis of wireless connection related information for the short-range wireless communication unit 102 to perform wireless communication by the wireless communication unit 104, received from the control device 310.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a radiation imaging apparatus and a control method thereof, a control apparatus and a control method thereof, a radiation imaging system, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, radiation imaging devices equipped with radiation detectors each having a two-dimensional array of pixels made of amorphous silicon or single-crystal silicon have been widely used as imaging devices for use in radiation-based medical imaging diagnosis and non-destructive testing. Such radiation imaging devices accumulate electrical signals generated at each pixel in accordance with the amount of detected radiation, and can obtain radiation images by reading out and A / D converting these electrical signals. In medical imaging diagnosis, for example, such radiation imaging devices are used as digital radiation imaging devices for capturing still images such as general radiography and for capturing moving images such as fluoroscopy.

[0003] Furthermore, radiographic imaging devices capable of wireless communication have been developed in recent years, making them easier to handle. Such radiographic imaging devices operate on batteries, and therefore require power saving. Therefore, when the radiographic imaging device is waiting for startup or an imaging protocol, it is necessary to operate in a power-saving state, minimizing the operation of internal circuits. Even while the radiographic imaging device is operating in a power-saving state (standby state), the internal state, such as the remaining battery charge, may change. Therefore, when the operator cancels the power-saving state of the radiographic imaging device, the radiographic imaging device may not be ready to capture images. Therefore, it is preferable that the operator be notified of the internal state of the radiographic imaging device as needed. Furthermore, when the operator cancels the power-saving state (standby state) of the radiographic imaging device via the control device and transitions it to a state ready to capture images, the radiographic imaging device may not have information for wirelessly connecting with the control device. In this case, it may take a long time for the operator to perform radiographic imaging, which may be a burden on the patient. To quickly establish a wireless connection between the radiographic imaging device and the control device, the radiographic imaging device preferably has a means for acquiring information for wirelessly connecting with the control device.

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes a technique in which, when a control device detects an object in the vicinity, the control device transmits connection information for WLAN communication to a terminal device via Bluetooth communication. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-178385 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, with the technology described in Patent Document 1, if acquisition of connection information is determined solely based on the proximity of an object, there is a risk that connection information (wireless connection related information) will be transmitted to the radiation imaging device from an incorrect control device not operated by the operator. In this case, there is a problem that the wireless connection between the correct control device operated by the operator and the radiation imaging device may be delayed or re-imaging may be required. This increases the time until radiation imaging can be performed by the radiation imaging device, which may reduce the usability of radiation imaging.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-described problems, and aims to provide a technique that enables a control device operated by an operator to quickly establish a wireless connection with a radiation imaging device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The radiation imaging device disclosed herein is a radiation imaging device that performs imaging using radiation, and is configured to be able to communicate with a control device that controls the radiation imaging device, and includes a first wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with the control device using a first wireless communication method, a second wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with the control device using a second wireless communication method different from the first wireless communication method, and a processing unit that, when receiving an activation signal transmitted from the control device, performs processing to establish a wireless connection between the first wireless communication unit and the control device based on wireless connection-related information for wireless communication using the first wireless communication unit received by the second wireless communication unit from the control device. The control device disclosed herein is a control device that controls a radiation imaging device that performs imaging using radiation, and includes a communication unit that performs wireless communication with a first wireless communication unit of the radiation imaging device using a first wireless communication method and performs wireless communication with a second wireless communication unit of the radiation imaging device using a second wireless communication method different from the first wireless communication method, and a processing unit that, when the communication unit receives internal information of the radiation imaging device from the radiation imaging device, causes the communication unit to transmit an activation signal and wireless connection related information for wireless communication via the first wireless communication unit to the second wireless communication unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to quickly establish a wireless connection between a control device operated by an operator and a radiation imaging device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a radiation imaging system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a radiation imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an imaging device control unit of the radiation imaging device shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of wireless communication between a wireless communication unit and short-range wireless communication of a radiation imaging apparatus and a control apparatus via a communication device and an access point in a radiation imaging system according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of wireless communication between a wireless communication unit and a short-range wireless communication unit of a radiation imaging apparatus and a control apparatus via a communication device and an access point in a radiation imaging system according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7]FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of wireless communication between a wireless communication unit and a short-range wireless communication unit of a radiation imaging apparatus and a control apparatus via a communication device and an access point in a radiation imaging system according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, modes (embodiments) for carrying out the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In this specification, it is preferable to use X-rays as the radiation according to the present disclosure, but it is not limited to X-rays and also includes α-rays, β-rays, γ-rays, etc.

[0012] (First embodiment) First, the first embodiment will be described.

[0013] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a radiation imaging system 10 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the radiation imaging system 10 is configured to be divided into a radiation room 11 where radiation imaging is performed by irradiating with radiation R, and a control room 12 installed near the radiation room 11.

[0014] The radiation room 11 is equipped with a radiation imaging apparatus 100, a communication device 210, an access point 220, a communication control device 230, a radiation generation apparatus 240, and a radiation source 250 as components of the radiation imaging system 10. The radiation room 11 is further equipped with a sensor communication cable 201, an AP communication cable 202, a radiation generation apparatus communication cable 203, and a radiation source communication cable 204 as components of the radiation imaging system 10.

[0015] The control room 12 is equipped with a control device 310, a radiation exposure switch 320, an input device 330, a display device 340, an in-hospital LAN 350, and radiation room communication cables 361 and 362 as components of the radiation imaging system .

[0016] The radiation imaging device 100 is a device that performs imaging using radiation R and is configured to be able to communicate with the control device 310. The radiation imaging device 100 converts incident radiation R (including radiation R that has passed through a subject H in a radiation room 11) into light, and further converts the light into an image signal, which is an electrical signal, to generate radiation image data. As shown in FIG. 1 , the radiation imaging device 100 includes a power supply control unit 101 formed of a battery or the like, a short-range wireless communication unit 102, a registration switch 103, a wireless communication unit 104, and a wired communication unit 105.

[0017] The wireless communication unit 104 is a first wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with the control device 310 using a first wireless communication method. The short-range wireless communication unit 102 is a second wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with the control device 310 using a second wireless communication method that is different from the above-mentioned first wireless communication method.

[0018] The communication device 210 is a communication device that controls wireless communication between the control device 310 and the short-range wireless communication unit 102 of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 via a radiation room communication cable 362. While FIG. 1 shows an example in which the communication device 210 is placed in the radiation room 11, it may also be placed in, for example, the control room 12. The communication device 210 may also be connected to the control device 310 via a communication control device 230. For example, the communication device 210 performs wireless communication with the short-range wireless communication unit 102 of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 using a wireless communication method that uses the Bluetooth standard. In this embodiment, in addition to the communication device 210, an entry device that performs wireless communication using infrared rays with the short-range wireless communication unit 102 of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 may also be provided.

[0019] The access point 220 is a communication device that manages wireless communication between the control device 310 and the wireless communication unit 104 of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 via an AP communication cable 202, a communication control device 230, and a radiation room communication cable 361. The AP communication cable 202 is a cable for connecting the access point 220 and the communication control device 230. Communication between the radiation imaging apparatus 100 and the communication control device 230 can also be wired communication using a sensor communication cable 201. In this embodiment, as an example, the access point 220 communicates using a wireless LAN in the 2.4 GHz band, 5 GHz band, 6 GHz band, or 60 GHz band.

[0020] The communication control device 230 is a device that controls communication between various devices provided in the radiation imaging system 10.

[0021] The radiation generating device 240 controls the radiation source 250 to irradiate radiation R toward the subject H and the radiation imaging device 100. As shown in FIG. 1 , the radiation generating device 240 includes a radiation source control unit 241 and a generation control unit 242. The radiation source control unit 241 controls the radiation source 250 to irradiate radiation R based on predetermined conditions. The generation control unit 242 controls the generation of radiation R based on a signal indicating the start or stop of radiation irradiation from the radiation imaging device 100, the control device 310, or the like. Note that the radiation source control unit 241 and the generation control unit 242 may each be configured as separate devices.

[0022] The radiation generation device communication cable 203 is a cable for connecting the radiation generation device 240 and the communication control device 230. The radiation source communication cable 204 is a cable for connecting the radiation source 250 and the radiation generation device 240.

[0023] The control device 310 communicates with the radiation imaging device 100 and the radiation generation device 240 via radiation room communication cables 361 and 362, and comprehensively controls the operation of the radiation imaging system 10. For example, the control device 310 also controls the radiation imaging device 100 that performs imaging using radiation R.

[0024] The radiation irradiation switch 320 is a switch operated by the operator S to input the radiation R irradiation timing.

[0025] The input device 330 is a device that receives operational input from the operator S, and various input devices such as a keyboard and a touch panel are used. Information input through the input device 330 is input to the control device 310.

[0026] The display device 340 is a device that displays various information (including data, etc.) and various images based on the control of the control device 310. This display device 340 is a device that displays, for example, processed radiographic images and GUI screens, and for example, a display is used.

[0027] The hospital LAN 350 is a backbone network within the hospital.

[0028] The radiation room communication cable 361 is a cable for connecting the control device 310 and the communication control device 230 in the radiation room 11. The radiation room communication cable 362 is a cable for connecting the control device 310 and the communication device 210 in the radiation room 11.

[0029] Next, the operation of the radiation imaging system 10 will be described. First, the operator S performs a registration operation for the radiation imaging apparatus 100 in the radiation imaging system 10. When the operator S presses the registration switch 103 of the radiation imaging apparatus 100, short-range wireless communication is started between the short-range wireless communication unit 102 of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 and the communication device 210.

[0030] The control device 310 transmits wireless connection related information of the access point 220 to the radiation imaging device 100 (specifically, the short-range wireless communication unit 102) via short-range wireless communication of the communication device 210. For example, in the case of a wireless LAN, the wireless connection related information includes a communication method such as IEEE802.11, a physical channel, an SSID, an encryption key, and the like.

[0031] The radiation imaging apparatus 100 sets the wireless communication unit 104 in accordance with the wireless connection related information received from the control device 310. With this setting, the radiation imaging apparatus 100 establishes a wireless connection between the access point 220 and the wireless communication unit 104. Note that the wireless connection related information may be transmitted to the radiation imaging apparatus 100 via the sensor communication cable 201 and the wired communication unit 105.

[0032] Next, the operator S inputs subject information such as the ID, name, and date of birth of the subject H, as well as information about the body part of the subject H to be imaged, to the control device 310 via the input device 330. After inputting the information about the body part to be imaged, the operator S fixes the posture of the subject H and the radiation imaging device 100. When preparations for imaging the subject H are complete, the operator S presses the radiation irradiation switch 320. When the radiation irradiation switch 320 is pressed, radiation R is irradiated from the radiation source 250 toward the subject H and the radiation imaging device 100.

[0033] The radiation R irradiated to the subject H passes through the subject H and enters the radiation imaging device 100. The radiation imaging device 100 converts the incident radiation R into visible light using a phosphor, then converts it into an electrical signal (radiation image signal) related to a radiation image using a photoelectric conversion element, and performs analog-to-digital conversion to generate digital radiation image data. The digital radiation image data generated by the radiation imaging device 100 is transmitted from the radiation imaging device 100 to the control device 310 via wireless communication. The control device 310 performs image processing on the received digital radiation image data, and displays a radiation image based on the image-processed radiation image data on the display device 340. In this case, the control device 310 functions as an image processing device and a display control device.

[0034] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the radiation imaging apparatus 100 includes a power supply control unit 101, a radiation detector 110, an element power supply circuit 120, a drive circuit 130, a readout circuit 140, a signal processing unit 150, and an imaging device control unit 160.

[0035] The power supply control unit 101 includes a battery, a DC-DC converter, etc. The power supply control unit 101 supplies power to the element power supply circuit 120, and generates power for analog circuits and power for digital circuits that perform wireless communication and the like.

[0036] The radiation detector 110 has a function of detecting incident radiation R. The radiation detector 110 has a plurality of pixels arranged to form a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. In this embodiment, each pixel includes, for example, a phosphor that converts the incident radiation R into visible light, and a photoelectric conversion element that converts the visible light generated by the phosphor into an electrical signal. In the following description, the region in the radiation detector 110 where the plurality of pixels are arranged is referred to as an imaging region.

[0037] The radiation detector 110 has a plurality of drive lines and a plurality of signal lines. Each drive line corresponds to one of a plurality of rows in the imaging region. Each drive line is connected to a drive circuit 130, and a drive signal is output from the drive circuit 130. Furthermore, each signal line corresponds to one of a plurality of columns in the imaging region. Each signal line is connected to a readout circuit 140, and an electrical signal obtained in each pixel is output to the readout circuit 140. Furthermore, the radiation detector 110 has bias lines connected to each pixel. The bias lines are connected to an element power supply circuit 120, and receive a bias voltage Vs from the element power supply circuit 120.

[0038] The element power supply circuit 120 supplies a bias voltage Vs to each pixel of the radiation detector 110 via a bias line.

[0039] The drive circuit 130 supplies drive signals to each pixel of the radiation detector 110 via each drive line.

[0040] The readout circuit 140 reads out electrical signals (image signals) from each pixel of the radiation detector 110 via each signal line to generate digital radiation image data. Here, the readout circuit 140 includes a plurality of integrating amplifiers, a multiplexer, and an analog-to-digital converter (AD converter).

[0041] The signal processing unit 150 processes various signals.

[0042] The imaging device control unit 160 controls the power supply control unit 101, the drive circuit 130, the readout circuit 140, etc., based on information from the signal processing unit 150, control commands from the control device 310, etc.

[0043] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the imaging device control unit 160 of the radiation imaging device 100 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 3, the imaging device control unit 160 includes the short-range wireless communication unit 102, the registration switch 103, the wireless communication unit 104, and the wired communication unit 105 shown in Fig. 1. Furthermore, the imaging device control unit 160 includes a first CPU 161, a second CPU 162, a drive control unit 163, an image data control unit 164, a charging control unit 165, a sensor 166, and a memory 167.

[0044] The first CPU 161 and the second CPU 162 control the operation of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 and perform various processes. The drive control unit 163 controls, for example, the drive circuit 130. The image data control unit 164 performs control related to image data. The charge control unit 165 controls charging of the battery and the like provided in the power supply control unit 101. The sensor 166 includes, for example, a temperature sensor that detects the internal temperature of the radiation imaging apparatus 100, an impact sensor that detects an impact applied to the radiation imaging apparatus 100, and an angle sensor that detects the tilt and attitude of the radiation imaging apparatus 100. The memory 167 stores various information (including data) and programs required when the first CPU 161 and the second CPU 162 perform various controls and processes. The memory 167 also stores various information (including data) obtained when the first CPU 161 and the second CPU 162 perform various controls and processes.

[0045] 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a control device 310 according to the first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the control device 310 includes an input unit 311, a communication unit 312, a display control unit 313, a CPU 314, a memory 315, and a power control unit 316.

[0046] The input unit 311 inputs input information input through operation from the input device 330 to the CPU 314, etc. The communication unit 312 manages communication with the radiation imaging apparatus 100, which is an external device. The display control unit 313 controls display on the display device 340. The CPU 314 controls the operation of the control device 310 and performs various processes. The memory 315 stores various pieces of information (including data), programs, etc. required when the CPU 314 performs various controls and processes. The memory 315 also stores various pieces of information (including data) obtained when the CPU 314 performs various controls and processes. The power supply control unit 316 is provided with a power supply for driving each component of the control device 310 and also controls the power supply.

[0047] Next, the radiation imaging apparatus 100 receives a start-up signal from the control device 310, and the radiation imaging apparatus 100 transitions from the power saving state to the imaging ready state. Next, a process will be described in which the short-range wireless communication unit 102 of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 establishes a wireless connection between the wireless communication unit 104 and the control device 310 based on the wireless connection related information for wireless communication by the wireless communication unit 104 received from the control device 310.

[0048] First, to put the radiation imaging apparatus 100 into a power-saving state, the first CPU 161 that controls radiation imaging is turned off. The first CPU 161 is started up by receiving an activation signal from the control device 310. Note that the power-saving state in which such an activation signal is awaited will be referred to as a "standby state" in the following description. Note that the setting of the standby state may be executed by the operator S performing a specific operation input. Alternatively, when the radiation imaging apparatus 100 enters a specific control state, the first CPU 161 or the second CPU 162 may determine and execute the setting.

[0049] Next, the radiation imaging apparatus 100 transmits the internal information of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 to the control device 310 via the short-range wireless communication unit 102, the wireless communication unit 104, or the wired communication unit 105. Here, the radiation imaging apparatus 100 transmits the internal information of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 to the control device 310, for example, when in a standby state. Here, the transmission of the internal information of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 may be started when the imaging operation of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 is completed, or when the internal information of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 has changed. Alternatively, the operator S may input a specific operation to start the transmission of the internal information of the radiation imaging apparatus 100.

[0050] The internal information of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 includes at least one of individual identification information, information on the number of untransferred images, information on the number of storable images, information on the remaining battery charge, information on the communication environment, error information, information on the internal temperature, angle information, and position information. Here, the individual identification information is information for uniquely identifying the radiation imaging apparatus 100. The information on the number of untransferred images is information on the number of images not yet transferred from the radiation imaging apparatus 100 to the control device 310. The information on the number of storable images is, for example, information on the number of images storable in the memory 167 of the radiation imaging apparatus 100. The information on the remaining battery charge is information on the remaining charge of the battery provided in the power supply control unit 101 of the radiation imaging apparatus 100. The information on the communication environment is information on the wireless communication environment of the radiation imaging apparatus 100, such as information on the communication rate, RSSI, and communication SN. The error information is, for example, information indicating that the internal temperature of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 detected by the sensor 166 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, or information indicating that the impact received by the radiation imaging apparatus 100 detected by the sensor 166 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. The internal temperature information is information about the internal temperature of the radiation imaging device 100 detected by the sensor 166. The angle information is information indicating the angle at which the radiation imaging device 100 is placed, detected by the sensor 166. The position information is information indicating the position at which the radiation imaging device 100 is placed, detected by the sensor 166.

[0051] When transmitting and receiving internal information of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 using the wireless communication unit 104 or the short-range wireless communication unit 102, IEEE802.11 or Bluetooth (registered trademark) may be used as the wireless communication method, or another wireless communication method may be used. When Bluetooth is used as the wireless communication method, the internal information may be transmitted by adding data to an advertising signal. Furthermore, the wireless communication unit 104 and the short-range wireless communication unit 102 may be arranged in different functional areas on the same electric board.

[0052] The control device 310 displays the internal information transmitted from the radiation imaging apparatus 100 on the display device 340. The control device 310 also transmits an activation signal to the radiation imaging apparatus 100. When the second CPU 162 of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 receives the activation signal via the short-range wireless communication unit 102, the wireless communication unit 104, or the wired communication unit 105, it instructs the power supply control unit 101 to activate the first CPU 161. As the first CPU 161 is activated, the radiation imaging apparatus 100 transitions from the standby state described above to an imaging-enabled state.

[0053] Here, the control device 310 may automatically transmit the activation signal in response to reception of internal information of the radiation imaging device 100, or may be transmitted by the operator S making a decision and sending an instruction to the control device 310 via the input device 330. Furthermore, the control device 310 may be linked to multiple radiation imaging devices 100. When the operator S manually transmits the activation signal, the operator S may compare the internal information of multiple radiation imaging devices 100 displayed on the display device 340 and select the radiation imaging device 100 to transmit the activation signal to. For example, the operator S may set the radiation imaging device to transmit the activation signal by clicking on the internal information displayed on the display device 340. Furthermore, in order for the operator S to select an appropriate radiation imaging device 100, the internal information displayed on the display device 340 may be updated periodically at predetermined time intervals or may be updated according to the status of the radiation imaging device 100.

[0054] Furthermore, when the activation signal is transmitted and received wirelessly, the wireless communication method may be IEEE802.11, Bluetooth, or another wireless communication method. When Bluetooth is used as the wireless communication method, a Connection Request may be used as the activation signal.

[0055] When the radiation imaging apparatus 100 detects that it has transitioned to an imaging-enabled state due to an activation signal from the control device 310, it requests the control device 310 for wireless connection related information for the wireless communication unit 104 to wirelessly communicate with the access point 220. Then, upon receiving the request, the control device 310 transmits the wireless connection related information for the wireless communication unit 104 to wirelessly communicate with the access point 220 to the short-range wireless communication unit 102 of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 via the communication device 210. Note that the wireless connection related information may be transmitted to the radiation imaging apparatus 100 via the short-range wireless communication unit 102, or may be transmitted to the radiation imaging apparatus 100 via the sensor communication cable 201 and the wired communication unit 105.

[0056] Thereafter, for example, the first CPU 161 of the radiation imaging device 100 performs processing to establish a wireless connection between the wireless communication unit 104 and the control device 310 via the access point 220, based on the wireless connection-related information received by the short-range wireless communication unit 102. The first CPU 161 that performs the processing to establish this wireless connection constitutes the "processing unit" in the present disclosure. Note that the processing to establish this wireless connection may be performed by the second CPU 162, in which case the second CPU 162 constitutes the "processing unit" in the present disclosure.

[0057] The radiation imaging apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment described above includes a wireless communication unit 104 that is a first wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with the control device 310 using a first wireless communication method. The radiation imaging apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment also includes a short-range wireless communication unit 102 that is a second wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with the control device 310 using a second wireless communication method that is different from the first wireless communication method. The radiation imaging apparatus 100 further includes a first CPU 161 and the like that, when receiving an activation signal from the control device 310, establishes a wireless connection between the wireless communication unit 104 and the control device 310 based on wireless connection-related information of the wireless communication unit 104 that the short-range wireless communication unit 102 receives from the control device 310. According to this configuration, the control device 310 operated by the operator S and the radiation imaging device 100 can be quickly wirelessly connected.

[0058] The control device 310 according to the first embodiment also includes a communication unit 312 that performs wireless communication with the wireless communication unit 104 of the radiation imaging device 100 using a first wireless communication method and performs wireless communication with the short-range wireless communication unit 102 using a second wireless communication method. The control device 310 according to the first embodiment also includes a CPU 314 that, when the communication unit 312 receives internal information of the radiation imaging device 100, causes the communication unit 312 to transmit an activation signal and wireless connection related information of the wireless communication unit 104 to the short-range wireless communication unit 102. The CPU 314 that performs processing to cause the communication unit 312 to transmit the activation signal and wireless connection related information of the wireless communication unit 104 to the short-range wireless communication unit 102 constitutes a "processing unit" in the present disclosure. According to this configuration, it is possible to quickly establish a wireless connection between the control device 310 operated by the operator S and the radiation imaging device 100. Note that it is not necessarily required for the communication unit 312 to perform wireless communication using the first wireless communication method and wireless communication using the second wireless communication method, and individual communication units corresponding to the respective wireless communication methods may be provided.

[0059] Furthermore, the radiation imaging apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment is configured to transition to an imaging-enabled state in which imaging can be performed when it receives a startup signal from the control device 310 while in a standby state. According to this configuration, when the radiation imaging device 100 in a standby state is transitioned to a state in which imaging is possible, the control device 310 operated by the operator S can be quickly wirelessly connected to the radiation imaging device 100.

[0060] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the following description of the second embodiment, matters common to the first embodiment will be omitted, and only matters different from the first embodiment will be described.

[0061] The schematic configuration of the radiation imaging system according to the second embodiment is similar to the schematic configuration of the radiation imaging system 10 according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1. The schematic configuration of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment is similar to the schematic configuration of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. The schematic configuration of the control device 310 according to the second embodiment is similar to the schematic configuration of the control device 310 according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 4.

[0062] In the first embodiment described above, when the radiation imaging apparatus 100 is in a standby state, the control device 310 transmits an activation signal to transition the radiation imaging apparatus 100 to an imaging-enabled state. The first embodiment described above also describes a process in which the radiation imaging apparatus 100 receives, from the control device 310, wireless connection-related information for communication between the wireless communication unit 104 and the access point 220, and establishes a wireless connection between the wireless communication unit 104 and the control device 310. The second embodiment describes a process in which, when the radiation imaging apparatus 100 requests wireless connection-related information from the control device 310 via the short-range wireless communication unit 102, the control device 310 determines whether or not to transmit the wireless connection-related information.

[0063] In this embodiment, the wireless communication unit 104, which is a first wireless communication unit, performs wireless communication using the wireless communication method that uses the IEEE802.11 standard as a first wireless communication method. Also, the short-range wireless communication unit 102, which is a second wireless communication unit, performs wireless communication using the wireless communication method that uses the Bluetooth standard as a second wireless communication method. In wireless communication using the wireless communication method that uses the Bluetooth standard, a case will be described in which the radiation imaging device 100 is a broadcaster (advertiser) that broadcasts data, and the control device 310 is an observer (scanner) that monitors the data.

[0064] Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of wireless communication between the wireless communication unit 104 and short-range wireless communication unit 102 of the radiation imaging device 100 and the control device 310 via the communication device 210 and access point 220 in the radiation imaging system 10 of the second embodiment.

[0065] Step S501: The wireless communication unit 104 of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 and the access point 220 have previously established a wireless connection. The operator S sets the radiation imaging apparatus 100 to a standby state via the control device 310 and the access point 220. Note that the radiation imaging apparatus 100 may be automatically set to a standby state when it enters a specific control state. Subsequently, the operation of step S502 is performed.

[0066] Step S502: In response to the transition of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 to the standby state, the wireless connection between the wireless communication unit 104 of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 and the access point 220 is disconnected. Subsequently, the operation of step S503 is performed.

[0067] Step S503: The communication device 210 is wirelessly connected to the control device 310. A wireless connection has been established in advance between the short-range wireless communication unit 102 of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 and the communication device 210. At this time, pairing, which involves sharing an encryption key, or a mutual service search may be performed between the short-range wireless communication unit 102 of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 and the communication device 210. The radiation imaging apparatus 100 transmits an advertisement packet including internal information from the short-range wireless communication unit 102. At this time, the internal information includes the individual identification information described above. The control device 310 receives the advertisement packet including the internal information via the communication device 210. Note that the transmission power and packet transmission cycle when the radiation imaging apparatus 100 transmits the advertisement packet via the short-range wireless communication unit 102 can be set in advance.

[0068] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of wireless communication between the wireless communication unit 104 and short-range wireless communication unit 102 of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 and the control device 310 via the communication device 210 and the access point 220 in the radiation imaging system 10 according to the second embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 6 shows a processing procedure in which the operator S transmits an activation signal to the radiation imaging apparatus 100 via the control device 310 and the communication device 210, and the radiation imaging apparatus 100 acquires wireless connection related information from the control device 310 via the short-range wireless communication unit 102 after activation.

[0069] Step S601: Step S601 is executed following the processing of step S503 in Fig. 5. The operator S selects the radiation imaging apparatus 100 to be used. An activation signal is transmitted to the selected radiation imaging apparatus 100 via the control device 310 and the communication device 210. In this case, a Connection Request may be used as the activation signal. Subsequently, the operation of step S602 is performed.

[0070] Step S602: Upon receiving the activation signal, the radiation imaging apparatus 100 transitions from a standby state to a state ready for imaging. The radiation imaging apparatus 100 transmits an advertisement packet including the individual identification information included in the internal information described above from the short-range wireless communication unit 102. The control device 310 receives the advertisement packet including the individual identification information transmitted from the short-range wireless communication unit 102 via the communication device 210. Note that the transmission power and packet transmission cycle when the radiation imaging apparatus 100 transmits the advertisement packet via the short-range wireless communication unit 102 can be set in advance. Next, the operation of step S603 is performed.

[0071] Step S603: The control device 310 determines whether the radiation imaging device 100 that transmitted the advertisement packet in step S503 of Fig. 5 is the same as the radiation imaging device 100 that transmitted the advertisement packet in step S602 of Fig. 6. For example, the control device 310 determines whether the radiation imaging device 100 is the same depending on whether the individual identification information received by the communication device 210 in step S602 matches the individual identification information received by the communication device 210 in step S603. If the individual identification information matches, the control device 310 determines that the radiation imaging device 100 that transmitted the advertisement packet in step S503 is the same as the radiation imaging device 100 that transmitted the advertisement packet in step S602. If the control device 310 determines that the radiation imaging device 100 is the same, it transmits a connection request to the short-range wireless communication unit 102 via the communication device 210. At this time, the transmission of the connection request may be performed based on the determination criterion that the time elapsed since step S601 is within a certain range, or may be performed by an operation by the operator S using the input unit 311 of the control device 310. Then, the operation of step S604 is performed.

[0072] Step S604: A wireless connection is established between the short-range wireless communication unit 102 of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 and the control device 310 via the communication device 210. At this time, pairing, which involves sharing an encryption key, or a mutual service search may be performed between the short-range wireless communication unit 102 and the communication device 210. Subsequently, the operation of step S605 is performed.

[0073] Step S605: The control device 310 transmits the SSID of the access point 220 that can communicate with the wireless communication unit 104 to the short-range wireless communication unit 102 via the communication device 210. For example, the SSID is a character string "X." This SSID is preferably encrypted, but does not necessarily have to be encrypted. Next, the operation of step S606 is performed.

[0074] Step S606: The control device 310 transmits an encryption key of the access point 220 that can communicate with the wireless communication unit 104 to the short-range wireless communication unit 102 via the communication device 210. For example, the key is a string of characters "ABCDEFGH." This key is preferably encrypted, but does not necessarily have to be encrypted. Next, the operation of step S607 is performed.

[0075] Step S607: If the short-range wireless communication unit 102 is not used after step S608, the wireless connection between the communication device 210 and the short-range wireless communication unit 102 may be disconnected from the viewpoint of power consumption of the radiation imaging apparatus 100. Then, the operation of step S608 is performed.

[0076] In this embodiment, the SSID in step S605 and the Key in step S606 may correspond to wireless connection related information for wireless communication by the wireless communication unit 104.

[0077] Step S608: The radiation imaging apparatus 100 establishes a wireless connection between the wireless communication unit 104 and the access point 220 based on the wireless connection related information communicated in S605 and S606.

[0078] In this embodiment, there may be a plurality of control devices 310. The control devices 310 shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 may be different. By controlling the radiation imaging apparatus 100 as described above, even when there are a plurality of control devices 310, it is possible to quickly establish a wireless connection between the control device 310 operated by the operator S and the radiation imaging apparatus 100.

[0079] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the wireless communication unit 104 performs wireless communication using the IEEE802.11 standard and the short-range wireless communication unit 102 performs wireless communication using the Bluetooth standard, but the wireless communication method is not limited to this.

[0080] In the radiation imaging apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment, the CPU 161, etc., which correspond to the processing unit, receives an activation signal (S601 in FIG. 6). Thereafter, the CPU 161, etc., which correspond to the processing unit, performs processing to establish a wireless connection between the wireless communication unit 104 and the control device 310 (S608 in FIG. 6) based on wireless connection-related information received by the short-range wireless communication unit 102 from the control device 310 (S605 and S606 in FIG. 6).

[0081] Furthermore, in the radiation imaging apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment, the short-range wireless communication unit 102 transmits first internal information of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 to the control device 310 (S503 in FIG. 5) before receiving the activation signal (S601 in FIG. 6). Furthermore, after receiving the activation signal (S601 in FIG. 6), the short-range wireless communication unit 102 transmits second internal information of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 to the control device 310 (S602 in FIG. 6). In the control device 310 according to the second embodiment, the CPU 314, which corresponds to the processing unit, causes the communication unit 312 to transmit wireless connection-related information to the short-range wireless communication unit 102 when the first internal information and the second internal information match (S605 and S606 in FIG. 6). Then, when a wireless connection request is received from the control device 310 (S603 in FIG. 6), the CPU 161 etc. of the radiation imaging device 100 according to the second embodiment establishes a wireless connection between the wireless communication unit 104 and the control device 310 based on the wireless connection related information (S608 in FIG. 6).

[0082] (Third embodiment) Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the following description of the third embodiment, matters common to the first and second embodiments will be omitted, and only matters different from the first and second embodiments will be described.

[0083] The schematic configuration of the radiation imaging system according to the third embodiment is similar to the schematic configuration of the radiation imaging system 10 according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1. The schematic configuration of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment is similar to the schematic configuration of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. The schematic configuration of the control device 310 according to the third embodiment is similar to the schematic configuration of the control device 310 according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 4.

[0084] In the second embodiment described above, the radiation imaging apparatus 100 receives an activation signal from the control device 310 to activate the radiation imaging apparatus 100. Thereafter, when the control device 310 is requested to transmit wireless connection related information for communication via the wireless communication unit 104 via the short-range wireless communication unit 102, the process of determining whether or not to transmit the wireless connection related information has been described. In the third embodiment, the process of the control device 310 determining whether or not to transmit an activation signal will be described.

[0085] In this embodiment, the wireless communication unit 104, which is a first wireless communication unit, performs wireless communication using the wireless communication method that uses the IEEE802.11 standard as a first wireless communication method. Also, the short-range wireless communication unit 102, which is a second wireless communication unit, performs wireless communication using the wireless communication method that uses the Bluetooth standard as a second wireless communication method. In wireless communication using the wireless communication method that uses the Bluetooth standard, a case will be described in which the radiation imaging device 100 is a broadcaster (advertiser) that broadcasts data, and the control device 310 is an observer (scanner) that monitors the data.

[0086] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of wireless communication between the wireless communication unit 104 and short-range wireless communication unit 102 of the radiation imaging device 100 and the control device 310 via the communication device 210 and the access point 220 in the radiation imaging system 10 relating to the third embodiment.

[0087] Step S701: The radiation imaging apparatus 100 is set to a standby state in advance. The short-range wireless communication unit 102 of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 and the communication device 210 have already established a wireless connection. At this time, the short-range wireless communication unit 102 of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 and the communication device 210 may perform pairing, which involves sharing an encryption key, and a mutual service search. The radiation imaging apparatus 100 transmits an advertisement packet containing internal information from the short-range wireless communication unit 102. The internal information includes the individual identification information and wireless connection-related information described above. For example, in the case of a wireless LAN, the wireless connection-related information may include a communication method such as IEEE802.11, a physical channel, an SSID, an encryption key, and the like. Alternatively, this information may be aggregated and coded and used. The control device 310 receives the advertisement packet containing the internal information via the communication device 210. The transmission power and packet transmission cycle when the radiation imaging apparatus 100 transmits the advertisement packet via the short-range wireless communication unit 102 can be set in advance. Subsequently, the operation of step S702 is performed.

[0088] Step S702: The control device 310 first determines whether the radiation imaging device 100 that transmitted the advertising packet can wirelessly connect to the access point 220 via the wireless communication unit 104 after startup. The control device 310 determines whether the wireless connection described above is possible based on whether the individual identification information received by the communication device 210 from the short-range wireless communication unit 102 in step S701 matches the individual identification information in the information held by the control device 310. Here, the individual identification information in the information held by the control device 310 may be set by an operation of the operator S. Then, the control device 310 determines that the wireless connection described above is possible if the individual identification information matches. Then, if the control device 310 determines that the wireless connection described above is possible, it transmits an activation signal to the short-range wireless communication unit 102 via the communication device 210. Here, the transmission of the activation signal may be determined by comparing the wireless connection-related information received by the communication device 210 from the short-range wireless communication unit 102 in step S701 with the wireless connection-related information in the information held by the control device 310. At this time, the wireless connection related information held by the control device 310 may be set by an operation of the operator S. Also, an activation signal may be transmitted by an operation by the operator S using the input unit 311 of the control device 310. In this case, a Connection Request may be used as the activation signal. Then, the operation of step S703 is performed.

[0089] Step S703: If the short-range wireless communication unit 102 is not used after step S704, the communication device 210 may be disconnected from the short-range wireless communication unit 102 in terms of power consumption of the radiation imaging apparatus 100. Then, the operation of step S704 is performed.

[0090] Step S704: The radiation imaging apparatus 100 establishes a wireless connection between the wireless communication unit 104 and the access point 220 based on the wireless connection related information that it already has.

[0091] By controlling the radiation imaging apparatus 100 as described above, even when there are a plurality of radiation imaging apparatuses 100, the control apparatus 310 operated by the operator S can be quickly wirelessly connected to the radiation imaging apparatus 100.

[0092] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the wireless communication unit 104 performs wireless communication using the IEEE802.11 standard and the short-range wireless communication unit 102 performs wireless communication using the Bluetooth standard, but the wireless communication method is not limited to this.

[0093] In the radiation imaging apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment, the short-range wireless communication unit 102 receives wireless connection related information from the control device 310 (S701 in FIG. 7) before receiving an activation signal (S702 in FIG. 7). Then, in the radiation imaging apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment, the CPU 161, etc., which corresponds to a processing unit, performs processing to establish a wireless connection between the wireless communication unit 104 and the control device 310 based on the received wireless connection related information (S704 in FIG. 7). In addition, the CPU 314 of the control device 310 according to the third embodiment transmits a start-up signal to the short-range wireless communication unit 102 (S702 in FIG. 7) when the internal information received from the radiation imaging device 100 (S701 in FIG. 7) matches the information held by the control device 310.

[0094] (Other embodiments) The present disclosure can also be realized by providing a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions. This program and a computer-readable storage medium storing the program are included in the present disclosure.

[0095] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure are merely examples of specific embodiments for carrying out the present disclosure, and the technical scope of the present disclosure should not be construed as being limited by these embodiments. In other words, the present disclosure can be carried out in various forms without departing from its technical concept or main features.

[0096] Embodiments of the present disclosure include the following configurations, methods, and programs. [Configuration 1] A radiation imaging apparatus that performs imaging using radiation, the radiation imaging apparatus being configured to be able to communicate with a control device that controls the radiation imaging apparatus, a first wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with the control device using a first wireless communication method; a second wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with the control device using a second wireless communication method different from the first wireless communication method; When a start signal transmitted from the control device is received, a processing unit that performs processing to establish a wireless connection between the first wireless communication unit and the control device based on wireless connection related information for wireless communication by the first wireless communication unit received by the second wireless communication unit from the control device; A radiation imaging apparatus comprising: [Configuration 2] the processing unit performs a process of establishing a wireless connection between the first wireless communication unit and the control device based on the wireless connection related information received by the second wireless communication unit from the control device after receiving the activation signal. 2. The radiation imaging apparatus according to claim 1. [Configuration 3] the processing unit performs a process of establishing a wireless connection between the first wireless communication unit and the control device based on the wireless connection related information received by the second wireless communication unit from the control device before receiving the activation signal. 2. The radiation imaging apparatus according to claim 1. [Configuration 4] When the radiation imaging apparatus receives the activation signal while in a standby state, the radiation imaging apparatus transitions to an imaging-enabled state in which the radiation imaging apparatus can perform the imaging. 4. The radiation imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 3. [Configuration 5] transmitting internal information of the radiation imaging device to the control device in the standby state; 5. The radiation imaging apparatus according to configuration 4. [Configuration 6] The inside information is individual identification information for identifying the radiation imaging device, information on the number of images not yet transferred from the radiation imaging device to the control device, information on the number of images that can be stored in the memory of the radiation imaging device, information on the remaining battery charge of the radiation imaging device, and information on the communication environment of the radiation imaging device; The information includes at least one of error information of the radiation imaging device, information on the internal temperature of the radiation imaging device, and information on the angle and position at which the radiation imaging device is disposed. 6. The radiation imaging apparatus according to configuration 5. [Configuration 7] when the processing unit receives the activation signal from the control device that has received the internal information, the processing unit performs a process of establishing a wireless connection between the first wireless communication unit and the control device based on the wireless connection related information. 7. The radiation imaging device according to configuration 5 or 6. [Configuration 8] the second wireless communication unit transmits first internal information of the radiation imaging device to the control device before receiving the activation signal, and transmits second internal information of the radiation imaging device to the control device after receiving the activation signal; the processing unit, when receiving a wireless connection request from the control device that has received the first internal information and the second internal information, performs processing to establish a wireless connection between the first wireless communication unit and the control device based on the wireless connection related information. 8. The radiation imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 7. [Configuration 9] the first wireless communication unit performs wireless communication using a wireless communication method that uses the IEEE 802.11 standard; 9. The radiation imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 8. [Configuration 10] the second wireless communication unit performs wireless communication using a wireless communication method that uses the Bluetooth standard; 10. The radiation imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 9. [Configuration 11] A control device that controls a radiation imaging device that performs imaging using radiation, a communication unit that performs wireless communication with a first wireless communication unit of the radiation imaging device using a first wireless communication method, and that performs wireless communication with a second wireless communication unit of the radiation imaging device using a second wireless communication method different from the first wireless communication method; a processing unit that, when the communication unit receives internal information of the radiation imaging device from the radiation imaging device, causes the communication unit to transmit an activation signal and wireless connection related information for wireless communication by the first wireless communication unit to the second wireless communication unit; A control device comprising: [Configuration 12] the communication unit transmits the activation signal when the radiation imaging apparatus is in a standby state. 12. The control device according to claim 11. [Configuration 13] The inside information is individual identification information for identifying the radiation imaging device, information on the number of images not yet transferred from the radiation imaging device to the control device, information on the number of images that can be stored in the memory of the radiation imaging device, information on the remaining battery charge of the radiation imaging device, and information on the communication environment of the radiation imaging device; at least one of error information of the radiation imaging device, information on the internal temperature of the radiation imaging device, and angle information and position information at which the radiation imaging device is disposed; 13. The control device according to configuration 11 or 12. [Configuration 14] the processing unit causes the communication unit to transmit the activation signal to the second wireless communication unit when the internal information matches the information held by the control device. 14. The control device according to any one of configurations 11 to 13. [Configuration 15] the internal information includes individual identification information for identifying the radiation imaging device, the stored information includes individual identification information for identifying the radiation imaging device, the processing unit causes the communication unit to transmit the activation signal to the second wireless communication unit when the individual identification information of the internal information matches the individual identification information of the retained information. 15. The control device according to configuration 14. [Configuration 16] the communication unit receives first internal information from the radiation imaging device before transmitting the activation signal, and receives second internal information from the radiation imaging device after transmitting the activation signal; the processing unit causes the communication unit to transmit the wireless connection related information to the second wireless communication unit when the first internal information and the second internal information match. 16. A control device according to any one of configurations 11 to 15. [Configuration 17] the first internal information includes individual identification information for identifying the radiation imaging device, the second internal information includes individual identification information for identifying the radiation imaging device, the processing unit causes the communication unit to transmit the wireless connection related information to the second wireless communication unit when the individual identification information of the first internal information and the individual identification information of the second internal information match. 17. The control device according to configuration 16. [Configuration 18] a radiation imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 10; A control device according to any one of configurations 11 to 17; A radiation imaging system comprising: [Method 1] A method for controlling a radiation imaging apparatus configured to be able to communicate with a control device that controls the radiation imaging apparatus, the method comprising: a first wireless communication step of performing wireless communication by a first wireless communication method between a first wireless communication unit provided in the radiation imaging device and the control device; a second wireless communication step of performing wireless communication between a second wireless communication unit provided in the radiation imaging device and the control device using a second wireless communication method different from the first wireless communication method; When a start signal transmitted from the control device is received, a processing step of performing processing to establish a wireless connection between the first wireless communication unit and the control device based on wireless connection related information for wireless communication by the first wireless communication unit received by the second wireless communication unit from the control device; A method for controlling a radiation imaging apparatus, comprising: [Method 2] A control method for a control device that controls a radiation imaging device that performs imaging using radiation, comprising: a communication unit provided in the control device that performs wireless communication with a first wireless communication unit of the radiation imaging device using a first wireless communication method; a communication step of performing wireless communication with a second wireless communication unit of the radiation imaging device using a second wireless communication method different from the first wireless communication method; a processing step of performing processing to cause the communication unit to transmit an activation signal and wireless connection related information for wireless communication by the first wireless communication unit to the second wireless communication unit when the communication unit receives internal information of the radiation imaging device from the radiation imaging device; A control method for a control device comprising: [Program 1] A program for causing a computer to execute a control method for a radiation imaging apparatus configured to be able to communicate with a control device that controls the radiation imaging apparatus, the program comprising: a first wireless communication step of performing wireless communication by a first wireless communication method between a first wireless communication unit provided in the radiation imaging device and the control device; a second wireless communication step of performing wireless communication between a second wireless communication unit provided in the radiation imaging device and the control device using a second wireless communication method different from the first wireless communication method; When a start signal transmitted from the control device is received, a processing step of performing processing to establish a wireless connection between the first wireless communication unit and the control device based on wireless connection related information for wireless communication by the first wireless communication unit received by the second wireless communication unit from the control device; A program that causes a computer to execute the following. [Program 2] A program for causing a computer to execute a control method for a control device that controls a radiation imaging device that performs imaging using radiation, a communication unit provided in the control device that performs wireless communication with a first wireless communication unit of the radiation imaging device using a first wireless communication method; a communication step of performing wireless communication with a second wireless communication unit of the radiation imaging device using a second wireless communication method different from the first wireless communication method; a processing step of performing processing to cause the communication unit to transmit an activation signal and wireless connection related information for wireless communication by the first wireless communication unit to the second wireless communication unit when the communication unit receives internal information of the radiation imaging device from the radiation imaging device; A program that causes a computer to execute the following. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 10: Radiation imaging system, 11: Radiation room, 12: Control room, 100: Radiation imaging apparatus, 101: Power supply control unit, 102: Short-range wireless communication unit, 103: Registration switch, 104: Wireless communication unit, 105: Wired communication unit, 201-204: Communication cable, 210: Communication device, 220: Access point, 230: Communication control device, 240: Radiation generator, 241: Radiation source control unit, 242: Generation control unit, 250: Radiation source, 310: Control device, 320: Radiation irradiation switch, 330: Input device, 340: Display device, 350: Hospital LAN, 361-362: Radiation room communication cable, H: Subject, R: Radiation

Claims

1. A radiation imaging apparatus that performs imaging using radiation, the radiation imaging apparatus being configured to be able to communicate with a control device that controls the radiation imaging apparatus, a first wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with the control device using a first wireless communication method; a second wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with the control device using a second wireless communication method different from the first wireless communication method; a processing unit that, when receiving an activation signal transmitted from the control device, performs processing to establish a wireless connection between the first wireless communication unit and the control device based on wireless connection related information for wireless communication by the first wireless communication unit received by the second wireless communication unit from the control device; A radiation imaging apparatus comprising:

2. the processing unit performs a process of establishing a wireless connection between the first wireless communication unit and the control device based on the wireless connection related information received by the second wireless communication unit from the control device after receiving the activation signal. The radiation imaging apparatus according to claim 1 .

3. the processing unit performs a process of establishing a wireless connection between the first wireless communication unit and the control device based on the wireless connection related information received by the second wireless communication unit from the control device before receiving the activation signal. The radiation imaging apparatus according to claim 1 .

4. When the radiation imaging apparatus receives the activation signal while in a standby state, the radiation imaging apparatus transitions to an imaging-enabled state in which the radiation imaging apparatus can perform the imaging. The radiation imaging apparatus according to claim 1 .

5. transmitting internal information of the radiation imaging device to the control device in the standby state; The radiation imaging apparatus according to claim 4 .

6. the internal information includes at least one of individual identification information for identifying the radiation imaging device, information on the number of images not yet transferred from the radiation imaging device to the control device, information on the number of images that can be stored in the memory of the radiation imaging device, information on the remaining battery charge of the radiation imaging device, information on the communication environment of the radiation imaging device, error information of the radiation imaging device, information on the internal temperature of the radiation imaging device, and information on the angle and position at which the radiation imaging device is placed. The radiation imaging apparatus according to claim 5 .

7. When the processing unit receives the activation signal from the control device that has received the internal information, the processing unit performs processing to establish a wireless connection between the first wireless communication unit and the control device based on the wireless connection related information. The radiation imaging apparatus according to claim 5 .

8. the second wireless communication unit transmits first internal information of the radiation imaging apparatus to the control device before receiving the activation signal, and transmits second internal information of the radiation imaging apparatus to the control device after receiving the activation signal; the processing unit, when receiving a wireless connection request from the control device that has received the first internal information and the second internal information, performs processing to establish a wireless connection between the first wireless communication unit and the control device based on the wireless connection related information. The radiation imaging apparatus according to claim 1 .

9. the first wireless communication unit performs wireless communication by a wireless communication method using the IEEE 802.11 standard; The radiation imaging apparatus according to claim 1 .

10. the second wireless communication unit performs wireless communication by a wireless communication method using the Bluetooth standard; The radiation imaging apparatus according to claim 1 .

11. A control device that controls a radiation imaging device that performs imaging using radiation, a communication unit that performs wireless communication with a first wireless communication unit of the radiation imaging device using a first wireless communication method, and that performs wireless communication with a second wireless communication unit of the radiation imaging device using a second wireless communication method different from the first wireless communication method; a processing unit that, when the communication unit receives internal information of the radiation imaging device from the radiation imaging device, causes the communication unit to transmit an activation signal and wireless connection related information for wireless communication via the first wireless communication unit to the second wireless communication unit; A control device comprising:

12. the communication unit transmits the activation signal when the radiation imaging apparatus is in a standby state. The control device according to claim 11.

13. the internal information includes at least one of individual identification information for identifying the radiation imaging device, information on the number of images not yet transferred from the radiation imaging device to the control device, information on the number of images that can be stored in the memory of the radiation imaging device, information on the remaining battery charge of the radiation imaging device, information on the communication environment of the radiation imaging device, error information of the radiation imaging device, information on the internal temperature of the radiation imaging device, and information on the angle and position at which the radiation imaging device is disposed. The control device according to claim 11.

14. the processing unit causes the communication unit to transmit the activation signal to the second wireless communication unit when the internal information matches the information held by the control device. The control device according to claim 11.

15. the internal information includes individual identification information for identifying the radiation imaging device, the stored information includes individual identification information for identifying the radiation imaging device, the processing unit causes the communication unit to transmit the activation signal to the second wireless communication unit when the individual identification information of the internal information matches the individual identification information of the retained information. The control device according to claim 14.

16. the communication unit receives first internal information from the radiation imaging apparatus before transmitting the activation signal, and receives second internal information from the radiation imaging apparatus after transmitting the activation signal; the processing unit causes the communication unit to transmit the wireless connection related information to the second wireless communication unit when the first internal information and the second internal information match. The control device according to claim 11.

17. the first internal information includes individual identification information for identifying the radiation imaging device, the second internal information includes individual identification information for identifying the radiation imaging device, the processing unit causes the communication unit to transmit the wireless connection related information to the second wireless communication unit when the individual identification information of the first internal information and the individual identification information of the second internal information match. The control device of claim 16.

18. The radiation imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, A control device according to any one of claims 11 to 17; A radiation imaging system comprising:

19. A method for controlling a radiation imaging apparatus configured to be able to communicate with a control device that controls the radiation imaging apparatus, the method comprising: a first wireless communication step of performing wireless communication by a first wireless communication method between a first wireless communication unit provided in the radiation imaging apparatus and the control apparatus; a second wireless communication step of performing wireless communication between a second wireless communication unit provided in the radiation imaging device and the control device using a second wireless communication method different from the first wireless communication method; a processing step of performing processing to establish a wireless connection between the first wireless communication unit and the control device based on wireless connection related information for wireless communication by the first wireless communication unit received by the second wireless communication unit from the control device when an activation signal transmitted from the control device is received; A method for controlling a radiation imaging apparatus, comprising:

20. A control method for a control device that controls a radiation imaging device that performs imaging using radiation, comprising: a communication step in which a communication unit provided in the control device performs wireless communication with a first wireless communication unit of the radiation imaging device using a first wireless communication method, and performs wireless communication with a second wireless communication unit of the radiation imaging device using a second wireless communication method different from the first wireless communication method; a processing step of performing processing to cause the communication unit to transmit an activation signal and wireless connection related information for wireless communication by the first wireless communication unit to the second wireless communication unit when the communication unit receives internal information of the radiation imaging device from the radiation imaging device; A control method for a control device comprising:

21. A program for causing a computer to execute a control method for a radiation imaging apparatus configured to be able to communicate with a control device that controls the radiation imaging apparatus, the program comprising: a first wireless communication step of performing wireless communication by a first wireless communication method between a first wireless communication unit provided in the radiation imaging apparatus and the control apparatus; a second wireless communication step of performing wireless communication between a second wireless communication unit provided in the radiation imaging device and the control device using a second wireless communication method different from the first wireless communication method; a processing step of performing processing to establish a wireless connection between the first wireless communication unit and the control device based on wireless connection related information for wireless communication by the first wireless communication unit received by the second wireless communication unit from the control device when an activation signal transmitted from the control device is received; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

22. A program for causing a computer to execute a control method for a control device that controls a radiation imaging device that performs imaging using radiation, a communication step in which a communication unit provided in the control device performs wireless communication with a first wireless communication unit of the radiation imaging device using a first wireless communication method, and performs wireless communication with a second wireless communication unit of the radiation imaging device using a second wireless communication method different from the first wireless communication method; a processing step of performing processing to cause the communication unit to transmit an activation signal and wireless connection related information for wireless communication by the first wireless communication unit to the second wireless communication unit when the communication unit receives internal information of the radiation imaging device from the radiation imaging device; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

Images