Radiographic apparatus, control method thereof, and program

Abstract

To provide a mechanism to avoid impairment of a user's convenience when replacing a battery in a radiographic apparatus.SOLUTION: A radiographic apparatus 100 includes: a sensor unit 300 for performing processing for detecting a radioactive ray that has been made incident; a power supply unit 240 equipped with a plurality of batteries including a main battery 241 for supplying power to the sensor unit 300 according to an operation state of the radiographic apparatus 100, which is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the radiographic apparatus 100; and a control unit 210 for acquiring operation state related information related to an operation state according to the operation state of the radiographic apparatus 100, and performing control to bring the operation state of the radiographic apparatus 100 into a predetermined operation state on the basis of the operation state related information according to the predetermined operation state, which is the operation state of the radiographic apparatus 100 before the main battery 241 is detached when the main battery 241 is attached after the main battery 241 is detached in the radiographic apparatus 100.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a radiographic apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, radiographic imaging devices using flat panel detectors (FPDs) made of semiconductor materials have been used as imaging devices for medical image diagnosis and non-destructive testing using radiation such as X-rays. These FPDs have a pixel array in which multiple pixels are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix, converting incident radiation into electrical signals. The electrical signals from the pixel array are converted into digital data to generate a digital radiographic image for one image. In medical image diagnosis, for example, such radiographic imaging devices are used as digital imaging devices for capturing still images such as general radiography and for capturing moving images such as fluoroscopy.

[0003] Furthermore, radiographic imaging devices that perform wireless communication have been developed, making them easier to handle. Such radiographic imaging devices are battery-powered, and therefore require battery replacement when the remaining battery capacity becomes low. Patent Document 1 describes a technology that enables the radiographic imaging device to be operated by power supplied from a backup battery while the main battery attached to the battery attachment section is being replaced, thereby enabling battery replacement during operation, known as hot swapping (inserting and removing a battery while it is in operation). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-224579 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, with the technology described in Patent Document 1, when a radiation imaging device is operated with a spare battery with a small capacity, there is a possibility that the power of the radiation imaging device will be turned off due to insufficient capacity during replacement of the main battery. If the power of the radiation imaging device is turned off, the user will need to perform an operation to return the radiation imaging device to the operating state it was in before the main battery was replaced, which poses a problem of reducing user convenience.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and aims to provide a mechanism that can avoid a loss of convenience for the user when replacing the battery in a radiation imaging device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The radiation imaging apparatus of the present invention is a radiation imaging apparatus that performs radiation imaging and includes: a sensor unit that performs processing to detect incident radiation; a power supply unit that includes a plurality of batteries including a predetermined battery that supplies power to the sensor unit depending on the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus and is configured to be detachable from the radiation imaging apparatus; an acquisition unit that acquires operating state related information regarding the operating state depending on the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus; and a control unit that, when the predetermined battery is removed from the radiation imaging apparatus and then installed, controls the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus to be the predetermined operating state based on the operating state related information corresponding to the predetermined operating state, which is the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus before the predetermined battery was removed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to avoid a loss of convenience for the user when the battery is replaced in the radiation imaging apparatus. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [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] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration mainly of a power supply control system of the radiation imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a radiation imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a basic operating state of a radiation imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure in a control method for a radiation imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the remaining capacity (remaining capacity) of a sub-battery in a radiation imaging apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure in a control method for a radiation imaging apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an operating state of a control unit of a radiation imaging apparatus according to a third embodiment. [Figure 9] 8A and 8B are diagrams for explaining the difference in operation between the case where the pause state shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C is present and the case where it is absent in the radiation imaging apparatus according to the third embodiment. [Figure 10] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure in a control method for a radiation imaging apparatus according to the third embodiment. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure in a control method for a radiation imaging apparatus according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the radiation imaging apparatus according to the fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, modes (embodiments) for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment of the present invention described below, X-rays are preferably used as radiation, but the present invention is not limited to X-rays and may also include, for example, α-rays, β-rays, γ-rays, particle rays, and cosmic rays.

[0011] (First embodiment) First, the first embodiment will be described.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of a radiography system 10 according to the first embodiment. The radiography system 10 of this embodiment includes a radiography system 10-1 configured in a radiography room 11 shown in Fig. 1(a) and a radiography system 10-2 configured in a medical cart 12 shown in Fig. 1(b).

[0013] The radiation imaging system 10-1 shown in FIG. 1(a) includes two radiation imaging apparatuses 100-1 and 100-2, a radiation generation apparatus 111, a radiation irradiation switch 121, a repeater 131, and a console (PC1) 141. The radiation generation apparatus 111 is an apparatus that irradiates radiation toward a subject (not shown) and the radiation imaging apparatus 100-1 or 100-2 based on an operation input of the radiation irradiation switch 121, etc. The radiation irradiation switch 121 is a switch that is operated when issuing a radiation irradiation request to the radiation generation apparatus 111. The repeater 131 is a device that adjusts the timing between the radiation imaging apparatuses 100-1 and 100-2 and the radiation generation apparatus 111. The console (PC1) 141 comprehensively controls the operation of the radiation imaging system 10-1 and performs various processes. The communication connection between the console (PC1) 141 and the radiation imaging apparatuses 100-1 and 100-2 is established, for example, by wireless LAN communication conforming to the IEEE 802.11 standard or wired communication such as Ethernet. The wireless LAN communication here may be so-called infrastructure mode communication in which any one of a wireless LAN access point (not shown), the radiation imaging apparatuses 100-1 and 100-2, and the console (PC1) 141 operates as an access point to communicate. Alternatively, it may be ad hoc mode communication in which the radiation imaging apparatuses 100-1 and 100-2 and the console (PC1) 141 communicate directly. The console (PC1) 141 is provided with a display unit that can display the operation modes of the connectable radiation imaging apparatuses 100-1 and 100-2 (e.g., whether they are in a standby state, whether they are ready to capture images, etc.). The console (PC1) 141 can store information about these operation modes and related information in its internal memory (e.g., a HDD or SSD). Furthermore, the console (PC1) 141 can also transmit information about the operation modes stored in the memory to the radiation imaging apparatuses 100-1 and 100-2 through communication with the radiation imaging apparatuses.

[0014] The radiation imaging system 10-2 shown in FIG. 1(v) includes a radiation imaging apparatus 100-3, a radiation generation apparatus 112, a radiation irradiation switch 122, a repeater 132, and a console (PC2) 142. The radiation generation apparatus 112 is an apparatus that irradiates radiation toward a subject (not shown) and the radiation imaging apparatus 100-3 based on an operation input of the radiation irradiation switch 122, etc. The radiation irradiation switch 122 is a switch that is operated when issuing a radiation irradiation request to the radiation generation apparatus 112. The repeater 132 is a device that adjusts the timing between the radiation imaging apparatus 100-3 and the radiation generation apparatus 112. The console (PC2) 142 comprehensively controls the operation of the radiation imaging system 10-2 and performs various processes. The communication connection between the console (PC2) 142 and the radiation imaging apparatus 100-3 is the same as that in the radiation imaging room 11 described above.

[0015] 1 are movable and can be used in a radiography room 11 and a medical cart 12. The radiography devices 100-1, 100-2, and 100-3 shown in Fig. 1 can be operated by a battery or an external power supply.

[0016] In FIG. 1, the console may be a console (PC1) 141 of a stationary terminal device such as a desktop PC installed in the radiography room 11, or a console (PC2) 142 of an embedded terminal device built into the medical cart 12. Furthermore, the console may be a portable terminal device such as a tablet PC or smartphone owned by each radiologist. In particular, when a portable terminal device is used as the console, it is easy to carry, and initial investment can be reduced by upgrading a radiation generator used for film or CR to DR (digital radiography). Furthermore, combining a console with a portable radiation generator that is easy to carry is useful in emergency medical care at disaster sites, for example.

[0017] In the following description, when the content common to the radiation imaging apparatuses 100-1 to 100-3 shown in FIG. 1 is described without specifying the radiation imaging apparatuses 100-1 to 100-3 shown in FIG. 1, it will simply be referred to as "radiation imaging apparatus 100."

[0018] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration mainly of a power supply control system of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0019] The radiation imaging apparatus 100 mainly includes a control unit 210, a measurement unit 220, a storage unit 230, and a power supply unit 240 as functional components of a power supply control system. The control unit 210 also includes an imaging control unit 211, a battery control unit 212, a state control unit 213, and a threshold control unit 214. The measurement unit 220 includes a capacity measurement unit 221 and a time measurement unit 222. The power supply unit 240 includes a main battery (first battery) 241, a sub-battery (second battery) 242, and a drive power generation unit 243. Note that, in this embodiment, the number of batteries included in the power supply unit 240 is not limited to two, but it is assumed that at least two batteries are included. Furthermore, the types of materials used for the main battery 241 and the sub-battery 242 are not particularly limited. Specifically, the main battery 241 and the sub-battery 242 may be lithium-ion batteries, lithium-ion capacitors, electric double-layer capacitors, or the like. Furthermore, at least one of the main battery 241 and the sub-battery 242 must be detachable from the radiation imaging apparatus 100. Specifically, in this embodiment, at least the main battery (first battery) 241 is a predetermined battery that is detachable from the radiation imaging apparatus 100. Furthermore, there are no particular limitations on the respective capacities of the main battery 241 and the sub-battery 242. Here, in this example of the present embodiment, the sub-battery (second battery) 242 is capable of holding a capacity equal to or less than the capacity of the main battery (first battery) 241.

[0020] Here, the function of the control unit 210 will be described. The imaging control unit 211 controls radiation imaging by the radiation imaging apparatus 100. The battery control unit 212 controls switching of the battery that supplies power necessary for the operation of the radiation imaging apparatus 100. For example, when the main battery 241 is removed from the radiation imaging apparatus 100, the battery control unit 212 controls switching of the power supply source for the radiation imaging apparatus 100 to the sub-battery 242. Furthermore, when the main battery 241 is attached to the radiation imaging apparatus 100 while power is being supplied to the radiation imaging apparatus 100 from the sub-battery 242, the battery control unit 212 controls switching of the power supply source to the main battery 241. The state control unit 213 controls determining the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100. Here, examples of the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 include a radiation standby state in which a radiation image can be acquired and a sleep state in which the digital circuitry of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 is operating. Furthermore, the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 includes a Sleep to Ready state (hereinafter referred to as an "StoR state" as necessary) that is in the middle of transitioning from the Sleep state to a radiation standby state. Furthermore, the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 includes a power-saving state in which power consumption is low, and a hibernation state (different from the power-off state) in which power consumption is even lower than the power-saving state. The names and types of the operating states of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 are not limited to those described above. The state control unit 213 can switch the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 depending on which internal components of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 are supplied with power. The state control unit 213 can also change the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 depending on whether the main battery 241 or the sub-battery 242 supplies power to the radiation imaging apparatus 100. The threshold control unit 214 can set a capacity threshold for the capacity of at least one of the main battery 241 and the sub-battery 242. Furthermore, when the main battery 241 is removed from the radiation imaging apparatus 100, the threshold control unit 214 can also set a time threshold relating to the elapsed time since the main battery 241 was removed.

[0021] Next, the function of the measurement unit 220 will be described. The capacity measurement unit 221 can measure the remaining capacity (remaining capacity) of the main battery 241 and the sub-battery 242. The time measurement unit 222 measures the elapsed time since the main battery 241 was removed from the radiation imaging apparatus 100. If the sub-battery 242 is also configured to be removable from the radiation imaging apparatus 100, the time measurement unit 222 also measures the elapsed time since the sub-battery 242 was removed from the radiation imaging apparatus 100. The state control unit 213 of the control unit 210 can switch the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 based on the value measured by the measurement unit 220.

[0022] Next, the function of the storage unit 230 will be described. The storage unit 230 is configured as a non-volatile memory that can retain its memory even when the power of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 is turned off. The storage unit 230 stores various information and programs required when the control unit 210 performs various controls and processes. Furthermore, the storage unit 230 stores various information and the like obtained when the control unit 210 performs various controls and processes. For example, the storage unit 230 can store and save operating status-related information regarding the operating status of the radiation imaging apparatus 100.

[0023] Next, the function of the power supply unit 240 will be described. As described above, the power supply unit 240 includes the main battery 241, the sub-battery 242, and the drive power generation unit 243. The power supply unit 240 also includes a charging circuit capable of charging the main battery 241 and the sub-battery 242. This charging circuit may be configured to charge multiple batteries with a single circuit, or separate charging circuits may be configured for the main battery 241 and the sub-battery 242. The main battery 241 and the sub-battery 242 may be charged by external power supply via an external cable connected to the radiation imaging apparatus 100, or by wireless power supply using a method such as electromagnetic induction. In this embodiment, at least the main battery 241 is detachable from the radiation imaging apparatus 100. Therefore, the main battery 241 can be removed from the radiation imaging apparatus 100 and charged separately using a charger. In this embodiment, the sub-battery 242 can also be charged by the main battery 241. The driving power generation unit 243 receives power supply from at least one of the main battery 241 and the sub-battery 242 or an external power supply, generates the power supply (electricity) required to drive the radiation imaging device 100, and supplies it to each component.

[0024] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. In Fig. 3, the same components as those shown in Fig. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0025] The radiation imaging apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 3 includes a sensor unit 300, a wireless communication unit 340, a wireless antenna 350, an external connection interface 360, a display unit 370, and an operation unit 380 in addition to the control unit 210, the measurement unit 220, the memory unit 230, and the power supply unit 240 shown in FIG. 2.

[0026] The sensor unit 300 includes a radiation detector 310, a drive circuit 320, and a readout circuit 330. The radiation detector 310 has a structure including a pixel array in which pixels 311, each including a conversion element 3111 formed of a semiconductor and a switch element 3112, are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix. The conversion element 3111 is an element that converts incident radiation into an electric signal (image signal). The conversion element 3111 may be configured, for example, to include a scintillator covering the pixel array and a photoelectric conversion element. The conversion element 3111 adopts a configuration in which the incident radiation is converted into visible light by the scintillator, and the visible light generated by the scintillator is converted into an electric signal (image signal) by the photoelectric conversion element. Note that the configuration of the conversion element 3111 is not limited to a configuration including a scintillator and a photoelectric conversion element, and may be, for example, a direct conversion type conversion element 3111 that directly converts incident radiation into an electric signal (image signal). The switch element 3112 is turned on when a drive signal is input from the drive circuit 320 via the drive wiring 312, and outputs an electrical signal obtained by the conversion element 3111 in the same pixel 311 to the signal wiring 313. The drive circuit 320 outputs a drive signal to each pixel 311 via the drive wiring 312 based on the control of the drive control unit 2111 of the imaging control unit 211. The readout circuit 330 reads out electrical signals (image signals) from each pixel 311 via the signal wiring 313 to generate digital radiation image data. The readout circuit 330 has an amplifier IC and an ADC. The amplifier IC has a function of sequentially reading out and amplifying the electrical signals (image signals) output to the signal wiring 313. The ADC converts the analog electrical signals (image signals) read out by the amplifier IC into digital electrical signals (image signals) to generate digital radiation image data.

[0027] The imaging control unit 211 has a drive control unit 2111 and an image information processing unit 2112. The drive control unit 2111 controls the drive circuit 320. When driving the radiation detector 310, the drive circuit 320 outputs drive signals for driving each row of the pixel array via drive wiring 312 based on control signals from the drive control unit 2111. The image information processing unit 2112 performs various processes on the radiation image data output from the readout circuit 330. The processes performed by the image information processing unit 2112 may include, for example, defect correction processing for correcting defects in the radiation image, offset correction processing for correcting offset data of the radiation image, gain correction processing, and noise reduction processing for reducing various noises. The offset correction processing is a process for subtracting unnecessary data such as dark current components generated during accumulation of the radiation image. Specifically, the offset correction processing is performed by subtracting offset correction image data acquired without radiation irradiation from radiation image data acquired while radiation is being irradiated. The gain correction process is a type of process for correcting image defects caused by differences in the individual characteristics of the pixels 311 arranged in a two-dimensional matrix. Specifically, the gain correction process is for correcting the gain difference for each pixel 311 based on gain correction information data obtained by irradiating a uniform dose of radiation in the absence of a subject. Note that the image information processing unit 2112 does not need to perform all of the processes for creating a diagnostic radiographic image; some of the processes can be performed by the console (PC1) 141 or the console (PC2) 142, which is an external control device.

[0028] More specifically, the image information processing unit 2112 determines whether a radiographic image obtained by radiography satisfies a predetermined standard. That is, the image information processing unit 2112 functions as a determination unit for determining whether a radiographic image satisfies a predetermined standard. Here, whether a radiographic image satisfies a predetermined standard is determined based on whether the radiographic image is of a level sufficient to be used for purposes such as diagnosis. The determination made by the image information processing unit 2112 includes a plurality of determination items. Each determination item that the image information processing unit 2112 can perform is described below. The determination of the quality of a radiographic image includes a positioning determination that determines whether the region of the subject to be imaged is included. The image information processing unit 2112 determines, based on the captured radiographic image, whether the relative position of the region of the subject to be imaged and the radiographic imaging device 100 is appropriate through the positioning determination. The determination of the quality of a radiographic image includes determining whether the radiation dose is excessive / insufficient based on the pixel values ​​of the radiographic image, body movement detection that detects the movement of the subject during imaging, detection of grid misalignment, determination of whether the radiographic imaging device 100 is misidentified as being the front or back, and determination of imaging at an inappropriate timing. The image information processing unit 2112 executes a determination item selected from multiple determination items. The image information processing unit 2112 performs level determination to determine whether the radiation dose is excessive or insufficient based on the pixel values ​​of the radiation image. Level determination is performed by statistically processing the luminance data of the entire radiation image and comparing the maximum and minimum luminance values ​​with respective thresholds. In this level determination, if the number of pixels exceeding the threshold exceeds a set range, it is determined that there is a possibility of image defects. Body motion detection (or blur detection) is performed by detecting the amount of shift (edge ​​component) in a certain direction of the radiation image data. The image information processing unit 2112 checks whether linear structures in the radiation image have a strong component in a specific direction to determine the presence or absence of body motion. Since most radiation imaging is performed within a very short radiation exposure time (e.g., within a few milliseconds to one second), the amount of shift that occurs during that time can be assumed to be the direction of body motion, making it possible to determine the presence or absence of body motion.At this time, edge components in the radiographic image affect the results as line segment information in a specific direction, so it is necessary to perform edge detection within the radiographic image and select an area for body movement detection. The selected area is divided into small areas to reinforce the assumption that body movement is in one direction, and judgment is performed for each small area. In addition to the method described here, various methods for body movement detection can be applied depending on the part of the subject being imaged and the procedure, such as a method of detecting feature quantities associated with body movement by analyzing signal components obtained by frequency analysis of the radiographic image. Furthermore, to shorten the processing time, processing may be performed on reduced radiographic image data.

[0029] The storage unit 230 stores and saves the radiation image data processed by the image information processing unit 2112 in association with the imaging information. The storage unit 230 also saves imaging unit information. A non-volatile memory such as a flash memory is used for the storage unit 230. The imaging information includes information about the imaged subject (patient), information about the photographer, information about the body part of the imaged subject, information about the date and time of imaging, a unique ID for identifying the image, and the like. Furthermore, the imaging information includes information used for determining the detection of radiation when imaging is performed in an imaging mode in which the radiation imaging apparatus 100 detects the start of radiation irradiation and starts radiation imaging. Furthermore, the imaging unit information includes information such as the name of the sensor unit 300 itself, which is the imaging unit, the size of the sensor unit 300, and the connection method (wireless, wired, etc.). Furthermore, the storage unit 230 can store and save operating status related information about the operating status of the radiation imaging apparatus 100, as described above. In this case, the operating state related information may include information indicating the current operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100, information indicating the operating mode of the sensor unit 300, and information indicating setting values ​​(parameters) to be set in the sensor unit 300 corresponding to the operating mode. Furthermore, the operating state related information may also include information related to radiation imaging and setting value information, such as information indicating an imaging protocol for radiation imaging received from a console, which is an external device, and information indicating an imaging order that summarizes multiple imaging protocols. The storage unit 230 can store one or more pieces of information from the above-mentioned information in association with the radiation image data. The storage unit 230 may further store defect information used for image correction, gain information for gain correction, and operation history information of the radiation imaging apparatus 100.

[0030] The wireless communication unit 340 wirelessly transmits the radiation image data and the associated imaging information, etc., stored in the storage unit 230 to the console (PC1) 141 or the console (PC2) 142. The wireless communication unit 340 is connected to a wireless antenna 350 and includes a circuit for transmitting and receiving radio waves via the wireless antenna 350. The wireless communication unit 340 may wirelessly transmit the radiation image data processed in the image information processing unit 2112 to the console (PC1) 141 or the console (PC2) 142. At this time, the wireless communication unit 340 may transmit the radiation image data and store it in the storage unit 230. Note that transmission to the console (PC1) 141 or the console (PC2) 142 may be performed by wired communication via an external connection interface (denoted as "external connection I / F" in FIG. 3) 360.

[0031] The display unit 370 is provided with a display device for indicating the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100. In this case, the display device indicates the state of the imaging unit (standby state or imaging-enabled state) and the amount of charge in the battery by means of an LED. Note that the display device is not limited to an LED, and may be a liquid crystal display or a touch-operable display.

[0032] The operation unit 380 is provided with a plurality of switches that can be input from the outside. Specifically, the operation unit 380 is equipped with, for example, an image capture ready state switch 381 that serves as a trigger for transitioning to an image capture ready state.

[0033] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a basic operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. In Fig. 4, the same components as those shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0034] 4(a) to 4(d) illustrate the radiation detector 310, drive circuit 320, readout circuit 330, control unit 210, memory unit 230, main battery 241, sub-battery 242, and drive power supply generation unit 243, which are components of the radiation imaging apparatus 100. Note that the measurement unit 220 is not essential for explaining the operating states of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 and is therefore not shown in Fig. 4, but it runs an RTC (Real Time Clock) in all operating states, making it possible to measure time.

[0035] Fig. 4(a) shows the power ON / OFF of each component in the sleep state immediately after power-on as the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100. In the sleep state shown in Fig. 4(a), power is supplied from the main battery 241 to the control unit 210 and the storage unit 230. As a result, in the sleep state shown in Fig. 4(a), it is possible to control the operation of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 and to store operating state related information relating to the current operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 and other information.

[0036] Fig. 4(b) shows the power ON / OFF of each component in the StoR state, which is an operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 transitioning from the Sleep state shown in Fig. 4(a) to the radiation standby state shown in Fig. 4(c). In the StoR state shown in Fig. 4(b), power (electricity) is supplied from the main battery 241 to the drive power generation unit 243, which includes a DC / DC converter, from the Sleep state shown in Fig. 4(a). Then, in the StoR state shown in Fig. 4(b), the drive power generation unit 243 increases and decreases the voltage from the main battery 241 to generate a voltage for operating the drive circuit 320 and the readout circuit 330. Furthermore, power (electricity) is supplied from the readout circuit 330 to the radiation detector 310.

[0037] Fig. 4(c) shows the power ON / OFF of each component in a radiation standby state, which is the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100. The radiation standby state shown in Fig. 4(c) is a state in which a certain time has elapsed since the StoR state shown in Fig. 4(b), in which power supply (electricity) to the radiation detector 310 has been completed and the state of the radiation detector 310 is stable and ready to acquire a radiological image.

[0038] FIG. 4(d) shows the power ON / OFF states of each component when the radiation imaging apparatus 100 is in a power-saving state. In the power-saving state shown in FIG. 4(d), the main battery 241 is removed from the radiation imaging apparatus 100, and power (electricity) is supplied only to the control unit 210 from the sub-battery 242. Power (electricity) is not supplied to other circuits, etc., thereby reducing power consumption. In other words, the power-saving state shown in FIG. 4(d) is a state in which power is saved more than the predetermined operating state in which the main battery 241 is attached to the radiation imaging apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. 4(a) to 4(c). Note that in the power-saving state shown in FIG. 4(d), the control unit 210 is operating, and therefore can send a signal to the display unit 370 shown in FIG. 3, etc. Therefore, it is possible to notify the user that the power-saving state is in effect by lighting an LED, displaying information, etc. Furthermore, since the control unit 210 is operating, it is also possible to communicate with the console (PC1) 141 and the console (PC2) 142, which are external devices, and it is also possible to display on the screens of these consoles, for example, "Power saving in progress, please replace the battery." Furthermore, since the measurement unit 220 can measure the elapsed time since the main battery 241 was removed from the radiation imaging apparatus 100, it is also possible to display, for example, "How many seconds remaining the power can be maintained." In this embodiment, the power saving state shown in FIG. 4(d) is entered at the timing when the main battery 241 is removed from the radiation imaging apparatus 100.

[0039] 4(a) to 4(d), the basic operating states of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 may also be in other operating states, such as a state in which charges on a specific radiation measurement field are being read out, that is, an operating state in which only specific lines in the radiation detector 310 are being driven.Furthermore, there may also be an operating state in which, for example, driving for an imaging mode in which the start of radiation irradiation is detected and radiation imaging is started is being performed.

[0040] Next, the transition operation to each operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 and the process of saving the setting values ​​corresponding to each operating state will be described. After the radiation imaging apparatus 100 is powered on, it basically enters the sleep state shown in FIG. 4(a). In the sleep state shown in FIG. 4(a), power (electricity) is supplied from the main battery 241 to the control unit 210 and the storage unit 230, the main processor included in the control unit 210 starts up, and communication with the console, which is an external device, becomes possible. After power (electricity) is supplied to all components necessary for the sleep state shown in FIG. 4(a), the control unit 210 accesses the storage unit 230. Then, when the control unit 210 checks whether operation state related information regarding the current operation state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 is stored in the storage unit 230, if different operation state related information is stored, the control unit 210 overwrites the current operation state related information in the storage unit 230. Next, at the timing of radiation imaging, the user operates the console to prepare for transition to the radiation standby state shown in FIG. 4(c). Here, the state remains in the StoR state shown in FIG. 4(b) until the transition to the radiation standby state shown in FIG. 4(c) is completed, and the control unit 210 overwrites the current operating state related information in the storage unit 230 at the timing of transition to the StoR state. The state automatically transitions from the StoR state shown in FIG. 4(b) to the radiation standby state shown in FIG. 4(c) over time. After the transition to the radiation standby state shown in FIG. 4(c) is completed and the settings of each setting value required for radiography are also completed, the control unit 210 stores the current operating state related information in the storage unit 230. In this way, the control unit 210 acquires operating state related information about the current operating state at the timing of transition to each operating state of the radiographic imaging apparatus 100, and stores and saves this information in the storage unit 230.

[0041] Next, the state transition when the main battery 241 is replaced and the process of reading out information stored in the storage unit 230 will be described. When the user removes the main battery 241 from the radiation imaging apparatus 100, the control unit 210 determines that the main battery 241 has been removed. Based on this determination, the battery control unit 212 switches the power supply source to the sub-battery 242. When this process of switching the power supply source to the sub-battery 242 is performed, the state control unit 213 performs control to change the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 to a power saving state. During operation in the power saving state, the battery control unit 212 checks whether the main battery 241 is attached. After determining that the main battery 241 has been attached to the radiation imaging apparatus 100, the battery control unit 212 switches the power supply source to the main battery 241. At the timing when the process of switching the power supply source to the main battery 241 is performed, the control unit 210 turns on the power (electricity) to the storage unit 230 and accesses (reads out) the operating state related information. After the reading of the operation state related information from the storage unit 230 is completed, the state control unit 213 performs control to automatically transition the operation state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 to the operation state indicated in the read operation state related information. Note that the order of returning from the power saving state to the operation state stored in the storage unit 230 is basically the same as that of normal operation (power saving state shown in FIG. 4(d) → Sleep state shown in FIG. 4(a) → StoR state shown in FIG. 4(b) → Radiation standby state shown in FIG. 4(c)).

[0042] The operating state related information relating to the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 may be stored in a memory (for example, an HDD or SSD) on a console, which is an external device, instead of in the storage unit 230. In this case, after the main battery 241 is attached to the radiation imaging apparatus 100, the control unit 210 communicates with the console, reads out the operating state related information stored on the console, and transitions to the operating state before the replacement of the main battery 241. The information stored in the storage unit 230 is not limited to the operating state related information relating to the current operating state, and as described above, imaging protocol information can also be stored, so the operating state to transition to may be acquired based on the imaging protocol information.

[0043] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure in a control method for the radiation imaging apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0044] First, in step S501 of FIG. 5, the battery control unit 212 of the control unit 210 starts the operation of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 by using the power supply from the main battery 241 after the power is turned on.

[0045] Subsequently, in step S502, the state control unit 213 of the control unit 210 transitions the operation state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 to a sleep state. This sleep state is the operation state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 4(a).

[0046] Subsequently, in step S503, the state control unit 213 of the control unit 210 acquires operation state related information relating to the current operation state (sleep state) of the radiation imaging apparatus 100, and stores and saves the acquired operation state related information in the storage unit 230. Here, the operation state related information includes information indicating the current operation state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 and information indicating setting values ​​(parameters) in each operation state. Note that the state control unit 213 of the control unit 210 may store and save the acquired operation state related information in the console (PC1) 141 or the console (PC2) 142, which is an external device, instead of the storage unit 230.

[0047] Subsequently, in step S504, the state control unit 213 of the control unit 210 performs control to continue the current operation of the radiation imaging apparatus 100.

[0048] Subsequently, in step S505, the state control unit 213 of the control unit 210 determines whether or not a transition in the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 has occurred.

[0049] If the result of the determination in step S505 is that a transition in the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 has occurred (S505 / Yes), the process proceeds to step S506. In step S506, the state control unit 213 of the control unit 210 performs control to complete the transition of the operating state.

[0050] Subsequently, in step S507, the state control unit 213 of the control unit 210 acquires operation state related information relating to the post-transition operation state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100, and stores and saves the acquired operation state related information in the storage unit 230. Note that the state control unit 213 of the control unit 210 may store and save the acquired operation state related information in the console (PC1) 141 or the console (PC2) 142, which is an external device, instead of the storage unit 230.

[0051] When the processing of step S507 is completed, the process proceeds to step S508. Also, when the result of the determination in step S505 is that no transition in the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 has occurred (S505 / No), the process proceeds to step S508. In step S508, the battery control unit 212 of the control unit 210 checks whether or not the main battery 241 is attached to the radiation imaging apparatus 100. That is, in step S508, it is checked whether or not the main battery 241 is attached to the radiation imaging apparatus 100.

[0052] Subsequently, in step S509, the battery control unit 212 of the control unit 210 determines whether or not the main battery 241 is attached to the radiation imaging apparatus 100. If the result of this determination is that the main battery 241 is attached to the radiation imaging apparatus 100 (S509 / Yes), the process returns to step S504 and the processes from step S504 onwards are performed again.

[0053] Furthermore, if the result of the determination in step S509 is that the main battery 241 is not attached to the radiation imaging apparatus 100 (S509 / No), the process proceeds to step S510. In step S510, the battery control unit 212 of the control unit 210 switches the power supply to the sub-battery 242 and starts the operation of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 because the main battery 241 is not attached to the radiation imaging apparatus 100.

[0054] Next, in step S511, the state control unit 213 of the control unit 210 transitions the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 to a power saving state. This power saving state is the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 4(d). That is, power from the sub-battery 242 is supplied only to the control unit 210. Note that in this power saving state, power is not supplied to the storage unit 230 as shown in FIG. 4(d). However, as described above, the storage unit 230 is configured as a non-volatile memory, and therefore information (such as operating state related information) stored in the storage unit 230 is not erased.

[0055] Subsequently, in step S512, the battery control unit 212 of the control unit 210 checks whether or not the main battery 241 has been attached to the radiation imaging apparatus 100. That is, in step S512, it is checked whether or not the main battery 241 is attached to the radiation imaging apparatus 100.

[0056] Subsequently, in step S513, the battery control unit 212 of the control unit 210 determines whether or not the main battery 241 has been attached to the radiation imaging apparatus 100. If the result of this determination is that the main battery 241 has not been attached to the radiation imaging apparatus 100 (S512 / No), the process returns to step S512 and the processes from step S512 onwards are performed again.

[0057] Also, if the result of the determination in step S513 is that the main battery 241 is attached to the radiation imaging apparatus 100 (S513 / Yes), the process proceeds to step S514. In step S514, since the main battery 241 has been attached to the radiation imaging apparatus 100, the battery control unit 212 of the control unit 210 switches the power supply to the main battery 241 and starts operation of the radiation imaging apparatus 100. Accordingly, power is also supplied from the main battery 241 to the storage unit 230.

[0058] Next, in step S515, the state control unit 213 of the control unit 210 reads and acquires operation state related information relating to the latest operation state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 stored in the storage unit 230. Note that if the operation state related information is stored in the console (PC1) 141 or the console (PC2) 142, which is an external device, instead of the storage unit 230, the state control unit 213 acquires the operation state related information from the console.

[0059] Subsequently, in step S516, the state control unit 213 of the control unit 210 transitions the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 to the same operating state as the operating state indicated in the operating state related information acquired in step S515. That is, the state control unit 213 can automatically return the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 to the operating state (predetermined operating state) of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 before the main battery 241 was removed from the radiation imaging apparatus 100.

[0060] Subsequently, in step S516, the state control unit 213 of the control unit 210 stores and saves the operation state related information regarding the operation state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 after the transition in step S516 in the storage unit 230. Note that the state control unit 213 of the control unit 210 may store and save the operation state related information after the transition in step S516 in the console (PC1) 141 or the console (PC2) 142, which is an external device, instead of the storage unit 230.

[0061] When the process of step S517 ends, the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 ends.

[0062] As described above, the operation status related information regarding the operation status of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 can be stored and saved in the storage unit 230 or the console. In addition, the operation status related information saved in the storage unit 230 or the console can be read and acquired from the storage unit 230 or the console by the state control unit 213. This viewpoint of saving and acquiring operation status related information can also be adopted in the second and subsequent embodiments described below, and therefore detailed description in each embodiment will be omitted.

[0063] 5, when the user replaces the main battery 241, the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 before the main battery 241 was replaced can be automatically saved without the user's intention. Furthermore, after the main battery 241 is replaced, the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 can be automatically restored to the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 before the main battery 241 was replaced, without the user having to operate a console or the like. This eliminates the need for the user to operate a console or the like, improving user convenience and thereby reducing downtime.

[0064] The radiation imaging apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment described above is an apparatus for capturing radiation images of a subject, and includes a sensor unit 300 that detects incident radiation. The power supply unit 240 supplies power to the sensor unit 300 in accordance with the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 and includes a plurality of batteries, including a main battery (predetermined battery) 241 that is detachably attached to the radiation imaging apparatus 100. The state control unit 213 acquires operating state-related information relating to the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 in accordance with the operating state. The state control unit 213 that performs the process of acquiring the operating state-related information constitutes an acquisition unit. Furthermore, when the main battery 241 is attached after being removed from the radiation imaging apparatus 100, the state control unit 213 performs the following control. Specifically, in this case, the state control unit 213 controls the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 to be the predetermined operating state, which is the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 before the main battery 241 was removed, based on operating state-related information corresponding to the predetermined operating state. According to this configuration, when the main battery (predetermined battery) 241 in the radiation imaging apparatus 100 is replaced, it is possible to avoid a loss of convenience for the user.

[0065] (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.

[0066] 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 second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 that transitions after the main battery 241 is removed.

[0067] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the remaining capacity (remaining capacity) of the sub-battery 242 in the radiation imaging apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment.

[0068] As shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), the threshold control unit 214 sets a capacity threshold Cth for the sub-battery 242. This capacity threshold Cth may be a value set by the user, or may be a value automatically set by the threshold control unit 214 depending on the type of the sub-battery 242. When the user sets the capacity threshold Cth, the user can set it by operating the console (PC1) 141 or the console (PC2) 142. The capacity threshold Cth may be expressed in units of voltage (V), capacity (mAh), or power (Wh). The capacity threshold Cth may also be set by calculating the power required to capture one radiographic image and representing the number of radiographic images to be captured. The maximum voltage per cell of a rechargeable lithium-ion battery (the voltage value when charged to the maximum capacity) is generally 4.2 V to 4.4 V. The end-of-discharge voltage per cell (the voltage value below which the battery is over-discharged and deteriorates) is generally 3.0 V. Therefore, when the capacity threshold Cth is set as a voltage value, it is preferable to set it between 3.0 V and 4.2 V. The capacity threshold Cth is the battery capacity that allows at least one or more predetermined number of still images to be captured or a predetermined time for video capture. The "predetermined number" for still image capture can be freely set by the user of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 on the console (PC1) 141 or the console (PC2) 142, and different values ​​can be set even for the exact same battery. The "predetermined time" for video capture can be considered similarly. Furthermore, the capacity threshold Cth may be set as a default value specific to each battery, or may be automatically changed depending on the battery material. The capacity threshold Cth may be set individually for each capture mode (still image or video), for example, and may be automatically set when the capture mode is switched.

[0069] In this embodiment, at the timing when the main battery 241 is removed from the radiation imaging apparatus 100 and power is supplied from the sub-battery 242, the capacity measurement unit 221 measures the remaining capacity (remaining charge) Cs of the sub-battery 242 at that time. FIG. 6(a) shows the case where the remaining capacity Cs of the sub-battery 242 is smaller than the capacity threshold Cth (Cs < Cth). Further, FIG. 6(b) shows the case where the remaining capacity Cs of the sub-battery 242 is greater than or equal to the above-described capacity threshold (Cs ≧ Cth).

[0070] In this embodiment, when the remaining capacity Cs of the sub-battery 242 obtained by the capacity measurement unit 221 is smaller than the capacity threshold Cth, that is, in the state shown in FIG. 6(a), the battery control unit 212 determines that the remaining capacity Cs charged in the sub-battery 242 is small. In this case, the state control unit 213 performs control to transition the operation state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 to a power-saving state while power is being supplied by the sub-battery 242.

[0071] Further, when the remaining capacity Cs of the sub-battery 242 obtained by the capacity measurement unit 221 is greater than or equal to the capacity threshold Cth, that is, in the state shown in FIG. 6(b), the battery control unit 212 determines that the remaining capacity Cs charged in the sub-battery 242 is large. In this case, the state control unit 213 can perform control to maintain the operation state at that time without transitioning the operation state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 to a power-saving state while power is being supplied by the sub-battery 242. In this case, power can be supplied to the radiation detector 310, and a radiation image can be taken. Also, in this case, since power (electricity) is also supplied to the storage unit 230, when a transition occurs in the operation state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100, operation state-related information regarding the operation state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 can be saved in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above. Then, while operating the radiation imaging apparatus 100 with power supplied from the sub-battery 242, if the remaining capacity Cs falls below the capacity threshold Cth (when the state shown in FIG. 6(a) is reached), the state control unit 213 performs control to transition from the current operation state to a power-saving state.

[0072] Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure in a control method for a radiation imaging apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment. In the processing of the flowchart shown in Fig. 7, the same processing steps as those in the flowchart shown in Fig. 5 are assigned the same step numbers, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0073] When the processing of the flowchart shown in Fig. 7 starts, first, the processing of steps S501 to S510 in Fig. 5 is performed, thereby starting the processing of operating the radiation imaging apparatus 100 with power supply from the sub-battery 242.

[0074] Subsequently, in step S701, the capacity measurement unit 221 of the measurement unit 220 measures the remaining capacity Cs of the sub-battery 242.

[0075] Subsequently, in step S702, for example, the threshold control unit 214 of the control unit 210 determines whether the remaining capacity Cs of the sub-battery 242 measured in step S701 is equal to or greater than the capacity threshold Cth.

[0076] If it is determined in step S702 that the remaining capacity Cs of the sub-battery 242 measured in step S701 is equal to or greater than the capacity threshold Cth (S702 / Yes), the process proceeds to step S703. In step S703, the state control unit 213 of the control unit 210 performs control to continue the current operation of the radiation imaging apparatus 100. That is, in step S703, the operating state when the main battery 241 was attached to the radiation imaging apparatus 100 is maintained.

[0077] Also, if it is determined in step S702 that the remaining capacity Cs of the sub-battery 242 measured in step S701 is not equal to or greater than the capacity threshold Cth (S702 / No), the process proceeds to step S704. In step S704, the state control unit 213 of the control unit 210 performs control to transition the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 to a power saving state.

[0078] When the process of step S703 is completed, or when the process of step S704 is completed, the process proceeds to step S705. In step S705, the battery control unit 212 of the control unit 210 checks whether or not the main battery 241 is attached to the radiation imaging apparatus 100. That is, in step S705, it is checked whether or not the main battery 241 is attached to the radiation imaging apparatus 100.

[0079] Subsequently, in step S706, the battery control unit 212 of the control unit 210 determines whether or not the main battery 241 has been attached to the radiation imaging apparatus 100. If the result of this determination is that the main battery 241 has not been attached to the radiation imaging apparatus 100 (S706 / No), the process returns to step S701 and the processes from step S701 onwards are performed again.

[0080] Furthermore, if the result of the determination in step S706 is that the main battery 241 is attached to the radiation imaging apparatus 100 (S706 / Yes), the process proceeds to step S707. In step S707, since the main battery 241 has been attached to the radiation imaging apparatus 100, the battery control unit 212 of the control unit 210 switches the power supply to the main battery 241 and starts operation of the radiation imaging apparatus 100. Accordingly, power is also supplied from the main battery 241 to the storage unit 230.

[0081] Subsequently, in step S708, the state control unit 213 of the control unit 210 determines whether or not a transition to the power saving state has occurred in step S704.

[0082] If the result of the determination in step S708 is that the state has transitioned to the power saving state in step S704 (S708 / Yes), the process proceeds to step S709. When the process proceeds to step S709, the state control unit 213 of the control unit 210 reads and acquires operation state related information relating to the latest operation state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 stored in the storage unit 230. Note that if the operation state related information is stored in the console (PC1) 141 or the console (PC2) 142, which is an external device, rather than in the storage unit 230, the state control unit 213 acquires the operation state related information from the console.

[0083] Subsequently, in step S710, the state control unit 213 of the control unit 210 transitions the operation state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 to the same operation state as the operation state indicated in the operation state related information acquired in step S709.

[0084] Subsequently, in step S711, the state control unit 213 of the control unit 210 stores and saves the operation state related information regarding the operation state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 after the transition in step S710 in the storage unit 230. Note that the state control unit 213 of the control unit 210 may store and save the operation state related information after the transition in step S710 in the console (PC1) 141 or the console (PC2) 142, which is an external device, instead of the storage unit 230.

[0085] When the process of step S711 is completed, or when the result of the determination in step S708 is that the transition to the power saving state has not occurred in step S704 (S708 / No), the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 is completed.

[0086] By performing the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, even if an emergency need arises to capture a radiographic image while the main battery 241 is being replaced, it becomes possible to capture a radiographic image using the sub-battery 242.

[0087] In this embodiment, the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 using power supply from the sub-battery 242 is switched depending on whether the remaining capacity Cs of the sub-battery 242 is equal to or greater than the capacity threshold Cth, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 using power supply from the sub-battery 242 described in the second embodiment may be switched based on a user selection (pre-setting). Furthermore, when switching to operation of the sub-battery 242, the user can select whether to always transition to a power saving state as in the first embodiment, to enter an operating state as in the second embodiment, or to always continue the current operating state.

[0088] In the second embodiment described above, the state control unit 213 of the control unit 210 performs the following control when the main battery 241 is removed from the radiation imaging apparatus 100 and power is supplied to the radiation imaging apparatus 100 from the sub-battery 242. Specifically, when the remaining capacity Cs of the sub-battery 242 is equal to or greater than the capacity threshold Cth, the state control unit 213 maintains the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 in a predetermined operating state that was in place when the main battery 241 was attached to the radiation imaging apparatus 100. Furthermore, when the remaining capacity Cs of the sub-battery 242 is less than the capacity threshold Cth, the state control unit 213 transitions the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 from the predetermined operating state to a power-saving state that consumes less power than the predetermined operating state. Furthermore, in the present invention, the state control unit 213 controls whether to maintain the predetermined operating state or transition the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 to a power-saving state, based on a user selection. According to this configuration, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment described above, even if there is an urgent need to capture a radiographic image while the main battery 241 is being replaced, it is also possible to capture a radiographic image using the sub-battery 242.

[0089] (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.

[0090] 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. In the third embodiment, after a specific time has elapsed since the main battery 241 was removed from the radiation imaging apparatus 100, the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 transitions to a sleep state that consumes even less power than the power saving state.

[0091] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an operating state of the control unit 210 of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 8 shows an example of the hardware configuration (electronic components) of the control unit 210. As shown in Fig. 8(a) to Fig. 8(c), the control unit 210 has electronic components such as an FPGA 801, a main processor (main CPU) 802, an LPCPU 803, a wired communication management IC 804, a battery monitoring IC 805, and various sensors 806.

[0092] The power saving state shown in Figure 8(a) is a state in which power is supplied only to the control unit 210 as shown in Figure 4(d), but in which power is supplied to all of the electronic components 801 to 806 of the control unit 210.

[0093] In this embodiment, an operating state with even lower power consumption is achieved by supplying power only to a specific portion of the electronic components of the control unit 210, rather than to all of the electronic components, as in the hibernation states shown in Figures 8(b) and 8(c). Here, the hibernation state shown in Figure 8(b) indicates the operating state of the control unit 210 when power is supplied from the sub-battery 242, and the hibernation state shown in Figure 8(c) indicates the operating state of the control unit 210 when power is supplied from the main battery 241.

[0094] The FPGA 801 is an electronic component mainly composed of logic circuits. The main processor (main CPU) 802 is an electronic component in which firmware is written. The LPCPU (Low Power CPU) 803 is an electronic component that can perform only a portion of the operations of the main processor (main CPU) 802 and can operate with lower power. The wired communication management IC 804 is an electronic component (PHY device) that handles communication with a console, which is an external device. The battery monitoring IC 805 is an electronic component that monitors the power supplied from the main battery 241 and sub-battery 242 and the presence or absence of the main battery 241 and sub-battery 242. The various sensors 806 are electronic components that detect various types of information, etc.

[0095] The FPGA 801 is responsible for, for example, driving control of the control unit 210 and rearranging pixels of radiation image data obtained by imaging. The main processor (main CPU) 802 is responsible for, for example, operation and control of the radiation imaging apparatus 100, such as communication with the console, battery switching control, and changing the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100. The LPCPU 803 is responsible for, for example, controlling the power startup state by managing the ON / OFF of the power supply unit 240 in response to a user's operation on the operation unit 380, controlling the operation of the RTC included in the time measurement unit 222, and recording logs based on information from various sensors 806. The battery monitoring IC 805 can manage the attachment / detachment state of the main battery 241 and the like in the radiation imaging apparatus 100. The various sensors 806 are, for example, a geomagnetic sensor and an impact sensor. In this case, the geomagnetic sensor can be used to determine the inclination of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 and assist in controlling the positional relationship with the radiation generation device 111 or 112. When an impact is applied to the radiation imaging apparatus 100, the impact sensor determines information about the impact (how strong the impact was). If the radiation imaging apparatus 100 malfunctions, the impact information is used to analyze the cause of the malfunction. Therefore, these various sensors 806 are not necessarily electronic components essential to the control unit 210 of the radiation imaging apparatus 100. Note that the types of the various sensors 806 are not limited to the geomagnetic sensor and impact sensor exemplified here.

[0096] In this embodiment, the power saving state shown in Figure 8(a) is defined as the "first power saving state," and the hibernation state shown in Figure 8(b) (which may include the hibernation state shown in Figure 8(c)) is defined as the "second power saving state."

[0097] First, the power saving state (first power saving state) shown in FIG. 8(a) will be described. 8(a), as described above, power is supplied to all electronic components 801 to 806 of the control unit 210. Therefore, it is possible for the main processor (main CPU) 802 and FPGA 801 to transition between operating states, access the storage unit 230, and perform wired communication with the console via the wired communication management IC 804. In addition, because the battery monitoring IC 805 is also activated, the main processor (main CPU) 802 can determine via the battery monitoring IC 805 whether the main battery 241 or the sub-battery 242 is present.

[0098] Next, the sleep state (second power saving state) shown in FIG. 8(b) will be described. FIG. 8(b) shows a sleep state in which the control unit 210 operates by receiving power from the sub-battery 242. The sleep state shown in FIG. 8(b) is entered when the main battery 241 is removed from the radiation imaging apparatus 100 and a specific time t1 has elapsed without the main battery 241 being attached, and continues until the main battery 241 is attached. In the sleep state shown in FIG. 8(b), it is necessary to be able to check whether the main battery 241 is present, and to recognize that the main battery 241 has been attached and switch to the main battery 241. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8(b), the LPCPU 803 and the battery monitoring IC 805 must be operating. Note that the battery monitoring IC 805 is controlled by the LPCPU 803.

[0099] Next, the sleep state (second power saving state) shown in FIG. 8(c) will be described. FIG. 8(c) shows a sleep state in which the control unit 210 operates by receiving power from the main battery 241. The sleep state shown in FIG. 8(c) is entered when the main battery 241 is attached during the sleep state in which the control unit 210 operates on the sub-battery 242 shown in FIG. 8(b). In the sleep state shown in FIG. 8(c), even after the main battery 241 is attached, the control unit 210 does not automatically return to the operating state stored in the storage unit 230 but remains in the sleep state. Power is supplied from the main battery 241. The control unit 210 automatically transitions to the operating state stored in the storage unit 230 upon a user's activation operation, such as an operation on the operation unit 380. In this case, in the sleep state shown in FIG. 8(c), it is possible to supply power to more electronic components than in the sleep state shown in FIG. 8(b). In the sleep state shown in FIG. 8(c), the control unit 210 operates on the main battery 241, so even if power consumption is higher than in the sleep state shown in FIG. 8(b), it is not a problem, and power can be supplied to the wired communication management IC 804 and various sensors 806. Supplying power to this wired communication management IC 804 enables communication even in a sleep state. Furthermore, supplying power to the various sensors 806 also makes it possible to turn on the power of the radiation imaging apparatus 100, for example, when positioning the radiation imaging apparatus 100 at the part of the subject (patient) that is to be imaged. This makes it possible to reduce power consumption during replacement of the main battery 241 and to automatically start up the radiation imaging apparatus 100 in the workflow without user operation. Furthermore, by automatically transitioning the operating state, radiation imaging can be performed without the user having to wait or operate the console.

[0100] Note that, although Fig. 8 illustrates electronic components 801 to 806 that constitute control unit 210, the electronic components that constitute control unit 210 are not limited to the types shown in Fig. 8. Furthermore, the electronic components that are active during the hibernation state are not limited to the electronic components shown in Fig. 8(b) and Fig. 8(c).

[0101] 9A and 9B are diagrams for explaining the difference in operation between the case where the pause state shown in Fig. 8(b) and Fig. 8(c) is present and the case where the pause state shown in Fig. 8(b) and Fig. 8(c) is absent in the radiation imaging apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 9A is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 when the pause state shown in Fig. 8(b) and Fig. 8(c) is present. Fig. 9V is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 when the pause state shown in Fig. 8(b) and Fig. 8(c) is present.

[0102] In FIG. 9, it is assumed that the time measurement unit 222 of the measurement unit 220 measures the times t0, t1, t2, t3, and t4.

[0103] 9(a) and 9(b), the radiation imaging apparatus 100 is being used in a radiation standby state, and at time t0, the remaining charge of the main battery 241 becomes low, so the main battery 241 is removed and replaced. When the main battery 241 is removed, the apparatus transitions to a power saving state.

[0104] 9(a), if the main battery 241 is not replaced even after a certain time t1 has passed and operation continues on the sub-battery 242, the capacity of the sub-battery 242 will reach zero at that time, and the power will be turned off. After that, in FIG. 9(a), even if the main battery 241 is attached at time t2, the power will be turned off, and as a result, a time period (t3 to t4) will occur to turn the power on, since the power switch or the like must be operated.

[0105] In FIG. 9(b), which is assumed in this embodiment, the radiation imaging apparatus 100 transitions to a sleep state (second power saving state) that consumes even less power than the power saving state (first power saving state) after a specific time t1 has elapsed, thereby further extending the operating time on the sub-battery 242. In FIG. 9(b), communication is established before the power is turned on after the time t2 has elapsed since the main battery 241 was replaced. Furthermore, in FIG. 9(b), when positioning of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 is performed at time t3, the power is automatically turned on by the operation of the various sensors 806, and the radiation imaging apparatus 100 is in a radiation standby state ready for irradiation at time t4. Meanwhile, in FIG. 9(a), the power is being turned on at time t4. Thus, by providing a sleep state, the radiation imaging apparatus 100 can be started without the user having to perform a power-on operation. According to this embodiment, by providing a sleep state, the radiation imaging apparatus 100 can automatically return to the operating state before the main battery 241 was replaced, without the user even being aware of the power-on action.

[0106] Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure in a control method for a radiation imaging apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment. In the processing of the flowchart shown in Fig. 10, the same processing steps as those in the flowchart shown in Fig. 5 are assigned the same step numbers, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0107] When the processing of the flowchart shown in Fig. 10 starts, first, the processing of steps S501 to S509 in Fig. 5 is performed, thereby starting the processing of operating the radiation imaging apparatus 100 in a state where the main battery 241 is removed from the radiation imaging apparatus 100.

[0108] Next, in step S1001, the time measurement unit 222 of the measurement unit 220 starts measuring the elapsed time t since the main battery 241 was removed from the radiation imaging apparatus 100. The time measurement unit 222 may acquire the time (hh:mm:ss) and measure the difference as the elapsed time t, or may measure the elapsed time t itself.

[0109] Subsequently, in step S1002, since the main battery 241 is not attached to the radiation imaging apparatus 100, the battery control unit 212 of the control unit 210 switches the power supply to the sub-battery 242 and starts the operation of the radiation imaging apparatus 100.

[0110] Subsequently, in step S1003, the state control unit 213 of the control unit 210 transitions the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 to a power saving state (first power saving state).

[0111] Next, in step S1004, for example, the threshold control unit 214 of the control unit 210 determines whether the elapsed time t measured in step S1001 exceeds a time threshold. This time threshold may be a value set by the user, or may be a value automatically set by the threshold control unit 214 depending on the type of sub-battery 242.

[0112] If it is determined in step S1004 that the elapsed time t measured from step S1001 exceeds the time threshold (S1004 / Yes), the process proceeds to step S1005. In step S1005, the state control unit 213 of the control unit 210 transitions the operation state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 to a sleep state (second power saving state).

[0113] Furthermore, if it is determined in step S1004 that the elapsed time t measured from step S1001 does not exceed the time threshold (S1004 / No), the process proceeds to step S1006. In step S1006, the state control unit 213 of the control unit 210 maintains the operation state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 in the power saving state (first power saving state).

[0114] When the process of step S1005 is completed, or when the process of step S1006 is completed, the process proceeds to step S1007. In step S1007, the battery control unit 212 of the control unit 210 checks whether or not the main battery 241 is attached to the radiation imaging apparatus 100. That is, in step S1007, it is checked whether or not the main battery 241 is attached to the radiation imaging apparatus 100.

[0115] Subsequently, in step S1008, the battery control unit 212 of the control unit 210 determines whether or not the main battery 241 is attached to the radiation imaging apparatus 100. If the result of this determination is that the main battery 241 is not attached to the radiation imaging apparatus 100 (S1008 / No), the process returns to step S1004 and the processes from step S1004 onwards are performed again.

[0116] Furthermore, if the result of the determination in step S1008 is that the main battery 241 is attached to the radiation imaging apparatus 100 (S1008 / Yes), the process proceeds to step S1009. In step S1009, since the main battery 241 has been attached to the radiation imaging apparatus 100, the battery control unit 212 of the control unit 210 switches the power supply to the main battery 241 and starts operation of the radiation imaging apparatus 100. Accordingly, power is also supplied from the main battery 241 to the storage unit 230.

[0117] Subsequently, in step S1010, state control unit 213 of control unit 210 determines whether or not the state has transitioned to the sleep state in step S1005.

[0118] As a result of the determination in step S1010, if the transition to the sleep state in step S1005 has occurred (S1010 / Yes), the process proceeds to step S1011. In step S1011, the state control unit 213 of the control unit 210 maintains the radiation imaging apparatus 100 in the sleep state (second power saving state) as its operating state.

[0119] Next, in step S1012, for example, state control unit 213 of control unit 210 determines whether or not the user has operated operation unit 380. If the result of this determination is that the user has not operated operation unit 380 (S1012 / No), the process returns to step S1011 and repeats the processes from step S1011 onwards.

[0120] If it is determined in step S1010 that the state has not transitioned to the sleep state in step S1005 (S1010 / No), the process proceeds to step S1013. In step S1013, the state control unit 213 of the control unit 210 determines whether the power saving state in step S1006 is maintained.

[0121] If the result of the determination in step S1013 is that the power saving state in step S1006 is maintained (S1013 / Yes), the process proceeds to step S1014. Also, if the result of the determination in step S1012 is that the user has operated the operation unit 380 (S1012 / Yes), the process proceeds to step S1014. When the process proceeds to step S1014, the state control unit 213 of the control unit 210 reads and acquires operation state related information relating to the latest operation state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 stored in the storage unit 230. Note that if the operation state related information is stored in the console (PC1) 141 or the console (PC2) 142, which is an external device, instead of the storage unit 230, the state control unit 213 acquires the operation state related information from the console.

[0122] Subsequently, in step S1015, the state control unit 213 of the control unit 210 transitions the operation state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 to the same operation state as the operation state indicated in the operation state related information acquired in step S1014.

[0123] Subsequently, in step S1016, the state control unit 213 of the control unit 210 stores and saves the operation state related information regarding the operation state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 after the transition in step S1015 in the storage unit 230. Note that the state control unit 213 of the control unit 210 may store and save the operation state related information after the transition in step S1015 in the console (PC1) 141 or the console (PC2) 142, which is an external device, instead of the storage unit 230.

[0124] When the process of step S1016 is completed, or when the power saving state is not maintained in step S1013 (S1013 / No), the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 10 is completed.

[0125] 10, if it takes a long time to replace the main battery 241, further power saving can be achieved by transitioning to a hibernation state, thereby extending the operating time on the sub-battery 242. Furthermore, by maintaining the hibernation state even after replacement with the main battery 241, the power consumption of the main battery 241 can be reduced, and the operating time on the main battery 241 can also be extended. Note that although the term "hibernation state" is used in this embodiment, the name is not particularly limited. Also, in this embodiment, two types of power saving states, a power saving state (first power saving state) and a hibernation state (second power saving state), are exemplified, but the number of types is not limited to two, and for example, a third power saving state and a fourth power saving state may also exist.

[0126] In the third embodiment described above, the state control unit 213 of the control unit 210 performs the following control. Specifically, when the elapsed time t since the main battery 241 was removed from the radiation imaging apparatus 100 is equal to or less than the time threshold, the state control unit 213 performs control to change the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 to a power saving state (first power saving state). Furthermore, when the elapsed time t is greater than the time threshold, the state control unit 213 performs control to change the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 to a sleep state (second power saving state). According to this configuration, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment described above, further power saving of the sub-battery 242 and the main battery 241 can be achieved.

[0127] (Fourth embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. In the following description of the fourth embodiment, matters common to the first to third embodiments will be omitted, and only matters different from the first to third embodiments will be described.

[0128] The schematic configuration of the radiation imaging system according to the fourth 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 fourth embodiment is similar to the schematic configuration of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

[0129] In the fourth embodiment, when the main battery 241 is attached after a specific time has elapsed since the main battery 241 was removed from the radiation imaging apparatus 100, the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 transitions to a sleep state. Specifically, in the fourth embodiment, when the elapsed time since the main battery 241 was removed exceeds a time threshold, the operating state related information stored in the storage unit 230 is rewritten from the operating state before the replacement of the main battery 241 to the sleep state. Note that the time threshold here can be freely set by the user, but it is assumed that a value exceeding the time during which the radiation imaging apparatus 100 can operate in a power-saving state using power supplied from the sub-battery 242 is not set.

[0130] Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure in a control method for a radiation imaging apparatus 100 according to the fourth embodiment. In the processing of the flowchart shown in Fig. 11, the same processing steps as those in the flowchart shown in Fig. 5 are assigned the same step numbers, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0131] When the processing of the flowchart shown in Fig. 11 starts, first, the processing of steps S501 to S509 in Fig. 5 is performed, thereby starting the processing of operating the radiation imaging apparatus 100 in a state where the main battery 241 is removed from the radiation imaging apparatus 100.

[0132] Next, in step S1101, the time measurement unit 222 of the measurement unit 220 starts measuring the elapsed time t since the main battery 241 was removed from the radiation imaging apparatus 100. The process of this step S1101 is the same as the process of step S1001 in Fig. 10 described in the third embodiment.

[0133] Subsequently, in step S1102, since the main battery 241 is not attached to the radiation imaging apparatus 100, the battery control unit 212 of the control unit 210 switches the power supply to the sub-battery 242 and starts the operation of the radiation imaging apparatus 100.

[0134] Subsequently, in step S1103, the state control unit 213 of the control unit 210 transitions the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 to a power saving state.

[0135] Subsequently, in step S1104, the battery control unit 212 of the control unit 210 checks whether or not the main battery 241 has been attached to the radiation imaging apparatus 100. That is, in step S1104, it is checked whether or not the main battery 241 is attached to the radiation imaging apparatus 100.

[0136] Next, in step S1105, the battery control unit 212 of the control unit 210 determines whether or not the main battery 241 has been attached to the radiation imaging apparatus 100. If the result of this determination is that the main battery 241 has not been attached to the radiation imaging apparatus 100 (S1105 / No), the process returns to step S1104 and the processes from step S1104 onwards are performed again.

[0137] Furthermore, if the result of the determination in step S1105 is that the main battery 241 is attached to the radiation imaging apparatus 100 (S1105 / Yes), the process proceeds to step S1106. In step S1106, since the main battery 241 has been attached to the radiation imaging apparatus 100, the battery control unit 212 of the control unit 210 switches to power supply from the main battery 241 and starts operation of the radiation imaging apparatus 100. Accordingly, power is also supplied from the main battery 241 to the storage unit 230.

[0138] Subsequently, in step S1107, for example, threshold control unit 214 of control unit 210 determines whether or not the elapsed time t measured from step S1101 has exceeded the time threshold.

[0139] If it is determined in step S1107 that the elapsed time t measured from step S1101 exceeds the time threshold (S1107 / Yes), the process proceeds to step S1108. When the process proceeds to step S1108, the state control unit 213 of the control unit 210 changes (overwrites) the operation state related information stored in the storage unit 230 to the sleep state. Note that, if the operation state related information is stored and saved in the console (PC1) 141 or console (PC2) 142, which is an external device, instead of the storage unit 230, the state control unit 213 of the control unit 210 causes the console to change the information to the sleep state.

[0140] When the process of step S1108 is completed, or when the result of determination in step S1107 is that the elapsed time t measured from step S1101 does not exceed the time threshold (S1107 / No), the process proceeds to step S1109. When the process proceeds to step S1109, the state control unit 213 of the control unit 210 reads and acquires operation state related information relating to the latest operation state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 stored in the storage unit 230. Note that if the operation state related information is stored in the console (PC1) 141 or the console (PC2) 142, which is an external device, rather than in the storage unit 230, the state control unit 213 acquires the operation state related information from the console.

[0141] Subsequently, in step S1110, the state control unit 213 of the control unit 210 transitions the operation state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 to the same operation state as the operation state indicated in the operation state related information acquired in step S1109.

[0142] Subsequently, in step S1111, the state control unit 213 of the control unit 210 stores and saves the operation state related information regarding the operation state of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 after the transition in step S1110 in the storage unit 230. Note that the state control unit 213 of the control unit 210 may store and save the operation state related information after the transition in step S1110 in the console (PC1) 141 or the console (PC2) 142, which is an external device, instead of the storage unit 230.

[0143] When the process of step S1111 is completed, the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 11 ends.

[0144] 11, if it takes time to replace the main battery 241, the device can transition to the sleep state after the replacement of the main battery 241 is completed, regardless of the operating state before the replacement. By performing this operation, it is possible to reduce the power consumption after the replacement of the main battery 241.

[0145] In the fourth embodiment described above, the state control unit 213 of the control unit 210 performs the following control: Specifically, if the elapsed time t since the main battery 241 was removed from the radiation imaging apparatus 100 is greater than a time threshold, the state control unit 213 performs control to change the operating state to a sleep state when the main battery 241 is attached. According to this configuration, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment described above, it is possible to reduce power consumption after replacing the main battery 241.

[0146] (Fifth embodiment) Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. In the following description of the fifth embodiment, matters common to the first to fourth embodiments will be omitted, and only matters different from the first to fourth embodiments will be described.

[0147] The schematic configuration of the radiation imaging system according to the fifth 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 fifth embodiment is similar to the schematic configuration of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

[0148] In the fifth embodiment, the operating state (setting values, etc.) after the replacement of the main battery 241 is changed based on radiography order information (information indicating multiple radiography protocols) sent from a console, which is an external device, to the radiography apparatus 100. The user decides on the console which parts of the subject (chest, abdomen, arms, etc.) to be radiographed and in what order, and then performs a transition operation to a radiation standby state. Therefore, when the radiography order information (information indicating multiple radiography protocols) first arrives at the radiography apparatus 100, the order in which the radiography will be performed is stored and saved in the storage unit 230. In other words, if the main battery 241 is replaced when the radiography of the first image is completed and the radiography of the second image is to begin, the radiography order information (information indicating multiple radiography protocols) has already been saved in the storage unit 230. Therefore, in the fifth embodiment, the operating state is not newly stored in the storage unit 230, but the operating state is transitioned based on the information indicating the radiography protocols that has already been saved.

[0149] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 according to the fifth embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 12(a) shows an example of the operation of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 when capturing a first radiation image. Fig. 12(b) shows an example of the operation of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 when capturing a second radiation image.

[0150] First, an example of the operation of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 when capturing the first radiation image will be described with reference to Fig. 12(a). When the radiation imaging apparatus 100 is in a sleep state, the radiation imaging apparatus 100 receives imaging order information (information indicating multiple imaging protocols) from a console, which is an external device, and stores the information in the storage unit 230. At this time, the remaining capacity of the main battery 241 is sufficient to perform radiation imaging, so radiation imaging is performed in the normal manner.

[0151] Next, an example of the operation of the radiation imaging apparatus 100 when capturing a second radiation image will be described with reference to FIG. 12(b). In capturing the second radiation image shown in FIG. 12(b), the radiation imaging apparatus 100 temporarily transitions to the Sleep state, and then transitions to the StoR state and the radiation standby state while making settings for the next radiation image capture. Consider a case where the main battery 241 is replaced during the Sleep state. Because the main battery 241 was removed from the radiation imaging apparatus 100 during the Sleep state, the latest operating state is the Sleep state. However, as described above, information indicating the second radiation image capture protocol is also stored in the storage unit 230 based on the imaging order information. Therefore, without transitioning to the Sleep state again, the radiation imaging apparatus 100 can immediately transition to the StoR state and then to the radiation standby state after the main battery 241 is attached. Note that, although the second radiation image capture has been described in this embodiment, the same process can be applied to the third and subsequent radiation image captures. By performing such control, further efficiency improvement (reduction of downtime) is possible.

[0152] In the fifth embodiment, the state control unit 213 of the control unit 210 performs the following control. Specifically, the state control unit 213 controls the radiation imaging apparatus 100 to operate in a state based on information indicating the imaging protocol for radiation imaging obtained before the main battery 241 was removed from the radiation imaging apparatus 100. According to this configuration, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment described above, further efficiency improvement (reduction of downtime) is possible.

[0153] (Other embodiments) Although the first to fifth embodiments of the present invention have been described as individual embodiments, the present invention may be practiced by combining two or more of the first to fifth embodiments.

[0154] The present invention can also be realized by supplying 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.The present invention 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 invention.

[0155] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments of the present invention are merely illustrative examples of the implementation of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited by these. In other words, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from its technical concept or main features.

[0156] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration, method, and program. [Configuration 1] A radiation imaging apparatus for performing radiation imaging, a sensor unit that performs processing to detect incident radiation; a power supply unit including a plurality of batteries, including a predetermined battery that supplies power to the sensor unit in accordance with an operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus and is configured to be detachable from the radiation imaging apparatus; an acquisition unit that acquires operation status related information relating to an operation status of the radiation imaging apparatus in accordance with the operation status of the radiation imaging apparatus; When the predetermined battery is removed from the radiation imaging device and then installed, a control unit that controls the operation state of the radiation imaging apparatus to change to a predetermined operation state based on the operation state related information corresponding to the predetermined operation state, which is the operation state of the radiation imaging apparatus before the predetermined battery was removed; A radiation imaging apparatus comprising: [Configuration 2] When the predetermined battery is removed from the radiation imaging apparatus, the control unit controls the operation state of the radiation imaging apparatus to transition from the predetermined operation state to a power-saving state that consumes less power than the predetermined operation state. 2. The radiation imaging apparatus according to claim 1, [Configuration 3] The acquisition unit stores the acquired operation status related information in a storage unit of the radiation imaging apparatus. 3. The radiographic imaging apparatus according to configuration 1 or 2. [Configuration 4] The acquiring unit stores the acquired operation status related information in an external device. 3. The radiographic imaging apparatus according to configuration 1 or 2. [Configuration 5] The control unit receives the operation state related information corresponding to the predetermined operation state from the external device and performs control to set the operation state of the radiation imaging apparatus to the predetermined operation state. 5. The radiographic imaging apparatus according to configuration 4. [Configuration 6] The operational status related information is Information indicating an operation mode of the sensor unit; information indicating a setting value to be set in the sensor unit corresponding to the operation mode; Information indicating an imaging protocol for the radiation imaging; Information indicating an imaging order that compiles a plurality of the imaging protocols; Contains at least one of the following information: 6. The radiation imaging apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, [Configuration 7] The plurality of batteries a first battery that is the predetermined battery; a second battery that supplies power to the radiation imaging device when the first battery is removed from the radiation imaging device; 7. The radiographic imaging apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, comprising: [Configuration 8] The second battery is capable of holding a capacity equal to or less than the capacity of the first battery. 8. The radiation imaging apparatus according to configuration 7, [Configuration 9] When the first battery is removed from the radiation imaging apparatus and power is supplied to the radiation imaging apparatus from the second battery, the control unit When the remaining capacity of the second battery is equal to or greater than a capacity threshold, control is performed to maintain the predetermined operating state as the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus; When the remaining capacity of the second battery is smaller than the capacity threshold, control is performed to transition the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus from the predetermined operating state to a power-saving state that consumes less power than the predetermined operating state. 9. The radiographic imaging apparatus according to configuration 7 or 8. [Configuration 10] further comprising a capacity measurement unit that measures the remaining capacity of the second battery; The control unit performs the control using the remaining capacity of the second battery measured by the capacity measurement unit. 10. The radiation imaging apparatus according to configuration 9, [Configuration 11] The capacity threshold is a value set by a user or a value automatically set depending on the type of the second battery. 11. The radiographic imaging apparatus according to configuration 9 or 10. [Configuration 12] When the first battery is removed from the radiation imaging apparatus and power is supplied to the radiation imaging apparatus from the second battery, the control unit: Based on a user's selection, the radiographic imaging apparatus is controlled to maintain the predetermined operating state or to transition the operating state of the radiographic imaging apparatus from the predetermined operating state to a power-saving state that consumes less power than the predetermined operating state. 8. The radiation imaging apparatus according to configuration 7, [Configuration 13] the plurality of batteries include a first battery that is the predetermined battery, and a second battery that supplies power to the radiation imaging apparatus when the first battery is removed from the radiation imaging apparatus; the control unit controls the operation state of the radiation imaging apparatus to be in a power saving state that consumes less power than the predetermined operation state when power is supplied from the second battery to the radiation imaging apparatus; The power saving states include a first power saving state and a second power saving state that consumes less power than the first power saving state. 13. The radiation imaging apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 12. [Configuration 14] the radiation imaging apparatus further includes a time measurement unit that measures an elapsed time since the first battery was removed, The control unit If the elapsed time is equal to or less than a time threshold, control is performed to change the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus to the first power saving state; If the elapsed time is greater than the time threshold, control is performed to change the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus to the second power saving state. 14. The radiographic apparatus according to claim 13, [Configuration 15] The time threshold is a value set by a user or a value automatically set depending on the type of the second battery. 15. The radiographic apparatus according to claim 14, [Configuration 16] the first power saving state is a state in which power is supplied from the second battery to at least the entire control unit, The second power saving state is a state in which power is supplied to a part of the control unit from the second battery. 16. The radiation imaging apparatus according to any one of configurations 13 to 15. [Configuration 17] A part of the control unit to which power is supplied from the second battery in the second power saving state includes at least an electronic component capable of controlling ON / OFF of the power supply unit and an electronic component capable of controlling the attachment / detachment state of the predetermined battery to the radiation imaging apparatus. 17. The radiographic imaging apparatus according to claim 16, [Configuration 18] The radiation imaging apparatus further includes a time measurement unit that measures an elapsed time since the predetermined battery was removed, When the elapsed time is greater than a time threshold, the control unit controls the radiation imaging apparatus to switch to a sleep state when the predetermined battery is attached to the radiation imaging apparatus. 18. The radiographic imaging apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 17. [Configuration 19] The control unit controls the radiation imaging apparatus to be in an operating state based on information indicating an imaging protocol for the radiation imaging obtained before the predetermined battery was removed from the radiation imaging apparatus. 18. The radiographic imaging apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 17. [Configuration 20] A radiation imaging apparatus for performing radiation imaging, a sensor unit that performs processing to detect incident radiation; a power supply unit including a predetermined battery that supplies power to the sensor unit in accordance with an operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus and is configured to be detachable from the radiation imaging apparatus; an acquisition unit that acquires operation status related information relating to an operation status of the radiation imaging apparatus in accordance with the operation status of the radiation imaging apparatus; When the predetermined battery is removed from the radiation imaging device and then installed, a control unit that controls the operation state of the radiation imaging apparatus to change to a predetermined operation state based on the operation state related information corresponding to the predetermined operation state, which is the operation state of the radiation imaging apparatus before the predetermined battery was removed; A radiation imaging apparatus comprising: [Method 1] A radiation imaging device for performing radiation imaging, a sensor unit that performs processing to detect incident radiation; a power supply unit including a plurality of batteries, including a predetermined battery that supplies power to the sensor unit in accordance with an operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus and is configured to be detachable from the radiation imaging apparatus; A method for controlling a radiation imaging apparatus comprising: an acquiring step of acquiring operation status related information relating to the operation status of the radiation imaging apparatus according to the operation status of the radiation imaging apparatus; When the predetermined battery is removed from the radiation imaging device and then installed, a control step of controlling the operation state of the radiation imaging apparatus to be the predetermined operation state based on the operation state related information corresponding to the predetermined operation state which is the operation state of the radiation imaging apparatus before the predetermined battery was removed; 10. A method for controlling a radiation imaging apparatus, comprising: [Program 1] A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the method for controlling a radiation imaging apparatus according to Method 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0157] 10: Radiography system, 11: Radiography room, 12: Medical cart, 100: Radiography device, 111, 112: Radiation generator, 121, 122: Radiation exposure switch, 131, 132: Repeater, 141, 142: Console, 210: Control unit, 211: Radiation control unit, 212: Battery control unit, 213: Status control unit, 214: Threshold control unit, 220: Measurement unit, 221: Capacity measurement unit, 222: Time measurement unit, 23 0: memory unit, 240: power supply unit, 241: main battery, 242: sub-battery, 243: drive power generation unit, 300: sensor unit, 310: radiation detector, 311: pixel, 312: drive wiring, 313: signal wiring, 320: drive circuit, 330: readout circuit, 340: wireless communication unit, 350: wireless antenna, 360: external connection interface, 370: display unit, 380: operation unit, 381: imaging ready state switch

Claims

1. A radiation imaging apparatus for performing radiation imaging, a sensor unit that performs processing to detect incident radiation; a power supply unit including a plurality of batteries, including a predetermined battery that supplies power to the sensor unit in accordance with an operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus and is configured to be detachable from the radiation imaging apparatus; an acquisition unit that acquires operation status related information relating to an operation status of the radiation imaging apparatus in accordance with the operation status of the radiation imaging apparatus; a control unit that, when the predetermined battery is removed from the radiation imaging apparatus and then installed, controls the radiation imaging apparatus to change its operating state to the predetermined operating state based on the operating state related information corresponding to the predetermined operating state, which is the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus before the predetermined battery was removed; A radiation imaging apparatus comprising:

2. When the predetermined battery is removed from the radiation imaging apparatus, the control unit controls the operation state of the radiation imaging apparatus to transition from the predetermined operation state to a power-saving state that consumes less power than the predetermined operation state.

2. The radiographic apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The acquisition unit stores the acquired operation status related information in a storage unit of the radiation imaging apparatus.

2. The radiographic apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The acquiring unit stores the acquired operation status related information in an external device.

2. The radiographic apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The control unit receives the operation state related information corresponding to the predetermined operation state from the external device and performs control to set the operation state of the radiation imaging apparatus to the predetermined operation state.

5. The radiographic apparatus according to claim 4.

6. The operational status related information is Information indicating an operation mode of the sensor unit; information indicating a setting value to be set in the sensor unit corresponding to the operation mode; Information indicating an imaging protocol for the radiation imaging; Information indicating an imaging order that compiles a plurality of the imaging protocols; Contains at least one piece of information 2. The radiographic apparatus according to claim 1.

7. The plurality of batteries a first battery that is the predetermined battery; a second battery that supplies power to the radiation imaging apparatus when the first battery is removed from the radiation imaging apparatus; 2. The radiographic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

8. The second battery is capable of holding a capacity equal to or less than the capacity of the first battery.

8. The radiographic apparatus according to claim 7.

9. When the first battery is removed from the radiation imaging apparatus and power is supplied to the radiation imaging apparatus from the second battery, the control unit When the remaining capacity of the second battery is equal to or greater than a capacity threshold, control is performed to maintain the predetermined operating state as the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus; When the remaining capacity of the second battery is smaller than the capacity threshold, the operation state of the radiation imaging apparatus is controlled to transition from the predetermined operation state to a power-saving state that consumes less power than the predetermined operation state.

8. The radiographic apparatus according to claim 7.

10. further comprising a capacity measurement unit that measures the remaining capacity of the second battery; The control unit performs the control using the remaining capacity of the second battery measured by the capacity measurement unit.

10. The radiographic apparatus according to claim 9.

11. The capacity threshold is a value set by a user or a value automatically set depending on the type of the second battery.

10. The radiographic apparatus according to claim 9.

12. When the first battery is removed from the radiation imaging apparatus and power is supplied to the radiation imaging apparatus from the second battery, the control unit: Based on a user's selection, the radiographic imaging apparatus is controlled to maintain the predetermined operating state or to transition the operating state of the radiographic imaging apparatus from the predetermined operating state to a power-saving state that consumes less power than the predetermined operating state.

8. The radiographic apparatus according to claim 7.

13. the plurality of batteries include a first battery that is the predetermined battery, and a second battery that supplies power to the radiation imaging apparatus when the first battery is removed from the radiation imaging apparatus; the control unit controls the operation state of the radiation imaging apparatus to be in a power saving state that consumes less power than the predetermined operation state when power is supplied from the second battery to the radiation imaging apparatus; The power saving states include a first power saving state and a second power saving state that consumes less power than the first power saving state.

2. The radiographic apparatus according to claim 1.

14. the radiation imaging apparatus further includes a time measurement unit that measures an elapsed time since the first battery was removed, The control unit If the elapsed time is equal to or less than a time threshold, control is performed to set the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus to the first power saving state; If the elapsed time is greater than the time threshold, control is performed to set the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus to the second power saving state.

14. The radiographic apparatus according to claim 13.

15. The time threshold is a value set by a user or a value automatically set depending on the type of the second battery.

15. The radiographic apparatus according to claim 14.

16. the first power saving state is a state in which power is supplied from the second battery to at least the entire control unit, The second power saving state is a state in which power is supplied to a part of the control unit from the second battery.

14. The radiographic apparatus according to claim 13.

17. A part of the control unit to which power is supplied from the second battery in the second power saving state includes at least an electronic component capable of controlling ON / OFF of the power supply unit and an electronic component capable of controlling the attachment / detachment state of the predetermined battery to the radiation imaging apparatus.

17. The radiographic apparatus according to claim 16.

18. The radiation imaging apparatus further includes a time measurement unit that measures an elapsed time since the predetermined battery was removed, When the elapsed time is greater than a time threshold, the control unit controls the radiation imaging apparatus to switch to a sleep state when the predetermined battery is attached to the radiation imaging apparatus.

2. The radiographic apparatus according to claim 1.

19. The control unit controls the radiation imaging apparatus to be in an operating state based on information indicating an imaging protocol for the radiation imaging obtained before the predetermined battery was removed from the radiation imaging apparatus.

2. The radiographic apparatus according to claim 1.

20. A radiation imaging apparatus for performing radiation imaging, a sensor unit that performs processing to detect incident radiation; a power supply unit including a predetermined battery that supplies power to the sensor unit in accordance with an operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus and is configured to be detachable from the radiation imaging apparatus; an acquisition unit that acquires operation status related information relating to an operation status of the radiation imaging apparatus in accordance with the operation status of the radiation imaging apparatus; a control unit that, when the predetermined battery is removed from the radiation imaging apparatus and then installed, controls the radiation imaging apparatus to change its operating state to the predetermined operating state based on the operating state related information corresponding to the predetermined operating state, which is the operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus before the predetermined battery was removed; A radiation imaging apparatus comprising:

21. A method for controlling a radiation imaging apparatus that performs radiation imaging, the radiation imaging apparatus having a sensor unit that performs processing to detect incident radiation, and a power supply unit that includes a plurality of batteries including a predetermined battery that supplies power to the sensor unit in accordance with an operating state of the radiation imaging apparatus and is configured to be detachable from the radiation imaging apparatus, the method comprising: an acquiring step of acquiring operation status related information relating to the operation status of the radiation imaging apparatus according to the operation status of the radiation imaging apparatus; a control step of, when the predetermined battery is attached after the predetermined battery is removed from the radiation imaging apparatus, controlling the operation state of the radiation imaging apparatus to the predetermined operation state based on the operation state related information corresponding to the predetermined operation state which is the operation state of the radiation imaging apparatus before the predetermined battery was removed; 10. A method for controlling a radiation imaging apparatus, comprising:

22. 22. A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the method for controlling a radiographic apparatus according to claim 21.

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