Radiographic imaging apparatus, control device, and radiographic imaging system

Abstract

To reduce a change in an image due to a temperature rise during photographing as necessary when serial photographing is performed in a radiation image photographing apparatus.SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus 3 includes a radiation detection element for detecting radiation and an imaging control part for controlling the reading operation of electric charges generated in the radiation detection element before the imaging of a radiation image, and can switch the presence / absence of the reading operation of the electric charges by the imaging control part before the serial imaging by the imaging apparatus 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a radiographic image capturing device, a control device, and a radiographic image capturing system. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, following the development of radiographic films and CR cassettes, various types of radiographic imaging devices (FPD: Flat Panel Detector) have been developed, which have radiation detection elements arranged two-dimensionally and acquire image data by accumulating and reading out charges generated in the radiation detection elements in response to radiation irradiated from a radiation irradiation device and transmitted through a subject. As the reading speed and image transfer speed have improved, it has become possible to use these to continuously acquire multiple radiographic images.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which a console and an electronic cassette (radiographic imaging device) are each provided with a timekeeping unit that measures time, and the timing of radiation irradiation and imaging is synchronized by synchronizing the times. It also discloses that time synchronization can be achieved using a radio-controlled clock, radio waves from a GPS satellite, radio waves from a mobile phone, radio waves from television or radio, etc. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-81960 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, in a radiographic imaging device, power is consumed when reading out electric charges, which causes a temperature rise within the circuitry within the device. This temperature rise also changes the sensitivity of the radiographic imaging device, particularly of the radiation detection elements, resulting in a change in the image (signal value) for the same amount of transmitted radiation. When capturing a single image, this change in image due to the temperature rise is not a problem, but when performing serial imaging, in which multiple still images are captured consecutively, the change in image due to the temperature rise during imaging can become a problem.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to make it possible to reduce, as necessary, changes in images caused by temperature rise during imaging when serial imaging is performed in a radiation image capturing apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the radiographic imaging device according to the present invention comprises: a radiation detection element for detecting radiation; an imaging control unit that controls a readout operation of charges generated in the radiation detection elements before capturing a radiation image; Equipped with Before serial imaging by the radiation image capturing apparatus, it is possible to switch whether or not the imaging control unit performs an operation to read out electric charges.

[0008] Further, the control device according to the present invention includes: A control device for controlling radiographic image capture by a radiographic image capture device having a radiation detection element for detecting radiation, Before serial imaging by the radiation image capturing apparatus, it is possible to switch between whether or not to perform a readout operation of the electric charges generated in the radiation detection elements of the radiation image capturing apparatus.

[0009] Further, the radiation image capturing system according to the present invention comprises: a radiation detection element for detecting radiation; an imaging control unit that controls a readout operation of charges generated in the radiation detection elements before capturing a radiation image; a radiation image capturing device comprising: a control device that controls radiographic image capture by the radiographic image capture device; A radiation imaging system comprising: Before serial imaging by the radiation image capturing apparatus, it is possible to switch between whether or not to perform a readout operation of the electric charges generated in the radiation detection elements of the radiation image capturing apparatus. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, when serial imaging is performed in a radiographic imaging device, image changes due to temperature rise during imaging can be reduced as needed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a radiography system according to prior art 1-A. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a radiation imaging system according to Embodiment 1-A of the present invention. [Figure 3] 3 is a block diagram of a radiation image capturing device provided in the radiation imaging system of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is a ladder chart showing the first half of the operation of the radiation imaging system of FIG. 2. [Figure 5] 3 is a ladder chart showing the latter half of the operation of the radiation imaging system of FIG. 2. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system status display screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a shooting screen. [Figure 8] 3 is a diagram showing the timing of the radiation irradiation operation and the accumulation operation of the radiation imaging system of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a radiography system according to prior art 1-B. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a radiation imaging system according to embodiment 1-B of the present invention. [Figure 11] 11 is a ladder chart showing the first half of the operation of the radiation imaging system of FIG. 10. [Figure 12] 11 is a ladder chart showing the latter half of the operation of the radiation imaging system of FIG. 10. [Figure 13] 11 is a state transition diagram illustrating state transitions of the radiation imaging system of FIG. 2 or FIG. 10. [Figure 14] 11 is a timing chart showing the operation of the radiation imaging system of FIG. 2 or FIG. [Figure 15] 11 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example of the system configuration of the radiation imaging system of FIG. 2 or FIG. 10. FIG. [Figure 16] 11 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example of the system configuration of the radiation imaging system of FIG. 2 or FIG. 10. FIG. [Figure 17A] 11 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example of the system configuration of the radiation imaging system of FIG. 2 or FIG. 10. FIG. [Figure 17B] 11 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example of the system configuration of the radiation imaging system of FIG. 2 or FIG. 10. FIG. [Figure 18] 11 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example of the system configuration of the radiation imaging system of FIG. 2 or FIG. 10. FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a radiation imaging system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the radiation control device of FIG. 19. [Figure 21] FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the imaging device of FIG. 19. [Figure 22] FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the wireless communication device of FIG. [Figure 23] 20 is a diagram showing the timing of the radiation irradiation operation and the accumulation operation of the radiation imaging system of FIG. 19. FIG. [Figure 24] 20 is a diagram showing a difference between the timing information of the reference clock unit of the wireless communication device and the timing information of the clock unit of the radiation control device or the imaging device in the radiation imaging system of FIG. 19. [Figure 25] 20 is a timing chart showing the operation of the radiation control device or the imaging device in FIG. 19. [Figure 26]20 is a timing chart showing the operation of the radiation control device or the imaging device in FIG. 19. [Figure 27] 20 is a timing chart showing the operation of the radiation control device or the imaging device in FIG. 19. [Figure 28] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a wireless link of a conventional radiography system. [Figure 29] 20 is a diagram showing a deviation between the second timer and the timer in the radiation imaging system of FIG. 19. [Figure 30] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a modification of the radiation imaging system of FIG. [Figure 31] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a modification of the radiation imaging system of FIG. [Figure 32] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a modification of the radiation imaging system of FIG. [Figure 33] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a modification of the radiation imaging system of FIG. [Figure 34A] 10 is a timing chart of radiation irradiation and storage / readout when the radiation irradiation timing is adjusted to a high frame rate. [Figure 34B] 10 is a timing chart of radiation irradiation and storage / readout when the radiation irradiation timing is adjusted to a low frame rate. [Figure 35] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a preview screen. [Figure 36] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining a method for calculating a joining position (image processing value) between frame images captured at the same timing in a long-length photographed image. [Figure 37] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining a method for calculating a joining position (image processing value) between frame images captured at the same timing in a long-length photographed image. [Figure 38] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining a method for calculating a joining position (image processing value) between frame images captured at the same timing in a long-length photographed image. [Figure 39] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining a method for calculating a joining position (image processing value) between frame images captured at the same timing in a long-length photographed image. [Figure 40]FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a combining process. [Figure 41] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining a method for calculating a joining position (image processing value) between frame images captured at the same timing in a long-length photographed image. [Figure 42] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining a method for calculating a joining position (image processing value) between frame images captured at the same timing in a long-length photographed image. [Figure 43] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a user interface for setting a method for calculating binding positions for each period of a long dynamic image. [Figure 44] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a search range for binding positions. [Figure 45] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining shading in the spatial direction near the bonding position. [Figure 46] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating image processing values ​​in which information in the time direction and the space direction is taken into account. [Figure 47] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the degree of influence of each image at a joining site where two images overlap due to joining. [Figure 48] 20 is a flowchart showing the flow of image processing, storage, and image playback in the console of FIG. 19. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the following description of the embodiments or the examples shown in the drawings. Here, we will explain the conventional technology 1-A, which is the basis for embodiment 1-A of the present invention, embodiment 1-A, conventional technology 1-B, which is the basis for embodiment 1-B, embodiment 1-B, and embodiment 2 in that order.

[0013] <Prior Art 1-A> First, a description will be given of prior art 1-A, which is the basis of a system 100 (described in detail later) according to embodiment 1-A of the present invention, with reference to FIG.

[0014] [System Configuration] First, a schematic configuration of a radiation imaging system according to conventional technique 1-A (hereinafter referred to as conventional system 100A) will be described. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing conventional system 100A.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional system 100A includes a radiation control unit 11, a high-voltage generating unit 12, a radiation generating unit 2, a cassette 3α, a radiation control console 41, and an irradiation instruction switch 5, and is configured to be able to capture still images, such as radiographic films or CRs, in which the timing of radiation irradiation and the timing of photography are not linked. Note that Figure 1 illustrates an example in which the radiation control unit 11 and the high voltage generating unit 12 together constitute the radiation control device 1 (for example, housed in a single housing), but the radiation control unit 11 and the high voltage generating unit 12 can also be configured independently, for example, by being placed in different housings.

[0016] The radiation control unit 11 is for controlling radiation irradiation and is configured, for example, with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown), a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing a program for operating the radiation control unit 11, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a computer with an input / output interface and the like connected to a bus, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), etc. It may also be configured with a dedicated control circuit. Specifically, based on detecting that the irradiation preparation signal from the radiation control console 41 has been turned ON, the radiation control unit 11 can turn ON the irradiation preparation signal to be output to the high voltage generating unit 12 or make it available for output to other external devices. Furthermore, based on detecting that an irradiation instruction signal instructing irradiation of radiation from the radiation control console 41 has been turned ON, the radiation control unit 11 can make this irradiation instruction signal available for output to an external device, and can also transmit an irradiation signal according to the imaging conditions set by the radiation control console 41 to the high voltage generation unit 12.

[0017] The irradiation preparation signal and irradiation instruction signal that can be output from the radiation control unit 11 to an external device are used, for example, when an external device is connected to the radiation control unit 11. These irradiation preparation signals and irradiation instruction signals enable the external equipment to prepare for imaging based on the irradiation preparation signal and irradiation instruction signal output from the radiation control unit 11 when imaging requires preparation of external equipment other than the cassette 3α at the time of radiation irradiation. An example of such an external device is a grid rocking device that is provided on the radiation incident surface of the cassette 3α and is used to rock a grid when imaging.

[0018] Some of the external devices described above are configured to transmit an irradiation permission signal to the radiation control unit 11 after completing preparations for imaging. For this reason, the radiation control unit 11 may be provided with a connection unit for inputting an irradiation permission signal from an external device, and configured to transmit an irradiation signal to the high voltage generation unit 12 only when both the irradiation instruction signal from the radiation control console 41 and the irradiation permission signal from the external device are turned ON. In this way, the irradiation permission signal is not input to the radiation control unit 11 until the external device is ready to take an image, so it is possible to prevent radiation from being irradiated before the external device is ready to take an image.

[0019] For example, if the external device is the grid rocking device described above, the grid rocking device can be configured so that, after it starts rocking and reaches a designated rocking speed, an irradiation permission signal is input from the grid rocking device to the radiation control unit 11. In this way, the radiation control unit 11 outputs an irradiation signal only after it receives both an irradiation instruction signal from the irradiation instruction switch 5 operated by the radiographer and an irradiation permission signal from the external device. This makes it possible to prevent radiation from being irradiated before the external device is fully prepared.

[0020] On the other hand, if the radiation control unit 11 does not want to use the irradiation permission signal from an external device, it is necessary to, for example, invalidate the irradiation permission signal or keep the irradiation permission signal in an ON or OFF state. For example, if the radiation control unit 11 is configured to be able to switch whether or not to use an irradiation permission signal from an external device to determine whether or not to output an irradiation signal, it can also be disabled by switching it so that it is not used for the determination. On the other hand, if such switching is not possible, for example, if the irradiation permission signal is configured to be indicated by opening or closing two signal lines, the irradiation permission signal will always be kept in an ON or OFF state by always keeping the two signal lines open or closed.

[0021] Furthermore, the radiation control unit 11 can be configured not to transmit an irradiation signal even if it detects that the irradiation instruction signal has turned ON until a predetermined waiting time has elapsed since it detected that the irradiation preparation signal has turned ON. In this way, if the high voltage generating unit 12 or the radiation generating unit 2 is configured to require a certain amount of time for preparation after detecting that the irradiation preparation signal has been turned ON, it is possible to prevent radiation from being emitted before irradiation preparation is complete.

[0022] The high voltage generating unit 12 is configured to be able to output an irradiation preparation output to the radiation generating unit 2 based on detecting that the irradiation preparation signal from the radiation control unit 11 has been turned ON. In addition, the high voltage generating unit 12 is configured to be able to apply, based on receiving an irradiation signal from the radiation control unit 11, the high voltage required for the radiation generating unit 2 to generate radiation (corresponding to the input irradiation signal) as an irradiation output to the radiation generating unit 2. In addition, Figure 1 illustrates a configuration in which when the high voltage generating unit 12 detects that the irradiation preparation signal from the radiation control unit 11 has been turned ON, the high voltage generating unit 12 outputs an irradiation preparation signal to the radiation generating unit 2. However, it is also possible to configure the radiation control unit 11 to directly output an irradiation preparation signal to the radiation generating unit 2, which then converts the signal into an irradiation preparation output in the radiation generating unit 2 and performs irradiation preparation.

[0023] The radiation generating unit 2 (radiation tube) includes, for example, an electron gun and an anode, and is configured to be able to generate radiation (for example, X-rays) according to the high voltage applied from the high voltage generating unit 12. Specifically, when a high voltage is applied, the electron gun irradiates an electron beam onto the anode, and the anode receives the electron beam, generating radiation. When generating radiation, the part of the anode that is exposed to the electron beam heats up and becomes very hot, so in order to irradiate radiation stably, it is necessary to constantly change the position on the anode where the electron beam is irradiated. Therefore, a rotating anode that irradiates the electron beam while rotating may be used. The above-mentioned irradiation preparation output from the high voltage generating unit 12 can be used, for example, as an instruction to start rotation of the rotating anode.

[0024] The cassette 3α stores a radiographic film or a fluorescent screen, and when radiation that has passed through the subject is incident thereon, it is possible to form a radiographic image of the subject.

[0025] The radiation control console 41 is configured to be able to set information about the subject and imaging conditions (tube voltage, tube current, irradiation time, etc.) in the radiation control unit 11 using an information signal connection. The radiation control console 41 may be capable of communicating with a higher-level system 7S (such as a Radiology Information System (RIS) or a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS), see Figures 4 and 11) via a communication network N such as an in-hospital LAN. The communication network N includes multiple communication networks configured around multiple communication network devices (parent devices).

[0026] The irradiation instruction switch 5 is used by the radiographer to instruct irradiation of radiation. The irradiation instruction switch 5 in this embodiment is configured to be operable in two stages. Specifically, when the first stage is pressed, the irradiation preparation signal to be output to the radiation control console 41 is turned on, and when the second stage is pressed, the irradiation instruction signal to be output to the radiation control console 41 is turned on. Although Figure 1 illustrates a configuration in which the irradiation instruction switch 5 is connected to the radiation control console 41 and the irradiation preparation signal and irradiation instruction signal output by the irradiation instruction switch 5 are input to the radiation control unit 11 via the radiation control console 41, the irradiation instruction switch 5 may be connected to the radiation control unit 11 and the irradiation preparation signal and irradiation instruction signal may be input directly to the radiation control unit 11.

[0027] [Operation] Next, the operation of the conventional system 100A will be described.

[0028] (Irradiation preparation operation) When the first stage of the irradiation instruction switch 5 is pressed by the photographer, the irradiation instruction switch 5 turns on an irradiation preparation signal that is output to the radiation control unit 11 via the radiation control console 41 . When the radiation control unit 11 detects that the irradiation preparation signal has been turned ON, it turns ON the irradiation preparation signal to be output to the high voltage generating unit 12 and makes the irradiation preparation signal available for output to an external device. When the high voltage generating unit 12 detects that the irradiation preparation signal has been turned ON, it outputs an irradiation preparation output to the radiation generating unit 2.

[0029] When the radiation generation unit 2 receives the irradiation preparation output, it starts preparations for generating radiation. When the anode is a rotary anode, the preparation for generating radiation refers to, for example, an operation of rotating the rotary anode.

[0030] (Irradiation operation) Subsequently, when the operator presses the second stage of the irradiation instruction switch 5, the irradiation instruction switch 5 turns on the irradiation instruction signal to be output to the radiation control unit 11 via the radiation control console 41. When the radiation control unit 11 detects that the irradiation instruction signal has been turned ON, it puts the irradiation instruction signal into a state in which it can be output to an external device, and transmits the irradiation signal to the high voltage generation unit 12. In addition, if the radiation control unit 11 is configured to determine whether or not radiation can be irradiated based on an irradiation permission signal from an external device, the radiation control unit 11 will send an irradiation signal to the high voltage generation unit 12 when the irradiation instruction signal from the irradiation instruction switch 5 or the radiation control console 41 is ON and an irradiation permission signal is received from an external device.

[0031] Upon receiving the irradiation signal, the high voltage generating unit 12 applies to the radiation generating unit 2 a high voltage required for the radiation generating unit 2 to irradiate radiation (to perform irradiation output). When a high voltage is applied from the high voltage generating unit 12, the radiation generating unit 2 generates radiation in accordance with the applied voltage. The generated radiation is irradiated onto the subject and cassette 3α behind it after the irradiation direction, area, radiation quality, etc. are adjusted by a controller such as a collimator (not shown). Part of the radiation passes through the subject and enters cassette 3α. When radiation is incident on cassette 3α, a radiation image is formed on the film or fluorescent screen stored therein.

[0032] Here, if the timing at which the above-mentioned irradiation preparation signal and irradiation instruction signal are turned ON is close to each other, irradiation may occur before the rotation of the rotating anode of the radiation generating unit 2 reaches a sufficient speed, causing localized parts of the rotating anode to become excessively heated, damaging the rotating anode, or causing the amount of radiation irradiated to become unstable (such as being insufficient or excessive compared to the irradiation intensity of the electron beam). However, if the radiation control unit 11 is configured as described above so as not to transmit an irradiation signal even if it detects that the irradiation instruction signal has turned ON until a predetermined waiting time has elapsed since it detected that the irradiation preparation signal has turned ON, it is possible to prevent such problems from occurring.

[0033] In this way, in radiography using the conventional system 100A, only one radiographic image (still image) of the subject is captured based on one radiography operation.

[0034] <1-A embodiment> Next, a 1-A embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 8. Note that the same components as those in the above-mentioned prior art 1-A are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0035] [System Configuration] First, a system configuration of a radiation imaging system according to this embodiment (hereinafter referred to as system 100) will be described. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the system 100, and Fig. 3 is a block diagram of the radiation image capturing apparatus 3.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 2, the system 100 according to this embodiment replaces the cassette 3α of the conventional system 100A with multiple radiographic imaging devices 3 (hereinafter referred to as imaging devices 3), and further includes an imaging device control console 42 and an additional device 6. As described below, this system 100 is a system capable of continuously performing multiple long-length imaging at predetermined time intervals using the multiple imaging devices 3 to obtain multiple long-length images showing the dynamics of the subject. It is desirable to perform imaging with the multiple imaging devices 3 adjusted for overlapping and positioning. In some cases, imaging is performed using a holder or imaging table (not shown) that has a storage section for storing the multiple imaging devices 3. In the following embodiment, imaging is performed using three imaging devices 3, but the number of imaging devices used is not particularly limited. Furthermore, the imaging devices 3 used for imaging will be described as imaging devices 3A to 3C.

[0037] In this embodiment, the radiation generating unit 2 can irradiate radiation continuously when a voltage is continuously applied from the radiation control device 1, and can irradiate pulsed radiation when a pulsed voltage is applied from the radiation control device 1. In other words, the radiation generating unit 2 is capable of still image capture and serial image capture. Still image capture is a type of capture in which radiation is irradiated only once for a time duration set in the imaging conditions with a single irradiation start operation, thereby generating one radiation image of the subject. Serial imaging is an imaging mode in which, with a single irradiation start operation, pulsed radiation of a duration set in the imaging conditions is irradiated multiple times in succession, and multiple images are taken continuously in response to the irradiation, thereby generating multiple radiation images showing the dynamics of the subject. Hereinafter, long-length radiography in which multiple consecutive radiographs are taken using multiple radiographing devices 3A to 3C in serial radiography mode will be referred to as "long-length serial radiography." A series of long-length images obtained by long-length serial radiography will be referred to as a "long-length dynamic image," and individual radiation images (including those before and after combining processing) that make up the long-length dynamic image will be referred to as a "frame image" or a "photographed image."

[0038] The imaging device 3 includes an imaging control unit 31, a radiation detection unit 32, a scan drive unit 33, a readout unit 34, a storage unit 35, a communication unit 36, and the like, as well as a housing and a scintillator (not shown), as shown in Fig. 3. Each of the units 31 to 36 receives power from a battery 37.

[0039] The housing is provided with a power switch, a selector switch, an indicator (not shown), a connector 36b of a communication unit 36 ​​(described later), and the like. When exposed to radiation, the scintillator emits electromagnetic waves with wavelengths longer than those of radiation such as visible light.

[0040] The imaging control unit 31 is configured with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown), a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing a program for operating the imaging device 3, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a computer connected to a bus with an input / output interface, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), etc. It may also be configured with a dedicated control circuit.

[0041] The radiation detection unit 32 generates electric charges by receiving radiation, and is composed of a substrate 32a, multiple scanning lines 32b, multiple signal lines 32c, multiple radiation detection elements 32d, multiple switch elements 32e, multiple bias lines 32f, a power supply circuit 32g, etc. The substrate 32a is formed in a plate shape and is disposed so as to face the scintillator in parallel. The multiple scanning lines 32b are provided to extend parallel to one another at predetermined intervals. The signal lines 32c are arranged to extend parallel to one another at predetermined intervals, to extend perpendicular to the scanning lines 32b, and not to be electrically connected to the scanning lines. That is, the plurality of scanning lines 32b and signal lines 32c are arranged to form a grid.

[0042] The radiation detection elements 32d generate electrical signals (current, charge) corresponding to the dose of radiation irradiated onto the radiation detection element (or the amount of electromagnetic radiation converted by the scintillator), and are composed of, for example, photodiodes or phototransistors. The radiation detection elements 32d are provided on the surface of the substrate 32a in a plurality of regions defined by the scanning lines 32b and the signal lines 32c. That is, the radiation detection elements 32d are arranged in a matrix. Therefore, each radiation detection element 32d faces a scintillator. One terminal of each radiation detection element 32d is connected to the drain terminal of a switch element 32e, which is a switch element, and the other terminal is connected to a bias line.

[0043] Similar to the radiation detection elements 32d, the multiple switch elements 32e are provided in multiple regions defined by the multiple scanning lines 32b and signal lines 32c. Each switch element 32e has a gate electrode connected to the adjacent scanning line 32b, a source electrode connected to the adjacent signal line 32c, and a drain electrode connected to one terminal of the radiation detection element 32d in the same region.

[0044] The plurality of bias lines 32f are connected to the other terminals of the radiation detection elements 32d. The power supply circuit 32g generates a reverse bias voltage and applies the reverse bias voltage to each radiation detection element via a bias line 32f.

[0045] The scan driver 33 is composed of a power supply circuit 33a, a gate driver 33b, and the like. The power supply circuit 33a generates an ON voltage and an OFF voltage, which are different from each other, and supplies them to the gate driver 33b. The gate driver 33b switches the voltage applied to each scanning line 32b between an ON voltage and an OFF voltage.

[0046] The readout unit 34 includes a plurality of readout circuits 34a, an analog multiplexer 34b, an A / D converter 34c, and the like. The plurality of readout circuits 34a are connected to the signal lines 32c of the radiation detection unit 32, respectively, and are adapted to apply a reference voltage to the signal lines 32c. Each readout circuit 34a is made up of an integrating circuit 34d, a correlated double sampling circuit (hereinafter referred to as a CDS circuit) 34e, and the like.

[0047] The integration circuit 34d integrates the charge released to the signal line 32c and outputs a voltage value corresponding to the amount of integrated charge to the CDS circuit 34e. The CDS circuit 34e samples and holds the output voltage of the integration circuit 34d before applying an on-voltage to the scanning line 32b connected to the radiation detection element 32d from which the signal is to be read (while an off-voltage is being applied), applies an on-voltage to the corresponding scanning line 32b to read out the signal charge of the radiation detection element, and outputs the difference in the output voltage of the integration circuit 34d after applying an off-voltage to the corresponding scanning line 32b.

[0048] The analog multiplexer 34b outputs the plurality of differential signals output from the CDS circuit 34e to the A / D converter 34c one by one. The A / D converter 34c sequentially converts the input image data of analog voltage values ​​into image data of digital values.

[0049] The storage unit 35 is configured with an SRAM (Static RAM), an SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM), a NAND flash memory, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or the like.

[0050] The communication unit 36 ​​includes an antenna 36a and a connector 36b for communicating with the outside. Furthermore, the communication unit 36 ​​can select whether to perform wireless communication or wired communication based on an external control signal. That is, when wireless communication is selected, wireless communication is performed using the antenna 36a, and when wired communication is selected, information can be sent and received using a wired LAN, a dedicated signal line, or the like. When synchronization is desired using wired communication, synchronization can be performed using a protocol such as NTP (Network Time Protocol) or a method defined in the international standard IEEE 1588.

[0051] When the imaging device 3 configured in this way is turned on, it takes one of the following states: "initialization state," "storage state," or "reading and transfer state." The timing for switching states will be described later. The "initialized state" is a state in which an ON voltage is applied to each switch element 32e and the charge generated by the radiation detection element 32d is not accumulated in each pixel (the charge is released to the signal line 32c). The "accumulation state" is a state in which an off voltage is applied to each switch element 32e, and charges generated by the radiation detection elements 32d can be accumulated in the pixels (charges are not released to the signal lines 32c). The "reading and transferring state" is a state in which an on voltage is applied to each switch element 32e and the reading unit 34 is driven to read out image data based on the incoming charge and transmit it to another device. Depending on the configuration of the element and device, the accumulated charge may be cleared by reading, so "reading" and "initialization" may not be distinguished as separate operations, and may be performed simultaneously as the same operation.

[0052] Here, an example of a so-called indirect type imaging device will be described, in which emitted radiation is converted into electromagnetic waves of another wavelength, such as visible light, to obtain an electrical signal. However, the present invention may also be applied to a so-called direct type imaging device, in which radiation is directly converted into an electrical signal by a detection element. Furthermore, other configurations of the imaging device 3 do not need to be limited to those illustrated in FIG. 3, as long as they are capable of generating image data of a radiation image.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 2, the imaging apparatus control console 42 is configured to transmit and receive information signals to and from the radiation control console 41, and to set information about the subject, imaging conditions, etc., in the imaging apparatuses 3A to 3C. The radiation control console 41 configures the radiation control unit 11, and the imaging device control console 42 configures the imaging devices 3A to 3C. However, since these all configure the same imaging-related settings, in the following explanation they may be collectively referred to as the console 4.

[0054] For example, the console 4 is configured from a computer or the like having a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown), a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing programs for operating the console 4, a RAM (Random Access Memory), an operation unit (such as a keyboard or mouse), a display unit 43 (such as a liquid crystal display), an input / output interface, a communication unit, etc. connected to a bus. The functions of the radiation control console 41 and the imaging apparatus control console 42 are executed by cooperation between the CPU and a radiation control program stored in the ROM or RAM, respectively, and cooperation between the CPU and an imaging apparatus control program. Alternatively, the radiation control console 41 and the imaging apparatus control console 42 may each be configured from a computer or the like having a CPU, ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM, an operation unit, a display unit 43, an input / output interface, a communication unit, etc. (not shown) connected to a bus.

[0055] Here, the input / output interface includes connectors and the like for wired connection of the console 4 to the radiation control device 1 and the additional device 6. The communication unit includes connectors and antennas and the like for connecting the console 4 to a communication network such as an in-hospital LAN. Note that the consoles 4 and radiation control devices 1 may be in one-to-one correspondence, or one console 4 may be connected to multiple radiation control devices 1, and the console 4 may select and control which radiation control device 1 to connect to for each imaging. Alternatively, one radiation control device 1 may be connected to multiple consoles 4, and the radiographer may select and operate the console 4 to use.

[0056] Figure 2 illustrates a configuration in which when shooting conditions, etc. are set on the shooting device control console 42, they are set in the radiation control unit 11 via the radiation control console 41 (the radiation control console 41 and the shooting device control console 42 send and receive information signals), but it is also possible to configure the radiation control unit 11 to be set directly from the shooting device control console 42. It is also possible to configure the imaging devices 3A to 3C so that the settings are made from the radiation control console 41. Furthermore, while Figure 2 illustrates a configuration in which the console 4 is connected to the imaging devices 3A to 3C via an additional device 6, the console 4 can be connected directly to the imaging devices 3A to 3C, or can be connected to the imaging devices 3A to 3C via a communication network, as shown in Figure 2, for example.

[0057] The console 4 is also capable of setting the operation of the additional device 6 . Specifically, it is possible to set in the additional device 6 the number of times (maximum number of shots) that the additional device 6 will output the irradiation permission signal or the output time for which the irradiation permission signal will be repeatedly output.

[0058] The console 4 may be configured to display on the display unit 43 the number of outputs or the output time set in the additional device 6 . Furthermore, the console 4 may be configured to display on the display unit 43 that irradiation is now possible when an imaging start signal input to the additional device 6 is turned ON. Furthermore, the console 4 may be configured to display on the display unit 43 a message indicating that radiation is being irradiated while the additional device 6 is outputting the irradiation permission signal. In this embodiment, the console 4 functions as a control device.

[0059] The additional device 6 is configured with an additional control unit 61 having a first acquisition unit 62, a second acquisition unit 63, a first connection unit 64, and a second connection unit 65. In long-length serial imaging, it is necessary to synchronize the imaging timing of all imaging devices 3 used for imaging with the radiation irradiation timing by the radiation control device 1. The additional device 6 is a synchronization source that generates and outputs timing signals and irradiation permission signals for synchronizing the imaging timing with the radiation irradiation timing.

[0060] The additional control unit 61 can be configured to comprehensively control the operations of each unit of the additional device 6 using a CPU, RAM, etc. In this case, various processing programs stored in a storage unit (not shown) are read out and loaded into RAM, and various processes are executed in accordance with the processing programs.

[0061] The first acquisition unit 62 serves as a contact point (e.g., a connector) with the radiation control unit 11, and in this embodiment, acquires the irradiation preparation signal output by the irradiation instruction switch 5 via the radiation control unit 11.

[0062] The second acquisition unit 63 serves as a contact point (e.g., a connector) with the radiation control unit 11, and in this embodiment, acquires the irradiation instruction signal output by the irradiation instruction switch 5 via the radiation control unit 11. 1 and 2, an example has been described in which the irradiation preparation signal and irradiation instruction signal from the irradiation instruction switch 5 are input to the radiation control unit 11 via the console 4. However, the signal from the irradiation instruction switch 5 does not need to be input to the radiation control unit 11 via the console 4, and depending on the equipment configuration, the signal may be input directly from the irradiation instruction switch 5 to the radiation control unit 11 without going through the console 4. When a signal from the irradiation instruction switch 5 is input to the radiation control unit 11 via the console 4, the console 4, like the radiation control unit 11, can recognize that the photographer has given instructions to prepare for irradiation and give instructions to irradiate, and in response to these input signals, the console 4 can perform operations and displays in accordance with the instructions to prepare for irradiation and give instructions to irradiate. On the other hand, if the signal from the irradiation instruction switch 5 is input to the radiation control unit 11 without going through the console 4, the radiation control unit 11 can receive irradiation preparation and irradiation instruction signals without being affected by other devices, allowing for more stable and reliable operation.

[0063] The first connection parts 64 (64a to 64c) serve as contact points (for example, connectors) with the imaging devices 3A to 3C, and allow an irradiation start permission signal to be input thereto. The irradiation start permission signal is a signal that turns ON when the imaging devices 3A to 3C are in a state where they can take images, and turns OFF when they are in a state where they cannot take images, so it is a signal that indicates the driving state of the imaging devices 3A to 3C in the present invention.

[0064] In this embodiment, the second connection part 65 is a connector, and can be connected to the radiation control unit 11 by inserting the other end of a cable whose one end is connected to the radiation control unit 11. Then, it is possible to output an irradiation permission signal to the radiation control unit 11.

[0065] Note that Figure 2 illustrates a configuration in which the first acquisition unit 62, the second acquisition unit 63, the first connection unit 64, and the second connection unit 65 directly transmit and receive information and signals to and from other devices (the first and second acquisition units 63 and the second connection unit 65 are the radiation control device 1, and the first connection unit 64 is the imaging devices 3A to 3C), but at least one of the first acquisition unit 62, the second acquisition unit 63, the first connection unit 64, and the second connection unit 65 may be connectable to other devices via a relay unit (not shown) that can relay signals. Furthermore, although Figure 2 illustrates an example in which the first acquisition section 62, the second acquisition section 63, the first connection section 64, and the second connection section 65 are provided separately, at least two of the first acquisition section 62, the second acquisition section 63, the first connection section 64, and the second connection section 65 may be integrally configured (each section 62 to 65 may be used for multiple purposes).

[0066] The additional control unit 61 of the additional device 6 configured in this manner is capable of repeatedly outputting a pulsed irradiation permission signal instructing irradiation of radiation from the second connection unit 65 to the radiation control unit 11 at a predetermined period based on the irradiation instruction signal acquired from the radiation control unit 11 via the second acquisition unit 63 and the irradiation start permission signal input from the imaging devices 3A to 3C via the first connection unit 64. The additional control unit 61 may be configured not to output the irradiation permission signal even if it detects that the imaging start signal has turned ON until a predetermined waiting time has elapsed since it detected that the irradiation start permission signal has turned ON.

[0067] The additional control unit 61 also outputs a timing signal, which indicates the timing of capturing a radiographic image, to the imaging devices 3A to 3C from the first connection unit 64 based on the timing of outputting the irradiation permission signal. The imaging timing is, for example, the timing at which the accumulation of charges for a radiation image begins. That is, the imaging devices 3A to 3C according to this embodiment start accumulating charges in accordance with a timing signal, and the timing means of each of the imaging devices 3A to 3C sequentially completes the accumulation, reads out the charges of each pixel, converts the charges of each pixel into an image, and saves or transfers the image. By using this control, the additional control unit 61 can control both the timing of radiation irradiation based on the irradiation permission signal and the accumulation timing of charge accumulation during radiation irradiation based on the timing signal. As a result, charge due to radiation irradiation can be reliably accumulated, and ultimately images due to radiation irradiation can be reliably acquired.

[0068] In addition, when the start of the charge accumulation operation is set as the above-mentioned imaging timing in this manner, the imaging devices 3A to 3C may be set to wait in a state where they can transition to the accumulation timing corresponding to the imaging operation by irradiating radiation, and start the accumulation operation in accordance with the timing signal. By performing such control, the additional control unit 61 can reliably obtain images by irradiating radiation in the same manner as in the above case.

[0069] Furthermore, the photographing timing triggered by the input of this timing signal can be the timing to start any of the various operations repeatedly performed by the photographing devices 3A to 3C, other than the charge accumulation operation. For example, if it is necessary to reset the charge accumulated in each pixel before the accumulation operation, the timing to start the resetting may be set to the timing of the image capture. In this case, the image capturing devices 3A to 3C may be configured to sequentially transition to the accumulation operation after the reset is completed. By using this type of control, it is possible to start the accumulation operation of accumulating charge due to radiation exposure in a state in which dark charge, which is a noise component that accumulates over time in each pixel before the accumulation of charge due to radiation exposure, is released by resetting, making it possible to obtain an image with less noise.

[0070] Alternatively, the timing at which the accumulation operation ends may be set as the image capture timing, or the timing at which the readout of the accumulated charges starts in response to a timing signal may be set as the image capture timing. By controlling in this manner, the additional control unit 61 can control both the timing of radiation irradiation based on the irradiation permission signal, and the timing of ending the accumulation of charge due to radiation irradiation based on the timing signal, and the timing of reading out the charge accumulated by radiation irradiation. As a result, charge due to radiation irradiation can be reliably accumulated, and in turn, images due to radiation irradiation can be reliably acquired.

[0071] The timing signal may be used to end each operation instead of starting it. For example, the accumulation operation may start when the timing signal changes from OFF to ON, and end when the timing signal changes from ON to OFF. By performing such control, the additional control unit 61 can reliably obtain images by irradiating radiation in the same manner as in each of the above cases.

[0072] In this embodiment, the timing signal is repeatedly output at the same cycle as the irradiation permission signal. In this embodiment, the additional control unit 61 repeatedly outputs the irradiation permission signal until a predetermined number of outputs is reached, or until a predetermined output time has elapsed since the first output.

[0073] The timing signal may be outputted with a predetermined delay or earlier than the output of the irradiation permission signal. Furthermore, the additional control unit 61 can be configured to have a timing means for controlling timing, since it repeatedly transmits timing signals and irradiation permission signals at predetermined intervals. The additional control unit 61 may be configured to have a counting means for counting the number of outputs in order to repeatedly output the timing signal or irradiation permission signal until a predetermined number of outputs has been reached, or may be configured to have a timing means for repeatedly outputting the timing signal or irradiation permission signal until a predetermined output time has elapsed since the initial output.

[0074] Alternatively, the timing signal may be output from a stage before the second stage of the irradiation instruction switch 5 is pressed (before the irradiation instruction signal is acquired). Specifically, the signal can be configured to be output between the time when the sequence start signal is acquired (when it is detected that it has turned ON) and the time when the irradiation instruction signal is acquired, or between the time when the irradiation preparation signal is acquired (when it is detected that it has turned ON) and the time when the irradiation instruction signal is acquired.

[0075] Here, the imaging devices 3 may or may not be connected to a communication network. For example, multiple imaging devices 3 are not always stored in a holder or imaging stand for multiple imaging (long-length imaging), but may be stored in an imaging stand for single imaging or in a mobile imaging device for rounds. Even in such a state, in order for the console 4 to display which imaging devices 3 are available, the console 4 must continue to send and receive information signals with each imaging device 3. In such a case, a connection between the communication network and each imaging device 3 for information signals can be used. For example, a wireless access point can be used as the communication network for such a connection, and wireless communication can be used between the communication network and each imaging device 3. On the other hand, in order to perform long-length serial imaging using multiple imaging devices 3A-3C as described below, each of the multiple imaging devices 3A-3C needs to be connected to the additional control unit 61 for timing signals. In such a case, each imaging device 3A-3C may be connected to the additional control unit 61 for information signals as well as timing signals. In such a case, the following operations can be performed: (1) no connection is made between the communication network and each of the photographing devices 3A to 3C; (2) or even if a connection is made, priority is given to the connection between the additional device 6 and each of the photographing devices 3A to 3C, and the photographing devices 3A to 3C connect to the additional device 6; (3) or the connection between the communication network and each of the photographing devices 3A to 3C is continued, but priority is given to the connection between the additional device 6 and each of the photographing devices 3A to 3C, and the communication session between the communication network and the photographing devices 3A to 3C is terminated or not started, and a communication session is started between the additional device 6 and the photographing devices 3A to 3C; or (4) or the communication session between the communication network and the photographing devices 3A to 3C is continued, but priority is given to communication between the additional device 6 and each of the photographing devices 3A to 3C.

[0076] [Operation] Next, the operation of the system 100 will be described. FIGS. 4 and 5 are ladder charts illustrating the operation of the system 100 according to this embodiment. The vertical axis of the ladder charts in FIGS. 4 and 5 indicates an example of the order of operations and does not represent actual time intervals. Therefore, a section with a larger interval may require a longer time than a section with a smaller interval, or they may require the same or shorter time. Although the image capture devices 3A to 3C are shown together due to space limitations, each transmits and receives the signals shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 . Although the image capture devices 3A to 3C transmit and receive signals at the same timing, the timing may be shifted depending on the performance and characteristics of each image capture device 3A to 3C. The performance and characteristics include, for example, the number of pixels that each image capture device can capture, pixel size, image capture frame rate, startup time, pixel sensitivity, pixel response speed, and image capture size, as well as differences in characteristics due to variations between image capture devices even with the same performance. These performance and characteristics can be changed by setting values ​​representing the characteristics of each image capture device at the time of factory shipment or maintenance and performing processing according to the setting values. The operation of the radiation control device 1 in the ladder charts shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is executed under the control of the radiation control unit 11. The operation of the imaging devices 3A to 3C is executed under the control of the imaging control unit 31. The operation of the additional device 6 is executed under the control of the additional control unit 61. The operation of the console 4 is executed by the cooperation of the CPU of the console 4 and programs stored in the ROM and RAM.

[0077] (A: When installing equipment, starting up the equipment, changing connected equipment, and periodically checking connected equipment) First, as shown in FIG. 4, the console 4, particularly the imaging device control console 42, checks the devices (radiation control device 1, imaging device 3, additional device 6, cradle, imaging stand, etc.) and communication network connected to the imaging environment controlled by the console 4 when installing equipment, starting up the imaging system, changing connected equipment, or periodically checking connected equipment (step S1), and displays the equipment configuration and connection configuration on the display unit 43 of the console 4 (step S2). Here, since a hospital may be equipped with a plurality of radiation control devices 1, imaging devices 3, additional devices 6, cradles, imaging tables, communication networks (parent devices), etc., the radiographer needs to check the devices and connection configurations connected to the imaging environment controlled by the console 4. For example, by displaying a system status display screen 431 as shown in Fig. 6 on the display unit 43, the user can check the device configurations and connection configurations connected to the imaging environment controlled by the console 4. The devices connected to the imaging environment controlled by the console 4 and their connection configuration can be confirmed by, for example, storing in the console 4 a combination of communication identification information (ID) and address information of devices that are components of the system 100, requesting each device for its connection status and ID, and each device returning its connection status and ID. Here, if another device is further connected to each device (for example, if the imaging device 3 is connected to the additional device 6), the device to which the other device is connected acquires the ID of the other device and sends that information to the console 4. This allows the console 4 to determine whether each device is connected directly or via another device or a communication network. As the ID, for example, an ID unique to each device, such as a MAC address set uniquely to the device, a BSSID set uniquely to the device, or a serial number set uniquely to the device, can be used, or an ID set later, such as a set IP address or a set ESSID, can also be used.

[0078] The communication network master device may also be configured to set the image capturing device 3 connected to the wired connection with which it is communicating as a device (slave device) to which the communication network master device will wirelessly connect and acquire the ID. For example, in the configuration shown in FIG. 6, communication network A (master device) can connect to image capturing device 3 wirelessly, but it is also connected to cradle A, which can connect to image capturing device 3 via a wired connection. When image capturing device 3 is connected to cradle A, the connected image capturing device 3 is set to connect to communication network A or to be preferentially connected to communication network A. Furthermore, cradle A reads the ID of the image capturing device 3 and transmits the ID of the connected image capturing device 3 to communication network A and console 4 as information read by cradle A. To indicate that the information was read by cradle A, the ID of the image capturing device 3 may be sent to console 4 along with the IDs of cradle A and communication network A, for example. The console 4 can determine which imaging device 3 is wirelessly connected via which communication network based on the relationship between the ID and device stored in advance, and can display this information on the display unit 43, for example, as a system status display screen 431 shown in Figure 6.

[0079] (B: Preparation for filming) Thereafter, when the console 4 receives an imaging order from a higher-level system 7S such as a RIS or HIS (step S3), the console 4 displays the received imaging order on the display unit 43 of the console 4 (step S4). At this time, the operator may be notified by using light or sound that a new imaging order has been received.

[0080] The photographer performs operations such as changing the photographing order based on the displayed photographing order, and selects the next photographing order and the photographing devices 3A to 3C to be used (step S5). In this case, the operator may select the imaging devices 3A to 3C to be used from the multiple connected imaging devices 3. For example, the operator can select the imaging devices 3A to 3C to be used from a system status display screen 431 as shown in FIG. Furthermore, the console 4 may be configured to automatically select, from among a plurality of connected imaging devices 3, an imaging device 3A to 3C that is recommended in accordance with the imaging technique of the photographer. Furthermore, if there is no particular change, the imaging devices 3A to 3C used in the previous imaging may be automatically and continuously selected. Alternatively, for example, in the case of long-length photography, a photography holder or a long-length photography stand is used to fix the relative positions of the multiple photography devices 3A to 3C. Therefore, when long-length photography is selected, the photography devices 3 installed on the photography holder or the long-length photography stand may be selected as the photography devices 3A to 3C. Alternatively, for example, in the case of long-length serial imaging, the imaging devices 3A to 3C to be used must be connected to the same synchronization source in order to synchronize the imaging timing. Therefore, when an imaging order for long-length serial imaging is selected, a specific additional device 6 to serve as the synchronization source or an imaging device 3A to 3C connected to a parent device of a specific communication network may be automatically selected. The specific additional device 6 to serve as the synchronization source may be an additional device 6 connected to the radiation control device 1 automatically, or the radiographer may select it from the system status display screen 431. In this embodiment, an additional device 6 connected to the radiation control device 1 by wire is automatically selected.

[0081] Depending on the selected imaging order, it may be necessary to change the connected device to a connection state required to perform imaging for the imaging order. In particular, in long-length imaging, in which multiple imaging devices 3 are lined up and irradiated with radiation to simultaneously capture transmitted radiation images using multiple imaging devices 3, multiple imaging devices 3 are required, so imaging may be performed by temporarily bringing in an imaging device 3 from another imaging table, etc. Such confirmation of the connection status of the device after the change can be performed by the following mechanism. First, when the devices are installed, the IDs of the devices are stored in advance in the RAM of the console 4. If there are multiple consoles 4, the IDs may be stored in the RAM of each console 4, or information stored in the RAM of one console 4 may be configured to be deployed (transmitted) to the other consoles 4.

[0082] In the present embodiment, when the image capture devices 3A to 3C are connected via wired connections, the console 4 can determine to which devices the image capture devices 3A to 3C are connected by establishing a communication connection with the image capture devices 3A to 3C and acquiring the IDs of the image capture devices 3A to 3C. For example, by connecting the image capture device 3A to a wired cable connected to the additional device 6, a communication connection is established between the additional device 6 and the image capture device 3A. The additional device 6 then acquires the ID of the image capture device 3A using the established communication connection and sends the information to the console 4. At this time, the additional device 6 may also send its own ID. Upon receiving the information, the console 4 recognizes that the image capture device 3A has been connected via the additional device 6 and can display this information on the display unit 43 of the console 4 as a system status display screen 431, for example, as shown in FIG. 6 . From this system status display screen 431, the photographer can confirm that the image capture device 3A is securely connected to the specific additional device 6 that serves as the synchronization source, and can then begin capturing images.

[0083] When the imaging devices 3A to 3C to be used are selected, the console 4 sends a communication connection request to each of the imaging devices 3A to 3C and the additional device 6 (step S6). When the imaging devices 3A to 3C and the additional device 6 receive the connection request, they each connect to the console 4 (step S7). As shown in FIG. 4, the connection request can be sent from the console 4 to the additional device 6, and further sent from the additional device 6 to the imaging devices 3A to 3C. 2, the imaging devices 3A to 3C and the console 4 can be connected via a communication network or directly, but if the console 4 and the imaging devices 3A to 3C are directly connected, an imaging device 3 that is not connected to the additional device 6 may be connected to the console 4 as the imaging device 3A to 3C to be used for imaging, and a connection configuration in which the additional device 6 and the imaging devices 3A to 3C are linked may not be established. However, as described above, by prioritizing the connection between the additional device 6 and the imaging devices 3A to 3C over the connection between the communication network and the imaging devices 3A to 3C and connecting the imaging devices 3A to 3C and the console 4 via the additional device 6, it is possible to reliably connect to the imaging devices 3A to 3C connected to the additional device 6.

[0084] Alternatively, although not shown, a connection request may be sent from the console 4 to each of the imaging devices 3A to 3C, and then each of the imaging devices 3A to 3C may send a connection request to the additional device 6. Since the settings for the imaging devices 3A to 3C to be used for imaging are performed on the console 4, this configuration allows the imaging devices 3A to 3C to be used to be reliably selected and connected to the additional device 6, making it possible to establish a state in which the additional device 6 and the imaging devices 3A to 3C to be used are linked without selecting the wrong imaging device 3. Furthermore, with this configuration, it becomes possible to select and connect the camera devices 3A to 3C from all the available camera devices 3, rather than only from the camera devices 3 connected to the additional device 6 as described above. In addition, when starting a connection, the photographing devices 3A to 3C may be configured to automatically transition their state from the aforementioned low power consumption mode in which they are ready to photograph or capable of photographing to a mode with higher power consumption than the low power consumption mode.

[0085] When the connection with the console 4 is started, the imaging devices 3A to 3C notify the console 4 of their own device status via the communication unit 36 ​​(step S8). For example, the image capturing devices 3A to 3C notify the console 4 that they have transitioned to a mode in which they are ready to capture images, or a mode in which they are ready to capture images, or whether they are ready to start further image capturing preparations. Furthermore, the image capturing devices 3A to 3C may notify the console 4 of their own remaining battery capacity (remaining power amount), remaining memory capacity, communication stability, communication speed, and the like. Furthermore, when the image capturing devices 3A to 3C are connected to an additional device 6, they may notify the console 4 of their own device IDs via the connected additional device 6, so that the console 4 can check whether all of the image capturing devices 3A to 3C are connected to a specific additional device 6 that is the synchronization source. Alternatively, the image capturing devices 3A to 3C may notify the console 4 of their own device IDs together with the IDs of the connected additional devices 6, so that the console 4 can check whether each of the image capturing devices 3A to 3C is connected to a specific additional device 6 that is the synchronization source, based on the relationship between the IDs and devices stored in advance. The ID of each of the photographing devices 3A to 3C sent to the console 4 via the additional device 6, as well as the ID and the ID of the additional device 6, serve as status information indicating whether each of the photographing devices 3A to 3C is in a first state where it is not connected to a specific synchronization source, or in a second state where it is connected to a specific synchronization source.

[0086] When the console 4 receives the status notification sent from the photographing devices 3A to 3C via the communication unit, it displays on the display unit 43 in an identifiable manner whether the status of each photographing device 3A to 3C is in a state where it is possible to start preparations for subsequent photographing (i.e., whether photographing is possible) based on the received status notification (step S9).

[0087] The console 4 may also be configured to receive notifications of remaining battery capacity, remaining memory capacity, communication stability, communication speed, etc. from the imaging devices 3A-3C, determine whether the status of the imaging devices 3A-3C is sufficient to perform the imaging of the selected imaging order, and display on the display unit 43 in an identifiable manner whether imaging is possible based on the determination result. For example, thresholds may be set in advance for remaining battery capacity, remaining memory capacity, communication stability, communication speed, etc., and determine whether imaging is sufficient to perform the imaging order based on whether the values ​​notified from the imaging devices 3A-3C are equal to or greater than the thresholds. The above-mentioned thresholds may be individually set because the status required for imaging differs depending on the imaging order, imaging region, and imaging device 3 used.

[0088] The console 4 may also be configured to have a function for determining whether at least one of the camera devices 3A-3C is in a first state where it is not connected to a specific additional device 6 that serves as a synchronization source, or a second state where all of the camera devices 3A-3C are connected to a specific additional device 6 that serves as a synchronization source, based on the IDs and communication paths notified from the camera devices 3A-3C, or the IDs notified from the camera devices 3A-3C and the IDs of the additional devices 6, and to display the determination result on the display unit 43 in an identifiable manner based on the output of the determination result. Alternatively, the console 4 may be configured to have a function for determining whether at least one of the camera devices 3A-3C is in a first state where it is not connected to a specific additional device 6 that serves as a synchronization source, or a second state where all of the camera devices 3A-3C are connected to a specific additional device 6, based on the method described above [When installing the device, when starting up the device, when changing connected devices, and when periodically checking connected devices], and to display the determination result on the display unit 43 in an identifiable manner based on the output of the determination result. Specifically, when it is determined that at least one of the photographing devices 3A to 3C is in a first state where it is not connected to a specific additional device 6 (first determination), a display is made in a state where photographing is not possible, and when it is determined that all of the photographing devices 3A to 3C are in a second state where they are connected to a specific additional device 6 (second determination), a display is made in a state where photographing is possible.

[0089] At this timing, the console 4 may be configured to determine whether all of the imaging devices 3A-3C used for imaging are serial imaging compatible (serial-compatible), whether all of the imaging devices 3A-3C used for imaging can image at a common frame rate, or whether they support the resolution and binning required for the selected imaging order. For example, the console 4 may be configured to previously store characteristic information of each imaging device 3 (e.g., serial / still image only, frame rate, resolution, number of binning, etc.) in association with the ID of each imaging device 3 in the RAM of the console 4, obtain the characteristic information of the imaging devices 3A-3C based on each ID transmitted from the imaging devices 3A-3C, and compare it with the conditions required for imaging in the imaging order to make a determination. The console 4 may then be configured to display on the display unit 43 whether imaging is possible or not in an identifiable manner based on the determination result. The above determinations may be performed either alone or in combination.

[0090] Furthermore, for example, if the above determination indicates that an image capturing device 3 is not available for image capturing, the console 4 displays the image capturing device 3 on the display unit 43 in a distinguishable manner. For example, a capture screen 432 as shown in FIG. 7 may be displayed on the display unit 43, and in a usage panel field 432a that displays information about each of the image capturing devices 3A to 3C to be used, a "◯" (circle) indicating that the device is available for image capturing or an "X" (cross) indicating that the device is not available for image capturing may be displayed in association with the information about each of the image capturing devices 3A to 3C, thereby clearly indicating the image capturing device 3 for which image capturing is not available. It is also possible to display the reason why image capturing is not available using symbols or letters. It is also possible to display the fact that image capturing is not available and the reason why image capturing is not available using colors. The image capturing screen 432 has an area for displaying information about each of the image capturing devices 3A to 3C (including whether image capturing is available or not) in accordance with the positional relationship of the image capturing devices 3A to 3C determined by the storage units (holders or image capturing tables) that store the image capturing devices 3A to 3C during image capturing. For example, if the photographing device 3A is stored in the upper level of the holder, the photographing device 3B in the middle level, and the photographing device 3C in the lower level, then as shown in FIG. 7, on the photographing screen 432, the area displaying the photographing device 3A is arranged at the top, the area displaying the photographing device 3B is arranged at the middle, and the area displaying the photographing device 3C is arranged at the bottom.

[0091] Alternatively, the console 4 may display the color of a specific area of ​​the photography screen 432, for example, the photography availability / status display field 432b, in a first color if photography is available as a result of the above determination, and in a second color different from the first color if photography is unavailable.

[0092] In the above explanation, the image capturing devices 3A to 3C are configured to transmit information indicating their own state to the console 4, and the console 4 determines whether the state of each of the image capturing devices 3A to 3C is such that preparation for subsequent image capturing can be started. However, the image capturing devices 3A to 3C may perform the above determination and send the determination results to the console 4. In addition, in FIG. 4, these notifications are transmitted from the image capturing devices 3A to 3C to the console 4, but they may also be transmitted to the console 4 via the additional device 6.

[0093] In addition, the console 4 may be configured to send a control signal to instruct only the imaging device 3 connected to the specific additional device 6 that is the synchronization source to emit light, thereby causing only the light-emitting unit arranged in the imaging device 3 connected to the specific additional device 6 to emit light. Alternatively, the console 4 may transmit a control signal to each of the connected image capture devices 3 to instruct them to emit light so that only each of the image capture devices 3 connected to a specific additional device 6 that is the synchronization source emits light in a different light emission mode from the others. Examples of a different light emission mode include color, light emission timing, and light emission mode (on, blinking, etc.). By making only the photographing device 3 connected to the specific additional device 6 that is the synchronization source emit light, or by making it emit light in a different light mode from the others, the photographer can easily identify the photographing device 3 that is connected to the specific additional device 6 that is the synchronization source, and it becomes possible to reliably prevent photographing using an unintended photographing device 3.

[0094] Furthermore, the console 4 may be configured to transmit a control signal to instruct only the photographing device 3 that is instructed to be used for photographing, among the photographing devices 3 connected to the specific additional device 6, to emit light, thereby causing only the light-emitting unit disposed in the corresponding photographing device 3 to emit light. Alternatively, the console 4 may transmit a control signal to each of the photographing devices 3 connected to the specific additional device 6 that is the synchronization source in the above explanation, to instruct only the photographing device 3 that is instructed to be used for photographing to emit light in a different light-emitting mode from the others. For example, although three imaging devices 3 are typically mounted on a long imaging table or long imaging holder (although this embodiment is also described as using imaging devices 3A to 3C), depending on the size (physique) of the subject and the region to be imaged, only two of these may be used for imaging. In such cases, the photographer cannot directly identify which two of the three imaging devices 3 (e.g., 3A to 3B) specified on the console 4 are actually mounted on the long imaging table or long imaging holder. Therefore, the photographer may mistakenly recognize an imaging device 3 other than the imaging devices 3A to 3B specified on the console 4 as the imaging target, resulting in incorrect imaging. For example, if the imaging devices 3A to 3B are designated as the imaging devices 3 to be used on the imaging screen 432 shown in FIG. 7 among the imaging devices 3 capable of imaging and connected to the additional device 6 that is the synchronization source, only the designated imaging devices 3A to 3B will emit light, or will emit light in a different light-emitting mode from the others, allowing the photographer to easily recognize the designated imaging devices 3A to 3B.

[0095] Furthermore, the display on the console 4 may be configured to correlate with the light emission modes of the light-emitting units arranged on the photographing devices 3A to 3C so that the relative positions of the photographing devices 3A to 3C housed in the long photographing stand or holder, i.e., the order of top, middle, and bottom, can be understood. For example, if the photographing device 3A is the top, the photographing device 3B is the middle, and the photographing device 3C is the bottom, the photographing devices 3A to 3C can be displayed in different colors on the console 4 (for example, on the photographing screen 432), and by transmitting display color information along with light emission instructions from the console 4 to the photographing devices 3A to 3C, the light-emitting units arranged on the photographing devices 3A to 3C can also emit light in the same colors. Alternatively, the display on the console 4 may be configured to correlate with the light emission timing or interval of the light-emitting units of the photographing devices 3A to 3C.

[0096] Note that whether or not to perform the display control in step S9 by the console 4 may be switched depending on whether or not an imaging order for long length imaging (including long length serial imaging) has been specified. In other words, the above-mentioned display control may be performed only when an imaging order for long length imaging has been specified.

[0097] Next, when the radiographer sets radiography conditions and the like on the console 4 and instructs the console 4 to start radiography, the console 4 sets radiography conditions in the radiation control device 1 and the radiography devices 3A to 3C and turns on a sequence start signal that instructs the radiography devices 3A to 3C and the additional device 6 to start a radiography sequence. Then, the sequence start signal is transmitted to the radiography devices 3A to 3C and the additional device 6 (step S10). The sequence start signal can be transmitted using, for example, an information signal transmitted and received between the console 4 and the additional device 6, or an information signal transmitted and received between the additional device 6 and the radiography devices 3A to 3C. 4 shows an example in which the console 4 transmits a sequence start signal to the imaging devices 3A to 3C, and the imaging devices 3A to 3C transmit the sequence start signal to the additional device 6, but the console 4 may be configured to transmit the sequence start signal directly to the additional device 6 and the imaging devices 3A to 3C. Alternatively, the console 4 may be configured to connect to the additional device 6, and the additional device 6 may transmit the sequence start signal to the imaging devices 3A to 3C. When the imaging devices 3A to 3C and the additional device 6 detect that the sequence start signal has been turned ON, they start preparations for imaging.

[0098] Upon receiving the sequence start signal, the additional device 6 turns on the read instruction signal (see FIG. 14) to transmit the read instruction signal to the photographing devices 3A to 3C and repeatedly outputs a timing signal at predetermined time intervals (step S11).

[0099] Each time the photographing devices 3A to 3C receive a timing signal output from the additional device 6, they perform a read operation. Here, the imaging device 3 consumes power when performing a readout operation, causing a temperature rise within the circuitry within the imaging device 3. This temperature rise also changes the sensitivity of the imaging device 3, particularly of the radiation detection element 32d, and changes the image (signal value) for the same amount of transmitted radiation. This change in image due to temperature rise is not a problem when capturing a single image. However, when performing serial imaging, which captures multiple still images consecutively, as in the system 100 according to the present invention, image changes due to temperature rise during imaging become a problem. Therefore, by repeatedly performing a readout operation in the imaging device 3 before performing serial imaging, it is possible to configure the imaging device 3 so that image changes due to temperature rise during subsequent serial imaging are reduced. In this way, the readout operation before imaging serves as a warm-up for the imaging device 3. At the initial stage of repeating the readout operation, the imaging devices 3A to 3C notify the console 4 via the communication unit 36 ​​that they have started warming up (step S12). The warm-up notification in step S12 may be omitted.

[0100] Furthermore, the photographing devices 3A to 3C transmit the images read in the latter half of the readout operation for warm-up to the console 4 as correction data (step S13). The multiple pixels in the imaging devices 3A to 3C each have different characteristics, and even when no radiation is irradiated, the charge level corresponding to the brightness of the image varies from pixel to pixel. Therefore, by acquiring the image read out in the latter half of the warm-up as correction data and, for example, subtracting the signal values ​​of the correction data from the signal values ​​of the captured image obtained later, it is possible to obtain a captured image in which the variations between pixels have been removed. Although the correction data is used here by simply subtracting it from the captured image, it is also possible to remove noise components using various calculations. Here, if an image such as correction data is required, the read-out charges are converted into an image, but if an image is not required, the read-out charges may be discarded without being converted into an image, as a reset operation. Alternatively, the charges may be converted into an image and then discarded as a reset operation.

[0101] 4 has been described with reference to a case where correction data is transmitted to the console 4 and correction is performed by the console 4. However, in recent years, the processing power of the imaging device 3 and the storage capacity of the storage unit of the imaging device 3 have improved, so that correction data may be stored in the memory of the imaging device 3 without being transmitted to the console 4, and all or part of the correction processing may be performed within the imaging device 3. Furthermore, if all or part of the correction processing is also performed by the console 4, a configuration may be adopted in which correction data is stored in the memory of the imaging device 3 and transmitted to the console 4.

[0102] When the warm-up is completed, the photographing devices 3A to 3C notify the console 4 that preparation for photographing is completed (step S14). Here, the console 4 can determine that the warm-up is completed when, for example, the warm-up is completed for a preset number of readouts or a preset readout operation period has elapsed. By receiving a notification of the warm-up completion from all of the photographing devices 3A to 3C, the console 4 can determine that the warm-up of all the photographing devices to be used for photographing is completed. Here, the notification of warm-up completion may be sent directly from each of the imaging devices 3A to 3C to the console 4, or may be sent from each of the imaging devices 3A to 3C to the additional device 6 and then sent from the additional device 6 to the console 4. By receiving the notification of warm-up completion from all of the imaging devices 3A to 3C, the additional device 6 may determine that the warm-up of all of the imaging devices used for imaging has been completed and send the determination result to the console 4. Alternatively, the additional device 6 may send a notification of warm-up completion of each of the imaging devices 3A to 3C to the console 4, and the console 4 may determine that the warm-up of all of the imaging devices used for imaging has been completed. When the console 4 receives the notification that preparation for photographing is complete, it displays "Photographing is possible" on the display unit 43 of the console 4 (step S15).

[0103] Note that imaging may be performed without warming up (for example, steps S12 to S13 may be omitted and the process may proceed to notification of completion of imaging preparation). Alternatively, the imaging user may select whether or not to perform warm-up. For example, when imaging must be performed quickly in an emergency medical setting, a control configuration may be adopted in which imaging can be performed without warming up by inputting an instruction to not perform warm-up on the console 4. Alternatively, when imaging is performed consecutively for a plurality of similar imaging orders, imaging can be performed without warming up again from the second imaging onwards, since the imaging devices 3A to 3C are already in a state close to the completion of warm-up. The switching between warm-up and non-warm-up may be performed by the operator operating the console 4. Alternatively, the imaging device 3 may be provided with a temperature measuring unit for measuring temperature, and the imaging control unit 31 of the imaging device 3 may switch between warm-up and non-warm-up based on the temperature measured by the temperature measuring unit or the state of temperature change. Alternatively, the console 4 may determine whether or not to warm up based on the number of images taken in a specific period in the past, the imaging mode, the interval between past images, etc. Alternatively, the console 4 may be configured to determine whether or not to warm up by combining these methods. When the console 4 switches between warm-up and non-warm-up, for example, it transmits a control signal indicating whether or not to warm up to the imaging devices 3A to 3C, causing the imaging devices 3A to 3C to switch between warm-up and non-warm-up. Furthermore, instead of simply determining whether or not a warm-up has been performed, the number of times a read operation for warm-up is performed or the time for which a read operation for warm-up is performed may be changed. Furthermore, the determination of whether or not warm-up is required may be performed under different conditions for each of the photographing devices 3A to 3C used for photographing, or may be performed for all of the photographing devices 3A to 3C under the conditions of the device that most requires a readout operation for warm-up among the photographing devices 3A to 3C used for photographing.

[0104] (C: Pre-irradiation treatment) The additional device 6 continues to repeatedly transmit timing signals to the photographing devices 3A to 3C, and the photographing devices 3A to 3C repeat the readout operation of the photographing devices 3A to 3C each time they receive this timing signal. Here, the photographing devices 3A to 3C convert the readout charges into an image when an image such as correction data is required, but when an image is not required, the readout charges may be discarded without being converted into an image, or a reset operation may be performed in which the charges are converted into an image and then discarded.

[0105] When the photographer finishes positioning the subject and presses the first stage of the irradiation instruction switch 5 (step S16), the irradiation instruction switch 5 turns on the irradiation preparation signal to be output to the radiation control unit 11 via the console 4 (step S17). When the radiation control unit 11 of the radiation control device 1 detects that the irradiation preparation signal has been turned ON, it turns ON the irradiation preparation signal to be output to the high voltage generating unit 12 and the additional device 6 (step S18). As a result, the first acquisition unit 62 of the additional device 6 acquires the irradiation preparation signal (which is output before the irradiation instruction signal and after the sequence start signal is turned ON). In this way, the radiation control device 1 including the radiation control unit 11 starts preparation for radiation irradiation in response to the irradiation preparation signal.

[0106] When the additional control unit 61 of the additional device 6 detects that the irradiation preparation signal from the radiation control unit 11 has been turned ON, it transmits an imaging preparation signal to the console 4 (step S19). Upon receiving the imaging preparation signal, the console 4 starts preparation for imaging. The imaging preparation on the console 4 is an operation to confirm that the settings of the imaging device control console 42 constituting the console 4 and the radiation control console 41 that controls the radiation irradiation are the same, and to confirm that the imaging conditions, etc. specified for the radiation control device 1 and the imaging devices 3A to 3C are set. At this stage, the console 4 may request the image capturing devices 3A to 3C to notify the status as described above, and may check at least one of the statuses of the image capturing devices 3A to 3C again as a final check. Here, for example, if the radiographer does not know whether the radiographing devices 3A to 3C are connected to the specific additional device 6 that serves as the synchronization source, or whether other preparations are complete, he or she will not know when to instruct radiation irradiation, which will be a problem. Therefore, in response to the irradiation instruction switch 5 (first press), the console 4 may, for example, request a status notification from the radiographing devices 3A to 3C as described above, determine whether they are connected to the specific additional device 6 that serves as the synchronization source, and, based on the determination result, display on the display unit 43 in an identifiable manner whether radiographing is possible. This allows the photographer to check whether the photographing devices 3A to 3C are linked to a specific synchronization source before photographing. When the console 4 completes the preparation for imaging, it turns on the imaging preparation completion signal to be output to the additional device 6 (step S20). Then, "Shooting" is displayed on the display unit 43 of the console 4 (step S21). Here, although the above description has been made on the case where imaging preparation is started in response to an irradiation preparation signal from the additional device 6, imaging preparation may also be started in response to an irradiation preparation signal from the irradiation instruction switch 5. Alternatively, imaging preparation may also be started in response to irradiation preparation information in a communication signal with the radiation control unit 11.

[0107] Furthermore, the console 4 may be configured to lock inputs to the console 4, such as changes to imaging conditions, at the stage when the imaging preparation is complete, so that changes cannot be made. In the case of still image photography, the photography is completed in a short time, so there is little risk of the photography conditions being changed during photography, and there is little need for this configuration. However, in the case of serial photography, the photography period is long, so there is a higher risk that the photographer or a third party other than the photographer will intentionally or unintentionally operate the console screen and change the photography conditions, etc. Therefore, by locking the input of changes to the imaging conditions, etc. to the console 4 from this stage until the end of the imaging sequence, it is possible to reliably prevent such changes to the imaging conditions.

[0108] Although Figure 4 illustrates an example in which a shooting preparation signal is output from the additional device 6 to the console 4, there is also the case in which the shooting preparation signal is output to the photographing devices 3A to 3C instead of the console 4, causing the photographing devices 3A to 3C to prepare for shooting, and when the photographing preparation of the photographing devices 3A to 3C is completed, the photographing preparation completion signal is output from the photographing devices 3A to 3C to the additional device 6. Alternatively, a shooting preparation signal may be output to both the console 4 and the imaging devices 3A to 3C, causing each to prepare for shooting, and when both have completed their preparations for shooting, the console 4 and the imaging devices 3A to 3C may send a shooting preparation completion signal to the additional device 6, and when the additional device 6 receives both of the shooting preparation completion signals, it may be determined that the entire shooting preparation is complete.

[0109] Also, although not shown in the figure, if the radiation control unit 11 of the radiation control device 1 has a connection unit that inputs an imaging preparation completion signal that can be input to indicate that imaging preparation of an external device has been completed, the additional device 6 may be configured to output the imaging preparation completion signal to the radiation control unit 11. The radiation control unit 11 can detect that the imaging devices 3A to 3C are in a state where imaging is possible by detecting that the imaging preparation completion signal from the additional device 6 has turned ON. Here, by controlling the radiation control device 1 to irradiate radiation after detecting that the imaging preparation completion signal has turned ON, it is possible to reliably eliminate the risk that the imaging devices 3A to 3C will irradiate radiation in a state where imaging is not possible, resulting in unnecessary exposure of the subject. In this case, the console 4 may be configured to determine that imaging preparation is complete by receiving the imaging preparation completion signal from the radiation control device 1 via a communication path such as an information signal connecting the radiation control device 1 and the console 4.

[0110] Also, although not shown in the figures, if the console 4, or the photographing devices 3A to 3C, or the additional control unit 61, or at least a part thereof, has a connection part for inputting a photographing preparation completion signal that can be input to indicate that preparation for photographing by an external device is complete, the console 4, or the photographing devices 3A to 3C, or both, may be configured to transmit the photographing preparation completion signal when a signal indicating preparation for photographing is input from the external device. In this way, the additional device 6 can detect that the imaging preparation completion signal has turned ON, and thereby know that imaging preparation is complete in the console 4, the imaging devices 3A to 3C, and the external devices. By controlling radiation irradiation to occur after receiving the imaging preparation completion signal, it is possible to reliably eliminate the risk of radiation being irradiated when at least one of the console 4, the imaging devices 3A to 3C, and the external devices is not capable of imaging, resulting in unnecessary exposure of the subject to radiation.

[0111] (D: Shooting execution) Subsequently, when the radiographer presses the second stage of the irradiation instruction switch 5 (step S22), the irradiation instruction switch 5 turns on and outputs an irradiation instruction signal to be transmitted to the radiation control device 1 via the console 4 (step S23). At this time, the additional device 6 continues to repeatedly transmit timing signals to the photographing devices 3A to 3C, and the photographing devices 3A to 3C repeat the readout operation each time they receive this timing signal. Here, if an image such as correction data is required, the readout charges are converted into an image, but if an image is not required, the readout charges may be discarded without being converted into an image, a reset operation. Alternatively, the charges may be converted into an image and then discarded, a reset operation. Even if an irradiation instruction signal is input from the irradiation instruction switch 5, the radiation control unit 11 of the radiation control device 1 does not send the irradiation signal to the high voltage generation unit 12 because the irradiation permission signal from the additional device 6 is OFF at this point.

[0112] On the other hand, the radiation control unit 11 turns on the irradiation instruction signal to be transmitted to the additional control unit 61 (step S24). Upon receiving the irradiation instruction signal, the additional device 6 turns on an imaging start signal that is output to the imaging devices 3A to 3C and the console 4 and notifies whether or not imaging start is permitted (steps S25, S26). When the imaging devices 3A to 3C detect that the imaging start signal has been turned ON, they turn ON the irradiation start permission signal to be output to the additional device 6 (step S27), triggered by the completion of the readout operation they are currently performing, as shown in Fig. 5, for example. This is because the readout operation of the imaging devices 3A to 3C acquires an image of the entire light-receiving surface by sequentially reading out the charges accumulated in the two-dimensionally arranged pixels, and if the irradiation start permission signal is turned ON during readout and radiation is irradiated, a difference will occur in the signal values ​​between pixels for which readout has been completed and pixels for which readout has not been completed, resulting in a significant degradation of image quality.

[0113] On the other hand, in this embodiment, as will be described later, radiation irradiation and image readout by the imaging devices 3A to 3C are performed based on an irradiation permission signal and a timing signal from the additional device 6, so radiation irradiation during a readout operation does not occur in a normal routine. For this reason, the irradiation start permission signal may be configured to be turned ON without considering the readout timing of the imaging devices 3A to 3C.

[0114] Even after the irradiation start permission signal is turned ON, the imaging devices 3A to 3C repeat the readout operation in response to the timing signal from the additional device 6. The images read out after the irradiation start permission signal is turned ON may be saved as captured images in the memory of the imaging devices 3A to 3C, or may be transferred to the console 4. Alternatively, the charges of each radiation detection element 32d may be stored in memory in part or in whole as readout images, and then transmitted to the console 4 in part or in whole.

[0115] As will be described later, in serial imaging, imaging is repeated at relatively short time intervals, so there are cases where the captured images cannot be sent in time for the imaging interval to the console 4. In particular, when the imaging devices 3A to 3C and the additional control unit 61, or the imaging devices 3A to 3C and the console 4 are connected via wireless communication, the communication speed is affected by the wireless conditions, so by storing the captured image data in the memory of the imaging devices 3A to 3C as described above and transmitting some or all of it to the console 4, it becomes possible to continue imaging without causing imaging errors due to image data loss or transfer delays.

[0116] Furthermore, at this stage, the console 4 may request the imaging devices 3A to 3C to notify it of information and status, and may perform a final check again on at least one of the above-mentioned information and status checks of the imaging devices 3A to 3C. If the result of the recheck indicates that all of the imaging devices 3A to 3C are the imaging devices designated by the photographer and are in a state in which imaging can be continued, the console 4 may transmit a control signal to the imaging devices 3A to 3C so that the imaging devices 3A to 3C output an irradiation start permission signal to the additional device 6. The information to be checked includes the device ID, characteristic information (for example, serialization possible / still images only, frame rate, resolution, number of binning, etc.), etc. By checking the information, it is possible to confirm that all the imaging devices 3A to 3C used for imaging are the imaging devices designated by the photographer. This makes it possible to reliably prevent the photographer from continuing to take photographs without realizing that a photographing device different from the one designated by the photographer is recognized as the photographing device to be used for photographing due to noise, wireless communication failure, or unintentional disconnection or detachment of the wire when the additional device 6 and the photographing devices 3A to 3C are connected by wire. In particular, when positioning is performed, adjustment is performed while changing the positions of the imaging devices 3A to 3C and the subject, and therefore the above-mentioned problems may occur. The status to be checked includes the remaining battery capacity (remaining power amount) of the imaging device, remaining memory capacity, communication stability, communication speed, control status (among multiple imaging device states, whether the imaging device has transitioned to a state where imaging is possible), etc. By checking the status, it is possible to confirm that all imaging devices 3A to 3C to be used for imaging are in a state where imaging is possible. This makes it possible to reliably prevent the photographer from continuing to take pictures without recognizing that they are no longer able to take pictures, even if the state changes and photography becomes impossible immediately before the photographing sequence starts. In particular, from the start of imaging until the start of imaging, the subject's position and posture must be positioned to be suitable for imaging. However, depending on the subject, this positioning may take time, and the state of the imaging device may change during this time. The console 4 may make such a determination, and if it is not possible to continue filming, the photographer may be notified via the display screen or audio of the console 4. Alternatively, the additional device 6 may make the determination and notify the result of the determination to the console 4. The console 4 may receive the notification from the additional device 6, and if it is not possible to continue filming, the photographer may be notified via the display screen or audio of the console 4.

[0117] The additional device 6 can detect that each of the imaging devices 3A to 3C is in an imaging-enabled state by receiving an irradiation start permission signal from each of the imaging devices 3A to 3C. Therefore, the additional device 6 may be configured to release the interlock so that, when it receives irradiation start permission signals from all of the imaging devices 3A to 3C used for imaging, it can output an irradiation permission signal that permits radiation irradiation to the radiation control unit 11. This may be configured to be implemented as part of the transition of state transition control, as will be described later. By configuring in this way that radiation irradiation is permitted only after receiving irradiation start permission signals from all of the imaging devices 3A to 3C, it is possible to prevent the subject from being unnecessarily exposed to radiation when radiation is irradiated at a timing when some of the imaging devices 3 to be used for imaging are not ready or when some of the imaging devices 3A to 3C are unable to perform imaging due to an error or the like.

[0118] When the additional device 6 receives the irradiation start permission signals from all of the imaging devices 3A to 3C, it detects that the imaging devices 3A to 3C are in an imaging-enabled state, releases the interlock so that it can output an irradiation permission signal that permits radiation irradiation to the radiation control unit 11, and repeatedly transmits the irradiation permission signal to the radiation control unit 11 in accordance with the timing at which it transmits the timing signal to the imaging devices 3A to 3C (step S28). The additional control unit 61 has a timing generation unit for outputting the timing signal and the irradiation permission signal at regular intervals, and repeatedly continues to output the timing signal and the irradiation permission signal in accordance with the timing generated by the timing generation unit.

[0119] Here, the timing signal and the irradiation permission signal to the imaging devices 3A to 3C may be output simultaneously, or may be output in accordance with the imaging timing of the imaging devices 3A to 3C and the radiation irradiation timing of the radiation control device 1. When the timing signal and the irradiation permission signal to the imaging devices 3A to 3C are output simultaneously, it is possible to reduce the risk of timing fluctuations due to output delays, etc. It is also possible to branch off the same signal output for the timing signal and the irradiation permission signal. On the other hand, the additional device 6 may be configured to output timing signals and irradiation permission signals at the necessary timings, taking into account the imaging timing of the imaging device 3 and the radiation irradiation timing of the radiation control device 1. The additional device 6 is intended for use in combination with various imaging devices 3A-3C and radiation control device 1, and some of the imaging devices 3A-3C and radiation control device 1 may not be able to adjust the timing of actually performing part of the imaging sequence or radiation irradiation after receiving the timing signal or irradiation permission signal. Therefore, the additional device 6 outputs timing signals and irradiation permission signals taking into account the operation timing of the imaging devices 3A-3C and radiation control device 1, making it possible to perform imaging in combination with various imaging devices 3A-3C and radiation control device 1. The additional device may be configured to be able to individually adjust the timing of each signal output to match the characteristics of these various imaging devices 3A-3C and radiation control device 1. Furthermore, the output timing of the timing signals to be output to the respective imaging devices 3A to 3C may be configured to be adjustable so that they are output at respective timings in accordance with the respective imaging devices 3A to 3C relative to the output timing of the irradiation permission signal. By making it possible to output timing signals in accordance with the respective photographing devices 3A to 3C, it becomes possible to perform continuous photographing at stable timing even when the photographing devices 3A to 3C that perform different photographing operations are combined.

[0120] The radiation control unit 11 of the radiation control device 1 repeatedly transmits the irradiation signal to the high voltage generating unit 12 every time it receives the irradiation permission signal, since the irradiation instruction signal and the irradiation permission signal are both received. Every time the high voltage generating unit 12 receives an irradiation signal, it repeatedly generates a high voltage necessary for irradiating radiation, and repeatedly outputs the high voltage to the radiation generating unit 2 as an irradiation output. The radiation generating unit 2 repeatedly irradiates the imaging devices 3A to 3C with radiation every time the radiation output is input (step S29). The irradiated radiation passes through a subject (not shown) arranged between the imaging devices 3A to 3C and the radiation generating unit 2, and enters the imaging devices 3A to 3C.

[0121] Meanwhile, the imaging devices 3A to 3C accumulate electric charges in an amount corresponding to the intensity of the incident radiation in accordance with the timing at which the timing signal is received (step S30), and repeatedly read out the electric charges as a captured image (step S31). The photographing devices 3A to 3C transfer the read photographed images to the console 4 (step S32). In addition, if the captured images are configured to be transferred to the console 4, and transfer to the console 4 cannot be completed in time due to the amount of data or the communication environment, some of the captured images, or part of a single captured image, may be stored in memory and the remainder may be transferred to the console 4.

[0122] In FIG. 5, after receiving irradiation start permission signals from all of the imaging devices 3A to 3C, the additional device 6 outputs an irradiation permission signal and irradiates the imaging devices 3A to 3C with a timing signal only once before the imaging devices 3A to 3C acquire images irradiated with radiation, thereby acquiring images immediately before the imaging devices 3A to 3C are irradiated with radiation. In this way, a sequence may be used in which an image is acquired without irradiation immediately before irradiation by adjusting the timing of outputting the timing signal and the irradiation permission signal in the additional device 6. Such an image can be used as a dark image immediately before irradiation and imaging, and as an image for performing offset correction on images to be subsequently captured after irradiation and imaging. Alternatively, different from Fig. 5, when the additional device 6 receives an irradiation start permission signal from the imaging devices 3A to 3C, it may output a timing signal and an irradiation permission signal at the timing of outputting the next timing signal and irradiation permission signal, and perform radiation imaging without acquiring a dark image immediately before irradiating radiation and performing imaging. In this case, corrections such as offset correction can be performed using correction data acquired in advance, making it possible to perform imaging quickly after the photographer issues an imaging instruction. Alternatively, after continuous radiation irradiation imaging, the irradiation permission signal for the radiation irradiation timing is not output, and only the timing signal for the imaging timing is output the required number of times, and dark images are acquired afterwards, and these images are used to perform corrections such as offset correction.

[0123] An example of the operation of the radiation control device 1 and the imaging devices 3A to 3C based on the timing signal will be described below with reference to Fig. 8. Here, a case will be described in which the imaging devices 3A to 3C start accumulating charges in accordance with the timing signal. When the imaging devices 3A to 3C receive a timing signal from the additional control unit 61, they apply an off voltage to each scanning line 32b, thereby transitioning to a state in which the charge generated by the radiation detection element 32d can be accumulated in the pixel, as shown in Figure 8 (t1, t5, t9, ...). The additional control unit 61 outputs an irradiation permission signal at a timing linked to the timing at which the timing signal is transmitted, and the radiation control device 1 irradiates radiation to the imaging devices 3A to 3C in accordance with the irradiation permission signal (t2, t6, t10, ...). The photographing devices 3A to 3C continue a mode in which they accumulate electric charges for a predetermined time using their own timing means (t1 to t3, t5 to t7, t9 to t11, . . . ).

[0124] When the imaging devices 3A to 3C receive radiation while in the charge accumulation mode, they generate charges in the radiation detection elements 32d of the radiation detection section 32 and accumulate the charges in the pixels (step S28). After that, the image capturing devices 3A-3C perform a readout operation in which the charge accumulated in each pixel is released to the signal line 32c by applying an ON voltage to each switch element 32e using their own timing means after the predetermined time has elapsed. During the readout operation, the image capturing devices 3A-3C read out image data based on the incoming charge at the readout unit 34 and convert it into image data. The converted image data is then stored in the memory of the image capturing devices 3A-3C, or at least a portion of the image data is transferred to the console 4, or both (t3-t4, t7-t8, t11-t12, . . .). After that, initialization is performed, such as releasing the charge accumulated in each pixel, to prevent the charge accumulated in the previous accumulation mode from affecting the next accumulation mode (t4-t5, t8-t9, t12-t13). 8, the readout operation and initialization are described separately, but because the readout operation is performed by discharging the charge accumulated in each pixel, initialization is performed simultaneously with readout. Therefore, there is no need to provide a separate initialization operation other than the readout operation. Alternatively, an initialization operation such as discharging charge again may be provided in addition to readout.

[0125] (E: Filming ends) At the start of imaging, the number of images to be taken, for example, according to the selected imaging order, is set in the additional device 6 by the console 4. The additional device 6 counts the number of times that it outputs an irradiation permission signal, compares this with the set number of images, and determines that the long serial imaging is complete when the number of times that it outputs an irradiation permission signal reaches the set number of images. When the additional device 6 determines that the long serial imaging is complete, it turns off the imaging start signal and sends an imaging start signal OFF signal to at least the imaging devices 3A to 3C among the console 4, the imaging devices 3A to 3C, or the radiation control device 1 (step S33). Also, when the additional device 6 determines that the long serial imaging is complete, it stops outputting at least the irradiation permission signal or all of the timing signal and the irradiation permission signal.

[0126] Here, similar to the dark image acquisition before irradiating and photographing as described above, after long-length serial photographing, the additional device 6 can output only a timing signal at the timing when it outputs a timing signal and an irradiation permission signal, thereby making it possible to acquire a dark image by photographing without irradiating radiation after irradiating and photographing. By using the dark images taken before and after radiation exposure, the dark images during the serial imaging period can be inferred, and by using the inferred dark images to perform offset corrections on the captured images, it becomes possible to make corrections that take into account fluctuations during the imaging period. Alternatively, if dark images are not acquired before radiography is performed, these subsequent dark images can be used to correct the images acquired during radiography.

[0127] When the photographing devices 3A to 3C detect that the photographing start signal has turned OFF, they transfer the photographed images (referred to as remaining images) from the actual photographing that have been saved in their own memories to the console 4 (step S34). When the photographing devices 3A to 3C have completed the transfer of all the remaining images, they send a remaining image transfer completion signal to the console 4 (step S35).

[0128] When the console 4 receives the remaining image transfer completion signals from all of the imaging devices 3A to 3C, it starts checking the transmitted images. When the remaining image transfer is completed, the photographing devices 3A to 3C transition from the photographing standby state to the standby state, and transmit a standby start signal to the console 4 (step S36). When the console 4 receives the standby start signals from all of the photographing devices 3A to 3C, it displays "Photographing End" on the display unit 43 (step S37), and also transmits an image deletion signal to the photographing devices 3A to 3C to instruct them to delete the images (step S38). The image deletion signal may be controlled so as to be transmitted after the confirmation of the captured images is completed and it is confirmed that there are no problems with all the transferred images.

[0129] When the photographing devices 3A to 3C receive the image deletion signal, they delete the images from the long serial photographing stored in their own memories (step S39), thereby making it possible to secure memory space for the next photographing.

[0130] When the photographer releases the second stage of the irradiation instruction switch 5 after the message "imaging completed" is displayed on the display unit 43 of the console 4 (step S40), the irradiation instruction switch 5 turns the irradiation instruction signal OFF (step S41), and the radiation control unit 11 also turns the irradiation instruction signal OFF (step S42). Thereafter, when the photographer releases the first stage of the irradiation instruction switch 5 (step S43), the irradiation instruction switch 5 turns off the irradiation preparation signal (step S44), and further the radiation control unit 11 also turns off the irradiation preparation signal (step S45).

[0131] When the additional device 6 detects that the irradiation instruction signal and the irradiation preparation signal have been turned off, it transmits an imaging end signal indicating that imaging has ended to the console 4 (step S46). When the console 4 receives the shooting end signal from the additional device 6, it transmits a connection release request to the additional device 6 (step S47). When the additional device 6 receives the imaging end signal from the console 4, it releases the connection with the imaging devices 3A to 3C (step S48), turns off the sequence start signal to end the imaging sequence, and transitions to a state where it waits for an imaging instruction. The system 100 according to this embodiment operates as described above, thereby performing long-length serial imaging in which a plurality of frame images are repeatedly captured in a short period of time.

[0132] [Variation 1: Counting the number of images taken by the photographing devices 3A to 3C] In the above embodiment, an example has been shown in which the additional device 6 counts the number of times that an irradiation permission signal is transmitted, and when the counted number of times that the irradiation permission signal is output reaches the maximum number of images to be captured, it is determined that the maximum number of images to be captured has been reached. However, the device may be configured to count the number of times that the imaging devices 3A to 3C receive a timing signal after transmitting an irradiation start permission signal, or the number of times that the timing signal is received and charge is read out from each pixel of the imaging devices 3A to 3C, or the number of times that the imaging devices 3A to 3C are read out and images are saved or transferred to the console 4, and determine whether or not these counts have reached a preset maximum number of images to be captured. The imaging devices 3A to 3C used for imaging may be configured to notify the console 4 or the additional device 6 that the number of images taken has been reached. The console 4 or the additional device 6 may be configured to end imaging when it receives a notification that the number of images taken has been reached from all or some of the imaging devices 3A to 3C used for imaging. By controlling the timing for ending photography based on the number of images actually taken by the photography devices 3A to 3C, it becomes possible to more accurately control the number of images taken. This makes it possible to control imaging based on the number of images taken, even when the number of radiation shots differs from the number of images taken, for example, due to interference from unintended noise or the like.

[0133] [Variation 2: Operation of the radiation control unit during serial imaging] In the above embodiment, the radiation control unit 11 receives an irradiation instruction signal from the irradiation instruction switch 5 and also receives an irradiation permission signal from the additional control unit 61 repeatedly. This irradiation permission signal is transmitted to the radiation control unit 11 as a pulse signal corresponding to the irradiation of radiation for capturing, for example, each frame of a long dynamic image. Then, the radiation control unit 11 transmits an irradiation signal to the high voltage generation unit 12 in a one-to-one correspondence with each of the irradiation permission signals it repeatedly receives, thereby irradiating radiation. Furthermore, when capturing one still image, it is sufficient for the radiation control unit 11 to transmit one irradiation permission signal in response to one reception of an irradiation instruction signal.

[0134] Therefore, in order to capture a still image, an irradiation permission signal may be received multiple times in response to a single irradiation instruction signal, and in order to prevent radiation from being erroneously irradiated multiple times, the radiation control unit 11 may be configured to transmit an irradiation signal only once in response to the first input of an irradiation permission signal, even if an irradiation permission signal is received multiple times in response to a single irradiation instruction signal. For example, this may be configured to control so that after an irradiation signal is output in response to a single input of an irradiation permission signal, no irradiation signal is output in response to an input of an irradiation permission signal for a certain period of time.

[0135] On the other hand, if the radiation control unit 11 is configured to send only one irradiation signal in response to one irradiation permission signal as described above, it will not be possible to perform serial imaging, in which radiation is irradiated multiple times in response to one irradiation instruction signal, as in the system 100 of this embodiment. Therefore, the radiation control unit 11 may be configured to transmit an irradiation signal to the high voltage generating unit 12 multiple times in response to the irradiation permission signal when the radiation control unit 11 receives an irradiation permission signal multiple times during one irradiation instruction signal input period, which is the period during which the photographer presses the irradiation instruction switch 5. This makes it possible to perform serial imaging in which radiation is irradiated multiple times in response to a single irradiation instruction signal.

[0136] The above-mentioned (1) control mode in which an irradiation signal is sent only once in response to one irradiation permission signal, and (2) control mode in which, if an irradiation permission signal is input multiple times during an irradiation instruction signal input period, an irradiation signal is sent multiple times to the high voltage generating unit 12 in response to the input of the irradiation permission signal, may be switched depending on the type of shooting (still image shooting or serial shooting). The control mode of the radiation control unit 11 can be switched in accordance with the type of imaging by the console 4, and may be changed based on the reception of a signal indicating the type of imaging from the console 4. With this configuration, it is possible to reliably prevent the risk of the subject being unnecessarily exposed to radiation due to the radiation being irradiated multiple times by mistake when capturing a still image.

[0137] [Variation 3: Timing restrictions on the radiation control unit during serial imaging] Here, when irradiation permission signals are continuously transmitted from the additional control unit 61 in response to the irradiation of each frame of long-length serial imaging together with irradiation instruction signals continuously input from the irradiation instruction switch 5 during the imaging period, the radiation control unit 11 can also control so that the irradiation signal is not transmitted to the high voltage generating unit 12 if the interval between two consecutive irradiation permission signals is shorter than a specific interval. For example, if electrical noise is mixed into the irradiation permission signal sent from the additional control unit 61 to the radiation control unit 11, causing the radiation control unit 11 to receive a signal similar to the irradiation permission signal at an unintended timing, the situation may be similar to that in which the high voltage generation unit 12 repeatedly receives the irradiation permission signal at intervals so short that it cannot generate the high voltage required for radiation irradiation. In such a case, if the radiation control unit 11 forcibly sends an irradiation signal to the high voltage generation unit 12, an excessive current may flow in the high voltage generation unit 12, causing the high voltage generation unit 12 to break down.

[0138] Therefore, in the above embodiment, the radiation control unit 11 can be configured so that, when irradiation permission signals are repeatedly received from the additional control unit 61 while the irradiation instruction signal input from the irradiation instruction switch 5 is ON, the length of the reception interval between two consecutive irradiation permission signals is compared with a preset minimum reception interval, and if it is determined that the reception interval is shorter than the minimum reception interval, the radiation control unit 11 does not transmit an irradiation signal to the high voltage generation unit 12. The minimum time interval may be configured to be set to an appropriate minimum time interval based on the frame rate of imaging. In this way, it is possible to prevent excessive current from flowing through the high voltage generating unit 12 and causing the high voltage generating unit 12 to break down.

[0139] [Variation 4: Timing of starting synchronization with the synchronization source] In the above embodiment, it has been described that the linkage of the photographing devices 3A to 3C with the synchronization source starts from the start of the photographing sequence (a timing signal is sent from the additional device 6 to the photographing devices 3A to 3C), but the linkage of the photographing devices 3A to 3C with the synchronization source may start after the first stage of the irradiation instruction switch 5 is pressed. Alternatively, the linkage of the photographing devices 3A to 3C with the synchronization source may start after the second stage of the irradiation instruction switch 5 is pressed. If the linkage with the synchronization source is performed at an unnecessarily early stage, there is a possibility that the linkage with the synchronization source will not be synchronized during actual photographing. However, by starting the linkage with the synchronization source in the preparation stage before photographing, it is possible to prevent the linkage with the synchronization source from being synchronized.

[0140] [Variation 5: Timing of starting synchronization with the synchronization source] Furthermore, because the time required for interlocking with the synchronization source varies depending on the type of image capture device 3, the timing for starting interlocking with the synchronization source may be determined based on the type of image capture device 3A-3C used for image capture. For example, interlocking with the synchronization source may be started according to the reset start timing required by the image capture devices 3A-3C. For example, if the image capture devices 3A-3C need to reset the charges accumulated in each pixel before an accumulation operation, interlocking with the synchronization source may be started after the reset is completed. Furthermore, when the image capture devices 3A-3C are of different types, interlocking with the synchronization source may be started according to the image capture device that takes the longest time. Furthermore, when the image capture devices 3A-3C are of different types, the time required for each image capture device 3A-3C to complete interlocking with the synchronization source may differ. Therefore, interlocking with the synchronization source may be started at the required timing based on the time required for each image capture device 3A-3C to complete synchronization.

[0141] [effect] As described above, in the system 100 according to this embodiment, the additional control unit 61 is connected to the radiation control device 1, which can only irradiate radiation once in response to a single radiation irradiation instruction in the conventional system 100A shown in Fig. 1, so that the radiation control device 1 can output an irradiation signal multiple times in response to a single acquisition (ON detection) of an irradiation instruction signal. This makes it possible to perform serial imaging, in which still images are repeatedly captured multiple times in a short period of time using the imaging devices 3A to 3C. 1 is widely used as a radiation device that captures simple still images. Therefore, medical institutions that use the conventional system 100A can easily modify the conventional system 100A, including the existing radiation generator, into one that supports serial imaging by simply adding the imaging device 3 and the additional device 6, without having to update the expensive radiation generator (radiation control device 1, high-voltage generating unit 12, radiation generating unit 2).

[0142] Furthermore, in the system 100, imaging is performed after confirming on the console 4 that all imaging devices 3 (3A to 3C) used for imaging are connected to a specific additional device 6 that is a synchronization source, so it is possible to minimize the risk that imaging will not be performed correctly with all imaging devices 3 (3A to 3C) because some of the imaging devices 3 used for imaging will perform imaging while connected to other synchronization sources and imaging will be performed at a different timing from the other imaging devices 3 used for imaging. This makes it possible to minimize the risk of imaging failure and unnecessary exposure of the subject to radiation.

[0143] <Prior Art 1-B> Next, conventional technology 1-B, which is the basis for a system 200 (described in detail later) according to embodiment 1-B of the present invention, will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Note that the same components as those in conventional technology 1-A above are given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0144] [System Configuration] First, the schematic configuration of a radiation imaging system according to Prior Art 1-B (hereinafter referred to as conventional system 200A) will be described. Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of conventional system 200A.

[0145] As shown in FIG. 9, the conventional system 200A differs from the conventional system 100A in the configuration of a radiation control unit 11A included in a radiation control apparatus 1A. Specifically, the radiation control unit 11 of the conventional system 100A was configured to be able to output an irradiation preparation signal or an irradiation instruction signal from the radiation control console 41 to an external device based on detecting that the signal has been turned ON, but the radiation control unit 11A of the conventional system 200A does not have such a configuration. Furthermore, the radiation control unit 11 of the conventional system 100A is configured to be able to receive an irradiation permission signal from an external device, but the radiation control unit 11A of the conventional system 200A does not have such a configuration. The configurations of the other components of the conventional system 200A and their modifications are the same as those explained for the conventional system 100A, and therefore the explanations therefor are incorporated herein.

[0146] [Operation] Next, the operation of the conventional system 200A will be described.

[0147] (Irradiation preparation operation) When the first stage of the irradiation instruction switch 5 is pressed by the photographer, the irradiation instruction switch 5 turns on an irradiation preparation signal to be output to the radiation control unit 11A via the radiation control console 41. When the radiation control unit 11A detects that the irradiation preparation signal has been turned on, it turns on the irradiation preparation signal to be output to the high voltage generating unit 12. Although FIG. 9 does not show the output of an irradiation preparation signal from the radiation control unit 11A to an external device, if the radiation control unit 11A operates in cooperation with an external device, the irradiation preparation signal may be output to the external device. When the high voltage generating unit 12 detects that the irradiation preparation signal has been turned ON, it outputs an irradiation preparation output to the radiation generating unit 2.

[0148] When the radiation generation unit 2 receives the irradiation preparation output, it starts preparations for generating radiation. When the anode is a rotary anode, for example, the rotary anode is rotated.

[0149] (Irradiation operation) Subsequently, when the photographer presses the second stage of the irradiation instruction switch 5, the irradiation instruction switch 5 turns on the irradiation instruction signal to be output to the radiation control unit 11A via the radiation control console 41. Although FIG. 9 does not show the output of an irradiation instruction signal from the radiation control unit 11A to an external device, if the radiation control unit 11A operates in cooperation with an external device, the radiation instruction signal may be output to the external device.

[0150] Prior art 1-B is not configured to receive an irradiation permission signal from an external device, and therefore does not perform control to transmit an irradiation signal when both an irradiation instruction signal and an irradiation permission signal are received. Therefore, the radiation control unit 11A transmits an irradiation signal to the high-voltage generation unit 12 simply by detecting that the irradiation instruction signal has been turned ON. Upon receiving the irradiation signal, the high voltage generating unit 12 applies a high voltage required for the radiation generating unit 2 to irradiate radiation as an irradiation output to the radiation generating unit 2 . When a high voltage is applied from the high voltage generating unit 12, the radiation generating unit 2 generates radiation in accordance with the applied voltage. The generated radiation is irradiated onto the subject and cassette 3α behind it after the irradiation direction, area, radiation quality, etc. are adjusted by a controller such as a collimator (not shown). Part of the radiation passes through the subject and enters cassette 3α. When radiation is incident on cassette 3α, a radiation image is formed on the film or fluorescent screen stored therein.

[0151] Here, in order to prevent irradiation from occurring before the rotation of the rotating anode reaches a sufficient speed, similar to the above-mentioned prior art 1-A, the radiation control unit 11A may be configured not to send an irradiation signal even if it detects that the irradiation instruction signal has turned ON, until a predetermined waiting time has elapsed since it detected that the irradiation preparation signal has turned ON, as described above.

[0152] In this way, in radiography using the conventional system 200A, just like in the case where the conventional system 100A is used, only one radiographic image (still image) of the subject is captured based on one radiography operation.

[0153] <1-B embodiment> Next, a 1-B embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 10 to 12. The same components as those in the 1-A embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. Furthermore, the various modified patterns given in the 1-A embodiment can also be applied to this embodiment.

[0154] Among radiation imaging systems, there are those in which the radiation control unit 11 has an input unit for an external irradiation permission signal, and transmits an irradiation signal in response to an irradiation instruction from the photographer and an external irradiation permission, as shown in the above-mentioned prior art 1-A, while there are also radiation control units 11A in which the radiation control unit 11A only has an input unit for an external irradiation instruction signal, and captures still images, as shown in the above-mentioned prior art 1-B. The radiation imaging system according to this embodiment (hereinafter referred to as the system 200) is capable of performing continuous imaging by adding an additional device 6A to the radiation control unit 11A.

[0155] [System Configuration] First, a description will be given of the system configuration of the system 200. Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the system 200 according to the 1-B embodiment.

[0156] As shown in FIG. 10, a system 200 according to the present invention is configured by replacing the cassette 3α of the conventional system 200A shown in FIG. 9 with a plurality of imaging devices 3, and further including an imaging device control console 42 and an additional device 6A similar to those in the above-described first embodiment. Like the above-described system 100, this system 200 is capable of performing long-length serial imaging using a plurality of imaging devices 3, as described below, to acquire long-length dynamic images showing the dynamics of the subject. In the following embodiment, an example in which imaging is performed using three imaging devices 3 will be described, but the number of imaging devices used is not particularly limited. Furthermore, the imaging devices 3 used for imaging will be described as imaging devices 3A to 3C.

[0157] The additional device 6A includes an additional control unit 61A and an interface unit (hereinafter, referred to as I / F unit 67). Although FIG. 10 shows an example of the additional device 6A in which the additional control unit 61A and the I / F unit 67 are configured separately, these may also be configured as an integrated unit.

[0158] The additional control unit 61A has a third connection unit 66 in addition to the first acquisition unit 62, second acquisition unit 63, first connection unit 64, and second connection unit 65 similar to those in the above-described first embodiment. The I / F unit 67 also includes a first AND circuit 67a and a second AND circuit 67b. The first acquisition unit 62 is connected to one input terminal of a first AND circuit 67a, and the third connection unit 66 is connected to the other input terminal of the first AND circuit 67a. The second acquisition unit 63 is connected to one input of a second AND circuit 67b, and the second connection unit 65 is connected to the other input of the second AND circuit 67b.

[0159] In addition, in the system 100 according to embodiment 1-A, the irradiation instruction switch 5 is connected to the console 4, and the irradiation instruction switch 5 outputs an irradiation preparation signal and an irradiation instruction signal to the additional device 6 via the radiation control device 1, but in the system 200 according to this embodiment, the irradiation instruction switch 5 capable of outputting an irradiation preparation signal and an irradiation instruction signal is directly connected to the additional device 6A. The additional device 6A is capable of inputting the irradiation preparation signal and the irradiation instruction signal from the irradiation instruction switch 5 to the additional control unit 61A and one of the input units of the first and second AND circuits 67a and 67b of the I / F unit 67. That is, the first acquisition unit 62 can directly acquire the irradiation preparation signal and the second acquisition unit 63 can directly acquire the irradiation instruction signal from the irradiation instruction switch 5. In addition, a configuration may be adopted in which a board or device on which the irradiation instruction switch 5 is provided or connected to the irradiation instruction switch 5 is connected to the I / F unit 67, and the first and second acquisition units 62, 63 are configured to acquire the irradiation preparation signal and irradiation instruction signal output by the irradiation instruction switch 5 via the board or device.

[0160] Furthermore, the third connection unit 66 in this embodiment outputs an imaging preparation completion signal, and the second connection unit 65 outputs an irradiation permission signal to the first and second AND circuits 67a and 67b, respectively. When an AND condition is satisfied in the first and second AND circuits 67a and 67b with the irradiation preparation signal and the irradiation instruction signal from the irradiation instruction switch 5, the irradiation preparation signal and the irradiation instruction signal can be output to the radiation control unit 11A via the radiation control console 41. That is, the third connection portion 66 and the second connection portion 65 according to this embodiment can be connected to the radiation control device 1A via the I / F portion 67, respectively.

[0161] 10 shows an example in which the irradiation preparation signal from the irradiation instruction switch 5 is also branched by the I / F unit 67 so as to be input to the additional control unit 61A and the first AND circuit 67a, and when an AND condition is met with the imaging preparation completion signal from the additional control unit 61A, the irradiation preparation signal is output from the I / F unit 67. However, the irradiation preparation signal does not have to be configured in this way, and may be output directly from the irradiation instruction switch 5 to the radiation control console 41 or the radiation control unit 11A.

[0162] Furthermore, although Figure 10 illustrates a configuration in which the first connection unit 64 (64a, 64b, 64c) directly transmits and receives information and signals to and from the imaging devices 3A to 3C, the first connection unit 64 (64a, 64b, 64c) may also be connectable to other devices via a relay unit (not shown) that can relay signals. Furthermore, although Figure 10 illustrates an example in which the first acquisition section 62, the second acquisition section 63, the first connection section 64, and the second connection section 65 are provided separately, at least two of the first acquisition section 62, the second acquisition section 63, the first connection section 64, the second connection section 65, and the third connection section 66 may be integrally configured (each section 62 to 66 may be used for multiple purposes). Furthermore, although not shown, the irradiation preparation signal and irradiation instruction signal output by the additional device 6A may be input directly to the radiation control unit 11A without going through the radiation control console 41. When an irradiation preparation signal and an irradiation instruction signal are input to the radiation control unit 11A via the console 4, the console 4, like the radiation control unit 11A, can recognize that the photographer has given an irradiation preparation or irradiation instruction, and in response to these input signals, the console 4 can perform notifications such as operations and displays in accordance with the irradiation preparation and irradiation instruction. On the other hand, when the irradiation preparation signal and irradiation instruction signal are input to the radiation control unit 11A without going through the console 4, the radiation control unit 11A can receive the irradiation preparation and irradiation instruction signals without being affected by other devices, enabling more stable and reliable operation.

[0163] Furthermore, the additional control unit 61A executes a program different from that of the additional control unit 61 according to the first embodiment, but the structure can be the same as that of the additional control unit 61 according to the first embodiment. (Although not shown in FIG. 2, the additional control unit 61 according to the first embodiment also includes a third connection unit 66, but since the program does not include a command for using this, it is possible to use a unit similar to the additional control unit 61.) Alternatively, the additional control unit 61A may be separate from the additional control unit 61 and limited to the necessary functions. When the additional control unit 61A detects that the irradiation preparation signal from the irradiation instruction switch 5 has been turned ON, it turns ON the imaging preparation signal to be output to at least one of the imaging devices 3A to 3C and the console 4. In addition, when the additional control unit 61A detects that the shooting preparation completion signal from at least one of the console 4 and the shooting devices 3A to 3C is ON, it turns ON the shooting preparation completion signal to be output to the other input section of the first AND circuit 67a of the I / F section 67.

[0164] In addition, when the additional control unit 61A detects that the irradiation instruction signal from the irradiation instruction switch 5 has been turned ON, it turns ON the imaging start signal to be output to at least one of the imaging devices 3A to 3C and the console 4. In addition, when the additional control unit 61A detects that an irradiation start permission signal from at least one of the console 4 and the imaging devices 3A to 3C has turned ON, it repeatedly outputs an irradiation permission signal (e.g., a pulse-like signal) similar to that of the 1-A embodiment to the other input section of the second AND circuit 67b of the I / F section 67 at a predetermined period. The additional control unit 61A is also configured to repeatedly output a timing signal (for example, a pulse signal) similar to that in the 1-A embodiment to the image capturing devices 3A to 3C at a predetermined cycle. In this way, in order to control the transmission timing of the irradiation permission signal and the timing signal, the additional control unit 61A can be configured to have a clock means similar to that of the 1-A embodiment.

[0165] [Operation] Next, the operation of the system 200 will be described. Figures 11 and 12 are ladder charts showing the operation of the system 200 according to this embodiment. The operation of the radiation control device 1A in the ladder charts shown in Figures 11 and 12 is executed under the control of the radiation control unit 11A. The operation of the imaging devices 3A to 3C is executed under the control of the imaging control unit 31. The operation of the additional device 6A is executed under the control of the additional control unit 61A. The operation of the console 4 is executed by cooperation between the CPU of the console 4 and programs stored in the ROM and RAM.

[0166] The operations (steps S1 and S2) in "A: When installing equipment, when starting up the equipment, when changing connected equipment, and when periodically checking connected equipment" and the operations (steps S3 to S15) in "B: Preparation for shooting" are the same as those in the above-mentioned 1-A embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11.

[0167] (C: Pre-irradiation treatment) The additional device 6A continues to repeatedly transmit timing signals to the photographing devices 3A to 3C, and the photographing devices 3A to 3C repeat the readout operation of the photographing devices 3A to 3C each time they receive this timing signal. Here, the photographing devices 3A to 3C convert the readout charges into an image when an image such as correction data is required, but when an image is not required, the readout charges may be discarded without being converted into an image, or a reset operation may be performed in which the charges are converted into an image and then discarded. When the radiographer finishes positioning the subject and presses the first step of the irradiation instruction switch 5 (step S16), the irradiation instruction switch 5 turns on the irradiation preparation signal to be output to the additional device 6A (step S17A).

[0168] The irradiation preparation signal is input to the additional control unit 61A and one input unit of the first AND circuit 67a of the I / F unit 67, respectively. At this time, the other input section of the first AND circuit 67a is connected to the additional control section 61A. Therefore, even if the irradiation preparation signal input from the irradiation instruction switch 5 to one input section of the first AND circuit 67a is ON, if the imaging preparation completion signal input to the other input section is not ON, the irradiation preparation signal output from the first AND circuit 67a to the radiation control console 41 remains OFF.

[0169] When the additional control unit 61A detects that the irradiation preparation signal from the irradiation instruction switch 5 has been turned ON, it transmits an imaging preparation signal instructing imaging preparation to the console 4 (step S19). Upon receiving the imaging preparation signal, the console 4 prepares for imaging.

[0170] Preparation for imaging on the console 4 includes, for example, confirming that the settings of the imaging device control console 42 that constitutes the console 4 and the radiation control console 41 that controls radiation irradiation are the same, and confirming that the specified imaging conditions, etc. are set in the radiation control device 1A and the imaging devices 3A to 3C. Furthermore, at this stage, the console 4 may request status notification from the image capturing devices 3A to 3C, as described in the 1-A embodiment, and may perform a final check on at least one of the statuses of the image capturing devices 3A to 3C. Furthermore, the console 4 may be configured to lock inputs to the console 4, such as changes to imaging conditions, at the stage when the imaging preparation is complete, so that changes cannot be made.

[0171] Although Figure 11 illustrates an example in which a shooting preparation signal is output from the additional device 6A to the console 4, there is also the case in which the shooting preparation signal is output to the photographing devices 3A to 3C instead of the console 4, causing the photographing devices 3A to 3C to prepare for shooting, and when the photographing preparation of the photographing devices 3A to 3C is completed, the photographing preparation completion signal is output from the photographing devices 3A to 3C to the additional device 6A. Alternatively, a shooting preparation signal may be output to both the console 4 and the photographing devices 3A to 3C, causing each to prepare for shooting. Once both preparations for shooting are complete, the console 4 and the photographing devices 3A to 3C may send a shooting preparation completion signal to the additional device 6A, and when the additional device 6A receives both of the shooting preparation completion signals, it may be determined that the entire preparation for shooting is complete.

[0172] Also, although not shown in the figures, if at least one of the console 4 and the photographing devices 3A to 3C has a connection part for inputting a photographing preparation completion signal from an external device indicating whether preparation for photographing is complete, at least one of the console 4 and the photographing devices 3A to 3C may be configured to turn on the photographing preparation completion signal when it detects that the photographing preparation completion signal from the external device has turned on. Alternatively, although not shown, the additional device 6A or the additional control unit 61A may be provided with a connection unit that outputs a shooting preparation signal to an external device, or a connection unit that can input a shooting preparation completion signal from an external device. This makes it possible for the additional device 6A or the additional control unit 61A to instruct the external device to prepare for shooting, or to detect that the external device has completed preparation for shooting, and to output a shooting preparation completion signal to the I / F unit in response to the external device having completed preparation for shooting.

[0173] By detecting that the imaging preparation completion signal has been turned ON, the additional device 6A can know that imaging preparation is complete in the console 4 and the imaging devices 3A to 3C, and by controlling radiation irradiation to be performed after the imaging preparation completion signal has been turned ON, it is possible to reliably eliminate the risk of radiation being irradiated when at least one of the console 4 and the imaging devices 3A to 3C is not capable of imaging, resulting in unnecessary exposure of the subject.

[0174] When the console 4 detects that the photographing preparation signal has been turned ON, or when the photographing preparation operation has started, or when the photographing preparation operation has been completed, the console 4 turns ON a signal indicating whether the photographing preparation signal has been received, a signal indicating whether the photographing preparation operation has started, or a photographing preparation completion signal indicating whether the photographing preparation operation has been completed (step S20). Also, the display unit 43 of the console 4 displays "Photographing" (step S21).

[0175] When the additional device 6A detects that the shooting preparation completion signal has turned ON, it turns ON the shooting preparation completion signal that is output to one of the two input parts of the first AND circuit 67a of the I / F unit 67 that is different from the input part to which the irradiation preparation signal from the irradiation instruction switch 5 has been input. At this time, the irradiation preparation signal from the irradiation instruction switch 5 and the imaging preparation completion signal from the additional control unit 61A, which are input to the two input parts of the first AND circuit 67a of the I / F unit 67, are both turned ON, so the first AND circuit 67a turns ON the irradiation preparation signal to be output to the radiation control console 41.

[0176] When the radiation control console 41 detects that the irradiation preparation signal has been turned ON, it turns ON the irradiation preparation signal to be output to the radiation control unit 11A. That is, the additional device 6A turns ON the irradiation preparation signal to be transmitted to the radiation control device 1A via the radiation control console 41 (step S18A). When the radiation control device 1A (radiation control unit 11A, high voltage generating unit 12, radiation generating unit 2) detects that the irradiation preparation signal has been turned ON, it makes preparations for radiation irradiation similar to those in the above-described embodiment 1-A.

[0177] Here, the case has been described in which the additional device 6A confirms that the imaging preparations of the imaging devices 3A to 3C and the console 4 are complete (receives an imaging preparation completion signal) before transmitting an irradiation preparation signal to the radiation control unit 11A, but the additional device 6A may be configured to transmit an irradiation preparation signal to the imaging devices 3A to 3C and the console 4 and to the radiation control unit 11A at the same time, without confirming that the imaging preparations of the imaging devices 3A to 3C and the console 4 are complete. In this case, the first AND circuit 67a of the I / F unit 67 is not necessary, and the irradiation preparation signal received from the irradiation instruction switch 5 may be distributed to the console 4, the imaging devices 3A to 3C, the radiation control console 41, or the radiation control unit 11A, respectively.

[0178] (D: Shooting execution) Subsequently, when the photographer presses the second stage of the irradiation instruction switch 5 (step S22), the irradiation instruction switch 5 turns on the irradiation instruction signal to be output to the additional device 6A (step S23A). At this time, the additional device 6A continues to repeatedly transmit timing signals to the photographing devices 3A to 3C, and the photographing devices 3A to 3C repeat the readout operation each time they receive this timing signal. Here, if an image such as correction data is required, the readout charges are converted into an image, but if an image is not required, the readout charges may be discarded without being converted into an image, a reset operation. Alternatively, the charges may be converted into an image and then discarded, a reset operation.

[0179] The irradiation instruction signal is input to the additional control unit 61A and one input unit of the second AND circuit 67b of the I / F unit 67, respectively. At this time, the other input section of the second AND circuit 67b is connected to the additional control section 61A. Therefore, even if the irradiation instruction signal input from the irradiation instruction switch 5 to one input section of the second AND circuit 67b is ON, if the irradiation permission signal to the other input section is not ON, the irradiation instruction signal output from the second AND circuit 67b to the radiation control console 41 remains OFF.

[0180] When the additional device 6A detects that the irradiation instruction signal from the irradiation instruction switch 5 has been turned ON, it turns ON an imaging start signal to be output to the console 4 and at least one of the imaging devices 3A to 3C (steps S25, S26).

[0181] When the imaging devices 3A to 3C detect that the imaging start signal has been turned ON, they turn ON the irradiation start permission signal to be output to the additional device 6A (step S27) at a specific operation timing of the readout operation they are currently performing, as shown in Fig. 12. The specific operation timing may be, for example, the timing when the readout of the charges accumulated in the pixels arranged two-dimensionally in the imaging device is completed across the entire two-dimensional array. This is because the readout operation of the imaging devices 3A to 3C acquires an image of the entire light receiving surface by sequentially reading out the charges accumulated in pixels arranged two-dimensionally. If the irradiation start permission signal is turned ON during readout and radiation is irradiated, a difference will occur in the signal values ​​between pixels for which readout has been completed and pixels for which readout has not been completed, significantly reducing the image quality.

[0182] On the other hand, in this embodiment, as will be described later, radiation irradiation and image readout by the imaging devices 3A to 3C are performed based on an irradiation instruction signal and a timing signal from the additional device 6A, respectively, so radiation irradiation during a readout operation does not occur in a normal routine. For this reason, the irradiation start permission signal may be configured to be turned on without considering the readout timing of the imaging devices 3A to 3C.

[0183] The imaging devices 3A to 3C continue to repeat the image readout operation even after the irradiation start permission signal is turned ON. The images read out after the irradiation start permission signal is turned ON are saved as captured images in the memory of the imaging devices 3A to 3C or transferred to the console 4. Alternatively, the charges of each radiation detection element 32d may be stored in memory in part or in whole as readout images, and then transmitted to the console 4 in part or in whole.

[0184] As will be described later, in long-length serial imaging, imaging is repeated at relatively short time intervals, so there are cases where the captured images cannot be sent in time for the imaging intervals to the console 4. In particular, when the imaging devices 3A to 3C and the additional control unit 61A, or the imaging devices 3A to 3C and the console 4 are connected via wireless communication, the communication speed is affected by the wireless conditions, so as described above, it is possible to store the captured image data in memory within the imaging devices 3A to 3C, transmit some of it to the console 4 during the imaging operation, and then transmit some or all of it to the console 4 after all imaging has been completed, thereby making it possible to continue imaging without causing imaging errors due to image data loss or transfer delays.

[0185] Furthermore, at this stage, as described in the 1-A embodiment, the console 4 may request the imaging devices 3A to 3C to notify their status, and may perform a final check on at least one of the status checks of the imaging devices 3A to 3C. If the recheck determines that all of the imaging devices 3A to 3C are in a state where imaging can continue, the console 4 may transmit a control signal to the imaging devices 3A to 3C so that the imaging devices 3A to 3C output an irradiation start permission signal to the additional device 6A.

[0186] The additional device 6A can detect that each of the imaging devices 3A to 3C is ready to capture images by receiving an irradiation start permission signal from each of the imaging devices 3A to 3C. Therefore, the additional device 6A may be configured to release the interlock so that, when it receives an irradiation start permission signal from all of the imaging devices 3A to 3C used for imaging, it can output an irradiation permission signal that permits radiation irradiation to the radiation control unit 11A. This may be implemented as part of the transition of state transition control, as will be described later. By configuring radiation irradiation to be permitted only after receiving irradiation start permission signals from all of the imaging devices 3A to 3C in this way, it is possible to prevent the subject from being unnecessarily exposed to radiation when radiation is irradiated at a timing when some of the imaging devices 3 to be used for imaging are not ready or when some of the imaging devices 3 are unable to image due to an error or the like. When the additional control unit 61A receives irradiation start permission signals from all of the imaging devices 3A to 3C used for imaging, it determines that all of the imaging devices 3A to 3C used for imaging are in an imaging-enabled state, releases the interlock so that it can output an irradiation permission signal that permits radiation irradiation to the radiation control unit 11A, and repeatedly inputs the irradiation permission signal to the other input unit of the second AND circuit 67b of the I / F unit 67 at a timing linked to the timing of sending the timing signal to the imaging devices 3A to 3C. At this time, the irradiation instruction signal from the irradiation instruction switch 5 and the irradiation permission signal from the additional control unit 61A, which are input to the second AND circuit 67b of the I / F unit 67, are both ON, so the second AND circuit 67b repeatedly transmits the irradiation instruction signal to the radiation control unit 11A via the radiation control console 41 (step S28A). The additional control unit 61A has a timing generation unit for outputting a timing signal and an irradiation permission signal at regular intervals, and the additional control unit 61A continues to repeatedly output the timing signal and the irradiation permission signal according to the timing generated by this timing generation unit.

[0187] Here, the timing signal and the irradiation permission signal to the imaging devices 3A to 3C may be output simultaneously, or may be output in accordance with the imaging timing of the imaging devices 3A to 3C and the radiation irradiation timing of the radiation control device 1A. When the timing signal and the irradiation permission signal to the imaging devices 3A to 3C are output simultaneously, it is possible to reduce the risk of timing fluctuations due to output delays, etc. It is also possible to branch off the same signal output for the timing signal and the irradiation permission signal. On the other hand, the additional device 6A may be configured to output timing signals and irradiation permission signals at the required timings, taking into account the imaging timing of the imaging device 3 and the radiation irradiation timing of the radiation control device 1A. The additional device 6A is intended for use in combination with various imaging devices 3A-3C and radiation control device 1A, and some of the imaging devices 3A-3C and radiation control device 1A may not be able to adjust the timing of actually performing part of the imaging sequence or radiation irradiation after receiving the timing signal or irradiation permission signal. Therefore, the additional device 6A outputs timing signals and irradiation permission signals taking into account the operation timing of the imaging devices 3A-3C and radiation control device 1A, making it possible to perform imaging in combination with various imaging devices 3A-3C and radiation control device 1A. The additional device may be configured to be able to individually adjust the timing of each signal output to match the characteristics of these various imaging devices 3A-3C and radiation control device 1A.

[0188] The latter half of the operation in "D: Shooting execution" (steps S29 to S32) and the first half of the operation in "E: Shooting end" (steps S33 to S39) are the same as those in the above-described 1-A embodiment.

[0189] (E: Filming ends) When the photographer confirms that photography is completed, he or she opens the second stage of the irradiation instruction switch 5 (step S40), which turns off the irradiation instruction signal (step S41A). Then, the photography devices 3A to 3C turn off the photography start signal.

[0190] Thereafter, when the photographer releases the first stage of the irradiation instruction switch 5 (step S43), the irradiation instruction switch 5 turns off the irradiation preparation signal (step S44A). Steps S46 to S47 are the same as those in the above-described first embodiment. Thus, a series of photographing operations is completed. The system 200 according to this embodiment operates as described above, and as a result, serial imaging is performed in which a plurality of still images are repeatedly captured in a short period of time, similar to the system 100 according to the first-A embodiment.

[0191] Note that [Variation 1: counting the number of images taken by the photographing device 3] to [Variation 5: timing of starting interlocking with the synchronization source] described in the 1-A embodiment can also be applied to the configuration of the 1-B embodiment.

[0192] [effect] As described above, in the system 200 according to this embodiment, the radiation control device 1A in the conventional system 200A shown in Fig. 9 can only irradiate radiation once in response to a single radiation irradiation instruction, but by connecting the additional control unit 61A, the radiation control device 1A can output an irradiation signal multiple times in response to a single irradiation instruction (second-stage depression of the irradiation instruction switch 5). This makes it possible to perform multiple serial imaging, in which still images are repeatedly captured multiple times in a short period of time using multiple imaging devices 3. 9 is widely used as a radiation device that captures simple still images. Therefore, medical institutions that use the conventional system 200A can easily modify the conventional system 200A, including the existing radiation generator, into one that supports serial imaging by simply adding the imaging devices 3A to 3C and the additional device 6A, without having to update their expensive radiation generators.

[0193] Furthermore, in the system 200, imaging is performed after confirming on the console 4 that all of the imaging devices 3 (3A to 3C) used for imaging are connected to a specific additional device 6A that is a synchronization source, so it is possible to minimize the risk that imaging will not be performed correctly with all of the imaging devices 3 (3A to 3C) because some of the imaging devices 3 used for imaging will perform imaging while connected to other synchronization sources and imaging will be performed at a different timing from the other imaging devices 3 used for imaging. This makes it possible to minimize the risk of imaging failure and unnecessary exposure of the subject to radiation.

[0194] <Sequence state transition> Next, the transition operation of the sequence states of the systems 100 and 200 according to the above-described first and second embodiments will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0195] [Premise, background, issues] In the systems 100 and 200 according to the above-described embodiments 1-A and 1-B, photographing cannot be performed correctly unless the connected devices operate in the correct order. Furthermore, even if an error unintended by the photographer occurs, such as noise in the signal line or a signal line being cut, it is necessary to safely terminate the imaging and prevent unintended radiation exposure, etc.

[0196] [Operation] First, we will explain the operation of the systems 100 and 200. Figure 13 is a state transition diagram of the systems 100 and 200, and Figure 14 is a timing chart showing the operation of the systems 100 and 200.

[0197] As shown in FIG. 13, the systems 100 and 200 according to this embodiment are initially in a standby state St1 in which they have not received a shooting start instruction from the photographer. Thereafter, the console 4 receives an imaging order from a higher-level system 7S such as a RIS or HIS, and when the photographer selects an imaging order, the console 4 turns on the sequence start signal to be output to the imaging devices 3A to 3C and the additional devices 6, 6A (T1), as shown in FIG. 14. Then, the imaging devices 3A to 3C and the additional devices 6 and 6A start preparation for imaging, which causes the systems 100 and 200 to transition to the irradiation preparation state St2 as shown in FIG.

[0198] In the irradiation preparation state St2, as shown in FIG. 14, the additional devices 6, 6A repeatedly transmit timing signals to the photographing devices 3A to 3C at predetermined intervals, and each time the photographing devices 3A to 3C receive this timing signal, they repeat a readout operation, thereby repeatedly performing a reset operation to remove the electric charge accumulated in the photographing devices 3A to 3C. The readout operation performed here is the same as the operation performed when acquiring a photographed image. However, since the image acquired by the reset operation was generated in the irradiation preparation state St2 in which no radiation is being irradiated, it may be saved in the memory of the photographing devices 3A to 3C or transferred to the console 4, or it may be deleted without being saved or transferred.

[0199] On the other hand, at least a portion of the image acquired by this reset operation can be stored in the photographing devices 3A to 3C as correction data (correction image) for correcting the photographed image, or transferred to the console 4, in order to represent the characteristics of the individual pixels of the photographing devices 3A to 3C or the images of the photographing devices 3A to 3C. The correction data may be at least one of the multiple images obtained by repeating the reset operation, or the average of the signal values ​​of corresponding pixels in multiple images, or an interpolated predicted value in the time direction may be calculated and used as the correction data. A method for correcting a captured image is to subtract the signal value of each pixel of the correction data from the image obtained by irradiating the image with radiation.

[0200] The timing signal may be configured to be able to be transmitted to the photographing devices 3A to 3C even in states other than the irradiation preparation state St2. Furthermore, when transitioning to the irradiation preparation state St2, a reset operation instruction signal that instructs the photographing devices 3A to 3C to perform a reset operation may be turned ON, and the photographing devices 3A to 3C may perform the reset operation when receiving an input that turns ON the reset operation instruction signal.

[0201] The operator sets the imaging conditions and the like using the imaging device control console 42 or the radiation control console 41, positions the subject, and then begins the imaging operation. 14, the irradiation instruction switch 5 is operated to turn on the irradiation preparation signal to be transmitted to the console 4 (T2), and the system 100, 200 then transitions to the irradiation start-up state St3 as shown in FIG.

[0202] In the irradiation startup state St3, the console 4 checks the status of the radiation control device 1, 1A, the imaging devices 3A to 3C, and the additional devices 6, 6A, and if it determines that imaging is possible, turns on the imaging preparation completion signal to be sent to the additional devices 6, 6A (T3), as shown in Figure 13. Here, the console 4 may be configured to check whether the imaging conditions set in the radiation control console 41 are the same as those set in the imaging apparatus control console 42. If the imaging conditions set in the radiation control console 41 are the same as those set in the imaging apparatus control console 4, the console 4 may be configured to display a message indicating that they are the same. Alternatively, if they are different, the console 4 may be configured to display a message indicating that they are different. In addition, if the imaging conditions set in the radiation control console 41 differ from the imaging conditions set in the imaging device control console 42, the imaging device may be configured to control the imaging device so that it is not possible to proceed to the subsequent imaging sequence. Further, while the imaging preparation completion signal is ON, the imaging conditions set in the imaging apparatus control console 42 and the radiation control console 41 may be controlled so that they cannot be changed.

[0203] On the other hand, when the radiation control device 1, 1A detects that the irradiation preparation signal is ON, it starts preparation for irradiation of radiation (T2), for example, by starting rotation of the rotating anode of the radiation generating unit 2.

[0204] Furthermore, when the additional device 6, 6A detects that the irradiation preparation signal has been turned ON, it starts counting the timer that has been set (T2). As will be described in more detail later, this makes it possible to control the camera so that even if the photographer presses the second stage of the irradiation instruction switch 5 (turns the irradiation instruction signal ON), the camera cannot transition to the irradiation standby state St4 described below until the timer count has reached a predetermined standby time.

[0205] Thereafter, the photographer presses the second stage of the irradiation instruction switch 5 to turn on the irradiation instruction signal (T4). Note that, although Fig. 14 illustrates an example in which the irradiation instruction signal is turned on after the imaging preparation completion signal is turned on, the irradiation instruction signal may be turned on before the imaging preparation completion signal is turned on. When the additional control unit 61, 61A confirms that the irradiation instruction signal is ON, the shooting preparation completion signal is ON, and the timer has elapsed a predetermined waiting time, the system 100, 200 transitions to the irradiation waiting state St4 as shown in FIG. 13.

[0206] In the irradiation standby state St4, the additional control units 61, 61A check whether the photographing devices 3A to 3C are ready to photograph. The photographing devices 3A to 3C check whether they are ready to photograph, and if they determine that they are ready to photograph, they transmit an irradiation start permission signal to the additional control units 61, 61A (T5), as shown in FIG. Whether or not photography is possible is confirmed by, for example, determining whether a predetermined reset operation has been completed and the charges in the light receiving sections of the photographing devices 3A to 3C have been removed, or whether or not the reset operation has been completed for all pixels on the light receiving surface (because the reset operation is performed by scanning each pixel arranged in a matrix on the light receiving surface, row by row). When the additional control units 61 and 61A detect that the irradiation start permission signal from the imaging devices 3A to 3C is ON, the units 100 and 200 transition to the irradiation permission state St5 as shown in FIG.

[0207] In the irradiation permission state St5, the additional control units 61, 61A continue to output timing signals to the imaging devices 3A to 3C, and repeatedly transmit irradiation permission signals or irradiation instruction signals to the radiation control units 11, 11A at timings according to the timings. 14, when the additional control units 61, 61A turn on an imaging start signal, which is an internal interlock (T5), they are able to output an irradiation permission signal or an irradiation instruction signal to the radiation generation device at a timing according to the output of the timing signal. The radiation generation device (radiation control units 11, 11A, high voltage generation unit 12, radiation generation unit 2) generates radiation every time it receives an irradiation permission signal or an irradiation instruction signal, and the radiation that has passed through the subject can repeatedly enter the imaging devices 3A to 3C.

[0208] In the irradiation permission state St5, after the irradiation start permission signal is turned ON, the additional control unit 61, 61A can be configured to count the number of captured images each time it transmits a timing signal or an irradiation permission signal. In this case, when the counted number of captured images reaches the set maximum number of captured images, the imaging start signal is turned OFF (T6), and the system 100, 200 transitions to the irradiation end state St6 as shown in FIG. In addition, when counting the number of captured images by counting the irradiation permission signal, it is necessary to read out the captured image resulting from the last radiation irradiation, so it is possible to delay the timing of turning off the readout command signal and transmit an additional frame of the timing signal that triggers the readout operation. With this configuration, it is possible to eliminate the risk of continuing imaging beyond the set maximum number of images, irradiating the subject with unnecessary radiation, and exposing the subject to more radiation than necessary.

[0209] Thereafter, when the photographer releases the second stage of the irradiation instruction switch 5, the irradiation instruction signal is turned OFF (T7), as shown in FIG. Thereafter, when the photographer releases the first stage of the irradiation instruction switch 5, the irradiation preparation signal is turned OFF (T8). Then, when the additional control units 61 and 61A confirm that all signals input thereto have been released, the systems 100 and 200 transition to the irradiation preparation state St2 as shown in FIG. Here, "all signals" can be the irradiation preparation signal, the irradiation instruction signal, the imaging start signal which is an interlock for the additional control units 61 and 61A, and the irradiation start permission signal for the imaging devices 3A to 3C.

[0210] After this, if the photographer decides to take another photograph, or after checking the photographed image, that the acquired photographed image is not sufficient for the desired purpose and that re-photography is necessary, the subject's condition or photographing conditions are changed and the photograph is taken again following the procedure described above. On the other hand, if it is determined that imaging is not necessary, the console 4 turns off the sequence start signal (T9) and ends the imaging sequence, whereupon the systems 100 and 200 transition to the standby state St1 as shown in FIG. In addition to the above case (judgment by the photographer), if there is no input from the photographer for a certain period of time, the state may be configured to transition to the standby state St1.

[0211] [Operation when not continuing shooting] The above-described state transition flow is for the case where photography continues until the maximum number of images is reached, but there are cases where photography cannot continue until the maximum number of images is reached due to various circumstances.

[0212] For example, if the photographer wants to interrupt photography before capturing the maximum number of images, he or she turns off the irradiation instruction signal by opening the second stage of the irradiation instruction switch 5. This causes the system 100, 200 to transition from the irradiation permission state St5 to the irradiation end state St6. This occurs when one of the multiple OR conditions for transitioning from the irradiation permission state St5 to the irradiation end state St6 shown in Fig. 13 is met (the irradiation instruction signal from the irradiation instruction switch 5 turns off, the irradiation start permission signals from the photographing devices 3A to 3C turn off, and the photography start signals of the additional devices 6, 6A turn off).

[0213] In the irradiation end state St6, radiation irradiation is stopped, and thereafter, similar to when the maximum number of images have been taken, processes such as transferring the remaining images in the imaging devices 3A to 3C to the console 4 and deleting the images saved in the imaging devices 3A to 3C after transfer are performed. This is because even if the pre-specified number of images have not been taken, there are cases where the captured images can be used, and even in such cases, the photographer can check the captured images in the same way as normal images. On the other hand, it is necessary to link the fact that the number of shots taken up to the predetermined number of shots has not been reached to the captured images and manage them accordingly. If the number of shots taken up to the predetermined number of shots has not been reached, it is possible to configure the system so that each individual image or group of images is noted and managed to indicate that the number of shots taken up to the predetermined number of shots has not been reached. In addition, if the predetermined number of shots is not taken, the console 4 may be configured to display an error signal from the additional device 6, 6A to indicate that the predetermined number of shots has not been taken.

[0214] [Action when an error occurs] There may also be cases where the connection between the additional device 6, 6A and the photographing devices 3A to 3C is cut off during photographing. For example, if the additional device 6, 6A and the photographing devices 3A to 3C are connected by wire, the cable may come off the connector, and if the additional device 6, 6A and the photographing devices 3A to 3C are connected wirelessly, wireless interference, a malfunction of the wireless device, or a cut in power to the wireless device may be the cause.

[0215] Therefore, the systems 100 and 200 may be provided with a function to monitor whether or not an error (Error 1, Error 2, Error 3, Error 4) has occurred in each sequence state St3 to St6, and if an error is detected, the system may transition to error state St7 as shown by the dashed line in Figure 13. Furthermore, when a transition to the error state St7 occurs, the display unit 43 of the console 4 may be configured to display the type of error that caused the transition to the error state St7.

[0216] Such error detection may be performed, for example, by running an error monitoring sequence separate from the shooting sequence shown in Figure 13 in parallel, which monitors signals in each state, and if an error is detected in the error monitoring sequence, transitioning the shooting sequence from the current sequence state St3 to St6 to error state St7. Such monitoring of error states can be achieved, for example, by continuing to detect the state of each of states St1 to St6 at appropriate intervals and determining whether the state of systems 100 and 200 in each of states St1 to St6 differs from the state that should be established. 13, the systems 100 and 200 are in the irradiation standby state St4 when the irradiation instruction signal is ON, the irradiation preparation completion signal is ON, and the timer has elapsed a predetermined time, but other conditions must also be met in the irradiation standby state St4. For example, to perform photography, the photographing devices 3A to 3C must be connected to the additional devices 6 and 6A, and the power of the photographing devices 3A to 3C must be ON. Therefore, in monitoring the error state, for states other than those shown in Fig. 13, for example, whether a communication connection state signal notifying that the photographing devices 3A to 3C are connected for communication is ON or whether a power state signal notifying that the photographing devices 3A to 3C are powered ON is ON is continuously monitored, and by determining whether these differ from the states that must be established in states St1 to St6, if these states become such that photographing cannot be continued due to an unintended operation, noise, or the like, it becomes possible to perform processing for when an error occurs in errors 1 to 4 shown in Fig. 13. Alternatively, an operable time may be set for each of the sequence states St3 to St6 shown in Fig. 13, and a timer may be started when transitioning to each of the sequence states St3 to St6 to measure the operating time in each sequence state, and control may be exercised so that transition to error state St7 occurs when the timer time has elapsed from the operable time for that sequence state. Furthermore, when an error occurs, the additional device 6, 6A or the imaging device 3A to 3C that detects the error may notify the console 4 of the error, and the console 4 may display the occurrence of the error.

[0217] After transitioning to the error state St7, the state transitions to the irradiation preparation state St2 or the standby state St1 when a specific condition is met (such as the cancellation of an error or the cancellation of all signals).

[0218] [effect] By using such an error detection method, malfunctions in the device or operation are reliably detected, and the device transitions to an error state, and if necessary, the device returns to the standby state St1 or the irradiation preparation state St2 from the middle of the imaging sequence. This makes it possible to eliminate the risk of radiation being irradiated while there is a malfunction in the device or operation, resulting in unnecessary exposure of the subject to radiation.

[0219] [System 100, 200 configuration example] Next, with reference to Figures 15 to 18, a specific system configuration example for implementing the above-mentioned systems 100 and 200 will be described. In Figures 15 to 18, the components shown in Figures 2 and 10 are shown in simplified form, and additional components, if any, are also shown. Furthermore, the connection lines (solid lines and dashed dotted lines) connecting the devices indicate that they are wired, and unless otherwise specified, include various signal lines (e.g., irradiation permission signals, irradiation signals, etc.), timing signal lines, and information signal lines shown in Figures 2 and 10. Furthermore, while Figures 15 to 18 illustrate an example of the system configuration of the system 100, in the case of the system 200, the radiation control device 1 is replaced with a radiation control device 1A, the additional device 6 is replaced with an additional device 6A, and an irradiation instruction switch 5 is provided in the additional device 6A.

[0220] (System configuration example 1) System configuration example 1 shown in Fig. 15 is a basic configuration for implementing the above-mentioned systems 100 and 200, and is configured such that the radiation control device 1 (1A) and the imaging devices 3A to 3C are each connected by wire (dedicated line) to a specific additional device 6 (6A), which is a synchronization source that generates timing signals at predetermined intervals. The additional device 6 (6A) outputs the generated timing signals to the imaging devices 3A to 3C, and the imaging devices 3A to 3C perform accumulation in conjunction with the input timing signals. Furthermore, the additional device 6 (6A) outputs an irradiation permission signal to the radiation control device 1 (1A) in conjunction with the generated timing signal to cause radiation irradiation to be performed. For example, when the radiation control device 1(1A) has a timing signal source for repeating radiation irradiation at predetermined intervals, such as a radiation control device 1(1A) for fluoroscopic imaging, a timing signal may be transmitted from the radiation control device 1(1A) to the additional device 6(6A), and the timing signal received by the additional device 6(6A) may be duplicated and transmitted to the imaging devices 3A to 3C.

[0221] (System configuration example 2) System configuration example 2 shown in Figure 16 is a configuration in which, compared to system configuration example 1 in Figure 15, a distributor 7 is provided between the additional device 6 (6A) and the photographing devices 3A to 3C, and signals (timing signals and information signals) from the additional device 6 (6A) are distributed by the distributor 7 to the photographing devices 3A to 3C and input to the photographing devices 3A to 3C. The distributor 7 is configured to determine whether each piece of communication information between the additional device 6 (6A) and the photographing devices 3A to 3C is being communicated between the additional device 6 (6A) and one of the photographing devices 3A to 3C, and to switch the communication to carry out the communication. This can be achieved, for example, by dividing the communication information into packets, attaching a tag to each packet that can identify which of the photographing devices 3A to 3C the information is being communicated with, and switching the communication according to the tag. Such a function may be achieved using a communication control method such as a switching hub. The distributor 7 can also be configured to distribute and communicate a timing signal from the additional device 6 (6A) to the image capture devices 3A to 3C. For example, it may be configured to distribute a pulse signal indicating timing and connect it to the image capture devices 3A to 3C. When distributing, noise removal and amplification may be performed on the signal as needed. By using the configuration shown in Figure 16, it becomes possible to control the shooting timing of multiple shooting devices 3A to 3C using one additional device 6 (6A), and it becomes possible to perform shooting by repeatedly shooting still images multiple times in a short period of time using multiple shooting devices 3, i.e., multiple serial shooting.

[0222] (System configuration example 3) 17A, additional devices 6a to 6c are provided which are wired to the imaging devices 3A to 3C, respectively. The additional devices 6a to 6c have the configuration of the additional device 6 or 6A described above. The radiation control device 1 and console 4 are connected to the additional devices 6a to 6c via a branching device 8 such as a hub. In system configuration example 3, the branching device 8 has a function of generating a timing signal, and the additional devices 6a to 6c duplicate the timing signal generated by the branching device 8 and output it to the imaging devices 3A to 3C. The branching device 8 also outputs an irradiation permission signal to the radiation control device 1 in conjunction with the timing signal. The radiation control device 1 causes the radiation generation unit 2 to irradiate radiation at a timing according to the irradiation permission signal. Alternatively, in the system configuration example 3, any one of the multiple additional devices 6a to 6c may be configured to output a timing signal and an irradiation permission signal linked to the timing signal. The timing signals may be input from one additional device 6a to 6c that outputs the timing signal to another additional device 6a to 6c via a branching device 8 or by wiring (not shown), and then input from each additional device 6a to 6c to the imaging devices 3A to 3C. Alternatively, the timing signals may be input from the additional devices 6a to 6c that output the timing signals to the imaging devices 3A to 3C via a distributor (not shown). The irradiation permission signal may be input to the radiation control device 1, 1A via the branching device 8 or via wiring (not shown) without via the branching device 8. Here, the output of the imaging preparation signal to the external devices of the additional devices 6, 6A described in the above-mentioned 1-A embodiment and 1-B embodiment, the output of the irradiation preparation signal, the irradiation instruction signal from the irradiation instruction switch 5, and the output of the irradiation permission signal to the radiation control unit 11 (11A) may be performed by one additional device among the multiple additional devices 6a to 6c, and the other additional devices may be controlled not to perform operations related to these signals. Alternatively, the irradiation preparation signal and the irradiation instruction signal from one irradiation instruction switch 5 may be branched and input to the plurality of additional devices 6a to 6c, and the plurality of additional devices 6a to 6c may perform operations related to these signals. Furthermore, the irradiation permission signal outputs from the multiple additional devices 6a to 6c may be merged and input to the radiation control unit 11 (11A). When merging the irradiation permission signal outputs, an AND circuit or the like may be used for the irradiation permission signals from the multiple additional devices 6a to 6c, so that when all of the irradiation permission signals from the multiple additional devices 6a to 6c have been output, the irradiation permission signal may be input to the radiation control unit 11 (11A). With this configuration, it is possible to configure the system so that radiation is output only when all of the additional devices 6a to 6c have output an irradiation permission signal, and it is possible to reliably prevent the multiple imaging devices 3A to 3C or the additional devices 6a to 6c from irradiating radiation when imaging is not possible, thereby preventing the subject from being unnecessarily exposed to radiation. 17A, the connections from the individual additional devices 6a-6c to the imaging devices 3A-3C are the same for both long-length imaging and single-frame imaging. By preparing multiple single-frame imaging configurations and providing a branching device 8 at the upper level that generates a timing signal as a synchronization source, and synchronizing the individual additional devices 6a-6c with the timing signal generated by this branching device 8, the single-frame imaging configuration can be easily expanded to a multiple-frame imaging configuration. Alternatively, one of the multiple additional devices 6a to 6c generates a timing signal and a shooting permission signal as a synchronization source, and each of the additional devices 6a to 6c synchronizes with that timing signal, making it possible to easily expand the configuration for single shooting to a configuration for multiple shooting.

[0223] (System configuration example 4) System configuration example 4 shown in FIG. 17B is provided with additional devices 6a to 6c corresponding to the imaging devices 3A to 3C, respectively. The additional devices 6a to 6c have the configuration of the above-mentioned additional device 6 or 6A. An information signal line and a timing signal line extend from each of the additional devices 6a to 6c. The information signal lines of the additional devices 6a to 6c are connected to the imaging devices 3A to 3C, respectively. The timing signal line of one additional device (here, additional device 6c) is distributed by a distributor 7, and merged with the information signal line at mergers 9a to 9c, and connected to the imaging devices 3A to 3C. In other words, the imaging devices 3A to 3C use the additional device 6c as a synchronization source and perform accumulation and readout in conjunction with the timing signal input from the additional device 6c, while other information signals (including image data) are transmitted and received with the console 4 via the corresponding additional device 6a to 6c or additional device 6a to 6c, respectively. The radiation control device 1 and the console 4 are connected to an additional device 6c via a branching device 8 such as a hub, and the radiation control device 1 causes the radiation generation unit 2 to irradiate radiation at a timing according to an irradiation permission signal input in conjunction with a timing signal from the additional device 6c. Note that the confluence devices 9a to 9c do not necessarily have to be provided. Furthermore, similar to the system configuration example 3 shown in FIG. 17A, the output of an imaging preparation signal to external devices of the additional devices 6, 6A described in the above-mentioned 1-A embodiment and 1-B embodiment, the output of an irradiation preparation signal, an irradiation instruction signal from the irradiation instruction switch 5, and the output of an irradiation permission signal to the radiation control units 11, 11A may be performed by one additional device among the multiple additional devices 6a to 6c, and the other additional devices may be controlled not to perform operations related to these signals. Alternatively, the irradiation preparation signal and the irradiation instruction signal from one irradiation instruction switch 5 may be branched and input to the plurality of additional devices 6a to 6c, and the plurality of additional devices 6a to 6c may perform operations related to these signals. Furthermore, the irradiation permission signal outputs from the multiple additional devices 6a to 6c may be merged and input to the radiation control unit 11 (11A). When merging the irradiation permission signal outputs, an AND circuit or the like may be used for the irradiation permission signals from the multiple additional devices 6, 6A, so that when all of the irradiation permission signals from the multiple additional devices 6, 6A have been output, the irradiation permission signal may be input to the radiation control unit 11 (11A). With this configuration, it is possible to configure the system so that radiation is output only when all of the additional devices 6a to 6c have output an irradiation permission signal, and it is possible to reliably prevent the multiple imaging devices 3A to 3C or the additional devices 6a to 6c from irradiating radiation when imaging is not possible, thereby preventing the subject from being unnecessarily exposed to radiation. Furthermore, the irradiation permission signal input from the additional device 6c to the radiation control device 1 may be input to the radiation control device 1 via a separate wiring (not shown) from the additional device 6c without passing through a hub or the like. Unlike information signals, irradiation permission signals may be contact signals or pulse signals, and therefore may need to be input directly from the additional device 6c to the radiation control device 1 without passing through a hub or the like. On the other hand, information signals may be signals that can be communicated via a LAN or the like, in which case they can be connected to the radiation control device 1 or console 4 using a branching device such as a hub as shown in Fig. 17A.

[0224] In system configuration example 4 shown in FIG. 17B, when one image is taken with one imaging device 3 or when serial imaging is performed with one imaging device 3, additional device 6c can be used. When one image is taken with one imaging device 3, only the information signal line is used, and when serial imaging is performed with one imaging device 3, both the information signal line and the timing signal line are used, enabling multiple images to be taken at a fixed timing while being synchronized. When one image is taken with multiple imaging devices 3 (long-length imaging) or when multiple images are serially taken with multiple imaging devices 3 as described above (long-length serial imaging), additional devices 6a to 6c can be used for imaging. When one image is taken with multiple imaging devices 3 (long-length imaging), only the information signal lines of each of the additional devices 6a to 6c are used. When multiple images are serially taken with multiple imaging devices 3 (long-length serial imaging), signals distributed by distributor 7 from the information signal lines of each of the additional devices 6a to 6c and the timing signal line of one additional device 6c are used. That is, in system configuration example 4, still image shooting with one photographing device 3, serial shooting with one photographing device 3, long-length shooting, and long-length serial shooting can all be controlled using the same additional device 6c.

[0225] (System configuration example 5) 18 is a configuration in which an additional device 6 (6A) is connected to a radiation control device 1 (1A) and a console 4, and the additional device 6 (6A) and imaging devices 3B and 3C are each connected to the imaging device 3A. The imaging devices 3B and 3C are serially or cascade connected to the imaging device 3A. The timing signal transmitted from the additional device 6 (6A) to the imaging devices 3A to 3C is input to the imaging device 3A, which is the parent device, and the imaging device 3A outputs the input timing signal to the imaging devices 3B and 3C. Note that, for example, in the case where the radiation control device 1 (1A) for fluoroscopic imaging has a timing signal source for repeating radiation irradiation at predetermined intervals, the timing signal may be transmitted from the radiation control device 1 to the additional device 6, and the timing signal received by the additional device 6 (6A) may be duplicated and transmitted to the imaging devices 3A to 3C. Alternatively, the imaging device 3A may be configured to have a timing signal source, and the imaging device 3A may output timing signals to the additional device 6 (6A) and the imaging devices 3B and 3C. Here, the information signals for transmitting and receiving the status notification information, warm-up notification (S12), correction data transmission (S13), shooting preparation completion notification (S14), and captured images shown in Figures 4 and 5 and the above sequence description may be configured to be output from each of the shooting devices 3A to 3C to the console 4 via information signal lines connected to each of the shooting devices 3A to 3C, which are omitted from Figure 18. In this case, each of the imaging devices 3A to 3C may be configured to be connected to the console 4 via the additional device 6 by an information signal line not shown in FIG. 18, as shown in FIG. Alternatively, each of the imaging devices 3A to 3C may be configured to be connected to an additional device 6 via an information signal line and a distributor 7 (not shown in FIG. 18), as shown in FIG. 16, and to be connected to the console 4 via the additional device 6. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 17A, each of the imaging devices 3A to 3C may be configured to be connected to a corresponding additional device 6a to 6c by an information signal line not shown in Fig. 18. The additional devices 6a to 6c may be connected directly to the console 4, or may be connected to the console 4 via a branching device 8 as shown in Fig. 17A. In this case, a timing signal output from one of the additional devices 6a to 6c may be input to the imaging device 3A as a representative, and then input to the other imaging devices 3B and 3C via a serial connection or cascade connection as described above.

[0226] Second Embodiment A second embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

[0227] [Configuration of System 300] First, an outline of a radiation imaging system (hereinafter referred to as system 300) according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 19 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of system 300. Note that components equivalent to those in the first-A embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and only different parts of the configuration will be described.

[0228] As shown in FIG. 19, the system 300 of this embodiment includes a radiation control device 1B, a radiation generation unit 2, imaging devices 30 (30A to 30C), a console 4, an irradiation instruction switch 5, and a wireless communication device 6B. The radiation control device 1B and the radiation generation unit 2, the radiation control device 1B and the console 4, the console 4 and the irradiation instruction switch 5, the radiation control device 1B and the wireless communication device 6B, and the console 4 and the wireless communication device 6B are each connected to each other via wires so that they can communicate with each other. The wireless communication device 6B and the imaging devices 30 (30A to 30C) are each connected to each other via wireless communication. In FIG. 19, the connection lines connecting the devices are shown as solid lines and wireless lines, respectively. Furthermore, this system 300 can be communicably connected to a Radiology Information System (RIS), a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS), and the like.

[0229] Similar to the 1-A and 1-B embodiments, the system 300 is a system for performing long-length serial imaging using a plurality of imaging devices 30. However, it differs from the above embodiments in that the wireless communication device 6B is used as a synchronization source for synchronizing the imaging timing and radiation irradiation timing of the imaging devices 30 used for imaging. Note that the following embodiments will be described taking as an example a case where imaging is performed using three imaging devices 30, but the number of imaging devices used is not particularly limited. Furthermore, the imaging devices 30 used for imaging will be described as imaging devices 30A to 30C.

[0230] This system 300 can be installed in, for example, an imaging room in a hospital, or can be used as a mobile system by configuring the radiation irradiation device, which includes the radiation control device 1B, the radiation generation unit 2, the console 4, and the irradiation instruction switch 5, as a wheeled medical cart. If the system is mobile, it can be used to take radiographic images of subjects who have difficulty moving around.

[0231] For example, when performing imaging using an imaging table installed in a hospital imaging room, imaging may be performed with the subject in a wheelchair or on a bed. In such a case, if imaging is performed with wired cables attached to the imaging devices 30A to 30C, Cables get in the way There is a risk that the cable may come loose and communication may become impossible. -Cables come into contact with the subject, which creates hygiene issues. Due to these problems, there was a desire to shoot without using wired cables.

[0232] When radiography is performed using a medical cart, it is performed in the ward where the patient is recuperating. In this case, radiography is performed in the bed where the patient is lying down, and it is necessary to place the radiography devices 30A to 30C between the patient and the bed. Therefore, even more than in the radiography room, there are problems such as the cables getting in the way, the risk of the cables coming loose and causing communication failure, and hygiene issues as the cables come into contact with the patient, and there has been a demand for radiography that does not use wired cables. In imaging using CR before the FPD-based imaging device 30, no wired cable was required during imaging, and there was a demand for imaging without using a wired cable in order to achieve the same ease of operation as with CR. However, by using the system 300 according to this embodiment, a medical cart that meets these needs can be configured.

[0233] [Configuration of radiation control device] Next, the configuration of the radiation control device 1B in this embodiment will be described. Fig. 20 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the radiation control device 1B. As shown in Fig. 20, the radiation control device 1B according to this embodiment includes a radiation control unit 11B, a high-voltage generation unit 12, a memory unit 13, a communication unit 14, a timing unit 15, a timing control unit 16, etc.

[0234] The radiation control unit 11B includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a A computer in which ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and input / output interfaces are connected to a bus, and It is composed of PGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) etc. In addition, a dedicated control circuit It may be composed of: The radiation control unit 11B is configured to transmit control information instructing the high voltage generation unit 12 to start applying voltage (irradiating radiation) based on a control signal from, for example, the console 4 or the imaging devices 30A to 30C. The radiation control unit 11B also executes the functions of the radiation control device 1B related to "determining whether or not it is connected to a specific wireless communication device 6B" or "determining whether or not it is linked to a specific wireless communication device 6B", which will be described later.

[0235] The storage unit 13 may be a static RAM (SRAM), a synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), It consists of NAND flash memory, HDD (Hard Disk Drive), etc.

[0236] The communication unit 14 has a connector for communicating with an external device and controls communication with the external device. When synchronization with another device is desired using wired communication, the communication unit 14 uses a protocol such as NTP (Network Time Protocol) or the international standard IEEE Std. Synchronization can be achieved by using a method such as that specified in IEEE1588.

[0237] The timekeeping unit 15 is configured to start timekeeping and generate timekeeping information when the power is turned on or when a predetermined control signal is received from the outside. The output from the timer 15 may be timing information such as pulses at regular intervals, or time information such as year, month, day, hour, minute, second, or count number counted up at regular intervals from a certain point in time. The timer 15 may be provided externally to the radiation control device 1B instead of being built into the radiation control device 1B. In recent years, the timing synchronization function (TSF) specified in the IEEE802.11 communication standard (described later) has become standard, and a timer function has been implemented. Therefore, it is also possible to use such a wireless LAN chip as the clock unit 15.

[0238] The timing control unit 16 is connected to the communication unit 14 and is able to acquire first timing information (time information or timing information) from the wireless communication device 6B via the communication unit 14. The timing control unit 16 is also connected to the timing unit 15 and is configured to acquire second timing information from the timing unit 15. The second timing information is timing information from the timing unit 15 or the timing unit 38 at the time when the first timing information is received (acquired) from the specific wireless communication device 6B (synchronization source). The timing control unit 16 then corrects the timing information from the timing unit 15 based on the acquired first and second timing information, and links the timing information from the timing unit 15 to the timing information from the reference timing unit 602 of the wireless communication device 6B. Such a timing control unit 16 may be configured as an individual semiconductor, board or device, or may be incorporated as part of the functions of a general-purpose processing unit such as a CPU or FPGA (including the radiation control unit 11B). Furthermore, the timing control unit 16 can be preset with setting information related to the timing information or transmission of time information of the wireless communication device 6B. When the first timing information output by the wireless communication device 6B is timing information, for example, if the interval at which timing information (e.g., pulses) is output from the wireless communication device 6B is set to every x seconds, the interval at which the first timing information can be acquired from an external device can be set to x seconds. On the other hand, when the first timing information output by the wireless communication device 6B is time information, for example, if the interval at which time information (such as the time or the number of counts counted up by the wireless communication device 6B from a certain point in time) is output from the wireless communication device 6B is set to every x seconds, the interval at which the first timing information can be acquired from an external device can be set to x seconds. In particular, when the time information is a count-up value in the wireless communication device 6B, the timing control unit 16 can acquire and set the count interval of the wireless communication device 6B. For example, when the count frequency of the wireless communication device 6B is y Hz, the count interval can be acquired and set to 1 / y seconds.

[0239] In this embodiment, the radiation control device 1B is configured to also include a high-voltage generating unit 12. This allows the user to handle radiation without being aware of the high-voltage generating unit 12. Therefore, it is possible to handle radiation with an equipment configuration that reduces the occurrence of unintended malfunctions due to, for example, matching between devices. On the other hand, the radiation control device 1B may not include the high-voltage generating unit 12, and the high-voltage generating unit 12 may be configured independent of the main body of the radiation control device 1B. This allows the user to select any high-voltage generating unit 12 independent of the radiation control device 1B to configure the device, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in equipment selection.

[0240] [Configuration of imaging equipment] Next, the configuration of the imaging devices 30A to 30C included in the system 300 will be described. Fig. 21 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of the imaging device 30 (30A to 30C). As shown in Fig. 21, the imaging devices 30A to 30C of this embodiment include an imaging control unit 31, imaging units 32 to 34, a storage unit 35, a communication unit 36, a timing unit 38, and a timing control unit 39. In Fig. 21, the radiation detection unit 32, scan drive unit 33, and readout unit 34 described in the 1-A embodiment are collectively illustrated as imaging units 32 to 34. That is, the imaging devices 30A to 30C of this embodiment have a configuration in which the timing unit 38 and timing control unit 39 are added to the configuration described in the 1-A embodiment using Fig. 3.

[0241] The timer 38 is configured to start timing when the power is turned on or when a predetermined control signal is received from the outside, and to generate timing information. The output from the timer 38 may be timing information such as pulses at regular intervals, or time information such as the year, month, day, hour, minute, and second, or the number counted up at regular intervals from a certain point in time. The timer 38 may not be built into the image capture device 30, but may be provided externally to the image capture device 30. In recent years, the timing synchronization function (hereinafter referred to as TS) defined in the IEEE802.11 communication standard, which will be described later, has become popular. There are also wireless LAN chips that come standard with a timer function. Therefore, it is possible to use such a wireless LAN chip as the timer unit 38.

[0242] The timing control unit 39 is connected to the communication unit 36 ​​and is able to acquire first timing information (time information or timing information) received from the wireless communication device 6B via the communication unit 36. The timing control unit 39 is also connected to the timing unit 38 and is adapted to acquire second timing information from the timing unit 38. Then, based on the acquired first timing information and second timing information, the timing control unit 39 corrects the timing information of the timing unit 38 and links the timing information of the timing unit 38 to the timing information of the reference timing unit 602 of the wireless communication device 6B. Furthermore, such a timing control unit 39 may be configured as an individual semiconductor, board, or device, or may be incorporated as part of the functions of a general-purpose processing unit (including the imaging control unit 31) such as a CPU or FPGA. Similarly to the timing control unit 16, the timing control unit 39 can be set in advance with setting information relating to the transmission of timing information or time information for the wireless communication device 6B.

[0243] [Configuration of wireless communication device] The wireless communication device 6B is the parent device of the communication network and functions as an access point for wireless communication, relaying communications between the radiation control device 1B and the imaging devices 30A to 30C, and between the console 4 and the imaging devices 30A to 30C.

[0244] FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the wireless communication device 6B. As shown in FIG. 22, the wireless communication device 6B of this embodiment includes a communication unit 601, a reference clock unit 602, a storage unit 603, and the like.

[0245] The communication unit 601 includes a wired communication interface and a wireless communication interface, and can communicate with a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), the Internet, etc. The communication unit 601 is capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from external devices connected via a network. The communication unit 601 also includes a connector 601b (for inserting a cable) for wired communication with the radiation control device 1B, and an antenna 601a for transmitting and receiving radio waves to and from the imaging devices 30A to 30C.

[0246] The reference timing unit 602 generates timing information that serves as a reference for the photographing operation of the system 300 . For example, the reference timer 602 is configured by a TSF timer and is configured by the timing synchronization function (hereinafter referred to as TSF) of the IEEE802.11 communication standard. The time information to be used is generated as timing information. Here, "TSF" refers to a function that synchronizes the time between an access point and a device when the devices communicate wirelessly with each other. Specifically, the access point is provided with a free-running timing device (TSF timer) that counts up periodically (every 1 μs), and the beacon that is transmitted periodically (every 100 ms by default) includes time information at the time of transmission and transmits it to the terminal. Meanwhile, the terminal is also provided with a timing device that counts up periodically (every 1 μs), and upon receiving a beacon, updates the time information in its own timing unit to the time information included in the beacon and continues counting up. For example, the timing method starts counting from 0, and when the time information reaches a predetermined maximum value, it resets to 0 and repeats the counting. The time information of the TSF timer included in this beacon, i.e., at the time of beacon transmission, becomes the first timing information.

[0247] Alternatively, reference clock unit 602 may output timing information other than the TSF timer described above. For example, reference clock unit 602 may output timing information such as pulses at regular intervals, or may output time information such as the year, month, day, hour, minute, and second, or a count number counted up at regular intervals from a certain point in time. Then, the timing information at the time of transmission may be included as first timing information in a beacon or the like periodically (typically every 100 ms) transmitted by communication unit 601.

[0248] The storage unit 603 stores specific identification information (ID) that can uniquely identify the wireless communication device 6 B. Examples of the identification information include the BSSID (identifier, MAC address, etc.) of the wireless communication device 6 B. It is also possible to assign a unique ID to the wireless communication device 6B in advance and use that ID. The unique ID may be notified by radio waves (such as a beacon transmitted by the wireless communication device 6B) or communication, or may be determined in advance.

[0249] Furthermore, if the ESSID and access key of the wireless communication device 6B are unique, the combination of the ESSID and access key of the wireless communication device 6B can also be used as the identification information. Whether the ESSID and access key are unique or not can be determined by scanning surrounding radio waves to confirm the presence of the wireless communication device 6B. By using a combination of ESSID and access key, the procedure for confirming specific information can be performed via a wireless connection, making the procedure simpler. It is also possible to increase the probability of uniqueness in advance by, for example, specifying the wireless channel in advance.

[0250] The wireless communication device 6B configured in this manner is configured to wirelessly transmit a beacon at predetermined intervals (Td). The beacon carries first timing information, which is timing information from the reference timing unit 602 at the time of transmitting the beacon. When transmitting the first timing information, the wireless communication device 6B also transmits the first timing information to the radiation control unit 11B, which is connected by wire. Furthermore, the wireless communication device 6B is capable of transmitting specific information to each of the radiation control device 1B and the imaging devices 30A to 30C. The specific information may be transmitted in a beacon or may be transmitted separately from the beacon.

[0251] [Shooting operation of System 300] The imaging operation in the system 300 is substantially the same as the sequences shown in Figures 4 and 5 (Figures 11 and 12) and the state transitions shown in Figure 13, but the input / output control of signals that was previously performed by the additional device 6 (6A) is now performed by, for example, the console 4. The timing at which the radiation control device 1B causes the radiation generation unit 2 to irradiate radiation is determined based on the timing information of the timer 15. The timing of accumulation, readout (transfer) and reset (initialization) in the imaging devices 30A to 30C is determined based on the timing information of the timer 38. For example, when the imaging control unit 31 of each of the imaging devices 30A to 30C receives a sequence start signal from the console 4, it repeats a readout operation (including initialization) at predetermined time intervals from the time (timing) of the timer 38 at that time. When the second stage of the irradiation instruction switch 5 is pressed and an imaging start signal is received from the console 4, the imaging devices 30A to 30C end their own readout operation at that time and turn on an irradiation start permission signal to transmit it to the radiation control device 1B. As shown in FIG. 23, the imaging device 30A to 30C transitions to an accumulation state, alternating between accumulation for a predetermined time (C1) and readout for a predetermined time (C2). When the radiation control device 1B receives the irradiation start permission signal, it causes the radiation generation unit 2 to irradiate radiation at predetermined time intervals (C1 + C2) after a predetermined time (C3) has elapsed from the time of the timer 15 at that time (C1 > C3). The accumulation, readout, and radiation irradiation are repeated for the number of images to be captured.

[0252] [Timing deviation] While the system 300 is operating as described above, for example, due to the influence of an error in the frequency of the oscillators provided in the timing unit 15 of the radiation control device 1B and the timing units 38 of the imaging devices 30A to 30C, a slight difference may occur between the timing speed of the reference timing unit 602 of the wireless communication device 6B, which is the synchronization source, and the timing speed of the timing unit 15 or the timing unit 38. In such a case, when imaging is performed for a relatively long time such as serial imaging, for example, as shown in Fig. 24, the difference between the timing information of the reference timing unit 602 and the timing information of the timing units 15, 38 gradually increases and synchronization is lost, causing a difference between the radiation irradiation timing of the radiation control device 1B (radiation generation unit 2) and the imaging timing of the imaging devices 30A to 30C. Therefore, the system 300 of this embodiment checks and corrects the deviation between the reference timing unit 602, which is the synchronization source, and each timing unit 15, 39 before the deviation between the radiation irradiation timing of the radiation control device 1B and the imaging timing of the imaging devices 30A to 30C becomes so large that it affects the diagnosis.

[0253] The degree of deviation is confirmed based on a comparison between the first and second timing information.

[0254] [Combination of methods for checking deviation] In this embodiment, as described above, the first timing information generated by the wireless communication device 6B may be time information or timing information, and the second timing information acquired by the timing control unit 16 or the timing control unit 39 may be time information or timing information. Therefore, the comparison between the first timekeeping information and the second timekeeping information to check for a discrepancy is performed in one of the following four ways, depending on the configuration of each device. 1. Comparing timing information with timing information 2. Comparison of timing information and time information 3. Comparison of time information and timing information 4. Comparing time information with time information Below, the methods for checking the amount of discrepancy between the first timekeeping information and the second timekeeping information using each method will be described in detail.

[0255] [How to check the amount of timing information discrepancy by comparing timing information] 25 and 26 show the operation of the radiation control apparatus 1B and the apparatus that receives the first timing information, among the imaging apparatuses 30A to 30C. When the wireless communication device 6B is configured to output timing information as the first timing information and the timing control units 16, 39 are configured to acquire timing information as the second timing information, for example, in the example shown in Figures 25 and 26, the timing control units 16, 39 count the number of pulses of their own timing units 15, 38 during the period from when timing information is input from the wireless communication device 6B to when the next timing information is input (the period from when the (N-1)th pulse is received to when the Nth pulse is received), and determine the timing speed of their own timing units 15, 38 relative to the timing speed of the wireless communication device 6B.

[0256] For example, if the output cycle of the first timing information from the wireless communication device 6B is set to 1 second and the clock of its own timing units 15, 38 is set to 10 MHz, the settings are such that 10,000,000 pulses are counted per second. However, in reality, the pulse generation rate fluctuates due to fluctuations in reference timer 602 of wireless communication device 6B, the accuracy of timer 15 or timer 38 itself, and temperature changes, and so the rate does not reach exactly 10,000,000 times, resulting in a difference. This difference is the time difference between the reference timer 602 of the wireless communication device 6B and the timers 15, 38 of the radiation control device 1B or the imaging devices 30A to 30C.

[0257] For example, in the case shown in Figure 25, if the number of pulses during the period from receiving the (N-1)th pulse to receiving the Nth pulse is 10,000,010, which is 10 more than the set value, it becomes possible for the wireless communication device 6B to recognize that its own timing unit 15, 38 is 10 / 10,000,000 faster than that of the wireless communication device 6B. On the other hand, for example, in the case shown in Figure 26, if the number of pulses during the period from receiving the (N-1)th pulse to receiving the Nth pulse is 9,999,990, which is 10 pulses less than the set value, it becomes possible to recognize that its own timing unit 15, 38 is 10 / 10,000,000 slower than wireless communication device 6B.

[0258] [How to check the amount of timekeeping information discrepancy by comparing timing information and time information] When the wireless communication device 6B is configured to output timing information as the first timing information and the timing control units 16, 39 are configured to acquire time information as the second timing information, for example, in the example shown in Figures 25 and 26, the timing control units 16, 39 generate time information from timing information such as pulses of their own timing units 15, 38 during the period from when timing information is input from the wireless communication device 6B to when the next timing information is input (the period from when the (N-1)th pulse is received to when the Nth pulse is received), and determine the timing speed of their own timing units 15, 38 relative to the timing speed of the wireless communication device 6B from the generated time information.

[0259] For example, if the output cycle of the first timing information from wireless communication device 6B is set to 1 second and the clock of its own timing unit 15, 38 is set to 10 MHz, pulses are generated 10,000,000 times per second, which means that a pulse is generated every 0.0000001 seconds. Therefore, by correcting the time information by 0.0000001 seconds for each pulse, it is possible to obtain time information at each timing. The time information may be adjusted for each pulse, or may be adjusted for multiple pulses at a time. Alternatively, the time information may be adjusted collectively when a time information inquiry is made. If the time information is repeatedly corrected for one second with the settings described above, the time information will be one second. However, in reality, the pulse generation rate fluctuates due to fluctuations in the reference timer 602 of the wireless communication device 6B, the accuracy of the timer 15 or the timer 38 itself, and temperature changes, and the interval is not exactly one second, resulting in a difference. This difference is the time difference between the reference timer 602 of the wireless communication device 6B and the timer 38 or the timer 15.

[0260] For example, in the case shown in Figure 25, if the number of pulses during the period from receiving the (N-1)th pulse to receiving the Nth pulse is 10,000,010, which is 10 more than the set value, the period from receiving the (N-1)th pulse to receiving the Nth pulse is 1.000001 seconds, and it becomes possible to recognize that the timing speed of its own timing unit 15, 38 is faster than the timing speed of wireless communication device 6B by 0.000001 seconds per second. On the other hand, in the case of Figure 26, for example, if the number of pulses in the period from receiving the (N-1)th pulse to receiving the Nth pulse is 9,999,990, which is 10 less than the set value, the period from receiving the (N-1)th pulse to receiving the Nth pulse is 0.999999 seconds, and it becomes possible to recognize that the timing speed of its own timing unit 15, 38 is slower than the timing speed of wireless communication device 6B by 0.000001 seconds per second.

[0261] [How to check the amount of timing information discrepancy by comparing time information and timing information] FIG. 27 shows the operation of the radiation control apparatus 1B and the apparatus that receives the first timing information, among the imaging apparatuses 30A to 30C. When the wireless communication device 6B is configured to output time information as the first timing information and the timing control units 16, 39 are configured to acquire timing information as the second timing information, for example, in the example shown in Figure 27, the timing control units 16, 39 count the number of pulses of their own timing units 15, 38 during the period from when time information is input from the wireless communication device 6B to when the next time information is input (the period from when the (N-1)th piece of time information is received to when the Nth piece of time information is received), and determine the timing speed of their own timing units 15, 38 relative to the timing speed of the wireless communication device 6B.

[0262] For example, by obtaining the time at time (N-1) and the time at time N as time information from wireless communication device 6B and calculating the difference between these, timing control unit 16, 39 can obtain the length (time) of the period from (N-1) to N. On the other hand, when acquiring the timing information at time (N-1) and time N as time information from its own timing unit 15, 38, the timing control unit 16, 39 can acquire the period from time (N-1) to time N by multiplying the difference between the timing information at time (N-1) and the timing information at time N by the count interval of the wireless communication device 6B. Then, the timing control units 16, 39 can determine the timing speed of their own timing units 15, 38 relative to the timing speed of the wireless communication device 6B by comparing the period from time (N-1) to time N with the value obtained by multiplying the timing information of the pulses of their own timing units 15, 38 during this period by their own pulse interval.

[0263] [How to check the amount of time information discrepancy by comparing time information] When the wireless communication device 6B is configured to generate time information as the first timing information and the timing control units 16, 39 are configured to acquire time information as the second timing information, for example, in the example shown in Figure 27, the time at time (N-1) and the time at time N are acquired as time information from the wireless communication device 6B, and the timing control units 16, 39 can acquire the length (time) of the period from time (N-1) to time N by calculating the difference between these. On the other hand, by obtaining the time at time (N-1) and the time at time N as time information from their own timing units 15, 38 and calculating the difference between these, the timing control units 16, 39 can obtain the period from time (N-1) to time N. Then, the timing control units 16, 39 can determine the timing speed of their own timing units 15, 38 relative to the timing speed of the wireless communication device 6B by comparing the period from time (N-1) to time N based on the first timing information with the period from time (N-1) to time N based on the second timing information.

[0264] By comparing the first timekeeping information with the second timekeeping information using any of the above four methods, it is possible to determine the timekeeping speed of the own timekeeping units 15, 38 relative to the timekeeping speed of the wireless communication device 6B.

[0265] [Judgment of timing accuracy] The timing control units 16, 39 determine whether the timing accuracy is sufficient based on the acquired first timing information and second timing information, and if they determine that the timing accuracy is not sufficient, they correct the timing information of the timing units 15, 38.

[0266] (Method 1 for determining timing accuracy (difference)) When determining timing accuracy based on the difference between the first and second timing information, the difference between the acquired first and second timing information is calculated and a determination is made as to whether it exceeds a specific value. If the difference exceeds the specific value, the timing accuracy is determined to be insufficient.

[0267] (Method 2 for determining timing accuracy (amount of change)) Furthermore, when using changes in the amount of deviation (difference) for judgment, for example, each time the first timing information and the second timing information are acquired, the difference between the first timing information and the second timing information is calculated and stored in memory unit 13, 35. Then, the amount of change between the stored difference and the previously calculated difference is calculated, and it is determined whether the calculated amount of change exceeds the previously calculated amount of change. If the calculated amount of change exceeds the previous amount of change, it is determined that the timing accuracy is insufficient.

[0268] When using the predicted difference for judgment, for example, the difference between the acquired first timing information and second timing information and the amount of change therein are calculated and stored in the storage units 13, 35. Then, based on the stored difference and amount of change, it may be determined whether a specific value will be exceeded if a similar change continues for a predetermined period (for example, the shooting period).

[0269] When determining timing accuracy, the difference between the first timing information and the second timing information, or the amount of change, may be used as is, or the average value may be calculated for these values, or the state of change or future predicted values ​​may be calculated using techniques such as linear interpolation or spline interpolation. To calculate the average value, for example, the difference between the acquired first timing information and second timing information is calculated and stored in memory units 13, 35. The average value is then calculated from the stored differences. Because the amount of change in the difference can sometimes change suddenly, calculating the average value can also accommodate such changes. The parameters required for linear interpolation and spline interpolation can be found using, for example, the least squares method, etc. This type of judgment method can be used to make more advanced judgments by incorporating interpolation and extrapolation methods that are also used in other fields.

[0270] [Timekeeping information correction] If the timing control units 16, 39 determine that the timing accuracy is insufficient, they correct the operation of the timing units 15, 38 so that the difference between the timing information of the wireless communication device 6B and the timing information of their own timing units 15, 38 becomes smaller. The correction method includes, for example, correcting timing information and correcting time information, as described below.

[0271] (Timing information correction) For example, in the examples shown in Figures 25 and 26, if the timing control unit 16, 39 checks the speed of its own timing unit 15, 38 using the above method during the period from receiving the (N-1)th piece of first timing information to receiving the Nth piece of first timing information and determines that the timing accuracy is insufficient, it can be configured to correct the timing information of its own timing unit 15, 38 during the period from receiving the Nth piece of timing information to receiving the (N+1)th piece of timing information. The correction can be achieved by thinning out or adding pulses for a certain period of time according to the detected speed difference, as shown in FIG.

[0272] 25, if the number of pulses during the period from when the (N-1)th pulse is received to when the Nth pulse is received is 10,000,010, which is 10 more than the set value, a configuration can be adopted in which a pulse is thinned out once every 1,000,000 pulses during the period from when the Nth pulse is received to when the (N+1)th pulse is received. Alternatively, a configuration can be adopted in which pulse generation is delayed so that one pulse is reduced. 26, if the number of pulses in the period from when the (N-1)th pulse is received to when the Nth pulse is received is 9,999,990, which is 10 less than the set value, the pulses can be counted twice so that there is one more pulse in 1,000,000 times during the period from when the Nth pulse is received to when the (N+1)th pulse is received. Alternatively, the pulse generation can be accelerated so that there is one more pulse.

[0273] The timing control units 16 and 39 may also be configured to correct the pulse intervals. For example, when a CR oscillator circuit or an LC oscillator circuit is used as a pulse source, the pulse interval can be easily adjusted by changing the values ​​of C (capacitor), R (resistance), and L (coil).

[0274] (Time information correction) The timing control unit 16, 39 can be configured to check the timing speed of its own timing unit 15, 38 using the above method during the period from receiving the (N-1)th piece of first timing information to receiving the Nth piece of first timing information, and if it determines that the timing accuracy is insufficient, correct the time information of its own timing unit 15, 38 during the period from receiving the Nth piece of time information to receiving the (N+1)th piece of time information.

[0275] As described above, whether the timing information transmitted from wireless communication device 6B is timing information or time information, or whether the object to be corrected by timing control units 16, 39 is timing information or time information, by using the method described above, it is possible to appropriately correct the timing speed of timing units 15, 38 in accordance with the difference from the timing speed of wireless communication device 6B.

[0276] [Determining whether or not a specific wireless communication device 6B is connected] Incidentally, since the timing information of the reference timing unit 602 is unique to each wireless communication device 6B, in order to synchronize the radiation irradiation timing of the radiation control device 1B and the accumulation timing of the imaging devices 30A to 30C, the timing units 15 and 38 need to acquire the first timing information from a beacon transmitted from the same wireless communication device 6B. In an IEEE802.11 network, it is common to identify the wireless communication device 6B by establishing a wireless link using an ESSID and password to identify the wireless communication device 6B. However, in a conventional radiation system 300D as shown in Fig. 28, for example, there is a problem that the radiation control device 1B and the imaging devices 30A to 30C may each wirelessly link to different nearby access points with the same settings, or the wireless communication device 6B may not be identified without a wireless link.

[0277] Therefore, in the system 300 of this embodiment, the following (Connection Determination Method 1) to (Connection Determination Method 3) are used to determine whether each of the imaging devices 30A to 30C is connected to a specific wireless communication device 6B to which the radiation control device 1B is connected.

[0278] (Connection determination method 1) The imaging control unit 31 of the imaging devices 30A to 30C has a function of receiving the above-mentioned specific information from the surrounding wireless communication device 6B via the communication unit 36, and transferring it to the radiation control device 1B. At this time, the image capturing devices 30A to 30C may receive the specific information from the wireless communication device 6B to which they are connected, or may receive the information from an unconnected access point in the vicinity. In this way, an unconnected access point can be used as the wireless communication device 6 B. This also makes it possible to identify the wireless communication device 6 B even if the image capturing devices 30A to 30C do not have a wireless radio wave transmission function (only have a reception function).

[0279] On the other hand, the radiation control unit 11B of the radiation control device 1B has a function of acquiring specific information via the communication unit 14 from the wired wireless communication device 6B. The radiation control unit 11B also has a function of receiving, via the communication unit 14, specific information transferred by the imaging devices 30A to 30C.

[0280] Here, the specific information received by the photographing devices 30A to 30C from the wireless communication device 6B is state information indicating whether each is in a first state where it is not connected to the specific wireless communication device 6B that is the synchronization source, or in a second state where it is connected to the specific wireless communication device 6B (the same applies to connection determination methods 2 and 3).

[0281] The radiation control unit 11B also has a function of determining whether all of the specific information received (transferred) by the imaging devices 30A to 30C matches the specific information acquired by itself (i.e., whether all of the imaging devices 30A to 30C are connected to the specific wireless communication device 6B to which the radiation control device 1B is connected), and outputting the determination result to the console 4 via the communication unit 14. Furthermore, when it is determined that all of the specific information acquired by itself matches the specific information received (transferred) by the imaging devices 30A to 30C, the radiation control unit 11B may release the interlock of the radiation generation unit 2. When the console 4 receives the determination result from the radiation control device 1B, it causes the display unit 43 to display, based on the determination result, whether or not imaging is possible using the imaging devices 30A to 30C. It also causes the display unit 43 to display, in a manner that makes it possible to identify, whether or not each of the imaging devices 30A to 30C is connected to the specific wireless communication device 6B at the time of imaging. The display manner of the display unit 43 here is the same as that described in step S9 of the 1-A embodiment, and therefore the same description will be used (the same applies to connection determination methods 2 and 3).

[0282] (Connection determination method 2) Alternatively, any one of the imaging devices 30A to 30C (for example, the imaging device 30A) may be provided with a function to determine whether or not all of the imaging devices 30A to 30C are connected to a specific wireless communication device 6B that is connected to the radiation control device 1B. Specifically, the radiation control unit 11B of the radiation control device 1B has a function of acquiring specific information from the wired wireless communication device 6B via the communication unit 14 and transferring it to the imaging device 30A.

[0283] On the other hand, the photographing control unit 31 of each of the photographing devices 30A to 30C has a function of receiving specific information via the communication unit 36 ​​from the surrounding wireless communication device 6B. The photographing control unit 31 of each of the photographing devices 30B to 30C has a function of transferring the received specific information to the photographing device 30A via the communication unit . In addition, the imaging control unit 31 of the imaging device 30A receives the specific information transferred by the radiation control device 1B and the imaging devices 30B to 30C via the communication unit 36, determines whether the specific information acquired (transferred) by the radiation control device 1B matches the specific information transferred by the imaging devices 30B to 30C, and determines whether all of the specific information it has received matches (i.e., whether all of the imaging devices 30A to 30C are connected to the specific wireless communication device 6B connected to the radiation control device 1B), and outputs the determination result to the console 4 via the communication unit 36. When the console 4 receives the determination result indicating whether all of the imaging devices 30A to 30C are connected to the specific wireless communication device 6B to which the radiation control device 1B is connected, the console 4 causes the display unit 43 to display, based on the determination result, in a manner that makes it possible to identify whether imaging is possible using the imaging devices 30A to 30C. The console 4 also causes the display unit 43 to display, in a manner that makes it possible to identify whether each of the imaging devices 30A to 30C is connected to the specific wireless communication device 6B at the time of imaging. The console 4 may also be configured to cause the radiation control device 1B to release the interlock of the radiation generation unit 2 when it receives the determination result indicating that all of the imaging devices 30A to 30C are connected to the specific wireless communication device 6B that is connected to the radiation control device 1B.

[0284] (Connection determination method 3) Alternatively, the radiation control unit 11B of the radiation control apparatus 1B and the imaging control unit 31 of the imaging devices 30A-30C have a function of acquiring specific information from the wireless communication device 6B via the communication units 14, 36 and transferring it to the console 4. The console 4 has a function of determining whether all of the specific information received from the radiation control apparatus 1B and the imaging devices 30A-30C match (i.e., whether all of the imaging devices 30A-30C are connected to the specific wireless communication device 6B connected to the radiation control apparatus 1B) and outputting the result. Based on the output of the determination result, the console 4 causes the display unit 43 to display in an identifiable manner whether imaging is possible using the imaging devices 30A-30C. The display unit 43 also causes the display unit 43 to display in an identifiable manner whether each of the imaging devices 30A-30C is connected to the specific wireless communication device 6B during imaging. In addition, the console 4 may be configured to cause the radiation control device 1B to release the interlock of the radiation generating unit 2 when the output judgment result is that all of the imaging devices 30A to 30C are connected to a specific wireless communication device 6B that is connected to the radiation control device 1B (second judgment).

[0285] The timing for determining whether all of the above imaging devices 30A to 30C are connected to a specific wireless communication device 6B is immediately before imaging (radiation irradiation) begins (for example, at the timing of steps S8 to S9 in the sequence shown in Figures 4 to 5 and 11 to 12, or at the timing triggered by pressing the irradiation instruction switch 5), or during serial imaging, when synchronization between the radiation control device 1B and the imaging devices 30 is required.

[0286] With the radiation system 300 of this embodiment configured as described above, even if there are multiple wireless communication devices 6B, that is, if there are wireless networks with the same ESSID and access key in the vicinity, it is determined whether all of the image capturing devices 30A to 30C are connected to the specific wireless communication device 6B that is the synchronization source, and based on the determination result, whether image capturing using the image capturing devices 30A to 30C is possible is displayed in an identifiable manner on the display unit 43. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the risk that the image capturing devices 30A to 30B will perform image capturing in conjunction with different synchronization sources.

[0287] [Determining whether or not the device is linked with a specific wireless communication device 6B] Here, if the radiation control device 1B and the imaging devices 30A-30C are connected to a specific wireless communication device 6B, it can be assumed that they are operating in sync with the timing signal or time information of that specific wireless communication device 6B (i.e., linked to that specific wireless communication device 6B) due to the above-mentioned "correction of timing information." However, even if they are connected to a specific wireless communication device 6B, there is a possibility that they are not actually linked to that wireless communication device 6B due to some cause (for example, a malfunction of the timing unit 15, 38). If at least one of the imaging devices 30A-30C is not linked to the specific (i.e., the same) wireless communication device 6B (synchronization source) connected to the radiation control device 1B, it is not possible to synchronize the accumulation timing and the radiation irradiation timing to perform imaging. Therefore, instead of the above-mentioned "determining whether or not the first timing information has been received from the specific wireless communication device 6B," it may be possible to determine whether or not each of the photographing devices 30A to 30C is in a state of linking with the specific wireless communication device 6B, which is the synchronization source.

[0288] For example, when the radiation control apparatus 1B and the imaging devices 30A-30C need to be linked, such as immediately before starting imaging (irradiation) (for example, at the timing of steps S8-9 in the sequences shown in FIGS. 4-5 and 11-12 or at the timing triggered by pressing the irradiation instruction switch 5), or during long-length serial imaging, the console 4 requests each of the imaging devices 30A-30C to transmit status information indicating whether the radiation control apparatus 1B is in a first state where it is not linked to the specific wireless communication device 6B connected thereto, or in a second state where it is linked, and receives the status information. Then, based on the received status information, the console 4 determines whether all of the imaging devices 30A-30C are linked to the specific wireless communication device 6B linked to the radiation control apparatus 1B, and based on the determination result, causes the display unit 43 to display in an identifiable manner whether imaging using the imaging devices 30A-30C is possible.

[0289] Here, examples of methods for determining whether the imaging devices 30A to 30C are linked with the wireless communication device 6B connected to the radiation control device 1B include the following (Linkage Determination Method 1) and (Linkage Determination Method 2).

[0290] (Interlocking determination method 1) The radiation control unit 11B of the radiation control apparatus 1B has a function of acquiring specific information from the wired wireless communication device 6B via the communication unit 14, and transferring it to the imaging devices 30A to 30C. The imaging control unit 31 of each of the imaging devices 30A to 30C receives specific information from the surrounding wireless communication device 6B via the communication unit 36, and also receives specific information transferred by the radiation control device 1B via the communication unit 36. The imaging control unit 31 determines whether the specific information received from the wireless communication device 6B matches the specific information received from the radiation control device 1B. If they do not match, the imaging control unit 31 determines that the imaging device is in a first state in which it is not linked to the specific wireless communication device 6B. If it determines that they match, the imaging control unit 31 calculates the difference between the first timing information received from the wireless communication device 6B and the second timing information from the timing unit 38, and determines whether this difference exceeds a specific value. If the difference exceeds the specific value, the imaging device is in a first state in which it is not linked to the specific wireless communication device 6B. If the difference is equal to or less than the specific value, the imaging device is in a second state in which it is linked to the specific wireless communication device 6B.

[0291] (Interlocking determination method 2) Each of the image capturing devices 30A to 30C is configured to include a second timekeeping unit (not shown) configured using, for example, a radio-controlled clock, GPS, NTP, etc. When a radio-controlled clock, GPS, etc. is used, an antenna for receiving radio waves may be provided. The radiation control unit 11B of the radiation control apparatus 1B has a function of acquiring specific information from the wired wireless communication device 6B via the communication unit 14, and transferring it to the imaging devices 30A to 30C. The imaging control unit 31 of each of the imaging devices 30A-30C receives specific information from the surrounding wireless communication device 6B via the communication unit 36, and also receives specific information transferred by the radiation control device 1B via the communication unit 36. The imaging control unit 31 determines whether the specific information received from the wireless communication device 6B matches the specific information received from the radiation control device 1B. If it determines that they do not match, it determines that the imaging device is in a first state where it is not linked with the specific wireless communication device 6B. If it determines that they match, it compares the second timing information of the timing unit 38 with the timing information of the second timing unit. As shown in FIG. 29, when the timing unit 38 loses linkage with the reference timing unit 602 (synchronization failure), the difference (deviation) between the timing information of the second timing unit and the timing information of the timing unit 38 becomes large. Therefore, the photographing control unit 31 calculates the difference (deviation) between the timing information of the timing unit 38 and the measurement information of the second timing unit and compares it with a predetermined value.If the deviation exceeds the predetermined value, it determines that the device is in a first state where it is not linked to the wireless communication device 6B, and if the deviation is equal to or less than the predetermined value, it determines that the photographing devices 30A to 30C are in a second state where they are linked to the wireless communication device 6B.

[0292] In this way, by determining whether all of the imaging devices 30A to 30C are linked to a specific wireless communication device 6B connected to the radiation control device 1B, it is possible to accurately determine whether the imaging devices 30A to 30C are linked to a specific synchronization source (wireless communication device 6B) even when there are multiple wireless communication devices 6B. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce the risk that the imaging devices 30A to 30B perform imaging linked to different synchronization sources.

[0293] [Modifications of System 300] Next, modified examples of the system configuration of the system 300 will be described with reference to Figures 30 to 33. In Figures 30 to 33, solid lines connecting the devices indicate wired connections, and dotted lines indicate wireless connections. Dashed lines indicate radiation. In Figures 30 to 33, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same devices as those constituting the system 300 described in the second embodiment, and unless otherwise specified, the devices have the same functions as those described in the second embodiment.

[0294] (System Variation 1) System modification 1 shown in Fig. 30 differs from system 300 in Fig. 19 in that the radiation control device 1B and console 4 are equipped with wireless communication interfaces and are each wirelessly connected to a wireless communication device 6B. With this configuration, no cables are required for radiography by the medical visitor, improving convenience.

[0295] (System Variation 2) 19, a system modification 2 shown in Fig. 31 is configured such that a repeater 8b and a branching switch 8 are newly added, and the radiation control device 1B and the console 4 are connected to the imaging devices 30A to 30C by wire via the repeater 8b and the branching switch 8. In this configuration, the first timing information is transmitted wirelessly from the wireless communication device 6B to the imaging devices 30A to 30C, but image transfer and transmission and reception of other information signals from the imaging devices 30A to 30C to the console 4 can be performed by wire, so that image data and the like can be transferred efficiently.

[0296] (System Variation 3) In system variation 3 shown in FIG. 32, a specific wireless communication device 6B that serves as a synchronization source (transmits first timing information) is built into the imaging device 30A. The wireless communication device 6B in the imaging device 30A outputs timing information measured by a reference timing unit 602 as first timing information, for example, via a beacon, at predetermined time intervals. The communication units 36 of the imaging devices 30A to 30C receive the first timing information transmitted from the wireless communication device 6B. The wireless communication device 6B of the imaging device 30A is also wired connected to the radiation control device 1B and the console 4 via a repeater 8b, and transmits the first timing information to the radiation control device 1B at the same time as transmitting a beacon containing the first timing information. Furthermore, the communication unit 36 ​​of the imaging device 30A transmits image data generated by the imaging device itself and image data transmitted by the imaging devices 30B and 30C via wireless communication to the console 4 via the repeater 8b. In the system modification 3, in the above-mentioned [Determination of whether connected to a specific wireless communication device 6B] and [Determination of whether linked with a specific wireless communication device 6B], when the radiation control device 1B acquires specific information from a device connected by wire, it acquires specific information from the repeater 8b, and this specific information does not match the specific information of the wireless communication device 6B built into the imaging device 30A acquired by the imaging devices 30A to 30C. However, by storing in advance in the device making the determination (the radiation control device 1B, the console 4, or the imaging device 30A (or the imaging devices 30B, 30C) information on the device configuration of the system modification 3 and the combination of specific information of each component when connected in this device configuration, it is possible to recognize that the wireless communication device 6B connected to the radiation control device 1B is the wireless communication device 6B in the imaging device 30A, and make the above-mentioned determination. The radiation control device 1B or the repeater 8b may be configured to include a wireless communication device 6B that serves as a synchronization source.

[0297] (System Variation 4) In the system variation 4 shown in FIG. 33, the imaging device 30A functions as a wireless master device and has a built-in wireless communication device 6B that serves as a synchronization source. The imaging devices 30B and 30C function as wireless slave devices. The radiation control device 1B and the console 4 are equipped with a wireless communication interface and are wirelessly connected to the wireless communication device 6B of the imaging device 30A. The wireless communication device 6B in the imaging device 30A outputs timing information measured by a reference timing unit 602 as first timing information, for example, via a beacon, at predetermined time intervals. The communication units 14 and 36 of the radiation control device 1B and the imaging devices 30A to 30C receive the first timing information transmitted from the wireless communication device 6B. Furthermore, the imaging device 30A transmits image data generated by itself and image data transmitted by the imaging devices 30B and 30C via wireless communication to the console 4 via the wireless communication device 6B via the communication unit 36. This configuration eliminates the need for any cables, improving convenience.

[0298] <About common functions> Next, functions that are preferably provided in common to the above-mentioned systems 100 to 200 and configuration examples to which these are applied, as well as the above-mentioned system 300 and its modified examples, will be described. Note that in the following description, parts described as image capturing devices 3, 3A to 3C can be replaced with image capturing devices 30, 30A to 30C.

[0299] [Serial support / frame rate display] There are radiography devices 3 that are only compatible with still image capture, and those that are compatible with both still image capture and serial capture. Furthermore, even among radiography devices 3 that are compatible with serial capture, there are those that support different capture intervals (frame rates). In the case of long-length serial capture, it is necessary to repeat the process of simultaneous accumulation of radiation by the multiple radiography devices 3A to 3C multiple times in succession in accordance with the timing of radiation irradiation. Conventionally, if radiography is performed without confirming that the multiple radiographic image capture devices 3A to 3C used are compatible with serial capture or that they can capture radiation at a frame rate that allows capture at the same timing, there is a risk that the image will not be captured correctly and re-capture will be required, resulting in unnecessary exposure of the subject to radiation.

[0300] Therefore, for example, as described above, in step S8 in FIGS. 4-5 and 11-12, the image capturing devices 3A-3C transmit information on whether serial image capturing is possible and the frame rate to the console 4. As shown in FIG. 7, the console 4 displays information on whether each image capturing device 3A-3C supports serial image capturing (serial possible) or not (still images only), as well as the frame rate (F rate) of each image capturing device 3A-3C on the image capturing screen 432 (see FIG. 7). This allows the photographer to confirm whether long-length serial image capturing is possible with the selected image capturing device 3A-3C. If long-length serial image capturing is not possible, the photographer can take measures such as replacing the image capturing device 3 that is not capable of long-length serial image capturing with another image capturing device 3 that is capable of long-length serial image capturing.

[0301] [Serial non-support / frame rate mismatch solution 1] Furthermore, for example, the console 4 determines whether long-length serial imaging is possible with the selected combination of imaging devices 3A-3C based on the serial imaging capability and / or frame rate information of the imaging devices 3A-3C used for imaging. If it determines that long-length serial imaging is not possible with the selected combination of imaging devices 3A-3C, a warning that imaging is not possible and the reason for this are displayed as an error message, for example, in the imaging capability / status display field 432b on the imaging screen 432. For example, if the selected imaging devices 3A-3C include devices that are not capable of serial imaging, it determines that imaging is not possible and displays a warning that imaging is not possible. In addition, the console 4 displays the identification information and installed positions of the imaging devices 3A-3C that are not capable of serial imaging (for example, by displaying the information on whether serial imaging is possible for the relevant imaging devices 3A-3C in a different color).

[0302] If the frame rates of all the selected image capturing devices 3A to 3C do not match, it is determined that image capturing is not possible, and a warning that image capturing is not possible and that the frame rates do not match is displayed on the display unit 43. This allows the photographer to easily check whether long serial photography is possible with the selected combination of the photographing devices 3A to 3C. Furthermore, if the combination does not allow long serial photography, the photographer can easily know the reason and can quickly take appropriate measures (such as selecting another photographing device 3 to replace it).

[0303] Furthermore, when the selected imaging devices 3A to 3C include an imaging device 3 that is incapable of serial imaging, the console 4 may perform control to prevent imaging by, for example, invalidating pressing of the irradiation instruction switch 5. This makes it possible to reliably prevent long-length serial imaging from being performed by mistake, even when the selected imaging devices 3A to 3C include an imaging device 3 that is incapable of serial imaging.

[0304] [How to deal with serial incompatibility / frame rate mismatch 2] When only imaging devices 3 with different frame rates are present in the imaging environment controlled by the console 4, the console 4 may use the frame rate of one of the imaging devices 3A to 3C as a reference and determine whether the frame rate of the other imaging devices 3A to 3C is capable of imaging at a frame rate N times (N is an integer) the reference frame rate. If it is determined that imaging is possible, the console 4 may display, for example, on the imaging screen 432, that imaging is possible at the frame rate of the imaging devices 3A to 3C. The console 4 may also determine the region of interest based on the imaging region and imaging technique in the selected imaging order information, and display a recommended arrangement of the imaging devices 3A to 3C in the imaging feasibility / status display field 432b on the imaging screen 432, etc., so that the imaging devices 3A to 3C with a higher frame rate are arranged in the region of interest. In this way, long-length serial imaging can be performed even when only imaging devices 3A to 3C with different frame rates are present. Furthermore, by displaying and encouraging the user to recommend an arrangement of the imaging devices 3A to 3C so that the frame rate of the region of interest is high, imaging can be performed without degrading the image quality of the region of interest. Furthermore, the console 4 may be set so as not to permit imaging if a high frame rate imaging device 3 is not located in the region of interest.

[0305] When the frame rate of one of the imaging devices 3A to 3C is used as a reference and the frame rates of the other imaging devices 3A to 3C are capable of imaging at a frame rate N times the reference frame rate, for example, the console 4 sets the imaging conditions (irradiation conditions) in the radiation control device 1 so that radiation is irradiated according to the highest frame rate. In this case, as shown in Fig. 34A, radiation may be irradiated during readout / initialization in the imaging device 3 with a low frame rate (imaging devices 3B and 3C in Fig. 34A), but since charge is accumulated as the amount of light received in imaging the next frame, there is a possibility that a slight afterimage may occur in the image due to movement, but it may be sufficient to be used when imaging slow moving objects. In this way, by irradiating radiation in accordance with the imaging device 3 capable of imaging at the highest frame rate, it becomes possible to image the region where the imaging device 3 with the highest frame rate is placed in more detail than other regions. In other words, by placing the imaging device 3 with the highest frame rate in the region of interest, the region of interest can be imaged in detail at a higher frame rate, allowing for a detailed diagnosis of the region of interest.

[0306] Alternatively, when the frame rate of one of the imaging devices 3A to 3C is used as a reference and the frame rates of the other imaging devices 3A to 3C are capable of imaging at a frame rate N times the reference frame rate, for example, the console 4 sets the irradiation conditions in the radiation control device 1 so that radiation is irradiated according to the lowest frame rate. In this case, as shown in FIG. 34B, in the imaging device 3 with a high frame rate (imaging device 3A in FIG. 34B), readout / initialization is performed even for frames that are not irradiated with radiation. However, the imaging control unit 31 can control so that the images at this time are not saved in the imaging device 3, and even if saved, are not transferred to the console 4 or the like. In this way, in the imaging device 3 with a high frame rate, in addition to the readout / initialization of the image at the time of radiation irradiation, readout / initialization can be performed again. Therefore, the state of the radiation detection elements 32d is more refreshed than when readout / initialization is not performed again, and image quality can be improved. Alternatively, a frame image at a time when radiation is not irradiated may be acquired as a dark image (a noise image when radiation is not irradiated), and the noise component of either or both of the preceding and following frame images may be subtracted from the preceding and following frame images in the imaging control unit 31 or console 4. In this way, an image from which the noise component has been removed using the most recent dark image can be obtained, making it possible to acquire an image with significantly improved image quality.

[0307] Here, when radiation is irradiated according to the above-mentioned lowest frame rate, dark images captured (charge-accumulated) by a high-frame-rate imaging device 3 at a timing when radiation is not irradiated may be affected by the pressure received by the imaging device 3. That is, when a subject leans against the imaging device 3, the radiation detection unit 32 of the imaging device 3 is distorted due to the pressure received by the imaging device 3, and distortion occurs in the portion of the internal radiation detection element 32d to which the pressure is applied. That is, dark images captured at a timing when radiation is not irradiated by a high-frame-rate imaging device 3 can be used to determine the pressure distribution received by the imaging device 3. Therefore, during imaging, the console 4 analyzes the dark images while imaging is being performed, and detects, for example, changes in the pressure the subject exerts on the imaging device 3, i.e., the subject's body movement. If the body movement is large, it is possible that body movement unsuitable for imaging has occurred, and an output to that effect is issued. For example, the display unit 43 may display or output a sound indicating that body movement unsuitable for imaging has occurred, thereby alerting the operator that the subject may have moved. This allows the operator to determine that the subject's body movement has exceeded the allowable range and to stop imaging. Alternatively, a monitor may be provided in a position where the subject can be seen, and the console 4 may control the monitor to display a warning to the subject not to make any body movements. In this way, by analyzing the dark image, it is possible to measure the pressure or pressure distribution that the imaging device 3 receives, and it is therefore possible to predict the state of the subject (body movement, etc.) from the measured pressure or pressure distribution. Based on this prediction, it is then possible to issue a warning or stop imaging appropriately.

[0308] The above-described pattern of irradiating radiation according to the lowest frame rate, i.e., a pattern of irradiating radiation at a frame rate 1 / N of the high frame rate for an imaging device 3 with a high frame rate, can be used not only for imaging using multiple imaging devices 3 but also for imaging using a single imaging device 3. That is, even when imaging using a single imaging device 3, the imaging control unit 31 or the console 4 can analyze dark images to know the condition of the subject and issue a warning or stop imaging depending on the subject's condition. Furthermore, the above analysis can be performed not only on dark images obtained during imaging but also on dark images obtained during positioning to adjust the position of the subject before imaging. Then, the condition of the subject can be known from the analysis results of the dark images, and a warning can be issued or imaging can be stopped depending on the subject's condition.

[0309] [Display of remaining power] In serial imaging, multiple frame images are continuously captured, and therefore the imaging devices 3A-3C used for imaging require power to capture the multiple frame images. However, in the past, when serial imaging was performed using imaging devices 3A-3C that perform at least part of the imaging using power stored in their own batteries, imaging was performed without checking whether the amount of power required to capture the multiple frame images remained, resulting in the imaging being stopped midway and the subject being unnecessarily exposed to radiation. In addition, it was a cumbersome task to check whether the batteries of all imaging devices 3A-3C being used had enough power remaining to capture the required number of images.

[0310] Therefore, for example, as described above, in step S8 in FIGS. 4-5 and 11-12, the image capturing devices 3A-3C transmit information about their remaining power amounts to the console 4. As shown in FIG. 7, the console 4 displays the remaining power amounts of the image capturing devices 3A-3C, for example, on the image capturing screen 432. It is also possible to determine whether all of the image capturing devices 3A-3C have sufficient battery power for the upcoming serial image capturing and display the determination result (for example, by displaying the remaining power amounts of the corresponding image capturing devices 3A-3C in a different color in the image capturing availability / status display field 432b in FIG. 7). This allows the photographer to easily check the remaining power amounts of the image capturing devices 3A-3C to be used for image capturing and perform image capturing. When issuing an instruction for long-length serial image capturing, it is necessary to check the remaining power amounts of all of the image capturing devices 3A-3C to be used for image capturing. However, the remaining power amounts of the image capturing devices 3A-3C are automatically displayed on the display unit 43 of the console 4, which saves time and enables image capturing to be performed quickly.

[0311] [Image transfer timing display] Furthermore, in order to perform long-length serial imaging, it is necessary to appropriately specify how to process multiple captured images (frame images) after imaging. For example, post-imaging image processing can be performed by temporarily storing the images in memory within the imaging devices 3A-3C during imaging and then transferring them to an image processing unit such as the console 4 after imaging is complete, or by transferring the captured images to an image processing unit such as the console 4 for each imaging session during imaging. If such settings are not configured in all of the imaging devices 3A-3C in the manner intended by the photographer or the device, imaging may fail, resulting in unnecessary exposure of the subject to radiation. Furthermore, performing these settings on each of the imaging devices 3A-3C is a cumbersome and problematic process. Therefore, for example, as described above, in step S8 in FIGS. 4-5 and 11-12, the photographing devices 3A-3C transmit information about the photographed image transmission method (during photographing / after photographing) set in the respective devices to the console 4. As shown in FIG. 7, for example, the console 4 displays the photographed image transmission method (during photographing / after photographing) set in each of the photographing devices 3A-3C on the photographing screen 432, and changes the setting of the photographed image transmission method for the designated photographing device 3A-3C in response to an operation by the photographer. This allows the photographer to easily check the photographed image transmission methods of all of the photographing devices 3A-3C being used and set the photographed image transmission method appropriately.

[0312] Furthermore, the setting of how to process the multiple captured images of each of the imaging devices 3A to 3C after capturing them may be specified by the photographer on the imaging screen 432, but may also be automatically set by the console 4 based on, for example, the remaining memory capacity of the selected imaging devices 3A to 3C. This saves the trouble of setting it individually. It also prevents the subject from being unnecessarily exposed to radiation when the captured images cannot be saved in memory, resulting in failed imaging.

[0313] [Display remaining memory] Furthermore, when serial imaging is performed and images are temporarily stored in the memory of the imaging devices 3A-3C without transferring the images as they are captured, it is necessary to store multiple frame images. However, in the past, if some of the imaging devices 3A-3C used for imaging do not have enough memory remaining to store the multiple images, it became impossible to store the images midway, resulting in imaging failure and unnecessary exposure of the subject to radiation. Furthermore, individually checking the remaining memory capacity of all of the imaging devices 3A-3C used for imaging was a cumbersome task and was problematic.

[0314] Therefore, for example, as described above, in step S8 in FIGS. 4-5 and 11-12, the radiographers 3A-3C transmit information about the remaining memory capacity to the console 4. As shown in FIG. 7, the console 4 displays the remaining memory capacity of each of the radiographers 3A-3C on the radiographing screen 432. Alternatively, it may determine whether sufficient memory capacity remains in all of the radiographers 3A-3C for the upcoming serial radiographing and display the determination result (for example, by displaying the remaining memory capacity of the corresponding radiographers 3A-3C in a different color in the radiographing availability / status display field 432b). This allows the radiographer to easily check the remaining memory capacity of the radiographers 3A-3C to be used for radiographing and perform radiographing. When issuing an instruction for long-length serial radiographing, it is necessary to check the remaining memory capacity of all of the radiographers 3A-3C to be used for radiographing. However, the remaining memory capacity of each of the radiographers 3A-3C is automatically displayed on the display unit 43 of the console 4, which saves time and enables radiographing to be performed quickly.

[0315] [Frame rate settings] If the selected imaging devices 3A to 3C are capable of imaging at multiple frame rates, it is necessary to set an appropriate frame rate from among them. Therefore, the console 4 automatically sets the frame rates of all the selected imaging devices 3A to 3C to a predetermined frame rate and displays that the frame rates have been set. For example, the frame rates of the imaging devices 3A to 3C on the imaging screen 432 shown in FIG. 7 are displayed at the set frame rate. Alternatively, the set frame rate is displayed in a color different from the other frame rates. This makes it possible to automatically set the frame rate of each imaging device 3A to 3C to an appropriate frame rate. Alternatively, a high frame rate may be set for the region of interest without aligning the frame rates of all the imaging devices 3A to 3C. In this case, a recommended arrangement of the imaging devices 3A to 3C is displayed, for example, in the imaging availability / status display field 432b on the imaging screen 432 so that the imaging device 3 with the highest frame rate is arranged in the region of interest. Alternatively, a recommended frame rate may be set as a default for each imaging technique. Alternatively, for each imaging technique, a recommended combination and frame rate may be displayed or set as a default from the selected imaging devices 3 (3A to 3C), the imaging devices 3 currently recognized by the console 4, the imaging devices 3 recognized by the console 4 within a specific period, such as within one week, or the imaging devices 3 set by the console 4 to be used in the imaging environment. This makes it possible to set the frame rate of the imaging devices 3 (3A to 3C) used for imaging to an appropriate frame rate.

[0316] [Resolution Settings] Similarly, if the selected imaging devices 3A-3C are capable of imaging at multiple resolutions, it is necessary to select an appropriate resolution from among them. Therefore, the console 4 sets the resolutions of all the selected imaging devices 3A-3C to a predetermined resolution and displays the setting. For example, the resolutions of each of the imaging devices 3A-3C on the imaging screen 432 are displayed at the set resolution. Alternatively, the set resolution is displayed in a color different from other resolutions. This makes it possible to automatically set the resolution of each of the imaging devices 3A-3C to an appropriate resolution. Alternatively, a high resolution may be set for a region of interest without setting the resolutions of all the imaging devices 3A-3C to the same resolution. In this case, a recommended arrangement of the imaging devices 3A-3C is displayed, for example, on the imaging screen 432 so that the imaging devices 3A-3C with a high resolution are positioned in the region of interest. Alternatively, a recommended resolution may be set as an initial setting for each imaging technique. Alternatively, for each imaging technique, a recommended combination and resolution may be displayed or set as the initial setting from among the imaging devices 3A to 3C loaded on the long imaging table or holder currently used for imaging, the imaging devices 3A to 3C currently recognized by the console 4, the imaging devices 3A to 3C recognized by the console 4 within a specific period such as within one week, or the imaging devices 3A to 3C set to be used in the imaging environment in the console 4. This makes it possible to set the resolution of each imaging device 3A to 3C used for imaging to an appropriate resolution.

[0317] [Automatic mode change 1] To perform long-length serial imaging, it is necessary to switch all of the imaging devices 3A to 3C used in imaging from a standby mode that consumes less power to an imaging mode that consumes more power. Performing these operations manually for each of the imaging devices 3A to 3C was a cumbersome task. In the above embodiment, the imaging control unit 31 of the imaging devices 3A to 3C automatically switches to imaging mode when an instruction to start imaging for long-length serial imaging is received. This eliminates the need to switch to imaging mode, enabling imaging to be performed quickly.

[0318] [Automatic mode change 2] Furthermore, the photographing devices 3A to 3C capable of serial photographing have two operating modes: serial photographing mode and still image photographing mode. To perform long-length serial photographing using multiple photographing devices 3A to 3C, it is necessary to change all of the photographing devices 3A to 3C used for photographing to the serial photographing mode. Performing this for each of the photographing devices 3A to 3C is a cumbersome task and has been problematic. In the above embodiment, the photographing control unit 31 of the photographing devices 3A to 3C automatically switches to the serial photographing mode when an instruction to start photographing is issued under photographing conditions including serial photographing. This eliminates the need to switch to the serial photographing mode, enabling photographing to be performed quickly.

[0319] [Indication of whether photography is possible or not] If the radiographer does not know whether all preparations for radiography are complete and whether all of the radiographing devices 3A to 3C are ready to radiograph, he or she will not know whether it is OK to start issuing instructions for radiation irradiation, which will be a problem. Furthermore, if radiography is performed when all of the radiographing devices 3A to 3C are not ready to radiograph, the radiog...

Claims

1. a radiation detection element for detecting radiation; an imaging control unit that controls a readout operation of charges generated in the radiation detection elements before capturing a radiation image; Equipped with A radiographic imaging apparatus capable of switching between the presence and absence of an electric charge readout operation by the imaging control unit before serial imaging by the radiographic imaging apparatus.

2. a temperature measuring unit for measuring the temperature of the radiation image capturing device; The radiographic imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the imaging control unit switches between whether or not to read out the electric charges based on the temperature measured by the temperature measurement unit.

3. The radiation image capturing device The radiographic imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the radiographic imaging control unit switches between whether or not to read out the electric charges in response to a control signal from a control device that controls radiographic imaging by the radiographic imaging device.

4. A control device for controlling radiographic image capture by a radiographic image capture device having a radiation detection element for detecting radiation, a control device that can switch between performing and not performing a readout operation of the electric charges generated in the radiation detection elements of the radiation image capturing device before serial imaging by the radiation image capturing device;

5. an operation unit to which an operator inputs operations, The control device according to claim 4 , wherein an operation of reading out the electric charges generated in the radiation detection elements of the radiation image capturing device is switched on or off by an operation input from the operation unit.

6. The control device according to claim 4 , wherein the control device determines whether or not to perform a readout operation of the electric charges generated in the radiation detection elements of the radiographic image capturing device based on at least one of the number of images captured in a specific period in the past, the imaging mode, and the interval between previous imaging operations.

7. a radiation detection element for detecting radiation; an imaging control unit that controls a readout operation of charges generated in the radiation detection elements before capturing a radiation image; a radiation image capturing device comprising: a control device that controls radiographic image capture by the radiographic image capture device; A radiation imaging system comprising: A radiation image capturing system capable of switching between the presence and absence of a readout operation of charges generated in the radiation detection elements of the radiation image capturing device before serial imaging by the radiation image capturing device.

8. 8. The radiation image capturing system according to claim 7, wherein the number and / or duration of the charge readout operation is changeable.

Images