CONTROL DEVICE, RADIATION IMAGING SYSTEM, CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM

Abstract

To perform efficiently, sending of a plurality of radiation ray images, in imaging of an energy subtraction method.SOLUTION: A control device of the invention comprises: setting means for setting a sending order of first radiation ray image data obtained from radiation ray with first energy, and second radiation ray image data obtained from radiation ray with second energy being lower than the first energy; and acquiring means for acquiring the first radiation ray image data and the second radiation ray image data which are sent according to the set sending order.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device, a radiation imaging system, a control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Radiography equipment using flat panel detectors (FPDs) made of semiconductor materials is widely used in medical imaging diagnosis and non-destructive testing. One of the imaging methods using FPDs is to obtain an energy subtraction image by using multiple radiation images obtained by detecting radiation with different energy components.

[0003] Energy subtraction images are generated by performing energy subtraction processing on multiple radiation images obtained using an FPD. The energy subtraction processing is performed after radiation image data is transmitted from the radiation imaging device to a control device and radiation images are generated in the control device.

[0004] Furthermore, as a method for capturing multiple radiation images, in addition to the method of obtaining one radiation image in one exposure, the FPD configuration of Reference 1 makes it possible to capture two radiation images simultaneously in one exposure. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent application No. 2000-60545 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In energy subtraction imaging, not only the energy subtraction image but also the radiation image used in the subtraction process may be used for diagnosis together with the energy subtraction image. Therefore, in energy subtraction imaging, the radiation image may be checked before the subtraction process is performed.

[0007] However, depending on the order in which radiation image data is transmitted, it may take time to confirm the images necessary for diagnosis.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to effectively transmit a plurality of radiation images in imaging using the energy subtraction method.

[0009] In addition to the above-mentioned object, another object of the present invention is to achieve effects that are derived from the various components shown in the description of the preferred embodiments of the invention described below, and that cannot be obtained by conventional techniques. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to solve the above problem, a control device according to the present invention includes: First radiation image data obtained from and radiation of a second energy lower than the first energy. Second radiation image data obtained from And, When image diagnosis is performed using an energy subtraction image obtained from the first radiation image data and the second radiation image data, and a radiation image obtained from the first radiation image data, the first radiation image data is set to be transmitted with priority over the second radiation image data, and when image diagnosis is performed using the energy subtraction image and a radiation image obtained from the second radiation image data, the second radiation image data is set to be transmitted with priority over the first radiation image data. setting means for setting the transmission of the The means are set and acquiring means for acquiring the first radiation image data and the second radiation image data transmitted in the order of transmission. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, one of the objects is to effectively transmit a plurality of radiation images in imaging using the energy subtraction method. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] A block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a radiation imaging system. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a radiation imaging apparatus and a control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing performed by a radiation imaging system according to a first embodiment; [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing performed by a radiation imaging system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a timing chart showing a procedure of processing performed by a radiation imaging system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a timing chart showing a procedure of processing performed by a radiation imaging system according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention as claimed, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0014] [First embodiment] The configuration and operation of a radiation imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a radiation imaging system 10 using a radiation imaging apparatus 400 and a control apparatus 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] In this embodiment, the radiography system 10 using the control device 200 is a system for obtaining radiographic images by the energy subtraction method. The energy subtraction method is a method for obtaining new radiographic images (e.g., bone images and soft tissue images) by processing multiple radiographic images obtained by multiple imaging of the subject 300 using radiation of different energies with the control device 200. There is also a method for obtaining multiple radiographic images from a single irradiation by using a radiography device 400 having multiple detectors that image with different radiation energies.

[0017] The radiation imaging system 10 is configured to electrically capture an optical image converted from radiation incident on the radiation imaging device 400 and obtain radiation image data for generating a radiation image. The radiation imaging system 10 includes the radiation imaging device 400, a radiation generating device 100 for irradiating radiation, a generation control device 101 for controlling the radiation generating device 100, and a control device 200 for controlling the generation control device 101 and the radiation imaging device 400.

[0018] The control device 200 may be configured with a computer (processor) and a memory storing a program to be provided to the computer. The control device 200 also includes a transmission control unit 201 that controls radiation image data transmitted from the radiation imaging device 400. The transmission control unit 201 may be configured with part of a program stored in the memory of the control device 200. The transmission control unit 201 may also be arranged independently of the control device 200 and be configured with a computer (processor) and a memory storing a program to be provided to the computer. All or part of the control device 200 may be configured with a digital signal processor (DSP) or a programmable logic array (PLA). The control device 200 and the transmission control unit 201 may be designed and manufactured using a logic synthesis tool based on a file describing their operation. The control device 200 may also function as a user interface for the radiation imaging system 10. In this case, the control device 200 may include, for example, an input unit through which a user inputs imaging conditions for acquiring a radiation image and a display unit such as a display for confirming the input information.

[0019] The generation control device 101 controls the irradiation of radiation by the radiation generation device 100. The generation control device 101 may have, for example, an exposure switch, and may cause the radiation generation device 100 to emit radiation in response to the exposure switch being turned on by a user, and may also notify the control device 200 of information indicating the timing at which radiation is emitted. Furthermore, the generation control device 101 may cause the radiation generation device 100 to emit radiation in response to a command from the control device 200.

[0020] The radiation generating device 100 has a function of changing the energy (wavelength) of radiation. The radiation generating device 100 can change the energy of radiation by, for example, changing the tube voltage (the voltage applied between the cathode and anode of the radiation generating device 100) under the control of the generation control device 101. The radiation generating device 100 can emit radiation having a plurality of different energy values.

[0021] 1, the radiation imaging apparatus 400 and the control device 200 are arranged independently of each other, but all or part of the functions of the control device 200 may be incorporated into the radiation imaging apparatus 400. Also, part of the functions of the radiation imaging apparatus 400 may be incorporated into the control device 200.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the radiation imaging apparatus and the control apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] The control device 200 includes a transmission control unit 201, an image generation unit 202, a display image control unit 203, a subtraction processing unit 204, and a display control unit 205. The operation of each processing unit is executed and controlled by a processor or the like of the control device 200 in FIG.

[0024] The transmission control unit 201 controls the radiation image data transmitted by the radiation imaging apparatus 400. The transmission control unit 201 controls, for example, at least one of the transmission order of the radiation image data and the data size of the radiation image data to be transmitted. The transmitted radiation image data is output to the image generation unit 202.

[0025] The image generation unit 202 outputs (generates) a radiographic image from the radiographic image data. If energy subtraction is not performed, the image generation unit 202 outputs the radiographic image to the display control unit 205. On the other hand, if energy subtraction is performed, the image generation unit 202 outputs the radiographic image to the subtraction processing unit 204.

[0026] The display image control unit 203 outputs a control order to the transmission control unit 201 in accordance with the stored display order settings for the plurality of radiation images and energy subtraction images.

[0027] The subtraction processing unit 204 performs energy subtraction processing using a plurality of radiation images. The generated energy subtraction images are output to the display control unit 205.

[0028] The display control unit 205 displays on the display unit at least one of the radiation image and the energy subtraction image input from the image generation unit 202 or the subtraction processing unit 204. The display unit is a device that displays various information generated by the control device 200, and typically uses a liquid crystal display or the like, but may also be other types of display such as a plasma display, an organic EL display, or an FED.

[0029] The radiation imaging apparatus 400 includes an imaging unit 401 and a transmission unit 402. The operation of each processing unit is executed and controlled by a processor or the like of the radiation imaging apparatus 400 in FIG.

[0030] The imaging unit 401 detects the irradiated radiation as electric charges and obtains radiation image data by A / D converting the detected electric charges. The obtained radiation image data is output to the transmission unit 402.

[0031] The transmission unit 402 transmits radiation image data for generating a radiation image from the radiation imaging device 400 to the control device 200. Furthermore, the transmission unit 402, under the control of the transmission control unit 201, changes the order of transmission and the size of the image data to be transmitted, and transmits the radiation image data.

[0032] In energy subtraction imaging, not only the energy subtraction image but also the radiation image used in the subtraction process may be used for diagnosis together with the energy subtraction image. Therefore, in energy subtraction imaging, it is necessary to check the radiation image before the subtraction process. Meanwhile, although at least two radiation images are captured before the subtraction process, in many cases only one of them is used for diagnosis, and the remaining radiation images may be captured as radiation images that are not used for diagnosis but are intended for the subtraction process. Therefore, by preferentially transmitting the radiation images used for diagnosis, the waiting time until the necessary radiation images can be checked can be shortened.

[0033] The procedure of the process performed by the radiographic imaging system in the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 3. Here, an example is shown in which two radiographic images are acquired as the plurality of radiographic images. The two radiographic images are referred to as the first radiographic image and the second radiographic image in the order in which they were captured. Since the energy subtraction process may be performed using at least a plurality of radiographic images, three or more radiographic images may be used.

[0034] (S301: Set the display order for multiple radiation images) First, in step S301, the display image control unit 203 sets the display order for a plurality of radiation images and energy subtraction images.

[0035] The display order may be set to an arbitrary order input by the user, or may be set in advance. When the display order is set in advance, for example, a correspondence between diagnostic purposes and images to be preferentially used for the diagnostic purposes may be set in advance, and the display order may be set by selecting the diagnostic purpose. More specifically, for example, when a diagnosis is made using subtraction images that emphasize bones, image diagnosis is performed using images captured at low energy as well. Therefore, in the above case, the order is set so that radiation image data captured at low energy is preferentially transmitted and displayed. On the other hand, when a diagnosis is made using energy subtraction images that remove bones and emphasize soft tissues, image diagnosis is performed using images captured at high energy as well. Therefore, in the above case, the order is set so that radiation image data captured at high energy is preferentially transmitted and displayed. That is, when the diagnostic purpose is observation of soft tissues, the display image control unit 203 sets the order so that first radiation image data obtained from radiation of a first energy is transmitted with priority over second radiation image data obtained from radiation of a second energy lower than the first energy. Furthermore, when the diagnostic use is observation of a bone portion, the order of transmission of the second radiation image data is set to be prioritized over the first radiation image data.

[0036] Although the display order is set in the above, it is not necessary to set the display order for each image, and any configuration may be used as long as the display order is controlled. Alternatively, a configuration may be used in which the transmission order is set. In this case, for example, the images are displayed on the display unit in the same order as the transmission order. That is, the display image control unit 203 corresponds to an example of a setting means for setting the transmission order of the first radiographic image and the second radiographic image. Alternatively, the display order may be set after setting the transmission order. Furthermore, it may be set whether or not each image is to be displayed after setting the transmission order.

[0037] In the following steps, an example will be shown in which the second radiographic image is set to be transmitted with priority over the first radiographic image as an image to be used for image diagnosis together with the energy subtraction image.

[0038] (S302: Take a photo) Subsequently, in step S302, the radiation imaging device 400 captures a radiation image. The radiation image data obtained by capturing the radiation image is stored in the radiation imaging device 400. The display image control unit 203 outputs control to the transmission control unit 201 so as to display the second radiation image with priority over the first radiation image.

[0039] (S303: Transmit the second radiation image data) Subsequently, in step S303, under the control of the transmission control unit 201, the transmission unit 402 transmits the second radiation image data for generating a second radiation image to the control device 200. More specifically, the transmission control unit 201 outputs the transmission order of the radiation image data to the transmission unit 402 in accordance with the transmission order set by the display control unit 203 and output to the transmission control unit 201. Then, the transmission unit 402 transmits the radiation image data in accordance with the transmission order output from the transmission control unit 201.

[0040] (S304: Generate a second radiographic image) Subsequently, in step S304, the image generating unit 202 generates a second radiographic image from the second radiographic image data and outputs the generated second radiographic image to the display control unit 205.

[0041] (S305: Display the second radiographic image) Subsequently, in step S305, the display control unit 205 displays the second radiographic image on the display unit.

[0042] (S306: Transmit the first radiation image data) Subsequently, in step S306, under the control of the transmission control unit 201, the transmission unit 401 transmits the first radiation image data for generating the first radiation image to the control device 200.

[0043] (S307: Generate a first radiographic image) Subsequently, in step S307, the image generating unit 202 generates a first radiographic image from the first radiographic image data. The image generating unit 202 outputs the generated first radiographic image to the display control unit 205.

[0044] (S308: Display the first radiation image) Subsequently, in step S308, the display control unit 205 displays the first radiographic image on the display unit.

[0045] (S309: Subtraction processing is performed) Subsequently, in step S309, the subtraction processing unit 204 performs energy subtraction processing using the first and second radiographic images generated by the image generating unit 202 to generate an energy subtraction image.

[0046] (S310: Display subtraction image) Subsequently, in step S310, the display control unit 205 displays the energy subtraction image generated by the subtraction processing unit 204 on the display unit.

[0047] (S311: Is there another shoot?) Finally, in step S311, it is determined whether or not there is a next shot. If there is a next shot, the process proceeds to step S301. If there is no next shot, the process ends.

[0048] The processing of the radiation imaging system is carried out in this manner.

[0049] As described above, the radiation imaging system according to this embodiment can effectively transmit multiple radiation images in imaging using the energy subtraction method. Furthermore, by preferentially transmitting and displaying radiation images to be used for diagnosis in accordance with the transmission order set before imaging, it is possible to shorten the waiting time until the desired images can be confirmed.

[0050] In this embodiment, the display control unit 205 displays all captured radiographic images on the display unit, but it is not necessary to display only radiographic images that are preferentially transmitted. That is, the display image control unit 203 may set radiographic images used to generate an energy subtraction image not to be displayed. For example, the setting not to display may be set by receiving an input from the user, or may be set so that radiographic images other than the radiographic images that are set to be preferentially displayed are not automatically displayed.

[0051] Although the present embodiment shows an example in which multiple radiation images are captured by irradiating with different energies multiple times, the present invention may also be used in a case in which radiation images are captured by a single irradiation using a radiation imaging device having multiple detectors that detect different energies. In other words, even when using a radiation imaging device in which the transmission order is not determined by the imaging order, the transmission order may be controlled according to the settings of the display image control unit 203.

[0052] [Second embodiment] The procedure of the process performed by the radiographic imaging system in the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 4. Here, an example is shown in which two radiographic images are captured as the multiple radiographic images. The two radiographic images are referred to as the first radiographic image and the second radiographic image, respectively. In the energy subtraction process, a configuration using at least multiple radiographic images is considered, and three or more radiographic images may also be used.

[0053] In this embodiment, an example is shown in which radiation image data is transmitted in two parts: full image data and reduced image data obtained by reducing the image data size obtained from the full image. The first part should be an image smaller than the full image, and the number of times the radiation image data is transmitted in parts may be three or more.

[0054] (S401: Take a photo) First, in step S401, the radiation imaging device 400 captures a radiation image. Image data obtained by capturing the radiation image is stored in the radiation imaging device 400. The display image control unit 203 outputs control to the transmission control unit 201 to display a subtraction image of a reduced image as a first priority display image and a subtraction image of a full image as a second priority display image.

[0055] (S402: Transmit the first reduced image data) Next, in step S402, under the control of the transmission control unit 201, the transmission unit 402 transmits to the control device 200 first reduced image data used to generate a subtraction image of the reduced image, which is the first preferential display image.

[0056] (S403: Generate a first reduced image) Next, in step S403, the image generation unit 202 generates a first reduced image from the first reduced image data and outputs the generated first reduced image to the subtraction processing unit 204.

[0057] (S404: Transmit the second reduced image data) Next, in step S404, under the control of the transmission control unit 201, the transmission unit 402 transmits to the control device 200 second reduced image data used to generate a subtraction image of the reduced image that is the first preferential display image.

[0058] (S405: Generate a second thumbnail) Subsequently, in step S405, the image generation unit 202 generates a second reduced image from the second reduced image data and outputs the generated second reduced image to the subtraction processing unit 204.

[0059] (S406: Subtraction processing of the reduced image is performed) Subsequently, in step S406, the subtraction processing unit 204 performs energy subtraction processing to generate an energy subtraction image using the first reduced image and the second reduced image generated by the image generation unit 202. The subtraction processing unit 204 outputs the generated energy subtraction image to the display control unit 205.

[0060] (S407: Display the subtraction image of the reduced image) Subsequently, in step S407, the display control unit 205 displays the energy subtraction image generated by the subtraction processing unit 204 on the display unit.

[0061] (S408: Transmit the first full image data) Subsequently, in step S408, the transmitting unit 402 transmits the remaining image data not transmitted in step S402 for generating first full image data under the control of the transmission control unit 201. Note that the transmitting unit 402 may be configured to transmit the first full image data, in which case S408 is skipped and the first full image data is output to the display control unit 205.

[0062] (S409: Generate a first full image) Next, in step S409, the image generation unit 202 generates first full image data by combining the remaining data transmitted in step S408 with the first reduced image data. The image generation unit 202 outputs the generated first full image to the display control unit 205.

[0063] (S410: Transmit second full image data) Subsequently, in step S410, the transmitting unit 402 transmits the remaining image data not transmitted in step S402 for generating second full image data under the control of the transmission control unit 201. Note that the transmitting unit 402 may be configured to transmit the second full image data, in which case S411 is skipped and the second full image data is output to the display control unit 205.

[0064] (S411: Generate a second full image) Next, in step S411, the image generation unit 202 generates second full image data by combining the remaining data transmitted in step S410 with the second reduced image data. The image generation unit 202 outputs the generated second full image to the display control unit 205.

[0065] (S412: Subtraction processing of the full image is performed) Subsequently, in step S412, the subtraction processing unit 204 performs energy subtraction processing using the first full image and the second full image generated by the image generating unit 202, and generates an energy subtraction image.

[0066] (S413: Display subtraction image of full image) Subsequently, in step S413, the display control unit 205 displays the energy subtraction image generated by the subtraction processing unit 204 on the display unit.

[0067] (S414: Is there another shoot?) Finally, in step S414, it is determined whether or not there is a next shot to be taken, and if there is, the process returns to step S401.

[0068] The processing of the radiation imaging system is carried out in this manner.

[0069] According to the above, by controlling the transmission sizes of the multiple radiation images used in the energy subtraction process, it becomes possible to check the reduced energy subtraction image before the full energy subtraction image is displayed, allowing the user to check the image in a shorter waiting time than before.

[0070] (Variation 1) Variation 1 shows an example of the second embodiment in which a radiation imaging device 400 having multiple detectors that detect radiation of different energies, known as one-shot energy subtraction imaging, is used to obtain multiple radiation images in a single imaging session.

[0071] The procedure of the process performed by the radiation imaging system will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG.

[0072] T501 is a signal indicating the radiation irradiation status. T502 and T503 are signals indicating the image reading status of each of the multiple radiation images of the imaging unit 401. T504 is a signal indicating a data transmission request from the transmission control unit 201 to the transmission unit 402. T505 and T506 are signals indicating the image transmission timing of the transmission unit 402. T507 is a signal indicating the image display timing of the display control unit 205 for an image that has undergone energy subtraction processing.

[0073] During the irradiation period, the imaging unit 401 is in an accumulation state, detecting radiation and obtaining an image signal. This image signal (radiation image signal) includes signal components obtained by detecting radiation and dark components generated by the photoelectric conversion elements. This image signal is read out from the pixel array to obtain digital image data.

[0074] The transmitting unit 402 generates reduced image data with a small amount of data from the radiation image by thinning processing, addition processing, etc. The transmitting unit 402 transmits the reduced image data to the control device 200.

[0075] After completing the transmission process of the reduced image data, the transmission control unit 201 according to one embodiment transmits the radiation image data (full image data) that is the basis of the reduced image data. In particular, when performing addition processing or other image processing when generating a preview image, it is desirable to transmit the full image data if the original image data cannot be restored from the preview image.

[0076] The control device 200 executes energy subtraction processing using the reduced images generated from the generated plurality of reduced image data, and then the display control unit 205 displays the energy subtraction images of the reduced images on the display unit.

[0077] The control device 200 then executes energy subtraction processing using the generated full images, and the display control unit 205 then displays the energy subtraction images of the full images on the display unit instead of the reduced images.

[0078] In this modified example, the image displayed by the display control unit 205 is only the energy subtraction image, but in T507, the transmitted first reduced image, second reduced image, first full image, and second full image may be displayed as appropriate.

[0079] (Variation 2) In variant example 2, an example is shown in which, in the second embodiment, a radiation imaging device 400 having a single detector is used to obtain multiple radiation images by performing multiple imaging using radiation having different energies, which is called two-shot energy subtraction imaging.

[0080] The following description will focus on the differences from Modification 1. The configuration of the radiation imaging system according to this embodiment is the same as the configuration described with reference to FIG.

[0081] FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing the procedure of the process performed by the radiation imaging system according to the third embodiment.

[0082] T601 is a signal indicating the radiation irradiation status. T602 is a signal indicating the image reading status for each irradiation by the imaging unit 401. T603 is a signal indicating a data transmission request from the transmission control unit 201 to the transmission unit 402. T604 is a signal indicating the image transmission timing of the transmission unit 402. T605 indicates the image display timing of the display control unit 205 for an image that has undergone energy subtraction processing.

[0083] During the irradiation period, the imaging unit 401 is in an accumulation state, detecting radiation and obtaining an image signal. This image signal (radiation image signal) includes signal components obtained by detecting radiation and dark components generated by the photoelectric conversion elements. This image signal is read out from the pixel array to obtain digital radiation image data. In this configuration, radiation of different energies is irradiated multiple times, for example, with the aim of obtaining a high-energy image in the first irradiation and a low-energy image in the second irradiation.

[0084] The transmitting unit 402 generates reduced image data with a small amount of data from the radiation image data by thinning processing, addition processing, etc. The transmitting unit 402 transmits the reduced image data to the control device 200.

[0085] After completing the transmission process for all the reduced image data, the transmission unit 402 transmits all the radiation image data (full images) that were the basis for the reduced image data. Note that if addition processing or other image processing is performed when generating a preview image, and the original image data cannot be restored from the preview image, it is desirable to transmit the full image.

[0086] The subsequent display of an energy subtraction image using a reduced image, transmission of a full image, and display of an energy subtraction image are the same as those in the second embodiment.

[0087] As described above, according to the radiographic imaging system of this embodiment, even when multiple radiographic images are obtained by multiple imaging sessions using radiation having different energies, the user can view the energy subtraction images in a shorter waiting time than in the conventional system, as in the first embodiment.

[0088] In this modified example, the image displayed by the display control unit 205 is only the energy subtraction image, but in T605, the transmitted first reduced image, second reduced image, first full image, and second full image may be displayed as appropriate.

[0089] (Variation 3) As for the method of reducing the reduced image transmitted in the second and third embodiments, in addition to thinning processing and addition processing, a method of cutting out a region of interest arbitrarily specified before imaging, or a method of cutting out an AEC recognition region of a radiographic device equipped with an auto exposure control (AEC) mechanism can also be applied.

[0090] By using these methods, in cases where the diagnostic target region can be determined in advance, it is possible to reduce the waiting time until display while avoiding degradation of image quality due to thinning processing.

[0091] [Other embodiments] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program, or by a circuit that realizes one or more of the functions.

[0092] The processor or circuitry may include a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessing unit (MPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gateway (FPGA), a digital signal processor (DSP), a data flow processor (DFP), or a neural processing unit (NPU).

[0093] The radiation imaging system in each of the above-described embodiments may be realized as a single device, or may be realized as a combination of multiple devices that can communicate with each other to execute the above-described processing, and both are included in the embodiments of the present invention. The above-described processing may be executed by a common server device or server group. The multiple devices that make up the radiation imaging system only need to be able to communicate at a predetermined communication rate, and do not need to be located in the same facility or the same country.

[0094] Embodiments of the present invention include a form in which a software program that realizes the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments is supplied to a system or device, and the computer of the system or device reads and executes the code of the supplied program.

[0095] Therefore, the program code itself installed on a computer to implement the processes according to the embodiments is also an embodiment of the present invention. Also, the OS running on the computer may perform some or all of the actual processing based on instructions contained in the program read by the computer, and the functions of the above-described embodiments may also be implemented by this processing.

[0096] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the embodiments) are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and these modifications are not excluded from the scope of the present invention. In other words, all configurations that combine the above-described embodiments are included in the embodiments of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 10 Radiography System 100 Radiation Generator 101 Generation control device 200 control device 201 Transmission control section 202 Image Generation Unit 203 Display image control unit 204 Subtraction processing section 205 Display section 300 subjects 400 Radiography equipment 401 Photography Department 402 Transmission Unit

Claims

1. a first radiation image data obtained from radiation of a first energy; and a second radiation image data obtained from radiation of a second energy lower than the first energy, setting, when image diagnosis is performed using an energy subtraction image obtained from the first radiation image data and the second radiation image data, and a radiation image obtained from the first radiation image data, to transmit the first radiation image data with priority over the second radiation image data; a setting means for setting so that the second radiation image data is transmitted with priority over the first radiation image data when image diagnosis is performed using the energy subtraction image and a radiation image obtained from the second radiation image data; an acquiring means for acquiring the first radiation image data and the second radiation image data transmitted in accordance with the transmission order set by the setting means; A control device comprising:

2. a generating unit for generating a first radiographic image from the first radiographic image data and a second radiographic image from the second radiographic image data; a display control means for displaying, on a display unit, at least one of the first radiographic image and the second radiographic image, and an energy subtraction image obtained by performing subtraction processing on the first radiographic image and the second radiographic image; The control device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

3. 3. The control device according to claim 2, wherein the display control means displays, on the display unit, at least one of the first radiation image and the second radiation image, which is generated from radiation image data that was transmitted first, prior to the energy subtraction image.

4. 4. The control device according to claim 2, wherein the setting unit sets whether or not at least one of the first radiographic image and the second radiographic image is to be displayed on a display unit.

5. 5. The control device according to claim 2, wherein the setting means sets the order of transmission so that, when an energy subtraction image in which soft tissue is enhanced is to be generated, the first radiation image data is transmitted with priority over the second radiation image data, and, when an energy subtraction image in which bones are enhanced is to be generated, the second radiation image data is transmitted with priority over the first radiation image data.

6. 6. The control device according to claim 2, wherein the setting means receives a selection of a diagnostic use of the energy subtraction image, and sets an order of transmission of the first radiation image data and the second radiation image data based on the selected diagnostic use.

7. 7. The control device according to claim 6, further comprising a transmission control unit that controls the order of transmission of the first radiation image data and the second radiation image data in accordance with the order of transmission set by the setting unit.

8. 8. The control device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the setting means sets the order of transmission of the first radiation image data to be prioritized over the second radiation image data when the diagnostic use is observation of soft tissue, and sets the order of transmission of the second radiation image data to be prioritized over the first radiation image data when the diagnostic use is observation of bone tissue.

9. 9. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the setting means controls an order of transmission such that first reduced image data, which is generated from the first radiation image data and has a smaller data size than the first radiation image data, and second reduced image data, which is generated from the second radiation image data and has a smaller data size than the first radiation image data, are transmitted earlier than the first radiation image data and the second radiation image data.

10. the first reduced image data and the second reduced image data are generated by cutting out any region of interest from the first radiation image data and the second radiation image data, 10. The control device according to claim 9, wherein the setting means sets an order of transmission of the first reduced image data and the second reduced image data generated by cutting out the arbitrary region of interest.

11. the first reduced image data and the second reduced image data are generated by performing a thinning process on the first radiation image data and the second radiation image data, 10. The control device according to claim 9, wherein the setting means sets an order of transmission of the first reduced image data and the second reduced image data generated by performing the thinning process.

12. the first reduced image data and the second reduced image data are generated by cutting out AEC recognition regions in the first radiation image data and the second radiation image data, 10. The control device according to claim 9, wherein the setting means sets an order of transmission of the first reduced image data and the second reduced image data generated by cutting out the AEC recognition area.

13. a radiation imaging device that detects radiation and outputs radiation image data; A radiation imaging system comprising the control device according to claim 1 , which controls the radiation imaging apparatus.

14. a first radiation image data obtained from radiation of a first energy; and a second radiation image data obtained from radiation of a second energy lower than the first energy, setting, when image diagnosis is performed using an energy subtraction image obtained from the first radiation image data and the second radiation image data, and a radiation image obtained from the first radiation image data, to transmit the first radiation image data with priority over the second radiation image data; a setting step of setting so that the second radiation image data is transmitted with priority over the first radiation image data when image diagnosis is performed using the energy subtraction image and a radiation image obtained from the second radiation image data; an acquiring step of acquiring the first radiation image data and the second radiation image data transmitted in accordance with the transmission order set in the setting step; A control method comprising:

15. A program for causing a computer to execute each means of the control device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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