AEC Sensor Detection Field Matching for Radiographic Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radiographic systems face difficulties in maintaining automatic exposure control (AEC) consistency when switching from old to new AEC sensors, requiring modifications to the source controller settings and often necessitating manufacturer service, due to differences in detection field arrangements and sizes between sensors.

Innovation Solution

A radiographic system with an information acquiring part to match the detection field of a new AEC sensor to that of an old sensor, including a detection field selecting part, a storage part for correlating source IDs with position information, and a switching part to adjust output formats for AEC signals, allowing seamless AEC operation without modifying existing apparatus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a new AEC sensor is connected to an existing source controller, then the detection field arrangement and size differ between new and old sensors, but the AEC cannot be carried out as before and modification of source controller settings is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility of new AEC sensor with existing source controllerVSAvoidoperational convenience of AEC

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by acquiring position information of the old AEC sensor's detection field before switching to the new sensor. The detection field selecting part pre-selects the appropriate detection field of the new sensor that matches the old sensor's detection field position, so that when the sensor is replaced, the AEC can continue to operate as before without requiring modification of source controller settings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the detection field of the new AEC sensor differs from the old sensor, then AEC functionality is disrupted, but modifying source controller settings requires manufacturer service

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuity of AEC functionalityVSAvoidcomplexity of sensor replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by automatically acquiring the position information of the old AEC sensor's detection field and autonomously selecting the corresponding detection field in the new sensor. This self-configuration capability allows the system to maintain AEC functionality without requiring external manufacturer service or complex adjustment procedures, making sensor replacement a simple plug-and-play operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the number, arrangement, and size of detection fields differ between sensors, then AEC cannot be performed as before, but changing set values is troublesome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in sensor designVSAvoidtime required for sensor configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback by acquiring position information about the old sensor's detection field and using this information to automatically configure the new sensor's detection field selection. This feedback mechanism eliminates the need for manual configuration and trial-and-error adjustments, reducing the time required for sensor replacement while maintaining the ability to accommodate different sensor designs with varying numbers, arrangements, and sizes of detection fields.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables uninterrupted AEC performance without requiring changes to the source controller settings, reducing the need for manufacturer service and simplifying the integration of new AEC sensors, thereby improving operational convenience and reducing exposure to radioactivity.

Implementation Method 1

a radiological image detector that receives the radiation passing through the object to detect a radiological image

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiation detection: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

an AEC sensor used to perform an automatic exposure control of detecting the dose of the radiation passing through the object

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiation dose detection: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS9055922B2Radiographic system, automatic exposure control method of radiographic system, and radiological image detector

Publication Date: 2015.06.16 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

When an AEC sensor is changed, the same AEC as before changing the AEC sensor is carried out without modifying an existing apparatus. A storage and search unit of a console acquires a source ID and searches for and extracts position information of a detection field of an old AEC sensor corresponding to the acquired source ID from source information of a storage device. An electronic cassette includes plural detection pixels as a new AEC sensor short-circuited to signal lines without passing through TFTs in the same imaging plane as pixels. A detection field selecting circuit of an AEC unit of the electronic cassette selects a detection signal from the detection pixel existing at the position of the detection field of the old AEC sensor among the detection signals of the plural detection pixels.