Radiation Imaging System Communication Delay Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In radiation imaging systems, unstable wireless communication environments can lead to communication delays, causing excessive radiation irradiation due to inadequate automatic exposure control (AEC), as existing systems struggle to reliably manage radiation exposure timing.
Innovation Solution
A radiation imaging system with an imaging unit, detection unit, irradiation control unit, and determination unit that measures communication delay time and determines whether to permit imaging based on set radiation conditions, allowing for exposure control adjustments to prevent excessive irradiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless communication is used for signal transmission between imaging unit and irradiation control unit, then ease of operation is improved, but communication stability deteriorates due to noise from other devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communication delay measurement mechanism as an intermediary to monitor and compensate for communication instability. The system measures the actual delay time between transmission and reception of signals, then uses this information to adjust the exposure control timing, effectively mediating the unreliable wireless communication to achieve stable exposure control.
2Reliability
If communication delay time increases in unstable environment, then communication robustness is improved to handle delays, but radiation irradiation control precision deteriorates causing excessive irradiation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurement of communication delay time before executing exposure control. By obtaining the delay time in advance and using it to calculate compensated exposure timing, the system proactively compensates for communication delays, ensuring precise irradiation control even in environments with unstable communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the actual communication delay time is measured and fed back into the exposure control calculation. The determination unit uses the measured delay time to adjust the exposure timing, creating a closed-loop control system that continuously adapts to communication conditions to maintain precise irradiation control.
3Manufacturing precision
If automatic exposure control is performed using real-time radiation detection, then radiation dose optimization is improved, but system complexity increases due to communication requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging unit autonomously measures its own communication delay time by transmitting a test signal and measuring the time until reception by the irradiation control unit. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external calibration equipment or complex centralized timing systems, achieving accurate delay compensation while keeping the system relatively simple.
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
This solution enhances the controllability of AEC by ensuring radiation irradiation is stopped at appropriate times, even in unstable communication environments, thereby preventing excessive radiation exposure.
Implementation Method 1
a detection unit configured to detect incident radiation to perform exposure control
Implementation Method 2
an imaging unit including a plurality of pixels configured to generate a radiation image
Data Source
AI summary
A radiation imaging system is provided. The system comprises: an imaging unit including a plurality of pixels configured to generate a radiation image and a detection unit configured to detect incident radiation to perform exposure control; an irradiation control unit configured to control radiation irradiation by a radiation source, an obtainment unit configured to obtain a delay time of communication between the imaging unit and the irradiation control unit; and a determination unit. The determination unit determines, based on a radiation irradiation condition set by an operator and the delay time obtained by the obtainment unit, whether to permit imaging by exposure control using a signal output from the detection unit.