Radiation Sensor Control Apparatus for Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radiation imaging systems face challenges in maintaining image quality due to noise generation, especially in low-radiation-dose regions, and may fail if the sensor is not properly managed, leading to misshooting and inefficiencies in imaging time management.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus for a radiation sensor that dynamically controls its operating state based on the difference between a first time after starting and receiving a predetermined instruction signal, allowing for optimal imaging enable time management and noise reduction by transitioning through specific states (idle, imaging preparation, imaging enable, and imaging) to ensure sufficient imaging time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sensor is set in an imaging enable state for a given time or longer to ensure image quality stabilization, then image quality is improved, but noise influence increases and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the sensor's operating state changeable based on elapsed time. The sensor transitions from imaging disable state to imaging enable state after a predetermined time, and then to imaging state after a second predetermined time. This dynamic state change allows the system to optimize between noise reduction (by keeping sensor off initially) and image quality stabilization (by enabling it after sufficient time has elapsed).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of sensor operating state based on time elapsed since initialization. By monitoring the elapsed time and comparing it against predetermined thresholds, the system adjusts the sensor state parameters (disabled -> enabled -> imaging state) to balance between reducing noise during initialization and ensuring adequate stabilization time for image quality.
2Measurement precision
If the sensor is set in an imaging enable state for a given time or longer to ensure image quality stabilization, then image quality is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the sensor's operating state changeable based on elapsed time. The sensor transitions from imaging disable state to imaging enable state after a predetermined time, and then to imaging state after a second predetermined time. This dynamic state change allows the system to optimize between noise reduction (by keeping sensor off initially) and image quality stabilization (by enabling it after sufficient time has elapsed).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of sensor operating state based on time elapsed since initialization. By monitoring the elapsed time and comparing it against predetermined thresholds, the system adjusts the sensor state parameters (disabled -> enabled -> imaging state) to balance between reducing noise during initialization and ensuring adequate stabilization time for image quality.
3Reliability
If communication between radiation generating apparatus and radiation imaging apparatus is performed to synchronize timing, then imaging accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the communication function from the system by implementing imaging based on local timing detection. Instead of requiring continuous communication between radiation generating apparatus and imaging apparatus, the system uses a timer that starts when radiation irradiation is detected and automatically controls the sensor state based on elapsed time, thereby simplifying the system architecture while maintaining imaging accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies self-service by having the radiation imaging apparatus autonomously control its own imaging timing based on detected radiation events. The timer and state control mechanisms operate independently without requiring external synchronization signals, allowing the system to self-regulate the imaging process based on when radiation is actually detected.
4Device complexity
If imaging is performed immediately after radiation detection without communication, then system complexity is reduced, but noise increases in low-radiation-dose region
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing a timer that starts counting when radiation irradiation is detected, before the actual imaging occurs. This preliminary timing mechanism allows the system to wait for the elapsed time to elapse (allowing noise to reduce) before triggering the sensor in the imaging state, thus preventing noise from degrading image quality while maintaining simple system architecture.
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 approach prevents misshooting by ensuring sufficient imaging time and maintaining image quality by dynamically managing the sensor's state, reducing noise influence and power consumption effectively.
Implementation Method 1
The radiation imaging apparatus converts radiation into visible light through the scintillator
Implementation Method 2
a photoelectric conversion device (conversion device) for converting radiation into an image signal electric charge
Data Source
AI summary
A control apparatus for a radiation sensor, including pixels each for obtaining electric charges, includes: a control unit configured to start driving for imaging in response to radiation irradiation, and stop the driving when a first time elapses after the start of the driving; and a receiving unit configured to externally receive a predetermined instruction signal. The control unit is configured to, in response to reception of the predetermined instruction signal, control a state of the radiation sensor based on a difference between the first time and a second time from the start of the driving to the reception of the predetermined instruction signal.