Radiographic Imaging Clock Synchronization to Reduce Communication Delay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radiographic imaging systems experience communication delays due to wireless communication standards like CSMA/CA, leading to insufficient radiation emission during serial imaging, which affects the analysis of dynamic subject behavior and results in decreased signal values in frame images.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates an irradiating apparatus with a first clock and a radiographic imaging apparatus with a second clock, utilizing a hardware processor to synchronize clock information and determine specific conditions for timely radiation emission, thereby reducing operation lag.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wireless communication standards like CSMA/CA are used for communication between irradiating apparatus and imaging apparatus, then communication flexibility is improved, but communication delay increases leading to operation lag
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing clock synchronization between the irradiating apparatus and imaging apparatus before the actual imaging operation begins. The system establishes a timing relationship in advance using predetermined timing information, so that when imaging starts, both devices are already synchronized and no communication delay occurs during the critical imaging phase. This resolves the contradiction by preparing the timing relationship beforehand, eliminating the need for real-time communication during imaging.
2Measurement precision
If serial imaging is performed at high frame rate to capture dynamic subject movement, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but the time available for charge accumulation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing the timing relationship between radiation emission and charge accumulation through clock synchronization. The system determines the timing information in advance based on the synchronized clocks, ensuring that radiation is emitted at the precise moment when the imaging apparatus is ready to accumulate charges. This eliminates communication delays that would otherwise reduce the effective accumulation time, allowing high frame rate imaging to be performed without sacrificing accumulation duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the skipping principle by eliminating the communication delay step entirely through predetermined timing information. Instead of performing real-time communication and negotiation between devices during imaging, the system uses pre-established timing relationships to skip the communication phase during actual imaging operations. This rushing through of the communication step allows the system to maintain high frame rates with sufficient accumulation time.
3Device complexity
If communication delay occurs between irradiating apparatus and imaging apparatus, then system simplicity is maintained, but radiation emission timing becomes insufficient leading to decreased signal values
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing clock synchronization and determining timing information before imaging operations begin. The system uses predetermined timing information derived from synchronized clocks to control radiation emission timing, eliminating the need for complex real-time communication protocols during imaging. This approach maintains relative system simplicity while achieving high timing precision, as the timing relationship is established once in advance rather than continuously negotiated.
Data Source
AI summary
A radiographic imaging system includes an irradiating apparatus, a first clock, a radiographic imaging apparatus, a second clock and a hardware processor. The irradiating apparatus generates radiation. The first clock keeps time and works with the irradiating apparatus. The radiographic imaging apparatus generates image data based on received radiation. The second clock keeps time and works with the radiographic imaging apparatus. The hardware processor (i) obtains a clock value of the first clock at a predetermined time point and a clock value of the second clock at the predetermined time point respectively as first clock information and second clock information, (ii) makes a determination as to whether a specific condition is met based on the obtained first clock information and the obtained second clock information, and (iii) in response to the specific condition being met, performs a specific output.