Radiographic Imaging Control Using Pre-Transmitted Stop Signals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional radiographic imaging systems face accuracy issues in controlling radiation exposure due to variable communication delays, leading to potential overexposure when the transmission dose rate increases, as the irradiation stop timing notifications may not be issued in time, especially with varying communication delay times.

Innovation Solution

A radiographic imaging system that includes a control apparatus and a sensor unit to detect radiation, transmitting a plurality of control signals, including an irradiation stop signal, to accurately control the radiation generation apparatus, utilizing a communication unit to ensure timely and accurate irradiation stop signals are sent.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional techniques use average communication delay time for irradiation stop control, then the system operation is simplified, but the manufacturing precision of irradiation dose is degraded due to variable communication delays causing timing errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveirradiation stop control operationVSAvoidirradiation dose precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system transmits a plurality of control signals (including the irradiation stop signal) in advance before the actual irradiation stop timing is reached. By preparing and transmitting multiple control signals ahead of time, the system compensates for variable communication delays, ensuring that at least one signal arrives at the correct moment to stop irradiation precisely at the target dose, thus resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and dosing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the transmission dose rate increases, then the exposure time decreases and productivity improves, but the reliability of irradiation stop control is degraded due to insufficient time for communication delay compensation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexposure speedVSAvoidirradiation stop control reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system transmits multiple control signals in advance during the irradiation process, ensuring that even at high exposure rates with minimal exposure time, the stop signal has already been transmitted and will arrive at the control apparatus before or at the precise moment when irradiation must stop. This preliminary transmission strategy maintains reliable stop control regardless of how short the exposure duration becomes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

By transmitting a plurality of control signals before the actual stop timing is needed, the system creates a time cushion that absorbs the variability of communication delays. This cushioning effect ensures that even with high-speed exposure where timing margins are minimal, the stop control remains reliable because multiple signals are already in transit or have been received in advance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the communication delay time varies, then the adaptability of the communication system improves, but the measurement precision of irradiation timing is degraded causing cumulative dose errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication system adaptabilityVSAvoidirradiation stop timing precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system transmits multiple control signals in advance, creating a buffer that compensates for variable communication delays. By having multiple signals already transmitted or in transit before the actual stop timing, the system ensures that the precise stop moment is not dependent on a single communication timing event, thereby maintaining timing precision despite communication system variability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 enhances the accuracy of irradiation stop control by minimizing communication delays and ensuring the radiation generation apparatus stops emitting radiation at the correct time, preventing overexposure.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor unit configured to detect radiation emitted from the radiation generation apparatus

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiation detection: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS12357262B2Radiographic imaging system, radiographic imaging apparatus, method for controlling radiographic imaging apparatus, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2025.07.15 CANON KK

AI summary

A radiographic imaging system includes a control apparatus configured to control a radiation generation apparatus, and a radiographic imaging apparatus including a sensor unit configured to detect radiation emitted from the radiation generation apparatus and a communication unit configured to transmit, to the control apparatus, an irradiation stop signal to stop the radiation generation apparatus from emitting radiation based on a dose of the radiation detected by the sensor unit, wherein the communication unit transmits, to the control apparatus, a plurality of control signals as one set, each of the plurality of control signals including the irradiation stop signal, and wherein the control apparatus stops generation of radiation from the radiation generation apparatus based on the plurality of control signals.