Abstract: An apparatus and method for computed radiography includes a rotating laser as a pumping source for delivering light, without the use of a rotating mirror, successively to ends of each of a plurality of optical fibers arranged in an arc. Opposite ends of the optical fibers are arranged in a linear array to a previously-exposed computed radiography plate having a latent X-ray image formed thereon. The plate is moved with respect to the fibers. Light emitted from the radiographic medium due to excitation by the pumping light travels through a light guide to an optical receiver where an image signal responsive to the light intensity of the emitted light is generated. The image signal is sent to a processor to generate an image representative of the latent X-ray. An erasing of the latent x-ray image may be accomplished in the same machine apparatus that generates the representative image. Preferably, multiple erasure operations are performed with a relaxation period, e.g.

Abstract: In the obtainment of image signals by receiving emitted light, generated by a stimulable phosphor sheet due to irradiation thereof by an excitation light, at the light receiving surfaces of photoelectric conversion elements, then obtaining an electrical image signal based on the charges stored in the photoelectric conversion elements by an image signal obtainment means comprising a charge transfer path and an output circuit, the area surrounding the light receiving surfaces of the photoelectric conversion elements have been covered by a filter that absorbs only blue light, and the emitted light is received.

Abstract: In a image processing system, a cassette loading unit, a reciprocating feed system, an auxiliary scanning feed mechanism, and an erasing unit are controlled by a first CPU, and an image reading process and error processes relative to the reading of image information are performed by a second CPU. The image processing system starts a shading correcting process at a time when a first time has elapsed from a time when a start-of-scan signal is supplied, and ends the shading correcting process and detects an error and an erasing level at a time when a third time has elapsed from a time when an effecting reading period is ended.

Abstract: A radiation image read-out apparatus for reading out a radiation image recorded on a stimulable phosphor sheet includes a stimulating light projector which projects stimulating light emitted from a stimulating light source onto the stimulable phosphor sheet through a projecting optical system so that the stimulating light is collected in a line-like area of the stimulable phosphor sheet, and a line sensor which detects stimulated emission emitted from the line-like area of the stimulable phosphor sheet upon exposure to the stimulating light. The projecting optical system has an aspheric toric surface.

Abstract: A linear stimulating ray source produces stimulating rays and linearly irradiates them to a portion of a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored. A photoelectric read-out system divides light, which is emitted from the portion of a front surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the stimulating rays and/or the portion of a back surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet corresponding to the portion of the front surface exposed to the stimulating rays, into picture elements along a length direction of the portion exposed to the stimulating rays, and photoelectrically reads out the divided picture elements by arraying them in a two-dimensional form. A scanning system moves the stimulable phosphor sheet with respect to the linear stimulating ray source and the photoelectric read-out system and in a direction, which is approximately normal to the length direction of the portion exposed to the stimulating rays.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a light-collecting device equipped in an information reading system for reading, for instance, the radiation image information stored in a photo stimulable storage phosphor sheet. The light-collecting device includes a reflector, shaped like a longish cylinder, a surface of which is a light-reflecting surface finished as a mirror surface; and a photo-detector to detect light residing inside the reflector. The reflector includes a light-incoming aperture to guide light inside the reflector, and a perpendicular line at the light-incoming aperture is shifted from a center line of a cross-section perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the reflector.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus is adapted for irradiating an image carrier including a labeling substance contained in two-dimensionally distributed spots with a stimulating ray and photoelectrically detecting light released from the labeling substance, thereby producing image data, and the image reading apparatus includes at least one stimulating ray source for emitting a stimulating ray, a lens for shaping the stimulating ray emitted from the at least one stimulating ray source into a line beam, a sensor for photoelectrically detecting light released from the labeling substance, and a controller for performing a stimulation and detection step of irradiating the image carrier including the labeling substance contained in the two-dimensionally distributed spots with the line beam of the stimulating ray to stimulate the labeling substance, stopping irradiation with the line beam of the stimulating ray and causing the sensor to photoelectrically detect light released from the labeling substance after the completion

Abstract: A storage phosphor reader. The reader comprises a first roller pair, a cylindrical scan platen, a guide member, and a holding member. The first roller pair transport a storage phosphor medium along a path in a first direction. The cylindrical scan platen supports the medium as it is scanned by a scanner. The guide member is disposed intermediate the first roller pair and the scan platen for guiding the medium to the scan platen. The holding member is disposed downstream of the scan platen for contacting the medium after it is scanned.

Abstract: Device for detecting information which is contained in a phosphor layer, with multiple individual radiation sources for emitting stimulation light incident upon the phosphor layer along a stimulation line and suitable for stimulating emission light in the phosphor layer, and a detector for detecting the emission light which is stimulated in the phosphor layer. To ensure the highest possible quality of the detected image, an elongated concave mirror is provided, for focusing the stimulation light emitted by the individual radiation sources onto the phosphor layer.

Abstract: An X-ray image reader including a plurality of read heads and a scan drive device for scanning an X-ray image-storing member by moving the read heads is disclosed. The X-ray image reader has a multi head mode in which a read processing of an X-ray image held on the X-ray image storing member is performed by using at least two of the read heads, and a single head mode in which a read processing of an X-ray image held on the X-ray image storing member is performed by using only one of the read heads. The multi head mode is selected when a high-speed measurement is requested and the single head mode is selected when precise measurement is requested.

Abstract: Stimulating rays produced by a line light source are linearly irradiated onto an area of a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, the stimulating rays causing the sheet to emit light in proportion to an amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation. Light emitted from the exposed linear area of the sheet is received with a line sensor comprising photoelectric conversion devices arrayed along each of a length direction of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet and a direction normal to the length direction. The sheet is moved with respect to the line light source and the line sensor and in a direction different from the length direction of the linear area of the sheet. Operation processing is performed on outputs of the photoelectric conversion devices, which outputs have been obtained at respective positions of movement and correspond to an identical site on the sheet.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for retrieving information from a storage medium. A first portion of the surface of the storage medium is exposed to stimulating light which diffuses in the storage medium under a second portion of the surface adjacent the first portion. The second portion of the surface is shielded from exposure to the stimulating light. Stimulated light corresponding to the information is received with at least one detector positioned to receive the stimulated light via the second portion of the surface of the storage medium. The stimulated light is released from the storage medium in response to the stimulating light diffused under the second portion of the surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for directing radiation to and from a sample to be scanned. In one example, first radiation propagating along a first axis is reflected off of the first axis so as to impinge on the sample. In response to the first radiation, the sample emits second radiation, which is directed to a detector. In one aspect, the second radiation is received directly from the sample by a reflector, which reflects the second radiation such that it travels substantially through air to impinge on the detector. In another aspect, the second radiation is directed such that it travels toward the detector in a direction having a significant vector component parallel to the first axis. In yet another aspect, a detection surface of the detector is oriented essentially perpendicular to the first axis and adapted to detect at least some of the second radiation traveling in a direction non-parallel to the first axis.

Abstract: A radiation image read-out apparatus includes a stimulating light projecting system which projects a line stimulating light beam onto a stimulable phosphor sheet, a line sensor consisting of a plurality of photoelectric convertor elements which detect stimulated emission emitted from the portion exposed to the line stimulating beam and are arranged in a row, a condenser lens which is disposed along the line sensor to collect the stimulated emission on the light receiving face of the line sensor and a sub-scanning mechanism which moves one of the line sensor and the stimulable phosphor sheet relatively to each other in a sub-scanning direction. The condenser lens has a chromatic aberration of magnification in the sub-scanning direction such that most of the stimulated emission is collected on the light receiving and most of the stimulating light is collected outside the light receiving face.

Abstract: An image information read-out apparatus includes an image read-out system which is provided with a line reading light source for scanning a recording medium with a line reading light beam and reads out image information from the recording medium in response to the line reading light source scanning the recording medium, and an image read-out system moving mechanism which moves the image read-out system inclusive of the recording medium and the line reading light source. A scanning detecting system detects that the line reading light source is scanning the recording medium with the line reading light beam, and an alarm informs the operator that the line reading light source is scanning the recording medium with the line reading light beam when the scanning detecting system detects the fact.

Abstract: In a radiation image recording/read-out apparatus, a stimulable phosphor sheet having a reflective layer which is not longer than 5 &mgr;m in scattering length and is interposed between a stimulable phosphor layer and a support layer is used. Radiation is projected onto the stimulable phosphor sheet from the support layer side, and stimulating light is projected onto the stimulable phosphor sheet from the stimulable phosphor layer side. Stimulated emission, emitted from the stimulable phosphor layer upon exposure to the stimulating light, is detected from the stimulable phosphor layer side.

Abstract: A method for reading a radiation image from a stimulable phosphor sheet composed of a substrate and a stimulable phosphor layer containing a latent radiation image by means of a radiation image-reading means having stimulating light-applying unit and a stimulated emission-collecting unit having a lens and a stimulated emission-receiving plane, which is performed by the steps of applying a stimulating light onto the phosphor layer under the condition that the phosphor sheet moves along its sheet plane in relation to the stimulated emission-collecting unit; collecting a stimulated emission emitting from the area onto which the stimulating light is applied on the emission-receiving plane through the lens; and photoelectrically converting the collected emission into electric signals in the stimulated emission-collecting unit, is improved by moving the stimulable phosphor sheet in relation to the emission-collecting unit under the condition that the stimulating light-applied area of the stimulable phosphor layer i

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for retrieving information from a storage medium. A first portion of the surface of the storage medium is exposed to stimulating light which diffuses in the storage medium under a second portion of the surface adjacent the first portion. The second portion of the surface is shielded from exposure to the stimulating light. Stimulated light corresponding to the information is received with at least one detector positioned to receive the stimulated light via the second portion of the surface of the storage medium. The stimulated light is released from the storage medium in response to the stimulating light diffused under the second portion of the surface.

Abstract: A discharge mechanism has a lid closing roller for closing a lid of a cassette and automatically delivering the cassette to a predetermined position upon rotation thereof, a motor for rotating the lid closing roller, and an electromagnetic clutch for transmitting rotational power from the motor to the lid closing roller and disconnecting the lid closing roller from the rotary actuator.

Abstract: A system is provided for scanning an object, the system comprising: a drive shaft having a proximal portion and a longitudinal axis; a motor including a motor shaft having a rotational axis, the motor serving to rotate the motor shaft about the rotational axis; a flexible joint coupling the drive shaft to the motor shaft by the proximal portion of the drive shaft, the flexible joint having a range of motion which allows the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft to move relative to the rotational axis of the motor shaft; and an object attached to the drive shaft which is movable along the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft in response to the drive shaft being rotated by the motor. This system may be used in a drum scanner system and may be used to read storage layer radiation screens.

Abstract: Stimulating rays are linearly irradiated onto an area of a stimulable phosphor sheet. Light emitted by the sheet is received with one surface of a light guide device, which is located such that the one surface stands facing the linear area of the sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays. The emitted light, which has thus been received, is guided through the light guide device toward end faces of the light guide device. The emitted light, which has been radiated out from at least one end face of the light guide device, is detected with a line sensor comprising photoelectric conversion devices arrayed along the at least one end face of the light guide device.

Abstract: Initial image data having a pixel size smaller than a pixel size of a final image are obtained by using line sensors arranged in a main scan direction and a vertical scan direction, and the final image becomes of high quality by processing the initial image data to prevent the image from becoming uneven. Integration processing means carries out a first conversion process to convert the initial image data comprising signals detected by the line sensors into data for pixels divided in the main scan direction. The integration processing means carries out a second conversion process in which, whenever the data are obtained for three consecutive pixels in the main scan direction, the data are added to become data for one pixel of the final image. The data for the final image are then subjected to an equalization process such as dark current correction carried out by a correction means.

Abstract: An optical system for an internal drum readout apparatus is disclosed. The optical system includes a hollow cylindrical segment defining a central axis, a support structure configured and adapted to translate along the central axis, a mirror mounted on the support structure for translational movement therewith and for rotational spinning around the central axis, a light source mounted to the support structure for providing a beam capable of being directed along the central axis which in turn is directed against the medium thereby producing a stimulated light, a detector coaxially aligned with the central axis, the detector being configured and adapted to absorb stimulated light direct toward and reflected off of the angled mirror, and a shroud mounted on the support structure for blocking stimulated light not directed toward the angled mirror, wherein the stimulated light not directed toward the angled mirror would otherwise degrade the medium prematurely.

Abstract: An imaging plate guide formed in different configurations corresponding to the various intraoral dental plate sizes, which in turn correspond to the dental intraoral film sizes commonly referred to as sizes 0 through 4, the imaging plate guides dedicated to intraoral imaging providing for guides for each plate size so that a desired array of feed width guides can be positioned on the scanner for scanning the intraoral plates and which scan extraoral imaging plates as well. The embodiment of the imaging plate guides provides not only for interchangeability with respect to the intraoral plate size, but also allows for the feeding of extraoral imaging plates without the need to remove the intraoral plate guides. The size 4 is not specifically described, but is analogous to the other sizes as would be obvious to one skilled in the art.

Abstract: A system for and method of reading out a storage phosphor screen (or a storage phosphor sheet or an imaging plate) sensitive to radiation is used to perform radiography by optically stimulating the storage phosphor screen to induce luminescence and acquire a digital image of a subject. A semiconductor light source array is used as a stimulating light source to which an optical fiber array consisting of a bundle of optical fibers having diverse forms is connected; a starting of the semiconductor light source array is controlled with an electric pulse; and a semiconductor light source array starting pulse for generating a stimulating light is interlocked with a photomultiplier tube for collecting a luminescence light signal induced from the storage phosphor screen by the stimulating light to represent the collected luminescence light as a distribution of a two-dimensional position and thereby acquire the digital image of the subject from the storage phosphor screen.

Abstract: A radiation image read-out apparatus includes a plurality of radiation image convertor panels superposed one on another in a direction in which radiation passing through an object propagates. A separator separates the superposed radiation image convertor panels exposed to the radiation passing through the object from one another by moving in a parallel displacement and/or rotating about an axis on a plane parallel to the surfaces of the radiation image convertor panels one or more of the superposed radiation image convertor panels relatively to the others. A single detecting head detects stimulated emission emitted from each of the radiation image convertor panels separated by the separator.

Abstract: Stimulating light is projected onto a stimulable phosphor sheet while the image read-out mechanism is being moved in a sub-scanning direction relatively to the stimulable phosphor sheet and stimulated emission emitted from the stimulable phosphor sheet upon exposure to the stimulating light is detected by the photoelectric converter. The image read-out mechanism is moved back and forth in the sub-scanning direction. First and second image signals are obtained on the basis of the stimulated emission detected during the forward and backward movements of the image read-out mechanism, and an image signal representing the radiation image on the stimulable phosphor sheet is obtained on the basis of the first and second image signals.

Abstract: A radiation image storage panel having a stimulable phosphor layer and a light-reflecting layer provided thereon, wherein the phosphor layer scatters both of a stimulating light and a stimulated emission emitted by the phosphor layer with a scattering length of 5 to 20 &mgr;m and said light-reflecting layer scatters a stimulating light with a scattering length of 5 &mgr;m or less is favorably employable for giving a reproduced radiation image having good quality.

Abstract: Apparatus for radiographically imaging elongated objects comprising: a vertical main frame; a base mounted on said main frame; a first support on said base for supporting a first cassette containing a first storage phosphor imaging plate; a door hingedly mounted on said base for movement between open and closed positions; said door having a light-tight enclosure for supporting a second cassette containing a second storage phosphor imaging plate removably mounted within a cassette shell; and a first mechanism for removing said cassette shell from said second storage phosphor imaging plate which remains supported within said light-tight enclosure; such that, when said door is in said closed position, said second storage phosphor imaging plate overlaps said first storage phosphor imaging plate, whereby an elongated object can be radigraphically imaged onto said overlapping first and second storage phosphor imaging plates.

Abstract: A system and method in a scanner for acquiring a number of sensor spots to create a digital image therefrom are provided. The system comprises a plurality of light sources positioned to project an amount of light at a scan target. The light sources are preferably red, blue, and green. The system also includes a contact image sensor positioned to receive an amount of reflected light from the scan target. The contact image sensor includes a number of sensors arranged in a nonlinear pattern. The scan target is moved relative to the contact image sensor or vice versa during the scan operation using suitable apparatus. The light sources are alternatively illuminated to obtain sensor spots from the scan target via the sensors. The sensor spots are stored in memory and an image is generated therefrom.

Abstract: In a radiation image storage panel composed of a support sheet and a phosphor layer formed on a surface of the support sheet by vapor-accumulating method, the phosphor layer is composed of prismatic crystals of phosphor aligned in the same direction, and each of the crystals has a convex surface at one end. The radiation image storage panel is favorably employed in combination with a line sensor in a radiation image recording and reproducing method.

Abstract: An image signal is read out by use of a stimulable phosphor sheet having a layer of stimulable phosphor which emits stimulated emission in proportion to the stored energy of radiation upon exposure to stimulating light and a solid image sensor having a photoconductive material layer which exhibits electric conductivity upon exposure to the stimulated emission from the stimulable phosphor sheet. Stimulating light is caused to scan a stimulable phosphor sheet which has been exposed to radiation and has stored an image, the photoconductive material layer is caused to be exposed to stimulated emission emitted from the stimulable phosphor sheet upon exposure to the stimulating light. Then electric charges generated in the photoconductive material layer upon exposure to the stimulated emission is detected by applying an electric field to the photoconductive material layer.

Abstract: A radiographic image reading apparatus for reading image information stored in a storage phosphor sheet from a cassette in which the storage phosphor sheet is incorporated and on which code information is recorded at a predetermined position, includes: an insertion opening into which the cassette is inserted; a code information read mechanism for reading the code information of the cassette shifted to an end side of a width direction of the inserting opening; a width shifting mechanism for shifting the cassette in which the code information is read by the code information read mechanism, to a center of a width direction of a conveyance mechanism for conveying the cassette; a separation mechanism for separating the cassette shifted by the width shifting mechanism in order to read the image information stored in the storage phosphor sheet; and an image information read mechanism for reading the image information stored in the storage phosphor sheet of the back panel separated by the separation mechanism so as t

Abstract: A medical image radiographing system capable of radiographing a medical image at a patient's location efficiently and accurately.

Abstract: A system for imaging of bodily tissue in which an x-ray source, an optical storage element, a light source and a detector array are used to accurately image selected tissue. An x-ray source generates x-rays which pass through a region of a subject's body, forming an x-ray image which reaches the storage element. The storage element reradiates a spatial intensity pattern corresponding to the image, the pattern being detected by a sensor. The image is digitized by the sensor and processed by a controller before being stored as an electronic image. Each image is directed onto a CCD or amorphous silicon detector to generate individual electronic representations of separate images.

Abstract: Stimulating rays are linearly irradiated onto an area of a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored by use of a stationary grid. Light emitted by the sheet is detected with a line sensor constituted such that a reciprocal of an array pitch of photoelectric conversion devices is larger than a value two times as large as a spatial frequency of stripe-like grid patterns recorded due to the stationary grid, which spatial frequency is taken with respect to an array direction of the photoelectric conversion devices. Filtering processing for removing the grid patterns is performed on an image signal having been outputted from the line sensor.

Abstract: A device for reading out information stored in a storage layer (10), which facilitates a good reproduction quality of this information stored in the storage layer (10). The device (1) includes a radiation source (2) for emitting stimulation radiation (20). Using this stimulation radiation (20), the storage layer (10) is stimulated to emit an emission radiation that corresponds to the information stored in the storage layer (10). The device (1) further includes a receiving device (3) to receive this emission radiation emitted by the storage layer (10). A distance device (30, 56) for setting a pre-specified distance (28, 59) is located between the receiving device (3) and the storage layer (10). A drive device imparts relative movement in a transport direction (A) between the radiation source (2) and the receiving device (3), on one hand, and the storage layer (10) on the other.

Abstract: A stimulable phosphor panel comprises a support plate, and a stimulable phosphor layer, which is overlaid on the support plate. The stimulable phosphor panel is provided with position adjusting members, each of which has a position adjusting reference surface for adjustment of a position of the stimulable phosphor panel at the time of an operation for locating the stimulable phosphor panel in a radiation image read-out apparatus, such that the position adjusting members are capable of being displaced. A spacing between the position adjusting reference surface of each of the position adjusting members and a surface of the stimulable phosphor layer is capable of being adjusted with an operation for displacing each of the position adjusting members.

Abstract: A method of compensating for differences in detective gain between a plurality of different scanning heads in a multiple scanning head imaging plate scanner, comprising: (a) scanning each of the scanning heads across an imaging plate thereby determining the detected signal at successive locations across the imaging plate for each of the scanning heads; (b) calculating an inverse relationship to the detected signal at successive locations across the imaging plate for each of the scanning heads; (c) scanning each of the scanning heads across an imaging plate containing an image thereon, thereby determining an image value at the successive locations across the imaging plate for each of the scanning heads; and (d) applying the inverse relationship to the determined image values at the successive locations across the imaging plate for each of the scanning heads.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for computed radiography includes an optical pump source which may be a plurality of light emitting diodes or a movable laser. Pumping light from the optical pump source is carried through each of a plurality of optical fibers arranged in a linear array to a previously-exposed computed radiography plate having a latent X-ray image formed thereon. The plate is moved with respect to the fibers. One of a second plurality of optical fibers arranged in a linear array or a light pipe receives light emitted from the radiographic medium due to excitation by the pumping light. The second plurality of optical fibers or light pipe supplies the emitted light to an optical source, which may be a photodiode or a photomultiplier tube, where an image signal responsive to the light intensity of the emitted light is generated. The image signal is digitized and sent to a processor which generates an image representative of the latent X-ray image on the computed radiography plate.

Abstract: A radiation image data reading apparatus that receives a cassette that houses a substantially inflexible stimulable phosphor sheet with high rigidity therein with an opening at an end portion thereof for inserting and removing said sheet having radiation image data recorded thereon and reads out radiation image data from said stimulable phosphor sheet which has been removed from said cassette conveys the stimulable phosphor sheet from said opening of a received cassette at a constant speed by sheet conveyance means. As the stimulable phosphor sheet is being removed from the cassette, an excitation light main scan means performs a main scan in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of said conveyance, at a position close to said opening. The phosphorescent light emitted from the area of the sheet irradiated by the excitation light is detected by photoelectric detection means.

Abstract: Stimulating rays produced by a line light source are linearly irradiated onto an area of a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored. Light, which is emitted from the linear area of the sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, is received and photoelectrically converted by a line sensor. Outputs of the line sensor are corrected in accordance with variation in sensitivity among a plurality of pixel regions of the line sensor, which pixel regions are arrayed along the length direction of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet.

Abstract: An X-Ray cassette (1) and a device (10) for reading information stored in a memory layer (15) are disclosed. This device (10) contains a radiation source (11) to excite a row (34) of the memory layer (15). The row (34) emits an emission radiation (17) because of this excitation. The device (10) based on the invention contains a receptor (12) to receive the emission radiation (17). The receptor (12) includes a number of light-sensitive surfaces (18) that are arranged in adjacent rows. According to the invention, the dimension of the light-sensitive surfaces (18) of the receptor (12) arranged perpendicular to the orientation (A) of the rows (34) is greater than that oriented along the row direction (B). Alternatively or additionally, the device can include an optical projector (14) by means of which the emission radiation (17) is projected onto the receptor (12).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for directing radiation to and from a sample to be scanned. In one example, first radiation propagating along a first axis is reflected off of the first axis so as to impinge on the sample. In response to the first radiation, the sample emits second radiation, which is directed to a detector. In one aspect, the second radiation is received directly from the sample by a reflector, which reflects the second radiation such that it travels substantially through air to impinge on the detector. In another aspect, the second radiation is directed such that it travels toward the detector in a direction having a significant vector component parallel to the first axis. In yet another aspect, a detection surface of the detector is oriented essentially perpendicular to the first axis and adapted to detect at least some of the second radiation traveling in a direction non-parallel to the first axis.

Abstract: Upon transferring two image signals to an output apparatus in an image transfer system, the amount of data to be transferred can be reduced. In an image signal output apparatus, subtraction signal generating means generates a subtraction signal from a front-side image signal and rearside image signal, and the subtraction signal as well as either the front-side image signal or the rearside image signal are transferred to an operation and display terminal. When the front-side image signal and the subtraction signal are transferred, the operation and display terminal restores the rearside image signal by carrying out an operation using the subtraction signal and the front-side image signal having been transferred thereto. The front-side image signal and the rearside image signal are similar, and the amount of the subtraction signal is smaller than the amount of the rearside image signal, which results in reduction in the amount of data to be transferred.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a radiation image information reader for reading radiation image information from a stimulable phosphor sheet and obtaining an image signal which represents the radiation image information. The radiation image information reader comprises a horizontal scan section and a read section. The horizontal scan section is used for horizontally scanning a plurality of spot-sized excitation light beams simultaneously onto the phosphor sheet at predetermined intervals on a horizontal scanning line. The read section is used to obtain the image signal which represents the radiation image information by photoelectrically detecting photostimulated luminescent light beams, emitted from portions of the sheet irradiated with the excitation light beams and/or from portions on a bottom surface of the sheet which correspond to the irradiated portions, by horizontal scanning of the excitation light beams.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus is provided, which includes a medium attached to a surface of a fixed, hollow cylindrical segment, the fixed, hollow cylindrical segment having a first longitudinal axis, a rotational radial laser beam rotating around the first longitudinal axis and arranged to scan said medium, and a light sensitive detector having a light acceptance direction along a second axis coinciding with the first longitudinal axis of the cylindrical segment.

Abstract: A device for reproducing a radiation image is composed of a radiation-absorbing phosphor layer containing a phosphor which absorbs a radiation and then emits a light, a stimulable phosphor layer containing a stimulable phosphor which absorbs the light and stores energy of the light which is releasable in the form of light emission by stimulation with electric field, an electrode layer placed on each surface of the stimulable phosphor layer in which at least one electrode layer is a light-transmitting electrode, and a light-detecting layer which is arranged on the light-transmitting electrode.

Abstract: Stimulating rays produced by a line light source are linearly irradiated onto an area of a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored. Light, which is emitted from the linear area of the sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, is received and photoelectrically converted by a line sensor. The line sensor comprises a pair of one-dimensional CCD image sensors. Light receiving regions of the one-dimensional CCD image sensors are located close to each other with respect to a direction normal to the length direction of the linear area of the sheet and with a fine gap intervening between the light receiving regions.

Abstract: An image free from aliasing or moiré is obtained when a spatial frequency of a repeated pattern such as a grid pattern is smaller than a spatial frequency required for image information. In one embodiment, digital image data S1 is first obtained by reading a radiation image from a storage-type phosphor sheet storing the radiation image taken using a grid of 4 bars/mm, the reading being performed at sampling intervals of 20 cycles/mm. Image data S1 contains the grid pattern component at 4 cycles/mm, and harmonics components of the grid pattern at 8, 12, 16 and 20 cycles/mm. The harmonics components are removed by filtering processing, and the image data is sampled down to one half to obtain an image data with a Nyquist frequency of 10 cycles/mm. Further filtering processing and sub-sampling processing are performed to obtain an image data with a Nyquist frequency of 5 cycles/mm.