Including A Light Beam Read-out Patents (Class 250/591)
  • Patent number: 11596377
    Abstract: The present disclosure directs to a system and method for controlling a radiation exposure on a subject. The method includes obtaining exposure instructions including an exposure state of an imaging device. The method also includes determining first components associated with the imaging device and one or more target operations of the first components corresponding to the exposure state. The method further includes generating target operation instructions based on the one or more target operations of the first components. The method still further includes controlling the first components to implement the target operation instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kan Liang, Wei Li, Dingche Tang, Yan Wang
  • Patent number: 11476306
    Abstract: A semiconductor apparatus includes, a substrate having a main surface, an upper electrode disposed above the substrate, a first lower electrode and a second lower electrode disposed between the substrate and the upper electrode, an isolation region disposed between the first lower electrode and the second lower electrode, a functional layer configured to perform light emission or photoelectric conversion, and an interface layer disposed at least on the first lower electrode. The semiconductor apparatus further includes a first insulator portion that is disposed between the first lower electrode and the second lower electrode and includes a first portion disposed at a position farther away from the main surface than an upper surface of the interface layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takahiro Yajima, Takayuki Sumida, Akira Shimazu
  • Patent number: 10788592
    Abstract: A radiographic imaging apparatus includes a base, a signal line, a reader and a hardware processor. On the base board, pixels comprising respective radiation detecting elements and respective switching elements are arranged in a matrix. The signal line is connected through the switching elements. The reader reads the charges accumulated in the pixels at every predetermined lines as signal values of image data. The hardware processor measures a leak current flowing through the signal line and corrects the signal values based on leak current values including a leak current value obtained at a timing when (i) the number of lines which have been already read is greater than a predetermined number of lines and (ii) the number of lines which has not been read yet is greater than a predetermined remaining number of lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Keisuke Koeda, Kazuhiro Sakino
  • Patent number: 10290751
    Abstract: A radiation detector (10) which has a multilayer structure that includes: a first electrode (34); a second electrode (49) that is disposed so as to face the first electrode; a selenium layer (48) that is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode and contains amorphous selenium; a first blocking organic layer (38) that is adjacent to the selenium layer, between the first electrode and the selenium layer, and that contains a hole transport material having an electron affinity of 3.7 eV or less; and a second blocking organic layer (37) that is adjacent to the selenium layer, between the second electrode and the selenium layer, and that contains an electron transport material having an ionization potential of 5.9 eV or more. This radiation detector (10) has low dark current, excellent durability, and less afterimages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seiji Yamashita, Toshihiro Ise
  • Patent number: 9916657
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for restoring a scan image. The method includes the steps of: measuring a blurring function oversampled with respect to a slit image obtained through a slit inclined at a predetermined angle in a vertical or horizontal direction according to the predetermined angle; and restoring a scan image to increase a resolution of an interface of a subject in the scan image obtained by obtaining the subject using the measured blurring function. Computed tomography (CT) that applies image restoration by increasing sampling can secure a precise image for computer-aided design (CAD)/computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) additionally used in a system used when actually diagnosing a patient, and thus does not require additional expenses and equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignees: VATECH Co., Ltd., VATECH EWOO Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung Il Choi
  • Patent number: 9753156
    Abstract: The invention relates to a detector (6) for detecting radiation, especially x-ray radiation used in a computed tomography system. The detector comprises a direct conversion material (9) for converting radiation into electrons and holes, which are used for generating an electrical detection signal. The direct conversion material is illuminated with illumination light being broadband visible and/or broadband infrared light for reducing, in particular, eliminating, a polarization of the direct conversion material, which may occur when being traversed by the radiation to be detected and which may reduce the detection performance. By reducing the polarization of the direct conversion material the detection performance can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Frank Verbakel, Klaus Juergen Engel, Antonius Johannes Maria Nellissen, Herfried Karl Wieczorek, Eric Cornelius Egbertus Van Grunsven, Ira Micah Blevis, Roger Steadman Booker
  • Patent number: 9651686
    Abstract: An X-ray detector includes a substrate, a plurality of pixel electrodes on the substrate, a photoconductor covering the plurality of pixel electrodes, or a common electrode on the photoconductor. The photoconductor includes at least two photoconductor layers. The photoconductor may also include a current resistance layers disposed between the at least two photoconductor layers. The current resistance layer is configured to reduce current flow between the at least two photoconductor layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byungkyu Lee, Duhyun Lee, Jaechul Park
  • Patent number: 9386248
    Abstract: A pixel includes: a photoelectric conversion unit that photoelectrically converts incident light and has an upper electrode, a lower electrode, and a photoelectric conversion film interposed between the upper electrode and the lower electrode; an amplifying transistor that outputs a signal according to an amount of a signal charge generated in the photoelectric conversion unit; a charge transfer line that connects the lower electrode and the amplifying transistor; and an output line that outputs the signal from the amplifying transistor, wherein at least a part of the output line is disposed to overlap the lower electrode without another line interposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hirohisa Ohtsuki, Akira Tanaka, Ryohei Miyagawa
  • Patent number: 9348037
    Abstract: Example embodiments are directed to X-ray detectors including double photoconductors. According to example embodiments, the X-ray detector includes a first photoconductor on which X-rays are incident, and a second photoconductor on which X-rays transmitted through the first photoconductor are incident. The first photoconductor and the second photoconductor include a tandem structure. The first photoconductor is formed of silicon and absorbs X-rays in a low energy band, and the second photoconductor is formed of a material that absorbs X-rays in an energy band higher than the low energy band of the X-rays absorbed by silicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-wook Kim, Jae-chul Park, Sun-il Kim, Chang-jung Kim
  • Patent number: 9082168
    Abstract: Provided is a technique to improve both the image quality of a radiation image and the operability of a radiation imaging apparatus. In the present invention, three or more unirradiated images are obtained before capturing a radiation image, and a temporal change in the amount of electric charges in each pixel is approximated using a non-linear function. At this time, the amount of residual electric charges is determined by evaluating a coefficient of determination of an approximate equation, and the most appropriate offset correction processing method is selected in accordance with the status of the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Taro Hiroike
  • Patent number: 8866115
    Abstract: A device for reading out and erasing imaging plates which includes an eraser disposed down-stream of a readout unit at a short distance thereof, said eraser being separated from the readout unit by a light barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Inventor: Michael Thoms
  • Patent number: 8816311
    Abstract: A fine particle measuring apparatus is provided. The fine particle measuring apparatus includes a detection unit configured to detect light emitted from a fine particle and a processing unit having a memory device storing instructions which when executed by the processing unit, cause the processing unit to calculate a corrected intensity value of the detected light and generate spectrum data based on the corrected intensity value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Nao Nitta
  • Patent number: 8536553
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting radiation are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: DRTECH Corporation
    Inventors: Jung-Seok Kim, Byung-Hun Ko, Beom-Jin Moon, Jung-Kee Yoon
  • Patent number: 8354645
    Abstract: Provided are a radiation sensor having a first flexible substrate provided with a phosphor layer which converts incident radiation into an electromagnetic wave in a wavelength region that is at least different from that of the radiation; an organic photoelectric conversion layer which includes a charge transport layer and a charge generation layer containing a charge transporting agent and 55% by mass to 75% by mass of a polymer binder, and photoelectrically converts the electromagnetic wave; a second flexible substrate provided with a charge detection layer which includes a storage capacitor and a thin film transistor and is adapted to read electrical charge generated at the organic photoelectric conversion layer; and a polymer subbing layer disposed between the organic photoelectric conversion layer and the charge detection layer, and a radiation image detection apparatus using the radiation sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Shinji Imai
  • Patent number: 8263957
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for acquiring a digital X-ray image that radiates X-ray on a patient's part by using a high sensitivity imaging plate (IP), reads the radiated patient's part, acquires a signal including patient information and image information regarding a patient, converts the signal into a digital signal, and links the digital signal to external equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: 3D Imaging & Simulations Corp.
    Inventors: Asbjorn Smitt, Sung-Woon Lee, Jin-Yong Kim, Ji-Hyun Yi
  • Patent number: 8168954
    Abstract: A radiation image detector includes a radiation-image-detector main body and a vacuum container. The radiation-image-detector main body generates charges by irradiation with an electromagnetic wave for recording that carries a radiation image and records the radiation image by accumulating the charges. The vacuum container is sealed to store the radiation-image-detector main body in a vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Naoto Iwakiri
  • Patent number: 8008642
    Abstract: A computed radiography system including a stimulating light source such as a laser, a photostimulable glass imaging plate (PGIP) substantially transparent to the stimulating light positioned such that the stimulating light impinges the PGIP perpendicularly thereto producing photostimulated luminescence light (PLL), a light collector having a light reflecting inner surface proximate the PGIP for collecting PLL emitted from the PGIP and having a hole or slot therein for admitting stimulating light into the light collector and onto the PGIP. An optical filter in communication with the light collector for blocking stimulating light waves and passing PLL therethrough. A light detector receives PLL from the optical filter and the light collector, mechanism providing relative movement between the PGIP and the stimulating light source, and mechanism including an analog to digital converter for converting the collected and detected PLL to a diagnostic readout. The system is particularly useful in mammography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Uchicago Argonne, LLC
    Inventors: Stefan Schweizer, Jacqueline A. Johnson, Anthony R. Lubinsky
  • Patent number: 7939814
    Abstract: A radiographic image detector includes: a bias electrode transmitting a recording electromagnetic wave carrying image information; a recording photoconductive layer consisting primarily of a-Se, the recording photoconductive layer generating electric charges when exposed to the recording electromagnetic wave transmitted through the bias electrode; and a number of charge detecting elements two-dimensionally arrayed in directions perpendicular to each other, each charge detecting element comprising a charge storage section for storing the electric charge generated at the recording photoconductive layer and a switching element for reading out an electric charge signal of the electric charge stored in the charge storage section. The radiographic image detector further includes a thin fluoride layer provided between the bias electrode and the recording photoconductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: FUJIFLIM Corporation
    Inventor: Shinji Imai
  • Patent number: 7928402
    Abstract: A radiation image detector includes a radiation-image-detector main body and a vacuum container. The radiation-image-detector main body generates charges by irradiation with an electromagnetic wave for recording that carries a radiation image and records the radiation image by accumulating the charges. The vacuum container is sealed to store the radiation-image-detector main body in a vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Naoto Iwakiri
  • Patent number: 7786458
    Abstract: An image reading method and apparatus for reading an image signal by exposure to reading light L2 from a radiation solid-state detector, where radiation image information is recorded by exposure to recording light L1, suppresses degradation of image quality such as the S/N ratio of a reproduced image, the degradation being caused by an effect of charges which are produced by exposure to excessive radiation or the like and remains in the radiation solid-state detector. In the image reading method and apparatus, a past image signal read regarding past image information recorded in the radiation solid-state detector in the past, and an elapsed time from a time of recording the past image information in the radiation solid-state detector to a time of recording the current radiation image information are stored. The current image signal is then corrected based on the recorded past image information and the elapsed time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Toshitaka Agano
  • Publication number: 20100019176
    Abstract: With the imaging apparatus of this invention, an image is divided equally into four areas, and a setting is made for reading of carriers before irradiation to be carried out separately according to images of the divided areas. By dividing the reading of carriers before irradiation in this way, when compared with the reading of carriers for an entire area of an image (i.e. a frame) in the prior art, each storage and reading time can be shortened to one of the number of divisions. A time serving as a starting point of an irradiation wait time occurs before the reading of carriers before irradiation. Consequently, even if the time serving as the starting point of the irradiation wait time varies, the variation takes place only during each storage and reading set short. Thus, the variation of the irradiation wait time is made less than in the prior art, thereby improving response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventor: Koichi Tanabe
  • Patent number: 7652277
    Abstract: Generation of dark current due to emission of back lighting to radiation image detectors is sufficiently suppressed. A radiation image detecting apparatus includes a radiation image detector and a light emitting section. A biasing electrode to which a biasing voltage is applied, a photoconductive layer for generating electric charges when irradiated with recording electromagnetic waves bearing a radiation image, a substrate side charge transport layer for transporting the electric charges which are generated in the photoconductive layer, and an active matrix substrate provided with a plurality of charge collecting electrodes for collecting the electric charges which are generated in the photoconductive layer, are laminated in this order to form the radiation image detector. The light emitting section emits light onto the radiation image detector at least during irradiation of the recording electromagnetic waves. The average composition of the substrate side charge transport layer is SbxS100-x (41?x?60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Fumito Nariyuki, Keiichiro Sato, Munetaka Kato
  • Patent number: 7573057
    Abstract: High frequency offset component information is previously acquired from a solid-state radiation detector. Low frequency offset component information is acquired from the solid-state radiation detector before an operation for recording image information on the solid-state radiation detector is performed. The image signal, which has been outputted from the solid-state radiation detector having been subjected to the operation for recording the image information, is corrected in accordance with offset information, which is constituted of the high frequency offset component information and the low frequency offset component information. The image signal is thus capable of being corrected quickly and accurately such that offset components are removed from the image signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Shoji
  • Patent number: 7564050
    Abstract: A radiation image detector includes: a photoconductive layer that generates electric charges when irradiated by recording electromagnetic waves which have passed through an electrode layer; and detecting electrodes, for detecting signals corresponding to the electric charges generated in the photoconductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Kaku Irisawa, Yasuhisa Kaneko, Shigeru Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7560700
    Abstract: Generation of residual images due to charge leakage is suppressed. A radiation image detector is constituted by: an upper planar electrode that transmits electromagnetic waves bearing radiation image information; a charge generating layer that generates electric charges when irradiated by the electromagnetic waves which are transmitted through the upper planar electrode; and a plurality of divided electrodes for collecting the electric charges generated by the charge generating layer. The divided electrodes have inclined electrode surfaces, which are inclined with respect to the upper planar electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Shinji Imai
  • Publication number: 20090159821
    Abstract: Generation of dark current due to emission of back lighting to radiation image detectors is sufficiently suppressed. A radiation image detecting apparatus includes a radiation image detector and a light emitting section. A biasing electrode to which a biasing voltage is applied, a photoconductive layer for generating electric charges when irradiated with recording electromagnetic waves bearing a radiation image, a substrate side charge transport layer for transporting the electric charges which are generated in the photoconductive layer, and an active matrix substrate provided with a plurality of charge collecting electrodes for collecting the electric charges which are generated in the photoconductive layer, are laminated in this order to form the radiation image detector. The light emitting section emits light onto the radiation image detector at least during irradiation of the recording electromagnetic waves. The average composition of the substrate side charge transport layer is SbxS100-x (41?x?60).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fumito NARIYUKI, Keiichiro Sato, Munetaka Kato
  • Patent number: 7544946
    Abstract: A photo-conductor, which is adapted for use in constituting a radiation detector and which is capable of forming electric charges by being exposed to radiation, contains Bi12MO20, in which M represents at least one kind of element selected from the group consisting of Ge, Si, and Ti. The photo-conductor has characteristics such that a proportion of a diffuse reflectivity at a wavelength of 450 nm with respect to the diffuse reflectivity at a wavelength of 600 nm is equal to at least 75%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Shigenori Yuuya, Katsuhiro Kohda
  • Patent number: 7491961
    Abstract: A panel light source includes: a planar light transmissive electrode formed by ITO film, which is 0.1 ?m thick and 430 mm×430 mm in size; an EL layer; and a linear electrode layer formed by 4300 linear electrodes, which are arranged parallel in the Z direction. Each linear electrode is an aluminum electrode, which is 50 ?m wide, 430 mm long, and 3 ?m thick. The specific resistance of aluminum is 2.7×10?6 ?, and the resistance between first and second ends of the linear electrodes is 80 ?. The specific resistance of ITO is 4×10?4 ?, and the resistance between a first and second end of the light transmissive electrode is 40 ?. Negative drive voltage is applied to the first ends of the linear electrodes. Positive voltage is applied to the second end of the light transmissive electrode. Differences in voltage drops between the electrodes are reduced, compared to conventional line light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuo Hakamata
  • Patent number: 7485890
    Abstract: An EL layer is located between a linear electrode and an opposite electrode, which stands facing the linear electrode, either one of the linear electrode and the opposite electrode being constituted of a light transmissive electrode. Electric power is supplied across the EL layer, which is located between the linear electrode and the opposite electrode, via the linear electrode and the opposite electrode. An optical intensity of light radiated out from the EL layer, across which the electric power has been supplied, is detected. The electric power, which is supplied across the EL layer, is controlled such that the thus detected optical intensity and a predetermined optical intensity, which has been set previously, become approximately identical with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Hakamata, Naoto Iwakiri
  • Patent number: 7482614
    Abstract: A radiation image detector including the following in the order listed below: a charge storage layer that generates and stores charges by receiving a recording electromagnetic wave representing a radiation image; a photoconductive layer that generates charges by receiving readout light; and an electrode layer having a plurality of first line electrodes that transmits the readout light and is disposed in parallel at a predetermined distance. Further, a second line electrode having electrical continuity with the photoconductive layer is provided between each of the first electrodes, and an opaque line insulator that blocks the readout light is provided on each second line electrode on the side opposite to the photoconductive layer. The opaque line insulator has such a width that a side face portion of the opaque line insulator resides between the opposing side face portions of adjacent first and second line electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Shinji Imai
  • Publication number: 20080237508
    Abstract: A residual charge amount estimation method including the steps of: providing a radiation image detector including pixels, scanning lines, and data lines, each pixel having a collection electrode, a capacitor, and a TFT switch; detecting a leak current flowing out through each data line with the TFT switches being switched OFF; reading out an image signal flowing out through each data line by sequentially switching ON the TFT switches connected to each scanning line on a scanning line-by-scanning line basis; calculating an average leak current per unit saturated pixel from the leak current detected from at least one of the data lines on which a saturated pixel having a saturated value of the image signal is found and the number of saturated pixels; and estimating the amount of residual charges remaining in the unit saturated pixel based on the average leak current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Naoto IWAKIRI
  • Patent number: 7420197
    Abstract: A radiation image detector includes an up-conversion phosphor layer for emitting fluorescence by irradiation with infrared light, a first electrode layer for transmitting the infrared light, the fluorescence and radiation carrying a radiation image, a photoconductive layer for recording, a charge storage portion, a photoconductive layer for readout, and a second electrode layer for transmitting the infrared light and the readout light. Radiation is recorded as latent image charge in the charge storage portion. The electric charge is read out from the charge storage portion by irradiating the photoconductive layer for readout with the readout light from the second electrode layer side. The up-conversion phosphor layer is irradiated with the infrared light from the second electrode layer side and remaining charge in the vicinity of the first electrode layer is erased by fluorescence emitted from the up-conversion phosphor layer by irradiation with the infrared light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Kaku Irisawa
  • Publication number: 20080203336
    Abstract: A radiation image detector is constituted by: a first electrode layer, to which negative voltage is applied, and that transmits recording electromagnetic waves bearing radiation image information; a photoconductive layer that generates charges when irradiated by the recording electromagnetic waves transmitted through the first electrode layer; a second electrode layer provided at the side of the photoconductive layer opposite that of the first electrode layer, having a plurality of electrodes for detecting signals corresponding to the charges generated in the photoconductive layer; and an electron transport layer provided between the photoconductive layer and the second electrode layer so as to cover the entire surface of the second electrode layer, formed by an insulating material doped with electron transport molecules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kaku Irisawa, Katsutoshi Yamane
  • Patent number: 7414256
    Abstract: An image detection and readout apparatus constituted by a solid state detector constructed to generate electrical currents according to the electrostatic latent image when scanned by readout light, a surface light source for scanning the solid state radiation detector by the readout light, and a light source control means for controlling the surface light source. The stripe electrode of the solid state detector is divided into two sections at the center in the length direction of the elements of the stripe electrode to form two readout regions in order to reduce the capacitance component between the adjacent elements, as well as the resistance component of the elements. In addition, the light source control means is configured to control the surface light source to cause the scanning to be performed by the surface light source in parallel simultaneously for the readout regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7391044
    Abstract: Load fluctuations caused by a change in moving direction of a linear motor 23 are prevented by affixing a belt 21 tensioned by a pair of pulleys 22 on the linear motor 23 for moving a reading light source portion 31 and affixing a counterweight 26 on the belt 21 at a portion diagonally opposite to the portion where the linear motor 23 is affixed with respect to the center axis of the belt 21. Further, damping devices (magnets 40 and 41) which impart a bias load to the counterweight 26 in the direction perpendicular to the tensioning direction of the belt 21 is provided, so that vibration produced during traveling of the linear motor 23 is suppressed and accordingly the traveling accuracy of the linear motor 23 is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Keiichi Yagi
  • Patent number: 7378677
    Abstract: An electrostatic recording material, on which image information has been recorded as an electrostatic latent image, and which is capable of outputting a signal in accordance with the electrostatic latent image by being subjected to exposure scanning with reading light having been produced by a reading light source, is obtained. Electrostatic shielding is performed between a moving member, which is capable of moving at the time of the exposure scanning of the electrostatic recording material with the reading light, and which has characteristics of undergoing capacity coupling with the electrostatic recording material, and the electrostatic recording material. The exposure scanning is performed in this state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Naoto Iwakiri
  • Patent number: 7365353
    Abstract: A radiation image detector with improved readout efficiency. The detector records a radiation image by generating and storing electric charges when irradiated with radiation, and the image is read out by irradiating readout light. The detector includes first line electrodes and second line electrodes disposed alternately with each other. An opaque line insulator that blocks the readout light is provided on each side face extending in the longitudinal direction of each second line electrode. The insulator has a width smaller than the distance between the first and second line electrodes. This arrangement allows the electric charges in the area of the photoconductive layer adjacent to the side faces of the first line electrodes to be fully discharged, and the electric charges in the area of the photoconductive layer adjacent to the side faces of the second line electrodes to be prevented from discharging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Shinji Imai
  • Patent number: 7361923
    Abstract: In an electrostatic recorder including: a first electrode for transmitting radioactive rays; a recording photoconductive layer irradiated with the radioactive rays to generate charge; a charge transportation layer; a storage unit for storing the charge as an electrostatic latent image; a reading photoconductive layer irradiated with a reading light to generate charge; and a second electrode, the first electrode, the recording photoconductive layer, the charge transportation layer, the storage unit, the reading photoconductive layer, and the second electrode are laminated in this sequential order. The electrostatic recorder further includes a suppression layer provided between the reading photoconductive layer and the second electrode to prevent interfacial crystallization generated in the reading photoconductive layer. In the electrostatic recorder, the interfacial crystallization of the reading photoconductive layer is prevented without reducing reading efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Shinji Imai
  • Publication number: 20080078964
    Abstract: A radiation conversion panel allows recorded radiation image information to be read therefrom with high accuracy while reliably avoiding adverse effects of residual past radiation image information that remains in the radiation conversion panel. When a radiation conversion panel storing radiation image information therein is scanned by reading light from a reading light source, the radiation image information is read from first linear electrode layers, and scanned position information is read from a first linear electrode layer of a marker. A corrector corrects presently read radiation image information based on past radiation image information and scanned position information to acquire radiation image information free from the effect of a residue of the past radiation image information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPOARTION
    Inventor: Tetsuya KOJIMA
  • Patent number: 7345294
    Abstract: A solid state radiation detector having a sub-striped electrode is provided, which is capable of effectively erasing residual images accumulating in the region adjacent to the outer edge of the first conductive layer. The detector has a planar first conductive layer; a recording photoconductive layer; a charge transport layer; a reading photoconductive layer; a striped electrode composed of multitudes of linear elements; and a sub-striped electrode composed of multitudes of linear elements. The element partly lying in the image detection area is formed to have a greater width in the non-image-detection area than in the image detection area. In addition, the element entirely lying in the region outside of the image detection area is formed to have a greater width than the width in the image detection area of the element partly lying in the image detection area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Masaharu Ogawa
  • Patent number: 7312467
    Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for reading out X-ray information of an X-ray picture stored in a phosphor layer includes: an irradiation device for irradiating the phosphor layer with a stimulating light beam to be moved along a line over the phosphor layer, and in so doing stimulating the phosphor layer into emitting emission light; a detector for collecting the emission light emitted from the storage phosphor layer and for converting the emission light collected into a detector signal S; a processing unit for deducing picture signal values B for pixels of the picture along the line from the detector signal S; and two or more sensors located at different reference positions to collect reference times when the light beam is located at the different reference positions. The processing unit deduces a number of detector signal values D from the detector signal S to deduce the picture signal values B between the two reference times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert HealthCare GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Gerstlauer, Detlef Brautmeier, Rainer Nebosis, Axel Kasper
  • Patent number: 7301135
    Abstract: An electrostatic recording body is constructed by laminating a glass substrate transmissive of recording light, a first conductive layer transmissive of recording light, a photoconductive layer exhibiting conductivity by receiving recording light, an insulating dielectric layer, and a second conductive layer transmissive of readout light, in this order. DC voltage is applied to the electrostatic recording body by a power source to charge both conductive layers, and an object is irradiated with light from a recording light irradiating means, thereby recording a electrostatic latent image at an interface between the photoconductive layer and the dielectric layer. Then, the conductive layers are short-circuited and charged at the same potential, thereby redistributing electrical charges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Shoji
  • Patent number: 7297974
    Abstract: Electric charges, which have been generated in a recording photo-conductor layer having been exposed to radiation, are accumulated at an accumulating section. The accumulated electric charges combine with electric charges, which are generated in a reading photo-conductor layer when the reading photo-conductor layer is exposed to reading light having passed through each of transparent linear electrodes, and an electric current in accordance with a radiation dose flows through each of the transparent linear electrodes. An opaque good electrically-conductive member extends at a middle region of each of the transparent linear electrodes, the middle region being other than an end region extending along a longitudinal direction of each of the transparent linear electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Shinji Imai
  • Patent number: 7297973
    Abstract: A breast image obtaining apparatus using a solid-sate detector, or stimulable phosphor panel capable of correctly obtaining image information up to the area closer to the chest wall of a subject. when picking up the image, the solid-state detector is moved to a place close to the side wall of the housing on the chest wall side by the moving means to pick up the image up to the area close to the chest wall, and when reading the image, it is moved to the opposite direction to secure the overrun zone between the side wall of the housing and end of the solid-state detector on the subject side. By completing acceleration or deceleration of the reading light exposure section within this zone, the scanning rate of the reading light exposure section is maintained constant across the entire region of the solid-state detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Shoji, Naoto Iwakiri
  • Patent number: 7265372
    Abstract: In a solid state radiation detector, an electrode layer, to which an electromagnetic wave for retrieval is irradiated, is formed by alternately arranging a first stripe electrode for transmitting the electromagnetic wave for retrieval and a second stripe electrode for shielding the same. Upon recording a radiation image, discharge breakdown of the first and the second stripe electrodes owing to application of a direct-current voltage is avoided. Upon recording a radiation image with the solid state radiation detector, when the direct-current voltage is applied between a first electrode layer and either the first stripe electrode or the second stripe electrode, leading and trailing edges of the direct-current voltage has variation with time, thus reducing electric currents flowing on the stripe electrodes, and a potential difference between an open end portion of each stripe electrode and either the first or the second stripe electrode adjacent thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Shinji Imai
  • Patent number: 7259386
    Abstract: A radiation image detector that includes a radiation image recording medium capable of recording a radiation image and detects the signal outputted from the medium in accordance with the radiation image recorded on the medium, in which a real-time signal is obtaining with a simple and low-cost structure of the detector while the medium is being exposed to radiation. The charges generated in the photoconductive layer and stored in the storage section are detected by the first detecting section with the use of the first and second striped electrodes, each made of a plurality of wire electrodes, and the real-time signal while the medium is being exposed to radiation is obtained by the second detecting section connected to the second striped electrode by detecting the current flowing through the second striped electrode in accordance with the amount of charges generated in the photoconductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Shinji Imai
  • Patent number: 7256414
    Abstract: A radiation image read out from a radiation image sensor, which stores electric charges corresponding to the amount of radiation exposed onto the radiation image sensor upon exposure of radiation carrying thereon a radiation image and stores the radiation image, by causing the radiation image sensor to output an electric signal corresponding to the stored electric charges and by amplifying the output electric signal by a reading amplifier. A part of the stored electric charges are read before reading the radiation image and, the gain of the reading amplifier is changed on the basis of the amount of electric charges of the part of the stored electric charges which has been read before reading the radiation image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7247875
    Abstract: A process for the collection and presentation of an X-ray image stored in a phosphor layer, includes the steps of: collecting information in an area of the phosphor layer and in an area adjacent to, and outside of, the phosphor layer; dividing the information collected into image information and edge information, taking into account a run of the information collected, whereby the image information corresponds to the information collected in the area of the phosphor layer, and the edge information corresponds to the information collected in the area adjacent to, and outside of, the phosphor layer; and presenting the image information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Haug, Detlef Brautmeier, Horst Scherer
  • Patent number: 7220981
    Abstract: An image recording medium includes: a support which is transparent to radiation for use in recording, and resistant to shock; a wavelength conversion layer which contains an organic binder and a fluorescent material which converts the radiation into visible light; a first electrode layer which is transparent to the visible light; a recording-side photoconductive layer which exhibits photoconductivity when the recording-side photoconductive layer is exposed to the visible light; a charge storage region which stores electric charges which are generated in the recording-side photoconductive layer in response to exposure to the visible light; a reading-side photoconductive layer which exhibits photoconductivity when the reading-side photoconductive layer is exposed to reading light; and a second electrode layer which is transparent to the reading light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Shinji Imai
  • Patent number: 7214956
    Abstract: In an electrostatic recorder including: a first electrode for transmitting radioactive rays; a recording photoconductive layer irradiated with the radioactive rays to generate charge; a charge transportation layer; a storage unit for storing the charge as an electrostatic latent image; a reading photoconductive layer irradiated with a reading light to generate charge; and a second electrode, the first electrode, the recording photoconductive layer, the charge transportation layer, the storage unit, the reading photoconductive layer, and the second electrode are laminated in this sequential order. The electrostatic recorder further includes a suppression layer provided between the reading photoconductive layer and the second electrode to prevent interfacial crystallization generated in the reading photoconductive layer. In the electrostatic recorder, the interfacial crystallization of the reading photoconductive layer is prevented without reducing reading efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Shinji Imai