Abstract: A plasma display panel includes a pair of substrates and electrodes extending in row direction of display to generate a surface discharge across a pair of the electrodes. In the panel, at least one electrode of the electrode pair for generating the surface discharge is formed in the shape of a comb having a base portion extending in row direction of display and a tooth portion composed of a number of teeth extending from the base portion towards the other electrode. And an arrangement pitch of the teeth is 1/n of an arrangement pitch of cells in row direction of display, in which n is an integer more than or equal to two.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a plurality of barrier ribs each having an elongate configuration in plan and extending in the same direction within a display area for fabrication of a display panel. The method comprises the steps of forming a mask for cutting, having a masking pattern corresponding to the plurality of barrier ribs on a rib material layer, and removing portions of the rib material layer by jetting a cutting medium thereto, wherein the masking pattern is configured such that a plurality of elongate portions corresponding to the respective barrier ribs each extend across the display area to the outside of the display area and a spacing between adjacent end portions of elongate portions is smaller than a spacing between adjacent elongate portions within the display area.

Abstract: A method of forming barrier ribs of a display panel includes the steps of forming a layer of a dielectric paste containing a powdery component and a binder component as a layer of a barrier rib material in a predetermined thickness on a substrate, forming a mask pattern on the dielectric paste layer, jetting a cutting medium onto the dielectric paste layer through the mask pattern to partially cut the dielectric paste layer to thereby form a cut barrier rib layer, and sintering the cut barrier rib layer to make barrier ribs, wherein, prior to forming the mask pattern, a bind film is formed for fixing the powdery component in a free state on the surface of the dielectric paste layer.

Abstract: A plasma display panel has a matrix of plural first straight electrodes and plural straight second electrodes, respectively crossing each other, and a unit color element located at a crossing point of the first and second electrodes. A plurality of separator walls are spaced apart from each other and extend along the second electrodes, dividing a discharge space into a plurality of channels extending along respective, second electrodes. The separator walls undulate with a fixed periodicity so as to define alternating wide and narrow portions aligned along each channel and the respective first electrode. A fluorescent material is coated in each channel, the colors emitted from the fluorescent material being identical in each channel. A gas discharge takes place selectively at the wide portions in cooperation with the respective first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A plasma display panel has a matrix of plural first straight electrodes and plural straight second electrodes, respectively crossing each other, and a unit color element located at a crossing point of the first and second electrodes. A plurality of separator walls are spaced apart from each other and extend along the second electrodes, dividing a discharge space into a plurality of channels extending along respective, second electrodes. The separator walls undulate with a fixed periodicity so as to define alternating wide and narrow portions aligned along each channel and the respective first electrode. A fluorescent material is coated in each channel, the colors emitted from the fluorescent material being identical in each channel. A gas discharge takes place selectively at the wide portions in cooperation with the respective first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A radiation image reading and erasing apparatus for deriving image signals in such a manner that an accelerated phosphorescence fluorescent material object, onto which radiation images are accumulated and stored, is scanned with an excitation light, and an accelerated phosphorescence fluorescent light, which is emitted from the accelerated phosphorescence fluorescent material object, is received. The apparatus is designed to obtain image data free of unwanted noises, and to occupy less space. The accelerated phosphorescence fluorescent material object is irradiated with a laser beam passing through a slit member to photomultipliers through reflection between sheets. The slit member may move with up-and-down motions. The sheets are taken-up or sent out by or from the associated take-up rollers, respectively, in accordance with the movement of slit member. The apparatus also has an erasing unit with a movable reflector to erase image information from the accelerated phosphorescence fluorescent material object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for displaying images such as radiation images on a display apparatus such as, for example, a cathode-ray tube. This method is intended to obtain conversion information for converting first pixel data to second pixel data which is suited to display in accordance with pixel data corresponding to a partial area of the image to be displayed. Additionally, this method enables display of an image with a high contrasts resolution when only a partial image corresponding to a partial area of the image is displayed.

Abstract: In a radiation image reading apparatus, a photostimulated phosphor member absorbs a portion of radiation energy transmitted through an object and stores the absorbed radiation energy as a latent image. An excitation light source irradiates excitation light on the photostimulated phosphor member which then emits photostimulated luminescence light which is received and converged by an image reading device, and the latter outputting, as image information, an electrical signal which is dependent on a light intensity of the photostimulated luminescence light. A source of erasing light, having a spectral distribution band positioned substantially in a visible light region and which is normally ON, includes a shutter which is selectively opened to irradiate the erasing light on the photostimulated phosphor during an erasure time and otherwise is closed.

Abstract: A digital X-ray apparatus forms a latent image of an object on a photostimulable phosphor plate as an energy distribution pattern using X-ray energy and reads the latent image using an excitation light beam. A plate, of a material which does not transmit the excitation light beam, has holes formed therein with photostimulable phosphor positioned in the holes, the photostimulable phosphor emitting a fluorescent light when irradiated by the excitation light beam, the emitted light beam gathered and a corresponding signal produced. The excitation light beam reflected from the photostimulable phosphor plate is also gathered and a signal responsive thereto also is produced. A method of production by stacking and bonding plural metal sheets having appropriate patterns of holes therein with the photostimulable phosphor and a transparent protection film layer thereon provides the structure of the photostimulable phosphor plate.

Abstract: A radiation image reading apparatus for reading radiation images from an accelerated phosphorescence fluorescent material object on which a radiation image of a subject is accumulated and stored and is intended to obtain a radiation image on which radiation image information which is distributed in a wide range of radiation intensity may be displayed with an optimal density (brightness) without deterioration of contrast resolution. The radiation image reading apparatus is provided with a long-range electron multiplier tube having a plurality of photomultipliers or a plurality of secondary electron multiplying parts which are arrayed along a main scanning direction and controls independently respective sensitivities of these photomultipliers.

Abstract: A method for processing a radiographic image, containing: a step for calculating an average S.sub.m of original image data of an averaging area around each pixel of the radiographic image; and a step for transforming the original image data S of each pixel of the radiographic image to obtain a processed image data Q of each pixel in accordance with an equation, Q=S+.function.(S-S.sub.m), where .function.(S-S.sub.m) has a characteristic in at least one of first and second ranges of the difference S-S.sub.m, the difference S-S.sub.m is positive in the first range and negative in the second range, and according to the above characteristic, the absolute value .vertline.Q-S.vertline. varies in accordance with an increasing monotonic function of the absolute value .vertline.S-S.sub.m .vertline. when the absolute value .vertline.S-S.sub.m .vertline. is less than a predetermined value, and the absolute value .vertline.Q-S.vertline. varies in accordance with a decreasing monotonic function of the absolute value .

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for processing an image corresponding to a radiographic pattern, the image being formed of a plurality of pixels each having a value corresponding to density. The method includes the steps of obtaining an image corresponding to a radiographic pattern so that values of pixels forming the image are stored in a memory; dividing the image into a plurality of image regions based on the values of the pixels forming the image, each image region including pixels each of which has a value falling within a predetermined range; and applying an image processing to the plurality of image regions of the image, processing conditions used for the plurality of image regions in the image processing differing from each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation image converting apparatus which employs an accelerated phosphorescence fluorescent plate which is rigid or low in flexibility, and it is an object of the invention to provide a radiation image converting apparatus which prevents radiations having passed through an accelerated phosphorescence fluorescent plate from being scattered and irradiated upon the accelerated phosphorescence fluorescent plate again and achieves miniaturization of the equipment and simplification in structure.

Abstract: A digital X-ray image processing apparatus for exposing an X-ray transmitted through an object onto a photostimulable phosphor plate, for scanning the photostimulable phosphor plate by using an excitation beam to obtain an X-ray image, and for reading the X-ray image. The digital X-ray image processing apparatus includes an image storage unit for storing the X-ray image used for an actual read when diagnosing the object and a histogram storage unit for storing a standard histogram of the X-ray image. The standard histogram is formed by an intensity and frequency of the X-ray. Also provided is a first monitor unit for displaying the standard histogram read out from the histogram storage unit and a read conditions determination unit for determining actual read conditions of the X-ray image based on a latitude of the intensity of the X-ray in the standard histogram.

Abstract: A digital X-ray image read apparatus having a correction function. The apparatus includes an excitation beam generation source for irradiating the excitation beam onto a photostimulable phosphor plate to generate a fluorescent light. A collection unit collects the fluorescent light of the photostimulable phosphor plate after excitation and a photomultiplier unit, connected to the collection unit, converts the fluorescent light to an analog electrical signal after multiplication. An analog-to-digital converter, connected to the photomultiplier unit, converts the analog electrical signal to a digital X-ray image signal. A correction unit, connected to the analog-to-digital converter, corrects the digital X-ray image based on a predetermined formula obtained from an amount of the fluorescent light and an afterglow thereof. An image memory connected to the correction unit, stores the X-ray image after correction.

Abstract: In a digital X-ray apparatus for exposing an X-ray transmitted through an object onto a photostimulable phosphor plate, for scanning the photostimulable phosphor plate by an excitation beam, and for obtaining an X-ray image, the digital X-ray apparatus includes a switch unit connected to a storage unit and switching between a standard photographing mode and an actual photographing mode; a correction coefficient conversion unit converting the X-ray image data to an image data having a standardized lightness; a first storage unit storing an initial correction coefficient after standardization in the correction coefficient conversion unit; a second storage unit storing a correction coefficient after standardization in the correction coefficient conversion unit; a detection unit comparing a value of the correction coefficient from the second storage unit with a value of the initial correction coefficient from the first storage unit, and detecting whether or not a difference between the value of the correction coe

Abstract: An ultrasound probe for a medical imaging system, comprising an ultrasound absorber and a piezoelectric vibrator mounted on the ultrasound absorber, cut in the direction from the surface of the piezoelectric vibrator to the ultrasound absorber into an array by a plurality of cutting grooves. The cutting depth d of each cutting groove in the ultrasound absorber is determined as an integer multiple of a quarter of a wave length .lambda. corresponding to a center frequency f.sub.0 of ultrasound waves radiated from the piezoelectric vibrator. Consequently, symmetrical electro-acoustic conversion characteristics of the ultrasound probe can be obtained in the frequency domain.

Abstract: Ultrasonic transducer having a plurality of piezoelectric elements arranged in a matrix, and a method for fabricating them. L shaped printed wiring boards are respectively bonded to each arrays of piezoelectric elements arranged in azimuthal direction. The bonding points of the L shaped printed wiring board to respective piezoelectric element are located at edge portion of respective back electrode. The other branch of L shaped printed wiring boards are stretched vertically to the surface of the piezoelectric elements matrix. A backing plate is formed by molding on the back side of the piezoelectric elements matrix leaving the top of the L shaped printed wiring board protruded from the molded surface of the molded backing plate. Such configuration prevents the reflection from the wiring plate of the piezoelectric element. A flexible printed wiring board is provided with wiring pattern having bonding areas positioned corresponding to the matrix of piezoelectric elements.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus protected from multi-reflection of sound echoes. Multi-reflection is avoided by eliminating the reflection from the surface of an electro-sound transducer. This invention eliminates the surface reflection of the transducer by following three methods:(a) changing a direction of each surface of an array of transducer elements to direct the reflected sound wave away from the main direction of the sound beam;(b) applying an acoustic matching layer to a surface of a piezo-electric device of the transducer to cancel out phases of sound waves reflected by the surfaces of the layer and the device; and(c) providing an acoustic matching surface on a front or back face of the piezo-electric device to cancel out phases of sound waves reflected by the surface of the device.