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: According to the present invention, there is provided a disinfection system for a radiation image conversion panel, a radiation image conversion film, and/or a light shielding bag that can be used to wrap such a radiation image conversion film therein including a disinfection unit which applies at least a disinfection treatment to a radiation image conversion panel, and an image reading apparatus including the disinfection system. In the disinfection system for a radiation image conversion panel, preferably the disinfection treatment by the disinfection unit is at least one of a heat treatment, an ultraviolet irradiation treatment, a chemical application treatment or a gas treatment.

Abstract: Light emitted by a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, is detected with a line sensor comprising line sensor constituting units arrayed such that their certain regions overlap each other. A test image, in which edge patterns are embedded at positions corresponding to the overlapping regions of the line sensor constituting units, is read out, and test image signal components are acquired from each of the line sensor constituting units. Position matching processing is performed on radiation image signal components of a radiation image signal representing the radiation image, which have been obtained from the line sensor constituting units, and in accordance with edge pattern signal components, which represent the edge patterns and are contained in the test image signal components.

Abstract: A connector is capable of selectively connecting different types of cards. The connector has a first connector portion having a first contact for connection to a first card, and a second connector portion having a second contact for connection to a second card. The first contact and the first card are connected together in a fitting/removal direction, while, the second contact and the second card are connected together in a direction crossing the fitting/removal direction. When the first contact and the first card are connected together, the second contact is prevented from contacting the first card. When the second contact and the second card are connected together, the first contact is prevented from contacting the second card.

Abstract: A plurality of original image signals representing radiation image information, which have been fed out from an image signal input apparatus, are fed into an operation processing device. Predetermined operation processing is performed on the plurality of the received original image signals in the operation processing device to obtain an operation-processed image signal. Also, at least one original image signal, which is among the plurality of the original image signals, is transferred to an image output device. Image outputting is performed with the image output device and in accordance with the one original image signal having been transferred. After the operation-processed image signal has been obtained from the predetermined operation processing, the operation-processed image signal is fed into the image output device, and image outputting is performed with the image output device and in accordance with the received operation-processed image signal.

Abstract: A plurality of original image signals representing radiation image information, which have been fed out from an image signal input apparatus, are fed into an operation processing device. Predetermined operation processing is performed on the plurality of the received original image signals in the operation processing device to obtain an operation-processed image signal. Also, at least one original image signal, which is among the plurality of the original image signals, is transferred to an image output device. Image outputting is performed with the image output device and in accordance with the one original image signal having been transferred. After the operation-processed image signal has been obtained from the predetermined operation processing, the operation-processed image signal is fed into the image output device, and image outputting is performed with the image output device and in accordance with the received operation-processed image signal.

Abstract: A quantum cascade laser is provided that is constituted as a superlattice device configured by repeatedly overlaying AlSb or GaAlSb layers and GaSb layers and forming electrode layers at the opposite ends thereof, wherein the thickness of the GaSb layers constituting quantum wells for performing stimulated emission of light is defined so that the energy difference formed between the ground state and the first excited state in the GaSb layers becomes the LO phonon energy of GaSb. The quantum cascade laser lases at lower frequency than conventionally and has a structure that is easy to fabricate.

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 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: 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 stimulating light cut filter is disposed between a radiation image convertor panel and a line sensor to transmit the stimulated emission and cut the stimulating light. The stimulating light cut filter includes an optical element which absorbs the stimulating light, and a reflecting layer which reflects the stimulating light.

Abstract: A plurality of original image signals representing radiation image information, which have been fed out from an image signal input apparatus, are fed into an operation processing device. Predetermined operation processing is performed on the plurality of the received original image signals in the operation processing device to obtain an operation-processed image signal. Also, at least one original image signal, which is among the plurality of the original image signals, is transferred to an image output device. Image outputting is performed with the image output device and in accordance with the one original image signal having been transferred. After the operation-processed image signal has been obtained from the predetermined operation processing, the operation-processed image signal is fed into the image output device, and image outputting is performed with the image output device and in accordance with the received operation-processed image signal.

Abstract: A connector is capable of selectively connecting different types of cards. The connector has a first connector portion having a first contact for connection to a first card, and a second connector portion having a second contact for connection to a second card. The first contact and the first card are connected together in a fitting/removal direction, while, the second contact and the second card are connected together in a direction crossing the fitting/removal direction. When the first contact and the first card are connected together, the second contact is prevented from contacting the first card. When the second contact and the second card are connected together, the first contact is prevented from contacting the second card.

Abstract: When an output voltage from an acceleration sensor is judged as being larger than a reference voltage of a reference voltage setting unit, a comparator outputs a pulse signal to a holding circuit. The holding circuit holds a high-level energization signal, and an LED is energized by the energization signal supplied from the holding circuit, informing the operator that an excessively large external force has been applied to the cassette.

Abstract: Provide is an input device that can be incorporated into a notebook computer that exhibits improved operability even in the case of including both a stick-type and a pad-type pointing devices. A Pad face of a pad-type pointing device is configured to incline against the horizon when a computer is used or against the operation face of a keyboard while lowering the keyboard side. A first button for stick-type pointing device, a guide member for fixing the pad face, and the pad face are configured to be adjacent to one another to make the height of the top surface of the guide member being almost as high as the top surface of the pressed first button. A button with a long stroke is used for a first button to improve usability.

Abstract: The charge read out efficiency of a line sensor utilizing a large photodiode is improved. A line sensor formed of a photoelectric converting portion utilizing a photodiode divided into a plurality of regions and having a potential inclination configuration wherein the potential wells thereof become deeper the closer the position thereof is to a readout gate is provided.

Abstract: A radiation-image data readout apparatus in which the charge transferring time occurring during a readout operation utilizing a line sensor having a broad-width light-receiving portion is shortened is provided. A line sensor having two photodiode portions, each having a width of 100 um, disposed adjacently with a microscopic gap therebetween, and a charge transferring device corresponding to each photodiode portion provided on the exterior side in the width direction of each corresponding photodiode portion, are provided.

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: Stimulating light is projected by a stimulating light projector onto the stimulable phosphor sheet to expose a linear portion of the stimulable phosphor sheet extending in a main scanning direction to the stimulating light and stimulated emission emitted from the stimulable phosphor sheet upon exposure to the stimulating light is detected by a line sensor extending in the main scanning direction with an imaging optical system intervening between the stimulable phosphor sheet and the line sensor or with the line sensor held in the vicinity of the stimulable phosphor sheet. The stimulable phosphor sheet is fixed in a read-out position, and the radiation image is read out while the stimulating light projector and the line sensor are being moved relatively to the fixed stimulable phosphor sheet in a sub-scanning direction intersecting the main scanning direction.

Abstract: An image recording sheet and a solid-state image detector are used. The sheet has a stimulable phosphor layer laminated on a base, and the solid-state image detector includes a photoconductive layer containing amorphous selenium as its main component and electrodes disposed on opposite sides of the photoconductive layer. An electric field is applied across the photoconductive layer so that avalanche amplification is obtained within the photoconductive layer. The sheet is scanned under the electric field with stimulating light of wavelength of about 600 nm, and photostimulated luminescence light of wavelength of about 400 nm emitted from the fluorescent layer is incident on the photoconductive layer via an optical guide and a stimulating light cut filter. Electric charge generated within the photoconductive layer is detected by a current detecting circuit, whereby a radiation image signal is obtained.