Abstract: An imaging operation includes a first imaging operation for outputting image data according to irradiation to the detector with radiation or light in an irradiation field A corresponding to a part of the plurality of pixels, and a second imaging operation for outputting image data according to irradiation to the detector 104 with radiation or light in an irradiation field B wider than the irradiation field A, wherein, responsive to a changing from irradiation in the irradiation field A to irradiation in the irradiation field B, an operation of the detector is controlled so that the detector performs an initializing operation for initializing conversion elements during a period between the first and second imaging operations.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus is provided, which improves correction accuracy at the time of pixel addition reading and scarcely deteriorates in resolution of the image data. This apparatus comprises: a conversion unit comprising a plurality of unit-pixels and converting an incident radiation or a light into pixel information; a signal processing unit capable of reading the pixel information for each unit-pixel, or capable of reading additional added pixel information for a plurality of unit-pixels, based on a control from a control unit for controlling a driving of the conversion unit according to a plurality of operation modes; a storage unit for storing a plurality of correction informations according to the plurality of operating modes; and a correction unit for performing the correction of the pixel information based on the correction information extracted from the plurality of correct informations according to the operation mode.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a plurality of imaging apparatuses, each of the imaging apparatuses includes a detector for performing an imaging operation for outputting image data corresponding to applied radiation or light and a controller for controlling the operation of the detector. The imaging apparatuses can independently perform an imaging operation and are movable in accordance with a relative positional relationship thereof. Sensing means obtain information indicative of the relative positional relationship between the imaging apparatuses. A control computer sends a control signal for determining operations of the imaging apparatuses to the controller. The control computer determines the operations of the imaging apparatuses by using the information obtained from the sensing means; and sets an appropriate scanning direction of each of the imaging apparatuses in accordance with the positional relationship thereof.

Abstract: To provide a radiation imaging apparatus capable of restraining the change of image qualities due to the change of sensitivities of an MIS-type photoelectric conversion element and its control method. Therefore, an MIS-type photoelectric conversion element 217 is set to a saturation state before performing radiation imaging. As means for realizing the above mentioned, a light source 601, power supply 603 for making the light source 601 emit light, and switch 605 are provided. The light source 601 can use a light source capable of discharging the light having a wavelength which can be detected by a photoelectric conversion layer 209 at optional timing. For example, it is possible to use a light source in which a plurality of LEDs or cold cathode ray tubes are arranged, a light guide plate is combined with an LED or cold cathode ray tube, or an EL device.

Abstract: To provide a radiation imaging apparatus capable of restraining the change of image qualities due to the change of sensitivities of an MIS-type photoelectric conversion element and its control method. Therefore, an MIS-type photoelectric conversion element 217 is set to a saturation state before performing radiation imaging. As means for realizing the above mentioned, a light source 601, power supply 603 for making the light source 601 emit light, and switch 605 are provided. The light source 601 can use a light source capable of discharging the light having a wavelength which can be detected by a photoelectric conversion layer 209 at optional timing. For example, it is possible to use a light source in which a plurality of LEDs or cold cathode ray tubes are arranged, a light guide plate is combined with an LED or cold cathode ray tube, or an EL device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a photoelectric converter. According to the present invention, a photoelectric converter comprises a plurality of substrates, which are located adjacent to each other and on which a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices are two-dimensionally arranged, either scan circuits or detection circuits, at least, that are arranged on two opposing sides of the photoelectric converter, whereby scanning directions either from the scan circuits or from the detection circuits, which are arranged on the two opposing sides, are capable of being set so as to be performed in like directions.

Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus comprises a first driving circuit unit to drive a first switching element connected to a conversion element, wherein the conversion element converting radiation into charges, a second driving circuit unit to drive a second switching element connected to the conversion element, and a control unit to control the first driving circuit and the second driving circuit independently at different timing.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a detector including multiple pixels arranged in a matrix. The detector performs an image capturing operation whereby light or radiation incident on the pixels is converted into an image signal. The imaging apparatus also includes a bias light source and a control unit. The image capturing operation includes a first image capturing operation in which the detector is scanned in a scanning area A and a second image capturing operation in which the detector is scanned in a scanning area B larger than the scanning area A. The control unit controls the bias light source to emit bias light on the basis of a control signal indicative of an amount of integration of accumulation times in the first image capturing operation during a period between the first and second image capturing operations in accordance with switching from an irradiation field A to an irradiation field B.

Abstract: An idling time period after applying a bias to a conversion element until a start of an accumulation of the conversion element for deriving an image and an accumulation period from the start of the accumulation to a termination of the accumulation are measured. An offset correction of the image is conducted by using a dark current accumulation charge quantity in the accumulation calculated based on the measured idling time period and accumulation period and stored dark current response characteristics. Thus, even just after applying the bias to the conversion element, the offset correction can be properly conducted. An imaging apparatus which can execute a good radiographing without increasing costs and a size even just after applying the bias to the conversion element is provided.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a conversion unit including a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, each pixel including a conversion element, an output switch element, and an initialization switch element; an output drive circuit controls an output operation; an initialization drive circuit controls an initialization operation; and a readout circuit performs a signal sample-and-hold operation and a reset operation. A control unit performs termination of the output operation of a certain row and start of the output operation of another row after the termination of the reset operation, the start of the signal sample-and-hold operation after the termination of the output operation of the certain row and the start of the output operation of the other row, the start of the reset operation and the initialization operation after the termination of the signal sample-and-hold operation, and the termination of the reset operation after the termination of the initialization operation.

Abstract: An idling time period after applying a bias to a conversion element until a start of an accumulation of the conversion element for deriving an image and an accumulation period from the start of the accumulation to a termination of the accumulation are measured. An offset correction of the image is conducted by using a dark current accumulation charge quantity in the accumulation calculated based on the measured idling time period and accumulation period and stored dark current response characteristics. Thus, even just after applying the bias to the conversion element, the offset correction can be properly conducted. An imaging apparatus which can execute a good radiographing without increasing costs and a size even just after applying the bias to the conversion element is provided.

Abstract: A photoelectric converter includes a plurality of substrates, which are located adjacent to each other and on which a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices are two-dimensionally arranged, and either scan circuits or detection circuits that are arranged on two opposing sides of the photoelectric converter, whereby scanning directions either from the scan circuits or from the detection circuits, which are arranged on the two opposing sides, are capable of being set so as to be performed in like directions.

Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus comprises a first driving circuit unit to drive a first switching element connected to a conversion element, wherein the conversion element converting radiation into charges, a second driving circuit unit to drive a second switching element connected to the conversion element, and a control unit to control the first driving circuit and the second driving circuit independently at different timing.

Abstract: When a gain correction is performed for the radiographed object image, the acquisition of the object image having a high grade quality and no artifact is realized. For that purpose, an image storing unit is provided for storing an image for correction radiographed based on conditions set with the table in a state in which no object exists to each operation modes of the plurality of operation modes; and an image processing unit is provided for performing a gain correction processing of the radiographed object image and performs the gain correction processing of the radiographed object image obtained based on the conditions set in the table of the operation mode selected by the selecting unit in a state in which the object exists using a corresponding image for correction extracted from the image storage unit based on the operation mode selected by the selecting unit.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a detector, having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, for performing first and second radiography operations, a bias light source, and a control unit that controls the operation of the detector and the bias light source. In the first radiography operation, image data corresponding to radiation in a first radiation field corresponding to some of the pixels is output. In the second radiography operation, image data corresponding to radiation in a second radiation field larger than the first radiation field is output. In accordance with a change from the first radiation field to the second radiation field, the operation of the bias light source is controlled so that the irradiation with the bias light is performed during a period between the first and second radiography operations at a bias-light integral dose determined based on radiation integral dose information in the first radiography operation.

Abstract: As a radiation imaging apparatus which can easily and effectively correct line noise, there is provided a radiation imaging apparatus having: a conversion unit having a pixel region in which a plurality of pixels each having a conversion element (202) for converting radiation into an electric charge and a switching element (201) for outputting an electric signal based on the electric charge are arranged in a matrix; a capacitor element (301) arranged outside the pixel region; a reading out circuit unit (108) for reading out the electric signals from the pixels row by row and reading out, in parallel, a signal from the capacitor element and the electric signal from the pixel; and a correction unit for correcting the electric signal based on the signal from the capacitor element.

Abstract: Each pixel is provided with a photoelectric converting device S1(1-1) or the like, a source-follower-type first transistor T1(1-1) or the like, a second transistor Te(1-1) to be turned on when reading an electrical signal from a pixel selected by a shift register SR1 for each line and outputting the signal to a readout circuit unit and a third transistor T3(1-1) to be turned on when resetting a photoelectric converting device set to a pixel selected by a shift register SR1 for each line. Moreover, a bias power source for supplying a photoelectric conversion bias to a photoelectric converting device and a reset power source for supplying a reset bias to a photoelectric converting device are set in the readout circuit unit. By using the radiation image pickup apparatus and its control method, it is possible to improve the S/N ratio while restraining noises and preferably, it is possible to perform stable and high-speed dynamic-image photographing and restrain dark current.

Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus is provided that stabilizes a dark current, image ghosting, and the sensitivity of the imaging apparatus, reduces the power consumption and the heat generation of a light source, and improves the durability of a conversion element. The radiation imaging apparatus includes a flat panel detector including a conversion unit, where the conversion unit includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix and each of the pixels includes a conversion element capable of converting a radiation ray into electric charge, a light source capable of emitting light to the conversion unit, and a control unit configured to control the flat panel detector and the light source. The control unit controls the emission of light performed by the light source on the basis of a signal output from the flat panel detector.

Abstract: When a gain correction is performed for the radiographed object image, the acquisition of the object image having a high grade quality and no artifact is realized. For that purpose, an image storing unit is provided for storing an image for correction radiographed based on conditions set with the table in a state in which no object exists to each operation modes of the plurality of operation modes; and an image processing unit is provided for performing a gain correction processing of the radiographed object image and performs the gain correction processing of the radiographed object image obtained based on the conditions set in the table of the operation mode selected by the selecting unit in a state in which the object exists using a corresponding image for correction extracted from the image storage unit based on the operation mode selected by the selecting unit.

Abstract: A single flat panel detector provides radiation images which can correspond with various radiographic modes. In a radiation imaging apparatus including a flat panel detector which derives a radiation image according to incident radiation, a holding unit which holds the flat panel detector and a connecting mechanism capable of performing a connecting and a disconnecting between the holding unit and the flat panel detector, the flat panel detector can be controlled so that the maximum number of radiation images that the flat panel detector can derive when the flat panel detector is disengaged from the holding unit is smaller than the maximum number of radiation images that the flat panel detector can derive when the flat panel detector is held by the holding unit.