Abstract: In an X-ray diagnostic installation and correction method wherein comet artifacts in the unprocessed image can be corrected, a geometrical analysis of the comet artifacts is implemented, an estimated reference value is determined from the original signal using the analysis result, an estimated detail signal is determined from the original signal using the analysis result, and the comet artifacts are corrected on the basis of the estimated reference value and the estimated detail signal.

Abstract: A new and improved intraoral sensor for use in a filmless radiography system is disclosed. The sensor is configured to fit comfortably and close to a target area in an intraoral cavity. By providing a comfortable relative fit to the target area, the sensor is ergonomically improved, in terms of its comfort and feel to a dental patient. In addition, the configuration of the sensor is designed to allow the sensor to be placed closer to a target area in an oral cavity than prior sensors (i.e. closer to target teeth, gum, etc). Moreover, the sensor is configured so that it can easily be located in a correct position relative to the target area, and when located correctly to properly position its sensing structure for receiving radiant energy. These features are believed to reduce refractive error in the image received by the sensor, thereby improving the image data transmitted by the sensor.

Abstract: In a high-sensitivity X-ray detector, an image of the secondary electrons is little shifted and deformed by the astigmatism or the like even when it approaches very close to a specimen set on the stage of an electron microscope. When a beam of charged particles strike a specimen, the specimen emits backscattered charged particles along with X-rays. To prevent such undesired charged particles from entering into the X-ray detecting element of the X-ray detector, a means for generating a first magnetic field is applied. Another means for generating a second magnetic field is provided to cancel the magnetic filed leaked from the first means for generating magnetic field at the position of the specimen.

Abstract: A method and device for calibrating the energy response of detectors of photons in the range from about 0.5 keV to at least 100 keV. The device makes use of the inherent property of a polarizable crystal such as a pyroelectric crystal to produce monoenergetic x-rays when the crystal is heated or cooled in a partial vacuum. Specific calibration energies of x-ray emission, may be selected for the application of the user by selection of a coating to the pyroelectric crystal and an external foil. The calibration device may be disposed within the same housing as a penetrating radiation detector.

Abstract: There are provided a photoelectric conversion film converting an x-ray to a charge, a switching element composed of a transistor, of which a gate is connected to a corresponding scanning line, a source is connected to the photoelectric conversion film, and a drain is connected to a corresponding signal line, and a accumulation element connected to the photoelectric conversion film and the switching element, accumulating the charged produced in the photoelectric conversion element, a scanning line driving circuit driving the scanning lines, and a signal detection circuit connected to the signal lines and reading out the charge accumulated in the accumulation element. A potential of the photoelectric conversion film and a gate potential of the switching element is set such that an absolute value of a gate-source voltage of the switching element decreases when the charge is accumulated in the accumulation element.

Abstract: A portable, self-contained, electronic radioscopic imaging system uses a pulsed X-ray source, a remote X-ray sensor, and a self-contained, display and controller unit to produce, store, and/or display digital radioscopic images of an object under investigation in low voltage imaging environments such as medical applications including mammography and tissue imaging, and industrial radiography of low-density structures, or the like. The radiographic system uses an X-ray converter screen for converting impinging X-ray radiation to visible light, and thus each point impinged on the screen by X-ray radiation scintillates visible light emissions diverging from the screen. An image sensor, i.e., a CCD camera, is configured to sense the visible light from the screen. An aspheric objective lens operable with the CCD camera spatially senses visible light within a collection cone directed outwardly from the image sensor. An emission modification lens layer, e.g.

Abstract: Scintillator compositions having a garnet crystal structure useful for the detection of high-energy radiation, such as X, &bgr;, and &ggr; radiation, contain (1) at least one of terbium and lutetium; (2) at least one rare earth metal; and (3) at least one of Al, Ga, and In. Terbium or lutetium may be partially substituted with Y, La, Gd, and Yb. In particular, the scintillator composition contains both terbium and lutetium. The scintillators are characterized by high light output, reduced afterglow, short decay time, and high X-ray stopping power.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided in a diagnostic X-ray system for reducing signal conversion time for a solid-state detector panel of the X-ray system in order to increase frame rate. A measurement of a set of induced signal offsets caused by time varying charge retention associated with the detector panel is performed during a phantom time segment prior to normal signal readout of the detector panel for a current image frame. A set of adjustment values is generated in response to the set of induced signal offsets. Subsets of signal values of the detector panel are read out to a pre-determined signal dynamic range as part of normal signal readout of the detector panel in response to the set of adjustment values, thus generating a set of normalized detector signals.

Abstract: An apparatus including but not limited to a charge-coupled device(CCD)-array sensor positioning mechanism, the positioning mechanism structured to position a CCD-array sensor to capture a first target area; and the CCD-array sensor positioning mechanism further structured to position the CCD-array sensor to capture a second target area proximate to the first target area, the first and second target areas spatially related such that a first radiographic image recorded at the first target area may be combined with a second radiographic image recorded at the second target area to form a composite radiographic image substantially analogous to a single radiographic image of an aggregate target area covered by the first and second target areas.

Abstract: The invention is related to an X-ray image sensory system, including an electrode layer, a conversion layer, a gap layer and a charge collection layer. The system utilizes the “X-ray→charge” conversion layer, and operates in an electrical field to enable the “X-ray→charge→field emission electron” mechanism. The mechanism makes the field emission electrons move from the conversion layer, across the gap layer, and towards the charge collection layer. The charge collection layer is made of specific kinds of semiconductor materials. Based on the amount of the charges collected at the charge collection layer, the system is able to determine the amount of the X-ray initially emitted into the conversion layer.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying detector elements in a solid state X-ray detector susceptible to causing line artifacts due to faulty detector elements that leak charge. A portion of the X-ray detector is covered by a radiation occluding material and the detector is exposed to a level of radiation sufficient to reach a predetermined threshold in the exposed portion of the detector. An image representative of the radiation is acquired and further analyzed to determine whether line artifacts exist. Data lines found to exhibit line artifacts are stored in the image processor.

Abstract: A fluoroscopy machine includes an x-ray source and detector mounted in spaced relation to a support arm, an image processor and a display device. The display device includes image optics attached to a head mount wearable by a person, such as a physician or technician. The image displayed by the image optics can be processed by the image processor to present an orientationally accurate image corresponding to the head mount wearer's field of view. For example, the image can be processed to correct for angle of rotation, translation and/or perspective distortion.

Abstract: The cameras (10) of this X-ray detector are all mounted on a common rigid plate (1) by a surface support and screwed to ensure their optical distance from a scintillator (7) itself mounted on the plate (1) by an enclosure (6) forming a darkroom (8). The common mounting of the principal elements of the detector on a single rigid plate thus significantly reduces image deterioration produced by deformations of the detector, of thermal or mechanical origin.

Abstract: An X-ray examination apparatus includes an X-ray source, an X-ray detector and an exposure control system. The exposure control system is arranged to control the X-ray source so as to perform a test exposure at a low X-ray dose and to perform an X-ray exposure at a higher X-ray dose. The X-ray detector applies a control signal resulting from the test exposure to the exposure control system and the X-ray source is adjusted on the basis of this control signal. The X-ray exposure produces an X-ray image and the X-ray detector supplies an image signal representing this X-ray image. The exposure control system is arranged to adjust the X-ray detector to a low spatial resolution during the test exposure and to a high spatial resolution during the X-ray exposure. The X-ray detector preferably includes a sensor matrix having sensor elements arranged in columns and rows. The spatial resolution is adjusted by deriving the control signal and the image signal from large and small groups of sensor elements, respectively.

Abstract: Removable digital X-ray imaging device intended for mammography, comprising X-ray detectors placed on one edge of the device upon imaging. The device contains box for protecting the X-ray detectors by separating the X-ray detectors from the edge of the device, the device being in rest position.

Abstract: An integrated x-ray imaging detector assembly is provided for use in an x-ray imaging system. An x-ray detector module is supported by a frame and receives a beam of x-rays emitted from an x-ray source and passed through a target along a detector axis. The x-ray detector is further operable to produce electrical signals in response to the received beam of x-rays. A display terminal is supported by the frame and disposed behind the detector module with respect to the direction of x-ray beam travel. The display terminal is configured to receive the electrical signals and produce an output image corresponding to the electrical signals.

Abstract: An X-ray image radiographing system for radiographing a subject is provided with an X-ray source to emit X-rays; a digital X-ray detector to detect a digital X-ray image of the subject, wherein the subject is placed between the X-ray source and the digital X-ray detector in an arrangement to satisfy the following formulas so than an edge of the digital X-ray image is enhanced oven an edge-enhanced width: 0.1 m≦R1≦10 m, and 0.15 m≦R2≦10 m, where R1 is a distance between the X-ray tube and the subject and R2 is a distance between the subject and the digital X-ray detector. The digital X-ray detector has a pixel size almost equal to the half of the edge-enhanced width.

Abstract: An imaging system for producing a panoramic radiograph of a patient's jaw for dental analysis includes an X-ray source (2) carried at one end of an arm (1) and detector means (7) at the other end. The front surface of the detector means (7) carries scintillator material (8) which substantially solely defines the area of the detector means at which the image information is captured. The secondary diaphragm or slot used in conventional panoramic X-ray imaging systems can thus be omitted, giving a less complicated system.

Abstract: Time for readout with no recording is shortened by performing readout with no recording only to the pixels having lags of the previous image.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging detector for generating X-ray transmission image in a form of electric signal, for use in X-ray imaging apparatus which comprises the X-ray imaging detector, an X-ray generator and a fixing support for fixedly positioning an object to be examined between the X-ray generator and the X-ray imaging detector mounted thereon, whereby X-ray imaging is performed by moving the X-ray generator and the X-ray imaging detector both interposing the object fixedly positioned by the fixing support while keeping facing each other.

Abstract: A medical examination installation has an MR system and an X-ray system that has an X-ray radiator with an X-ray tube and a solid-state X-ray image detector for producing X-ray exposures. The X-ray system has sensors for the acquisition of the location dependency of the stray field of the MR system in the three spatial axes, and coils for compensation of the stray field, and a computer that uses the output signal of the sensors to calculate a current for the coils which cause the stray field to be reduced in the region of the electron beams of the X-ray tube.

Abstract: Non-invasive quantitative plain radiographic evaluation of bone in a bony locale of a body is performed by subjecting the bony locale to a broadband collimated x-ray beam having energy in the range of about 20 keV to 150 keV. Alongside the bony locale is a composite phantom. The composite phantom is comprised of at least two materials, superimposed on one another. An energy-selective multiple-film detector cassette containing at least two films is placed under the body and composite phantom to receive the transmitted x-ray beam. The films in the cassette are developed and digitally scanned to produce sets of composite phantom data and sets of bone data. The data sets are then numerically processed using interpolation whereby to generate the indicated estimate of bone status, namely, bone-mineral density. In an alternative embodiment, an independent measurement is made of the total tissue thickness, and the bone status is determined using interpolation based only on a single film.

Abstract: An X-ray diagnostic apparatus has a luminescent storage screen for the latent storage of an X-ray image, an X-ray exposure apparatus for producing an X-ray beam, a readout apparatus system with which the storage luminescent screen is excited to luminescence by scanning with a source of radiation, a detector for the acquisition of the light emitted by the storage luminescent screen, and an image playback system. For the scanning, the storage luminescent screen is guided through an opening of a rectangular supporting structure and is held in the scanning region by air bearings attached to the supporting structure on both sides of the opening. A line-shaped source of stimulation radiation and a line-shaped light detector are mounted to the supporting structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement of sensor elements in which the sensor elements are arranged to detect electromagnetic radiation, such as X-rays or light, and to generate in response thereto a charge signal which corresponds to the radiation intensity. Furthermore, a sensor element includes means which enable determination of the incident radiation dose. The sensor elements in the arrangement form groups so that the outputs of all sensor elements of a group are coupled and the sensor elements of a group are preferably arranged so as to neighbor one another. This on the one hand enables determination of the dose in these zones while on the other hand images of lower resolution can be formed simply by combining output signals of a plurality of sensor elements. An arrangement of this kind can be used, for example, in an X-ray diagnostic device or in an optical image acquisition system.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement which comprises electrical elements which include sensors for electromagnetic radiation such as light or X-rays or are constructed so as to emit or change light. At least one element of the arrangement is provided with a switching unit which evaluates the signal patterns of at least two control inputs of the element and compares them with at least one activation pattern. The element is activated in the case of correspondence. At least two elements of the arrangement have at least one identical activation pattern. The control inputs of the elements are preferably coupled to a control lead bus.

Abstract: An x-ray imaging system includes an x-ray source for projecting imaging radiation onto a sampled object that is secured by a support member and a detector support assembly having multiple detecting modules distributed in a sparse configuration for detecting imaging radiation that has passed through the object. The x-ray source and the detector support assembly are on opposite sides of the support member. Relative displacement is provided between the object and the imaging radiation. By providing the relative displacements and illuminating the object with pulses of imaging radiation at selected intervals, a time series of successive sub-images corresponding to overlapping regions of the object is captured by each module. Computational algorithms combine the captured sub-images to form a composite three-dimensional description of the sampled object. There are multiple pulses of x-ray illumination for each region of the object, and each pulse irradiates more than one detecting module.

Abstract: A radiation converter includes a radiation absorber for generating light photons dependent on the intensity of incident radiation following the radiation absorber by a photocathode, an electrode system for accelerating the electrons emanating from the photocathode onto an electron detector for generating electrical signals dependent on the incident electrons, and an electron multiplier arranged between the photocathode and the electron detector. The electrons emanating from the photocathode are multiplied by the electron multiplier.

Abstract: In an arrangement having an X-ray detector or a gamma detector with detector elements arranged in a matrix in row and column directions that form a detector surface with detection regions that are sensitive to X-rays or gamma radiation and insensitive intermediate regions, and a stray radiation grid or collimator of absorbent structure elements that is arranged over the detector surface, the absorbent structure elements proceed over the intermediate regions and are fashioned such that their detector-side center-to-center spacing in the row direction and/or column direction is greater by a whole-numbered factor than the center-to-center spacing of the detector elements in the same direction, and/or sections of the absorbent structure elements that proceed in one direction exhibit a lower height than sections that proceed in the respectively other direction.

Abstract: Radiation is irradiated to an object, and the radiation, which carries image information of the object, is detected at a plurality of positions for image recording, which are set at different distances from the object, a plurality of radiation images of the object being thereby acquired. The acquisition of the radiation images is performed by use of a plurality of two-dimensional detectors, such that the radiation, which carries the image information of the object, at a position for image recording, which is remote from the object, is detected with a two-dimensional detector having a sensitivity higher than the sensitivity of a two-dimensional detector for detecting the radiation at a position for image recording, which is close to the object.

Abstract: An optical low-pass filter for a solid-state image sensor of an offset sampling structure is constituted of first and second optical members. The first optical member splits an incident light ray into a rectilinear ray and a refracted ray whose propagation direction is about 45° to a horizontal direction of the solid-state image sensor. The second optical member splits an incident ray into a rectilinear ray and a refracted ray whose propagation direction is about 90° to the horizontal direction. The optical low-pass filter having this configuration splits the incident light ray into four rays whose split points are at respective corners of a parallelogram.

Abstract: An X-ray tube (3) is rotated about its focal point along a plane perpendicular to a body axis of a patient by an X-ray tube rotation driver and thus the X-ray irradiation field moves. When the side of the X-ray irradiation field reaches an edge detector (6a) in the edge part of the flat panel detector, the edge detector detects X-ray and provides a signal to a controller. The controller controls the X-ray limiting device (4a) to move shield blades thereof to limit the range of the X-ray irradiation field. The above structure makes it possible to move the center of the X-ray irradiation field without moving the patient and also to prevent the X-ray irradiation field from going outside of the flat panel detector.

Abstract: A system and method for high resolution digital x-ray imaging which utilizes a single imaging sensor is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, the system utilizes a single imaging sensor and includes one or more redirecting elements to redirect a predetermined portion of light from an imaging screen onto the imaging sensor.

Abstract: A mover 13 moves and disposes a radiation detector 12 in a photographing position P1, and projected image data D21 is acquired for each of the directions of projection at this time. By use of the mover 13, the radiation detector 12 is moved to a photographing position P2, P3, and projected image data D22, D23 is acquired in each of the photographing positions as is the case with the photographing position P1. A projected image data synthesizer 31 in the image processor section 30 synthesizes the projected image data D21, D22, and D23 to generate synthesized projected image data D20, which is the projected image data for the entire detection region.

Abstract: A detector for detection of ionizing radiation comprises a first cathode and a first anode between which a first voltage is applicable; an ionizable gas arranged at least partly between the first cathode and the first anode; a radiation entrance arranged such that ionizing radiation can enter and ionize the ionizable gas; and a read-out arrangement. The detector further comprises a second cathode and a second anode between which a second voltage is applicable; and a solid state ionizable material arranged between the second cathode and the second anode such that part of the radiation entered into the ionizable gas can propagate through the gas, enter the solid state material and ionize it; wherein the read-out arrangement is arranged for detection of the electrons and/or holes drifted towards the second anode and/or cathode, respectively, separately of detection of the electrons drifted towards the first anode.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in the field of dentistry consisting of a rotatable c-arm assembly having a housing with an emitter on one end and a fluoroscopic image receptor at another end, a control panel, three mechanical arms connecting the housing and the control panel to each other, an intraoral image receptor and a plastic holder device for the intraoral image receptor. The apparatus has the improved feature of having two modes of operation, a fluoroscopic mode or a conventional radiographic mode. The mode of operation is selected by the operator by a foot pedal for use in fluoroscopic mode, or a hand activator control for use in conventional mode. A beam of x-rays or gamma rays is emitted from the housing corresponding to the selected mode.

Abstract: An X-ray flat panel detector includes an X-ray photosensitive film which generates signal charges upon being exposed to incident X-rays, pixel electrodes which are arrayed in contact with the X-ray photosensitive film, a bias voltage application unit which applies a bias voltage to the X-ray photosensitive film so as to make the pixel electrodes collect holes or electrons, which serve as the signal charges generated by the X-ray photosensitive film and have a higher mobility, capacitors which are arranged in correspondence with the pixel electrodes and store the charges generated by the X-ray photosensitive film, switching thin-film transistors which are arranged in correspondence with the pixel electrodes and read the charges in the capacitors, scanning lines which supply a control signal to OPEN/CLOSE-control the switching thin-film transistors, and signal lines which are connected to the switching thin-film transistors to read the charges when the switching thin-film transistors are opened.

Abstract: An x-ray system (14) including a source of x-rays (15) and a detector (22) monitors the detector with a control (36) that calibrates the detector during a calibration phase of operation and powers the detector during use phases of operation occurring at different times. A processor (28, 36) reads the data created by the pixel elements, analyzes the data and identifies pixel elements corresponding to data indicating defective pixel elements during the calibration phase of operation and during a predetermined portion of a plurality of the use phases of operation.

Abstract: A radiation-image photographing apparatus is provided with a voltage controlling switch 52 for switching voltage which is applied from a power source 53 to a detector 10, a high-voltage generator 62 for supplying high voltage HV to a radiation source 61, and a control section 70 for controlling a light-source control section 40. When a generator switch 63a is on, the high-voltage generator 62 generates high voltage HV. The control section 70 senses that a signal S1 has gone low and makes a signal C2 high, whereby dc voltage is applied to the detector 10. After tp1 has elapsed since the signal C2 was made high, the control section 70 makes a signal C1 low, thereby causing the light-source control section 40 to be in a preexposure mode. After tp3 has elapsed since the emission of preexposure light P was started, the control section 70 makes a signal C3 high, thereby causing the radiation source 61 to emit radiation R.

Abstract: An X-ray diagnosis apparatus having a flat panel detector which converts an X-ray into an electric signal, comprises extracting means for extracting a noise element, which is stable in a row direction and fluctuant in a column direction, included in an X-ray image obtained on the basis of the electric signal, and subtracting means for subtracting the noise element extracted by the extracting means from the X-ray image.

Abstract: A technique is provided for increasing the pixel pitch without increasing the interconnect density of a digital detector. Generally, a digital detector has an array of rows and columns of pixels, read out electronics and scan electronics, that are configured to generate and transmit signals based upon radiation impacting the detector. The detector also having a plurality of scan lines, which are coupled to the plurality of rows of pixels. The present technique also provides a multiplexing circuit for selectively coupling the rows of pixels to the respective scan lines for read out of the signals.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying detector elements in a solid state X-ray detector susceptible to causing line artifacts due to faulty detector elements that leak charge. A portion of the X-ray detector is covered by a radiation occluding material and the detector is exposed to a level of radiation sufficient to reach a predetermined threshold in the exposed portion of the detector. An image representative of the radiation is acquired and further analyzed to determine whether line artifacts exist. Data lines found to exhibit line artifacts are stored in the image processor.

Abstract: When X-rays are projected to an X-ray sensor through a grid, a pitch of slits on the grid has a relationship such that a length obtained by multiplying an odd number to a half pitch of a projection image on the X-ray sensor is equal to a pitch of detection pixels of the X-ray sensor. X-rays passing through a sample to be measured via the grid are detected by the X-ray sensor. Levels of the detected X-ray detection signals are inputted into an operation process portion and subjected to an equalizing process for every pixel groups, each having even number of the detection pixels, continuously lined up in a pitch direction of the grid. As a result, irregularities of the levels of the X-ray detection signals can be corrected, and moires generated on an output screen of an image display portion can be removed.

Abstract: The invention relates to solutions where biased (photoelectric) (semiconductor) material (e.g. Ge, Si, Se, GaAs, HgI, CdTe, CdZnTe, PbI) converts X-ray quanta directly into electron-hole pairs, each of which, by using an intensive electric field connected across said material, can be collected, avoiding lateral diffusion, into the area of its respective pixel. The X-ray quanta are detected and the amount of the ones exceeding the possibly adjustable threshold level is counted. According to the invention the reading electronics (20) may be implemented by providing for each of the pixels (31, 31′, . . . ) its own junction surface (32) which is connected to the said semiconductor material in a manner by which the reading out of them, as well as for enabling the TDI imaging, the counters (23′, . . . ) for each of the pixels (31′, . . . ) can be loaded parallel from the counters (23, 23′, . . . ) for pixels on the same row in the preceding pixel column.

Abstract: An X-ray diagnostic installation has an X-ray tube, a voltage generator, a planar solid state X-ray image converter for generating raw images, an image system and a playback device. The image system has a device for offset correction that acquires an offset image and stores it in a correction offset memory. The correction offset memory is preceded by a microphony detector that analyzes the current offset image for disturbances due to microphony and allows storage only of a current offset image, that is free of such disturbances.

Abstract: An X-ray diagnostics installation has an X-ray tube, a voltage generator, a solid state X-ray detector, an image system and a playback device. The solid state X-ray detector is fashioned flexible and includes a flexible housing, a flexible substrate with a matrix of thin-film transistors (TFT), and a flexible X-ray converter.

Abstract: A scintillator pack comprises an array of scintillator pixels and an x-ray absorbing layer disposed in inter-scintillator regions between the scintillator pixels. The x-ray absorbing layer acts to absorb x-rays and protect underlying regions of the inter-scintillator regions. The x-ray absorbing layer may be formed by a number of methods including casting and melt infiltration.

Abstract: A high-resolution radiation detector is formed by viewing a scintillation crystal with an electronic camera through an optical lens assembly. The material of the scintillation crystal is selected to have a high density, contain a high atomic number element, and have a high index of refraction, such as Bismuth Germinate Oxide, Cadmium Tungstate, or Gadolinium Silicate. A light absorbing coating is applied to the radiation entry surface of the scintillation crystal to further increase the spatial resolution of the detector. In some embodiments of the invention, the optical lens assembly has a large f-number, providing further improvements in spatial resolution.

Abstract: A detector for a computed tomography apparatus has a number of photodiodes arranged in row form on a printed circuit board, wherein the photodiodes are in each case formed from a substrate and an optically active region provided at the top side of the substrate and a scintillator is applied on the optically active region, and wherein an electrical connection of the optically active region, which connection extends to an underside of the substrate, is opposite a first contact arranged on the top side of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: In an X-ray diagnostics installation having an X-ray tube, an X-ray generator, a planar solid state X-ray image converter for generating X-ray images that is composed of a number of individual detectors abutting one another, an image system and having a playback device, for avoidance of the abutting locations of the individual detectors being visible in the resulting image, the amplitude of continuously changing gray scale levels at the abutting locations is locally recognized and generates a correction signal is generated corresponding to the amplitude of the gray scale levels. Based on this correction signal the gray scale levels at the abutting locations within a region.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for producing an overall image from a number of partial images which are produced successively for common playback, a first partial image is produced and stored, and at least a portion of the first partial image, that adjoins a second partial image to be produced, is played back. A survey image is produced for the second partial image and this survey image is simultaneously played back with the first partial image, with overlapping regions adjoining each other. From this simultaneous playback, the correct orientation of the exposure region for the second partial image is selected, and the image acquisition device is correspondingly positioned and the second partial image is produced, The first and second partial images are then joined to form the overall image.