Radiant ray generation control apparatus, radiation imaging system, and method for controlling the same

Abstract

A radiation imaging control apparatus includes an exposure switch configured to instruct radiation emission, an acquisition unit configured to acquire a first signal indicating that the exposure switch is pressed, a first connection unit configured to detachably connect with a control unit of a radiant ray detector to transmit a second signal indicating the driving state of the radiant ray detector, a second connection unit configured to detachably connect with a control unit of a radiant ray generation apparatus to transmit a specific signal, and a control unit configured to perform control to output the specific signal via the second connection unit upon acquisition of the first and second signals, wherein the second connection unit is a connector for making wired connection.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A radiant ray generation control apparatus comprising:
 an exposure switch configured to instruct radiation emission;   an acquisition unit configured to acquire a first signal indicating that the exposure switch is pressed;   a first connection unit configured to detachably connect with a control unit of a radiant ray detector to transmit a second signal indicating the driving state of the radiant ray detector;   a second connection unit configured to detachably connect with a control unit of a radiant ray generation apparatus to transmit a specific signal; and   a control unit configured to perform control to output the specific signal via the second connection unit upon acquisition of the first and second signals,   wherein the second connection unit is a connector for making wired connection.   
     
     
         2 . The radiant ray generation control apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the acquisition unit, the first connection unit, and the control unit are disposed in the housing of the exposure switch. 
     
     
         3 . The radiant ray generation control apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a display unit and a display control unit for performing on the display unit display indicating that the second signal has been acquired, are disposed on the exposure switch. 
     
     
         4 . The radiant ray generation control apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising another connection unit configured to detachably connect the exposure switch to the radiant ray generation control apparatus. 
     
     
         5 . A radiation imaging system comprising:
 the radiant ray generation control apparatus according to  claim 1 ; and   the radiant ray generation apparatus comprising an X-ray tube, a connection unit configured to receive the specific signal via the second connection unit, and a control unit configured to control the X-ray tube to generate X-ray upon reception of the specific signal.   
     
     
         6 . The radiation imaging system according to  claim 5 , wherein, instead of the radiant ray generation control apparatus, an exposure switch unit not having a first connection unit for connection with the radiant ray generator is connectable with the connection unit of the radiant ray generation apparatus. 
     
     
         7 . The radiation imaging system according to  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a radiant ray detector configured to wirelessly transmit the second signal to the radiant ray generation control apparatus; and   a display control unit configured to perform control to display on a display unit a radiation image output from the radiant ray detector.   
     
     
         8 . The radiation imaging system according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a determination unit configured to determine whether the radiant ray generation control apparatus or the exposure switch unit is connected to the connection unit of the radiant ray generation control apparatus,   wherein the display control unit performs control to display the result of the determination on the display unit.   
     
     
         9 . A radiant ray generation control apparatus comprising:
 an acquisition unit configured to acquire a first signal indicating that an exposure switch for instructing radiation emission is pressed;   a first connection unit configured to detachably connect with the control unit of the radiant ray detector to transmit a second signal indicating the driving state of the radiant ray detector;   a second connection unit configured to detachably connect with a control unit of a radiant ray generation apparatus to transmit a specific signal; and   a control unit configured to perform control to output the specific signal via the second connection unit upon acquisition of the first and second signals.   
     
     
         10 . A radiation imaging control apparatus comprising:
 an acquisition unit configured to acquire a first wireless signal indicating that an exposure switch is pressed;   an output unit configured to output, in response to the first wireless signal, a wireless signal for instructing a radiant ray detector to shift to the radiation detectable state; and   a wireless communication unit configured to wirelessly output a specific wireless signal to a control unit of a radiant ray generation apparatus.   
     
     
         11 . The radiation imaging control apparatus according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a control unit configured to, in response to reception of a second wireless signal indicating that the radiant ray detector has shifted to the radiation detectable state, perform control to output a wireless signal instructing radiation emission to the radiant ray generation apparatus via the wireless communication unit.   
     
     
         12 . The radiation imaging control apparatus according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a division unit configured to divide the acquired first wireless signal to acquire the third wireless signal,   wherein the output unit outputs the third wireless signal as the wireless signal instructing the radiant ray detector to shift to the radiation detectable state.   
     
     
         13 . The radiation imaging control apparatus according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a shielding unit configured to shield reception of the wireless signal by the wireless communication unit of the radiant ray generation apparatus,   wherein the acquisition unit is disposed outside the shield of the shielding unit, and   wherein, under control of the control unit, the wireless communication unit for outputting the specific wireless signal to the wireless communication unit of the radiant ray generation apparatus is disposed inside the shield of the shielding unit.   
     
     
         14 . The radiation imaging control apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the exposure switch includes a first switch and a second switch,
 wherein the control unit performs control to output, upon depression of the first switch, the wireless signal instructing the radiant ray detector to shift to the radiation detectable state, and   wherein, upon reception of a wireless signal generated upon depression of the second switch and a second wireless signal, the control unit further performs control to output a wireless signal instructing radiation emission to the radiant ray generation apparatus.   
     
     
         15 . The radiation imaging control apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the exposure switch includes a first switch and a second switch,
 wherein the control unit performs control to output a wireless signal generated upon depression of the first switch to the radiant ray generation apparatus via the wireless communication unit, and output a wireless signal generated upon depression of the second switch to both the radiant ray detector and the radiant ray generation apparatus.   
     
     
         16 . The radiation imaging control apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the radiation imaging control apparatus performs unidirectional communication with the radiant ray detector. 
     
     
         17 . The radiation imaging control apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the acquisition unit and the wireless communication unit performs infrared communication. 
     
     
         18 . A radiation imaging system comprising:
 the radiation imaging control apparatus according to  claim 10 ; and   the radiant ray detector,   wherein the radiant ray detector comprises:
 a control unit configured to perform control to sequentially repeat the discharge and storage states upon reception of the wireless signal from the radiation imaging control apparatus; and 
 an output unit configured to output a second wireless signal indicating that the radiant ray detector has shifted to the radiation detectable state when a state transitions to the storage state. 
   
     
     
         19 . The radiation imaging system according to  claim 18 , wherein the control unit of the radiant ray detector stops the output of the second wireless signal when the storage state ends. 
     
     
         20 . The radiation imaging system according to  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a display control unit configured to perform control to display on a display unit the radiation image output from the radiant ray detector,   wherein the display control unit performs control to display information indicating that the radiant ray detector is in the storage state.   
     
     
         21 . The radiation imaging system according to  claim 18 , wherein the display control unit performs control to display the time period until the storage state of the radiant ray detector will be completed. 
     
     
         22 . A radiation imaging control apparatus comprising:
 an acquisition unit configured to acquire a wireless signal indicating that a first switch of an exposure switch is pressed, and a wireless signal indicating that a second switch thereof is pressed;   an output unit configured to, upon acquisition of the wireless signal indicating that the first switch is pressed, output a wireless signal instructing a radiant ray detector to shift to the radiation detectable state; and   a control unit configured to, upon reception of a wireless signal generated upon depression of the second switch and a second wireless signal indicating that the radiant ray detector has shifted to the radiation detectable state, perform control to output a wireless signal instructing radiation emission to the radiant ray generation apparatus.   
     
     
         23 . A method for controlling a radiation imaging system, the method comprising:
 acquiring a wireless signal indicating that a first switch of an exposure switch is pressed;   acquiring a wireless signal indicating that a second switch of the exposure switch is pressed;   outputting, upon acquisition of the wireless signal indicating that the first switch is pressed, a wireless signal instructing a radiant ray detector to shift to the radiation detectable state; and   performing control to output, upon acquisition of a wireless signal generated upon depression of the second switch and a second wireless signal indicating that the radiant ray detector has shifted to the radiation detectable state, a wireless signal instructing radiation emission to the radiant ray generation apparatus.   
     
     
         24 . A radiant ray generation control apparatus comprising:
 an exposure switch comprising a first switching unit configured to instruct radiant ray generation preparation of a radiant ray generation apparatus, and a second switching unit configured to instruct radiation emission;   a restriction member configured to restrict the depression of the second switching unit;   a communication unit configured to communicate with the radiant ray detector; and   a control unit configured to perform control to cancel the restriction by the restriction member upon reception of a signal indicating that the radiant ray detector has shifted to the radiation detectable state via the communication unit.   
     
     
         25 . The radiant ray generation control apparatus according to  claim 24 , further comprising:
 a third switch,   wherein the communication unit transmits, upon depression of the third switch, a signal instructing the radiant ray detector to shift to the radiation detectable state.   
     
     
         26 . The radiant ray generation control apparatus according to  claim 25 , wherein the third switch is disposed to cover at least one of the first and second switches. 
     
     
         27 . The radiant ray generation control apparatus according to  claim 25 , wherein the third switch is disposed to cover the second switch, and
 wherein the magnitude of a pressing force of the third switch produces a repulsive force having a magnitude intermediate between a pressing force of the first switch and a pressing force of the second switch.   
     
     
         28 . The radiant ray generation control apparatus according to  claim 25 , wherein the third switch is disposed to differentiate the pressing directions of the first and second switches. 
     
     
         29 . The radiant ray generation control apparatus according to  claim 24 , further comprising:
 a display unit; and   a display control unit configured to perform control to perform on the display unit display showing that the signal indicating that the radiant ray detector has shifted to the radiation detectable state has been received by the communication unit.   
     
     
         30 . The radiant ray generation control apparatus according to  claim 24 , further comprising:
 a supporting member configured to support the restriction member; and   a fixing member configured to fix the supporting member to the exposure switch.   
     
     
         31 . A radiant ray generation control apparatus comprising:
 an exposure switch comprising a first switching unit configured to instruct radiant ray generation preparation by the radiant ray generation apparatus, and a second switching unit configured to instruct radiation emission;   a restriction member configured to restrict the depression of the second switching unit; and   a communication unit configured to communicate with the radiant ray detector, and   a control unit configured to perform control to transmit an instruction for imaging preparation by the radiant ray detector via the communication unit upon completion of the radiant ray generation preparation and depression of the first switching unit, and perform control to cancel the restriction by the restriction unit upon reception of a signal indicating that the radiant ray detector has shifted to the radiation detectable state via the communication unit.   
     
     
         32 . The radiant ray generation control apparatus according to  claim 31 , wherein, when a predetermined time period has elapsed since the restriction by the restriction member was canceled, the control unit performs control to restrict again the depression of the second switching unit with the restriction member. 
     
     
         33 . The radiant ray generation control apparatus according to  claim 31 , wherein, upon reception of a specific signal from the account radiant ray detector after the restriction by the restriction member is canceled, the control unit performs control to restrict again the depression of the second switching unit with the restriction member. 
     
     
         34 . A radiant ray generation control apparatus comprising:
 a detection unit configured to detect the depression of a first switch of an exposure switch for instructing radiation emission, and the depression of a second switch thereof;   a communication unit configured to output, upon depression of the first switch, a signal instructing radiant ray generation preparation to a radiant ray generation apparatus, and output, upon depression of the second switch, a signal instructing the radiant ray detector to shift to the radiation detectable state; and   a control unit configured to control the output timing of the signals according to a time difference between the detected depressions.   
     
     
         35 . The radiant ray generation control apparatus according to  claim 34 , wherein, when the time difference between the depression of the first switch and the depression of the second switch is smaller than a specific threshold value, the control unit delays the output timing of the signals by a specific time duration. 
     
     
         36 . The radiant ray generation control apparatus according to  claim 34 , wherein the control unit determines whether the difference between the depression of the first switch and the depression of the second switch exceeds a specific threshold value, and
 wherein, when the difference is determined to exceed the specific threshold value, the control unit further performs control to output the signal upon depression of the second switch.   
     
     
         37 . The radiant ray generation control apparatus according to  claim 35 , wherein the control unit determines the specific time duration based on the specific threshold value. 
     
     
         38 . The radiant ray generation control apparatus according to  claim 34 , wherein the control unit further comprises an acquisition unit configured to acquire information about the specific threshold from a memory unit for storing the specific threshold value for each radiant ray generation apparatus to which the radiant ray generation control apparatus is connected. 
     
     
         39 . The radiant ray generation control apparatus according to  claim 34 , further comprising a connection unit configured to connect a radiant ray generation control apparatus and a radiant ray generation apparatus in a connection format in which signal delays and defects are permitted. 
     
     
         40 . The radiant ray generation control apparatus according to  claim 34 , further comprising a connection unit configured to connect by cable the radiant ray generation control apparatus and the radiant ray generation apparatus. 
     
     
         41 . The radiant ray generation control apparatus according to  claim 34 , wherein the control unit generates, upon depression of the first switch, a signal instructing radiant ray generation preparation by the radiant ray generation apparatus, and generates, upon depression of the second switching unit, a signal instructing radiant ray generation by the radiant ray generation apparatus. 
     
     
         42 . A radiation imaging system comprising:
 the radiation imaging control apparatus according to  claim 34 ;   a radiant ray detector; and   a radiant ray generation apparatus.   
     
     
         43 . A control method comprising:
 detecting the depression of a first switch of an exposure switch for instructing radiation emission;   outputting, upon depression of the first switch, a signal instructing radiant ray generation preparation to a radiant ray generation apparatus;   detecting the depression of a second switch of the exposure switch;   controlling the output timing of the signals according to the time difference between the detected depressions of the first and second switches; and   outputting, in response to the depression of the second switch and the controlling of the output timing, a signal instructing the radiant ray detector to shift to the radiation detectable state.   
     
     
         44 . A radiation imaging control apparatus comprising:
 a first wireless reception unit configured to wirelessly receive a request for wireless communication parameters from a radiant ray detector;   a first wireless transmission unit configured to wirelessly transmit wireless communication parameters to the radiant ray detector; and   a second wireless reception unit and a second wireless transmission unit configured to communicate with the radiant ray detector based on the wireless communication parameters,   wherein the first wireless reception unit receives a signal indicating that an imaging instruction switch is pressed,   wherein the second wireless transmission unit transmits a signal instructing the radiant ray detector to shift to the radiation detectable state,   wherein the second wireless reception unit receives a signal indicating that the radiant ray detector has shifted to the radiation detectable state, and   wherein the first wireless transmission unit transmits a signal indicating that the radiant ray detector has shifted to the radiation detectable state.   
     
     
         45 . The control unit according to  claim 44 , wherein the first wireless reception unit receives from a radiant ray generation control apparatus the signal indicating that the imaging instruction switch is pressed, and
 wherein the first wireless transmission unit transmits to the radiant ray generation control apparatus the signal indicating that the radiant ray detector has shifted to the radiation detectable state.   
     
     
         46 . The control unit according to  claim 44 , wherein the first wireless reception unit receives a signal generated upon depression of a first switch of the imaging instruction switch, and a signal generated upon depression of a second switch thereof. 
     
     
         47 . The control unit according to  claim 44 , further comprising:
 other imaging instruction switches; and   a detection unit configured to detect depression of the other imaging instruction switches,   wherein, upon depression of the other imaging instruction switches, the second wireless transmission unit transmits the signal instructing the radiant ray detector to shift to the radiation detectable state.   
     
     
         48 . The control apparatus according to  claim 44 , wherein the first wireless reception unit receives parameters regarding radiant ray generated by a radiant ray generation apparatus from a radiant ray generation control apparatus. 
     
     
         49 . The control unit according to  claim 44 , further comprising:
 a display control unit configured to perform control to display information indicating that the radiant ray detector is in the storage state.   
     
     
         50 . The control unit according to  claim 49 , further comprising:
 a notification unit configured to, under control of the display control unit, emit light when the radiant ray detector has shifted to the storage state.   
     
     
         51 . The control unit according to  claim 44 , wherein the first wireless reception unit receives an infrared signal, and
 wherein the first wireless transmission unit transmits an infrared signal.   
     
     
         52 . The control unit according to  claim 44 , wherein the second wireless reception unit receives a signal via a wireless LAN, and
 wherein the second wireless transmission unit transmits a signal via a wireless LAN.