X-ray imaging apparatus

Abstract

An X-ray imaging apparatus includes an X-ray sensor configured to convert an X-ray into an image signal, a drive control unit configured to perform wireless communication with an external device and control driving of the X-ray sensor, a power supply unit configured to supply power to the X-ray sensor and the drive control unit, and a display unit configured to display information differently in accordance with one of the state of transmission and reception in the wireless communication and the remaining battery level state of the power supply unit and in accordance with the driving state of the X-ray sensor.

1 . A control apparatus comprising:
 a drive circuit configured to drive an X-ray sensor configured to convert an X-ray into an image signal;   a power supply unit configured to supply power to the X-ray sensor and the drive control unit;   a wireless communication circuit configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device; and   a control unit configured to control, in a case where the X-ray sensor is ready for imaging, a driving state according to a communication state of the wireless communication circuit with the external device,   wherein the control unit is configured to stop supplying power to the X-ray sensor in a case where the communication state is at a first level, and to, without stopping supplying power to the X-ray sensor, shift the X-ray sensor into a state different from a state that the X-ray sensor is ready for imaging in a case where the communication state is at a second level.   
     
     
         2 . The control apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a display unit configured to change a display form in accordance with one of a state of transmission and reception in the wireless communication by the wireless communication circuit and a remaining battery level of the power supply unit and in accordance with a driving state of the X-ray sensor,   wherein the driving circuit is configured to control the driving state of the X-ray sensor in accordance with a communication state, and   wherein the display form is changed between when the driving state of the X-ray sensor is changed in accordance with the communication state and when the driving state of the X-ray sensor is changed not in accordance with the communication state.   
     
     
         3 . The control apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the display unit is configured to display a display form in accordance with the driving state of the X-ray sensor and the state of transmission and reception in the wireless communication by using a combination of lighting patterns of a plurality of LED lights. 
     
     
         4 . The control apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a housing containing the X-ray sensor therein,   wherein the housing has a surface on which an antenna operating in the wireless communication and the display unit are provided.   
     
     
         5 . The control apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the display unit is configured to display whether or not the X-ray sensor is ready for imaging and whether or not the wireless communication is possible. 
     
     
         6 . The control apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a power supply unit configured to supply power for driving the X-ray sensor,   wherein the display unit is configured to display a remaining battery level of the power supply unit.   
     
     
         7 . The control apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the display unit is configured to change a display state when the remaining battery level of the power supply unit is below a predetermined level. 
     
     
         8 . The control apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the display unit includes a predetermined number of light sources. 
     
     
         9 . The control apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the display unit includes a plurality of display devices. 
     
     
         10 . The control apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the display unit is one of a display configured to display a character or a picture icon and a light-emitting diode light. 
     
     
         11 . The control apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the display unit includes a first LED indicating a driving state of the X-ray sensor, a second LED indicating a communication state of the wireless communication and a third LED indicating a remaining battery level of the power supply unit. 
     
     
         12 . The control apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the display unit is configured to display a communication state of the wireless communication in a case where the wireless communication circuit is unable to wirelessly communicate with the external device. 
     
     
         13 . The control apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 the external device configured to receive an X-ray image from the wireless communication circuit.   
     
     
         14 . The control apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the external device includes a display unit and a wireless communication circuit. 
     
     
         15 . The control apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an X-ray sensor configured to convert an X-ray into an image signal.   
     
     
         16 . A control apparatus comprising:
 a drive circuit configured to drive an X-ray sensor configured to convert an X-ray into an image signal;   a power supply unit configured to supply power to the X-ray sensor and the drive control unit;   a wireless communication circuit configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device; and   a control unit configured to control, in a case where the X-ray sensor is ready for imaging, a driving state according to a communication state of the wireless communication circuit with the external device,   wherein the control unit is configured to shift the X-ray sensor into a state different between in a case where the communication state is at a first level, and to, without stopping supplying power to the X-ray sensor and in a case where the communication state is at a second level.   
     
     
         17 . A control method of controlling an X-ray imaging apparatus including the X-ray sensor, a drive circuit configured to drive an X-ray sensor configured to convert an X-ray into an image signal, a power supply unit configured to supply power to the X-ray sensor and the drive control unit, and a wireless communication circuit configured to wirelessly receive a signal for changing a state of power supplied from an external device and the power supply unit, the control method comprising:
 determining a communication state of the wireless communication circuit with the external device; and   controlling, in a case where the X-ray sensor is ready for imaging, a driving state according to the communication state of the wireless communication circuit with the external device,   wherein, in the controlling, supplying power to the X-ray sensor is stopped in a case where the communication state is at a first level, and supplying power to the X-ray sensor is not stopped but the X-ray sensor is shifted into a state different from a state that the X-ray sensor is ready for imaging in a case where the communication state is at a second level.   
     
     
         18 . A control method of controlling an X-ray imaging apparatus including the X-ray sensor, a drive circuit configured to drive an X-ray sensor configured to convert an X-ray into an image signal, a power supply unit configured to supply power to the X-ray sensor and the drive control unit, and a wireless communication circuit configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device, the control method comprising:
 controlling, in a case where the X-ray sensor is ready for imaging, a driving state according to the communication state of the wireless communication circuit with the external device,   wherein, in the controlling, the X-ray sensor is shifted into a state different between in a case where the communication state is at a first level and in a case where the communication state is at a second level different from the first level.   
     
     
         19 . A control apparatus comprising:
 a drive control unit configured to perform wireless communication with an external device and control driving of an X-ray sensor configured to convert an X-ray into an image signal;   a power supply unit configured to supply power to the X-ray sensor and the drive control unit; and   a display unit configured to display information that is changed in accordance with one of a state of transmission and reception in the wireless communication and a remaining battery level of the power supply unit and in accordance with a driving state of the X-ray sensor,   wherein the drive control unit is configured to control the X-ray sensor to transition from a first state of power consumption to a second state of power consumption lower than the first state, in response to a change in a wireless communication state during a predetermined period of time, and   wherein, when the wireless communication state changes to an state where communication is not possible during the predetermined period of time, the drive control unit is not allowed to change a driving state of the X-ray sensor.