RADIATION IMAGING APPARATUS AND RADIATION IMAGING SYSTEM

A radiation imaging apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises a plurality of pixels and a signal processing unit configured to read out an analog signal from each pixel and output an image signal. The signal processing unit comprises a conversion unit configured to convert the analog signal into a digital signal using an A/D converter such that the digital signals of a first group pixels include a first offset components and the digital signals of a second group pixels include a second offset components, and a digital signal processing unit. The digital signal processing unit calculates a correction value using the digital signals of the first and the second group pixels, and performs correction of reducing an influence caused by the A/D converter in the digital signals of the first group pixels using the correction value, thereby generating the image signal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a radiation imaging apparatus and a radiation imaging system.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, a radiation imaging apparatus using a flat panel detector formed using a semiconductor material has been put into practical use as an imaging apparatus used for medical image diagnosis or nondestructive inspection. Such a radiation imaging apparatus includes an A/D converter that converts an analog signal generated by the detector into a digital signal. However, concerning the conversion characteristic between the input analog signal and the output digital signal, the A/D converter may have non-linearity instead of exhibiting ideal linearity. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-141716 discloses a radiation imaging apparatus that performs different change processing for an analog signal on a column basis and then inputs the analog signal to an A/D converter, or performs processing of changing the conversion characteristic of the A/D converter on a column basis and then converts an analog signal into a digital signal. With this processing, new output differences are generated between digital signals output in the row direction, and an output difference caused by the conversion characteristic of the A/D converter becomes unnoticeable. This reduces a visual influence on a captured image.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the arrangement disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-141716, however, when different processing is performed on a column basis, a new stripe-shaped artifact is generated on a column basis by the conversion characteristic of the A/D converter.

An aspect of the present invention provides a technique of reducing the stripe-shaped artifact and suppressing degradation in the quality of a captured image caused by the non-linearity of the conversion characteristic of an A/D converter.

According to some embodiments, a radiation imaging apparatus comprising: a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix and configured to detect radiation; and a signal processing unit configured to read out an analog signal from each pixel and output an image signal, wherein the signal processing unit comprises a conversion unit configured to convert the analog signal from each pixel into a digital signal using an A/D converter such that the digital signals of pixels included in a first group include offset components of a first value and the digital signals of pixels included in a second group include offset components of a second value different from the first value, and a digital signal processing unit configured to process the digital signal and output the image signal, and wherein the digital signal processing unit calculates a correction value using the digital signals of the pixels included in the first group and the digital signals of the pixels included in the second group, and performs correction of reducing an influence caused by a conversion characteristic of the A/D converter in the digital signals of the pixels included in the first group using the correction value, thereby generating the image signal, is provided.

According to some other embodiments, a radiation imaging system comprising a radiation imaging apparatus and a radiation generating apparatus, wherein the radiation imaging apparatus comprises a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix and configured to detect radiation, and a signal processing unit configured to read out an analog signal from each pixel and output an image signal, the signal processing unit comprises a conversion unit configured to convert the analog signal from each pixel into a digital signal using an A/D converter such that the digital signals of pixels included in a first group include offset components of a first value and the digital signals of pixels included in a second group include offset components of a second value different from the first value, and a digital signal processing unit configured to process the digital signal and output the image signal, the digital signal processing unit calculates a correction value using the digital signals of the pixels included in the first group and the digital signals of the pixels included in the second group, and performs correction of reducing an influence caused by a conversion characteristic of the A/D converter in the digital signals of the pixels included in the first group using the correction value, thereby generating the image signal, and the radiation generating apparatus is configured to generate radiation, is provided.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

A detailed embodiment of a radiation imaging apparatus according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that in the following description and drawings, common reference numerals denote common components throughout a plurality of drawings. Hence, the common components will be described by cross-referring to the plurality of drawings, and a description of components denoted by common reference numerals will appropriately be omitted. Note that radiation according to the present invention can include not only α-rays, β-rays, and γ-rays that are beams generated by particles (including photons) emitted by radioactive decay but also beams having energy equal to or higher than the energy of these beams, for example, X-rays, particle beams, and cosmic rays.

FIG. 1is a block diagram conceptually showing the arrangement of a radiation imaging apparatus100according to this embodiment. The radiation imaging apparatus100shown inFIG. 1includes a detection unit101, a driving circuit102, a signal processing unit106, a power supply unit107, and a control unit110. The detection unit101includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix and configured to convert radiation or light into an analog signal and detect the radiation. InFIG. 1, pixels arranged in the horizontal direction will be referred to as a pixel column, and pixels arranged in the vertical direction will be referred to as a pixel row. The driving circuit102scans the plurality of pixels provided in the detection unit101and drives the detection unit101to output analog signals from the detection unit101. In this embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, the detection unit101includes pixels of 8 rows×8 columns which are divided into a first pixel group101aand a second pixel group101beach including four pixel columns.

An analog signal112output from the detection unit101is input to the signal processing unit106. The signal processing unit106includes a conversion unit300including a readout circuit103and an A/D converter104, and a digital signal processing unit105. The analog signals112output from the first pixel group101aare input to the conversion unit300and read out by a first readout circuit103a. An analog signal113output from the first readout circuit103ais input to a first A/D converter104a, converted into a digital signal114, and output from the conversion unit300. Similarly, the analog signals112output from the second pixel group101bare read out by a second readout circuit103b, input to a second A/D converter104b, and converted into the digital signal114. The digital signal114output from the A/D converter104is input to the digital signal processing unit105. The digital signal processing unit105includes a correction value calculation unit302that calculates, for the input digital signal114, a correction value to reduce the influence of the conversion characteristic of the A/D converter104, and a correction unit303that corrects the digital signal using the correction value. The digital signal processing unit105performs simple digital signal processing such as digital multiplexing processing or offset correction, and generates and outputs an image signal115. When the image signal115is output from the radiation imaging apparatus100, the captured image can be observed on an external display (not shown) or the like.

The power supply unit107gives, to the signal processing unit106, reference voltages serving as biases corresponding to the circuits in the signal processing unit106. The power supply unit107includes a first power supply unit107aand a second power supply unit107beach of which gives a reference voltage to the readout circuit103, and a third power supply unit107cthat gives a reference voltage to the A/D converter104.

The control unit110includes a control circuit108, a storage unit109, and an offset generation unit301. The control circuit108controls the driving circuit102, the signal processing unit106, and the power supply unit107, and performs a captured image readout operation. The storage unit109stores information about the non-linearity of the conversion characteristic between the analog signal input to the A/D converter104and the digital signal output from the A/D converter104. The offset generation unit301controls at least one of the signal processing unit106or the power supply unit107. In this case, the offset generation unit301may control at least one of the signal processing unit106or the power supply unit107based on the information in the storage unit109. The control circuit108and the offset generation unit301may synchronize and control the radiation imaging apparatus100. The control unit110supplies a first reference voltage adjusting signal118a, a second reference voltage adjusting signal118b, and a third reference voltage adjusting signal118cto the first power supply unit107a, the second power supply unit107b, and the third power supply unit107c, respectively. The control unit110also supplies a gain adjusting signal116, a sample hold control signal120, a multiplexing control signal117, and a setting signal121for a D/A converter to the readout circuit103. InFIG. 1, “a” is added to the reference numeral of each signal supplied to the readout circuit103aout of the readout circuit103, and “b” is added to the reference numeral of each signal supplied to the readout circuit103b. The control unit110further supplies a driving control signal119to the driving circuit102, and the driving circuit102supplies a driving signal111to the detection unit101based on it.

FIG. 2is a conceptual equivalent circuit diagram of the radiation imaging apparatus100according to this embodiment. The detection unit101includes a plurality of pixels201arranged in a matrix. InFIG. 2, pixels arranged in the horizontal direction will be referred to as a pixel row, and pixels arranged in the vertical direction will be referred to as a pixel column. In this embodiment, 8×8 pixels201are arranged on 8 rows×8 columns. The pixel201on the ith row and jth column includes a conversion element Sijthat converts radiation or light into charges, and a switching element Tijthat outputs the analog signal112that is an electrical signal corresponding to the charges. In the following explanation, the conversion elements Sij will generically be referred to as a conversion element S, and the switching elements Tijwill generically be referred to as a switching element T. As the conversion element S that converts light into charges, a photoelectric conversion element such as a PIN photodiode that is mainly made of amorphous silicon and arranged on an insulating substrate such as a glass substrate may be used. As the conversion element that converts radiation into charges, an indirect conversion element including a wavelength converter configured to convert radiation into light in a wavelength band sensible by a photoelectric conversion element or a direct conversion element configured to directly convert radiation into charges may be used. As the switching element T, a transistor including a control terminal and two main terminals may be used. If the photoelectric conversion element is a pixel arranged on an insulating substrate, a thin film transistor (TFT) may be used. One electrode of the conversion element S is electrically connected to one of the two main terminals of the switching element T, and the other electrode is electrically connected to a bias power supply Vs via a common wire. The switching elements of the plurality of pixels201in the row direction are controlled via driving wires G1to G8arranged for the respective rows. For example, the control terminals of switching elements T11to T18are commonly electrically connected to the driving wire G1of the first row. The driving circuit102gives a driving signal that controls the ON state of a switching element via the driving wire on a row basis. The switching elements, for example, switching elements T11to T81of the plurality of pixels201in the column direction each have the other main terminal electrically connected to a signal wire Sig1of the first column. In the ON state, the switching elements T11to T81each output an electrical signal corresponding to the charges of the conversion element to the readout circuit103via the signal wire. A plurality of signal wires Sig1to Sig8arranged in the column direction transmit the analog signals112output from the plurality of pixels201of the detection unit101to the readout circuit103in parallel. In this embodiment, the detection unit101is divided into the first pixel group101aand the second pixel group101beach including four pixel columns. The electrical signals output from the first pixel group101aare read out by the first readout circuit103ain parallel. The electrical signals output from the second pixel group101bare read out by the second readout circuit103bin parallel.

Each readout circuit103includes an amplification circuit unit202, a sample hold circuit unit (to be referred to as an SH circuit unit hereinafter)203, a multiplexor204, an output buffer207, a variable amplifier205, and a D/A converter206. InFIG. 2, “a” is added to the reference numeral of each constituent element included in the readout circuit103aout of the readout circuit103, and “b” is added to the reference numeral of each constituent element included in the readout circuit103b. The electrical signals in parallel output from the first pixel group101aand the second pixel group101bare input to the first readout circuit103aand the second readout circuit103band first amplified by a first amplification circuit unit202aand a second amplification circuit unit202b. Each of the first amplification circuit unit202aand the second amplification circuit unit202bincludes, for each signal wire, an amplification circuit including an operational amplifier A that amplifies and a readout electrical signal and outputs it, an integral capacitor group Cf, a switch group SW configured to switch the amplification factor, and a reset switch RC configured to reset the integral capacitors. The analog signal112output from the detection unit101is input to the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier A, and the amplified electrical signal is output from the output terminal. In this embodiment, the first power supply unit107ainputs a reference voltage Vref1ato the non-inverting input terminal of each amplification circuit of odd-numbered columns, and inputs a reference voltage Vref1bto the non-inverting input terminal of each amplification circuit of even-numbered columns. The reference voltage Vref1aand the reference voltage Vref1bmay have the same value or values different from each other. The integral capacitor group Cf including a plurality of integral capacitors arranged in parallel is arranged between the inverting input terminal and the output terminal of the operational amplifier A.

Next, the electrical signals amplified by the first amplification circuit unit202aand the second amplification circuit unit202bare input to a first SH circuit unit203aand a second SH circuit unit203beach configured to sample and hold an electrical signal. Each of the first SH circuit unit203aand the second SH circuit unit203bincludes, for each amplification circuit, a sample hold circuit formed from a noise sampling switch SHN and a signal sampling switch SHS, and a noise sampling capacitor Chn and a signal sampling capacitor Chs. Each switch of the SH circuit unit203is controlled by the sample hold control signal120from the control unit110. Next, the electrical signals in parallel read out from the first SH circuit units203aand the second SH circuit unit203bare input to a first multiplexor204aand a second multiplexor204beach of which outputs the electrical signals as a serial electrical signal. The first multiplexor204aand the second multiplexor204binclude switches MSN1to MSN4, MSN5to MSN8, MSS1to MSS4, and MSS5to MSS8for the respective signal wires. By sequentially selecting the switches MSN and MSS by the multiplexing control signal117from the control unit110, an operation of converting parallel signals into a serial signal is performed. The converted serial electrical signals are input to SFN and SFS of a first output buffer207aand a second output buffer207beach of which impedance-converts the serial electrical signal and outputs it. The second power supply unit107binputs a reference voltage Vref2to the gates of the first output buffer207aand the second output buffer207bvia switches SRN and SRS. The switches SRN and SRS reset the inputs of a first variable amplifier205aand a second variable amplifier205bat predetermined timings. The electrical signals output from the first output buffer207aand the second output buffer207bare input to the first variable amplifier205aand the second variable amplifier205b. A first D/A converter206aand a second D/A converter206badd arbitrary offsets to the first variable amplifier205aand the second variable amplifier205b.

The electrical signal output from the variable amplifier205is input to the A/D converter104as the analog signal113output from the readout circuit103. The third power supply unit107cinputs a reference voltage Vref3ato the first A/D converter104ato which the analog signal113output from the first readout circuit103ais input. The third power supply unit107cinputs a reference voltage Vref3bto the second A/D converter104bto which the analog signal113output from the second readout circuit103bis input. The reference voltage Vref3aand the reference voltage Vref3bmay have the same value or values different from each other.

The non-linearity of the conversion characteristic of the A/D converter will be described here. The non-linearity represents how much the actual relationship between an analog input and a digital output deviates from an ideal line. More specifically, the non-linearity is represented by differential non-linearity (DNL) or integral non-linearity (INL). INL means a deviation of an actual input/output characteristic from an ideal input/output line upon looking over the entire input/output characteristic of the A/D converter. DNL means a deviation from an ideal step when individually observing the steps of input/output.

The conversion characteristic between the analog signal112input to the signal processing unit106and the output image signal115according to this embodiment will be described next with reference toFIGS. 3A, 3B, and 4A to 4D. A method of correcting INL according to this embodiment will be described. The influence of the non-linearity of the conversion characteristic of the A/D converter104included in the signal processing unit106will be described first with reference toFIGS. 3A and 3B.FIG. 3Ashows the conversion characteristic of the A/D converter104. Referring toFIG. 3A, the abscissa represents an input voltage input to the A/D converter104, and the ordinate represents a digital value (code) output from the A/D converter104. InFIG. 3A, an ideal digital signal obtained when each of 100 input voltages ranging from 0 V to 0.99 V at an interval of 0.01 V is input to the A/D converter104is represented by □, and an actual digital signal corresponding to the same input is represented by . Note thatFIG. 3Aassumes an A/D converter having a resolution of 8 bits for the sake of simplicity. The actual conversion characteristic of the A/D converter104has non-linearity deviated from the ideal linear conversion characteristic of the A/D converter.

FIG. 3Bshows the difference of the non-linearity of the conversion characteristic of the A/D converter104shown inFIG. 3Afrom the ideal conversion characteristic. As is apparent fromFIG. 3B, the difference between the digital signal output from the A/D converter104and the digital signal output from the A/D converter with the ideal characteristic for each input voltage is about −5 LSB to +15 LSB. For example, if parallel processing is performed using a plurality of A/D converters to do high-speed processing, a step difference caused by the non-linearity of the conversion characteristic may occur in a captured image generated based on the digital signals output from the A/D converters. In addition, for example, if a distribution is formed in offset components (to be described later) in the plane of a captured image, a partial step difference caused by the non-linearity of the conversion characteristic may occur after offset correction. As described above, the non-linearity of the A/D converter104may have an adverse effect on, for example, radiation image diagnosis.

A correction method in the signal processing unit106will be described next with reference toFIGS. 4A to 4D.FIGS. 4A to 4Dare graphs for explaining a method of correcting the non-linearity of the A/D converter104, that is, INL caused by the non-linearity using the arrangement of the radiation imaging apparatus100according to this embodiment and the effect thereof. Under the control of the offset generation unit301, the control unit110sequentially adds an offset value that changes on a row basis to the analog signal112input to the conversion unit300out of the signal processing unit106and performs A/D conversion. These offset values are stored in, for example, the storage unit109. As a result, the digital signals114including offset components of different values are output. The digital signals114output at this time have a step difference caused by the non-linearity of the conversion characteristic of the A/D converter.FIG. 4Ashows the input/output characteristic of the A/D converter104when the offset component is changed by adding an offset value on a row basis. The abscissa represents the input voltage before the offset values are added, and the ordinate represents the code of a digital signal after offset correction of reducing offset components is performed for the A/D-converted digital signal.FIG. 4Ashows a case in which the offset components are removed by offset correction. For example, an offset value of 0.2 V is set for the even-numbered rows, and an offset value of 0.25 V is set for the odd-numbered rows, thereby outputting digital signals including offset components of different values. InFIG. 4A, digital signals for input voltages of various values supplied from the pixels of the even-numbered rows are represented by , and digital signals for input voltages of various values supplied from the pixels of the odd-numbered rows are represented by Δ. After an offset value of 0.2 V is added, the input voltage supplied from the pixels of an even-numbered row is input to the A/D converter104and converted into a digital signal. Hence, the graph represented by  inFIG. 4Ais obtained by shifting the graph represented by □ inFIG. 3Asuch that a point in a case in which the input voltage is 0.2 V is placed on the origin. Similarly, the graph represented by Δ inFIG. 4Ais obtained by shifting the graph represented by □ inFIG. 3Asuch that a point in a case in which the input voltage is 0.25 V is placed on the origin. As described above, when different offsets are set for the even-numbered rows and the odd-numbered rows to change the values of the offset components included in the digital signal, a lateral stripe-shaped step difference is generated on a row basis by the non-linearity that changes between the even-numbered rows and the odd-numbered rows. Meanwhile, the conversion characteristic of the A/D converter104exhibits non-linearity that changes between the even-numbered rows and the odd-numbered rows, as shown inFIG. 4A.

Next, processing of reducing the influence of the conversion characteristic of the A/D converter is performed for the digital signal114including the offset components, which is output from the conversion unit300and input to the digital signal processing unit105. The correction value calculation unit302calculates a correction value used for correction from the input digital signal. InFIG. 4B, the average values of the input/output characteristics of analog signals of the even-numbered rows and the odd-numbered rows, for which different offset values are set, are represented by ⋄. As compared to the input/output characteristic of the A/D converter104shown inFIG. 3A, when the offset value that changes depending on the row is set, and the average value of the input/output characteristics of different offset values is obtained, the input/output characteristic becomes close to the ideal linear input/output characteristic, as can be seen. Next, the difference of the output value with respect to each input value between each conversion characteristic of the even-numbered rows and the odd-numbered rows and the average conversion characteristic that is the obtained average value is calculated as the correction value.FIG. 4Cshows correction values calculated for the even-numbered rows and the odd-numbered rows. Next, using the calculated correction values, the correction unit303removes the correction value from each output value of the even-numbered rows and the odd-numbered rows, thereby performing correction.FIG. 4Dshows the effect of the INL reducing method by the arrangement according to this embodiment. The A/D converter104before correction represented by  inFIGS. 3B and 4Dhas a deviation of about −5 LSB to +15 LSB from the ideal characteristic. Meanwhile, when correction is performed using the arrangement according to the embodiment, the difference between the conversion characteristic and the ideal conversion characteristic after correction is about −5 LSB to +5 LSB, as indicated by □ inFIG. 4D. As is apparent, when correction is performed using the arrangement according to the embodiment, the influence of the non-linearity of the conversion characteristic of the A/D converter104is reduced.

In this embodiment, under the control of the control unit110using the offset generation unit301, a different offset value is set on a row basis, and a step difference caused by the non-linearity of the conversion characteristic is shifted on a row basis, thereby generating different non-linearity of the A/D converter104on a row basis. Next, the correction value calculation unit302calculates the average conversion characteristic of the A/D converter104obtained by adding different offset values, and calculates the correction value that is the difference from the average conversion characteristic of the A/D converter104for each of the even-numbered rows and the odd-numbered rows. Subsequently, the correction unit303corrects the output digital signal using the correction value calculated by the correction value calculation unit302. This makes it possible to improve the non-linearity of the conversion characteristic of the signal processing unit106between the input analog signal112and the output image signal115.

The operation of the radiation imaging apparatus100according to this embodiment using the offset generation unit301, the correction value calculation unit302, and the correction unit303in the above-described correction of the conversion characteristic of the signal processing unit106will be described next in detail.

The operation of the offset generation unit301will be described first. The offset generation unit301of the control unit110causes the conversion unit300to output the digital signal114including an offset component of a value that periodically changes on a row basis in response to the analog signal113input to the conversion unit300. In this embodiment, to generate the digital signal including a different offset value, the offset generation unit301performs at least one of following processes.

As a first process, the offset generation unit301may control the first D/A converter206aand the second D/A converter206bby the setting signal121such that the value of the input analog signal113shifts the A/D conversion characteristics of the first A/D converter104aand the second A/D converter104bon a row basis. More specifically, the setting is sequentially changed between the even-numbered rows and the odd-numbered rows such that, for example, the first D/A converter206aand the second D/A converter206bset 0.2 V in the A/D conversion operation of the first row, 0.25 V in the A/D conversion operation of the second row, and 0.2 V in the A/D conversion operation of the third row. An offset component of a value that periodically changes on a row basis is thus added to the digital signal output in response to the input analog signal.FIG. 5is a driving timing chart in this case. Sequentially from the upper side,FIG. 5shows incidence of radiation, the control signals of the driving wires G in the row direction, the reset switch RC, the noise sampling switch SHN, the signal sampling switch SHS, and the switches MSN and MSS of the multiplexor204, and the set voltage of the D/A converter206. Radiation enters at Hi level. Each control signal changes to the ON state at Hi level, and changes to the OFF state at Low level.

By the processing of the first half of the timing chart ofFIG. 5, the digital signal114including a component according to the radiation to each pixel is supplied to the digital signal processing unit105. An image obtained by this processing will be referred to as a radiation image hereinafter. By the processing of the second half of the timing chart ofFIG. 5, the digital signal114including a component according to noise generated in each pixel is supplied to the digital signal processing unit105. An image obtained by this processing will be referred to as a noise image hereinafter. The control unit110performs acquisition of the radiation image and acquisition of the noise image under the same setting. As a result, the two digital signals114concerning the same pixel have offset components of the same value. The digital signal processing unit105performs correction by calculating the difference between the two digital signals114, thereby removing the offset components from the digital signals114and reducing the offset components. With this operation, it is possible to leave the component converted from the analog signal113and the step difference of INL caused by the non-linearity of the A/D converter104in the digital signal114. The noise image may be acquired every time the radiation image is acquired. In addition, for example, the noise image may be acquired in advance and stored in the radiation imaging apparatus100.

As a second process, the offset generation unit301may control the gains of the variable amplifiers205aand205b. The setting is sequentially changed between the even-numbered rows and the odd-numbered rows such that, for example, a gain=×1.00 is set in the A/D conversion operation of the first row, a gain=×1.01 is set in the A/D conversion operation of the second row, and a gain=×1.00 is set in the A/D conversion operation of the third row.

As a third process, the gains of the amplification circuit units202aand202bmay be controlled by causing the offset generation unit301to adjust the gain adjusting signal116. The setting is sequentially changed between the even-numbered rows and the odd-numbered rows such that, for example, a gain=×1.00 is set in the sample hold operation of the first row, a gain=×1.01 is set in the sample hold operation of the second row, and a gain=×1.00 is set in the sample hold operation of the third row.

As a fourth process, the values of the reference voltages Vref3aand Vref3bto be supplied by the third power supply unit107cmay be controlled by causing the offset generation unit301to adjust the third reference voltage adjusting signal118c. The setting is sequentially changed between the even-numbered rows and the odd-numbered rows such that, for example, a voltage of 1.00 V is set in the A/D conversion operation of the first row, a voltage of 1.01 V is set in the A/D conversion operation of the second row, and a voltage of 1.00 V is set in the A/D conversion operation of the third row.

In the second to fourth processes, the offset components included in the digital signals114can be reduced by performing acquisition of the radiation image and acquisition of the noise image under the same setting, as in the first process. In this embodiment, two types of settings are alternately switched on every other row to sequentially generate the digital signals114including the offset components of two values. However, the setting may be changed at intervals of two or more rows, or the digital signals114periodically including offset components of three or more values may be generated. In this embodiment, the value of the included offset component is changed on a row basis. However, a different value may be included, for example, on a column basis.

The operations of the correction value calculation unit302and the correction unit303which calculate the correction value for the step difference of INL caused by the non-linearity of the A/D converter and perform correction will be described next with reference toFIGS. 6A to 6C. As described above, conversion is performed such that the digital signal114output in correspondence with the analog signal113input to the conversion unit300periodically includes an offset component of a different value on a row basis under the control of the offset generation unit301. The converted and output digital signal114is input to the digital signal processing unit105.

For the digital signal114input to the digital signal processing unit105, first, the above-described offset component is reduced by offset correction.FIG. 6Ashows an image including information by radiation irradiation, which is generated by output signals after offset correction. The image shown inFIG. 6Ais the image that has undergone only the offset correction, and is different from the image generated by the image signal115. Even if the signal includes an offset component of a different value on a row basis, the offset component is removed by the offset correction, and only the step difference of INL caused by the non-linearity of the A/D converter104remains in the output signal. The odd-numbered rows of the image shown inFIG. 6Aare left as white stripes, and the even-numbered rows are left as black stripes because the odd-numbered rows and the even-numbered rows have different non-linearities with respect to the ideal conversion characteristic of the A/D converter104.

Next, the correction value calculation unit302calculates the correction value. For the descriptive convenience, a group formed from pixels included in at least one row or column is defined in this embodiment. Analog signals acquired from the pixels included in one group are converted into digital signals including offset components of the same value.

To calculate the correction value, the correction value calculation unit302obtains a representative value acquired for the pixels included in the row (in this embodiment, the third row) to be corrected, which is the first group converted into digital signals including offset components of the first value. In this embodiment, an average value B of the digital signals acquired for the pixels of the third row that is the correction row is obtained as the representative value. Note that in this embodiment, the offset components are already reduced by offset correction, as described above. In addition, the representative values of rows as the second and third groups which are adjacent before and after the correction row and are converted into digital signals including offset components of the second value different from that of the correction row are obtained. In this embodiment, an average value A of the second row and an average value C of the fourth row, which are adjacent before and after the third row, are obtained. When the average value of each row is obtained for the output signal that has undergone the offset correction, a step difference caused by the non-linearity of the A/D converter is generated on a row basis, as shown inFIGS. 6B and 6C. Next, using the obtained representative values A, B, and C of the second to fourth rows, ((A+C)/2)+B)/2 is calculated. An average value AVE3of the representative values of the second to fourth rows is thus calculated. As the average value, not only an arithmetic mean but a weighted average may be used, as in this embodiment. After the representative values and the average value of the representative values are calculated, a correction value is calculated from these values. More specifically, B−(AVE3)=B′ is obtained, thereby calculating a correction value B′ representing the amount of the step difference of the correction row. Similarly, if the fourth row is the correction row, (((B+D)/2)+C)/2 is calculated to calculate an average value AVE4of the representative values of the third to fifth rows which are adjacent to the correction row and are converted into digital signals including offset components of a different value. Next, C−(AVE4)=C′ is obtained, thereby calculating a correction value C′ for the fourth row.

In this manner, the correction value is calculated using the representative value of the group to be corrected and the representative value of the group converted into digital signals including offset components of a value different from that of the group to be corrected. In this embodiment, the correction value is calculated using the rows that are adjacent before and after the group to be corrected and include offset components different from those of the group to be corrected. This makes it possible to accurately extract the step difference of INL even if the captured image has the object pattern.

Particularly, in an indirect conversion type radiation imaging apparatus, high-frequency components that change between the even-numbered rows/odd-numbered rows adjacent to each other are assumed to be limited because the resolution lowers due to a wavelength converter such as a scintillator. For this reason, the step difference of INL caused by the non-linearity of the A/D converter104can accurately be extracted. When obtaining an average value as the representative value of each group, averaging is performed using not all pixels in the group but pixels in a number hardly influenced by random noise. Additionally, for example, when adding a plurality of types of offset components, not the average value of each group but the median value of each group may be used as the representative value.

Next, the correction unit303corrects the digital signals acquired for the pixels included in the correction row using the correction value calculated by the correction value calculation unit302. As the correction, addition and/or subtraction processing is performed for the value of each digital signal using the correction value. In this embodiment, correction is performed by subtracting the correction value from the value of the acquired digital signal of each pixel. When not complex calculation processing but simple addition and/or subtraction processing is used as the correction processing, correction can be done without lowering the readout speed.

For the step difference amount of INL, an upper limit is often defined as the characteristic of the A/D converter104to be used. For this reason, the correction amount used when performing correction may have an upper limit by this definition to prevent overcorrection. For example, if the value calculated by the correction value calculation unit302is larger than the upper limit of the correction amount, correction may be performed using the upper limit of the correction amount. In this embodiment, correction value calculation and correction are performed for the image offset-corrected from the digital signals114. However, for example, gain correction may be performed after offset correction, and after that, the correction value may be calculated to perform correction. Alternatively, for example, correction may be performed by calculating the correction value for the digital signals114before offset correction.

Correction in a case in which the digital signals114are converted into digital signals including offset components of two types, first and second values has been described with reference toFIGS. 6A to 6C. A case in which digital signals including offset components of three types of values is corrected will be described with reference toFIGS. 7A to 7C. LikeFIGS. 6A to 6C,FIG. 7Ashows an image generated by output signals after offset correction, andFIGS. 7B and 7Care graphs showing average values as the representative values of groups. If calculating the correction value of the third row, the average value of the representative values of the groups is obtained as (A+B+C)/3=(AVE3), and the correction value of the third row as the correction row is calculated as B−(AVE3)=B′. When three types of values are used as the offset components in this manner, the accuracy of the average value of the non-linearity of the A/D converter104can be improved as compared to the case in which two types of values are used. This can make the non-linearity of the A/D converter104to the ideal characteristic of the A/D converter. Note that the types of the values of offset components are not limited to the above-described two types or three types and may be four or more types.

A case in which one group is formed from one row has been described with reference toFIGS. 6A to 6CandFIGS. 7A to 7C. However, a group may be formed from the pixels of two or more adjacent rows converted into digital signals including offset components of the same value. Correction in a case in which signals are converted into digital signals including offset components of two types of values at intervals of two rows will be described with reference toFIGS. 8A to 8C. LikeFIGS. 6A to 6CandFIGS. 7A to 7C,FIG. 8Ashows an image generated by output signals after offset correction, andFIGS. 8B and 8Care graphs showing average values as the representative values of rows. In this embodiment, the third and fourth rows that are adjacent to each other and include the same offset component are put into one group, and a correction value is calculated. In this case, the average value of the representative values of the groups is obtained as {(C+D)/2+(A+B+E+F)/4}/2=(AVE34). Next, the correction value of the third row out of the first group is calculated as C−(AVE34)=C′, and the correction value of the fourth row is calculated as D−(AVE34)=D′. If the object image includes many high-frequency components, the value of the offset component is thus changed at a long period of, for example, two rows to prevent the period from overlapping that of the object image, thereby more accurately correcting the step difference of INL. One group may be formed from three or more rows, and the value of the offset component may be changed at intervals of three or more rows. In the description ofFIGS. 6A to 8C, the setting of the offset component is changed on a row basis. However, the setting may be changed on a column basis. In addition, for example, a group formed from the pixels of a plurality of rows may be converted into digital signals including offset components of three or more types of values.

In this embodiment, correction can be performed for degradation in an image caused by the non-linearity of the conversion characteristic of the A/D converter by a simple arrangement and simple processing. The method is applicable to parallel processing using a plurality of A/D converters. Since correction can be done without lowering the readout speed, the method may be suitable for a radiation imaging apparatus for moving image capturing.

An example of application to a movable radiation imaging system using the radiation imaging apparatus100according to this embodiment will be described below with reference toFIGS. 9A and 9B.FIG. 9Ais a conceptual view of a radiation imaging system using the portable radiation imaging apparatus100capable of fluoroscopy and still image capturing.FIG. 9Ashows an example in which the radiation imaging apparatus100is detached from a C-arm601, and imaging is performed using a radiation generating apparatus701provided on the C-arm601. The C-arm601holds the radiation generating apparatus701and the radiation imaging apparatus100. Reference numeral602denotes a display unit capable of displaying an image signal obtained by the radiation imaging apparatus100; and603, a bed used to place a subject604. Reference numeral605denotes a carriage capable of moving the radiation generating apparatus701, the radiation imaging apparatus100, and the C-arm601; and606, a movable control apparatus having an arrangement capable of controlling them. The control apparatus606can also perform image processing of an image signal obtained by the radiation imaging apparatus100and transmit the image signal to the display unit602or the like. Image data generated by image processing of the control apparatus606can be transferred to a remote site by a transmission processing unit such as a telephone line. This makes it possible to display the image data on a display or save it in a recording medium such as an optical disk in another place such as a doctor room and allow a doctor at the remote site to make a diagnosis. The transmitted image data can also be recorded as a film by a film processor. Note that some or all components of the control circuit108according to this embodiment may be provided in the radiation imaging apparatus100or in the control apparatus606.

FIG. 9Bshows a radiation imaging system using the portable radiation imaging apparatus100capable of fluoroscopy and still image capturing.FIG. 9Bshows an example in which the radiation imaging apparatus100is detached from the C-arm601, and imaging is performed using a radiation generating apparatus607different from the radiation generating apparatus701provided on the C-arm601. Note that the control circuit108according to this embodiment can control not only the radiation generating apparatus701but also the other radiation generating apparatus607, as a matter of course.

Note that the embodiment of the present invention can be implemented when, for example, a computer executes a program. A unit for supplying the program to the computer, for example, a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM that records the program or a transmission medium such as the Internet that transmits the program can also be applied as the embodiment of the present invention. The above-described program can also be applied as the embodiment of the present invention. The program, the recording medium, the transmission medium, and a program product are incorporated in the present invention. An invention according to a combination easily anticipated from the embodiment is also incorporated in the present invention.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-058292, filed Mar. 20, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference wherein in its entirety.