JP7611121B2 - Reading device and program - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a reading device.

Patent document 1 discloses that a scanning means scans a storage phosphor sheet with excitation light in the main direction to generate photostimulated luminescence from the sheet, detects the photostimulated luminescence with a photodetector, and obtains a reproduced image based on the detection results.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 61-267451

However, if the storage phosphor sheet is placed upside down in the reading device, no photostimulated luminescence is produced even when it is irradiated with excitation light, and therefore a reproduced image cannot be obtained.

Therefore, the purpose of this disclosure is to make it possible to more reliably read radiation images from imaging plates.

The reading device according to the first aspect is a reading device that reads a radiation image from an imaging plate, and includes a light source that irradiates the imaging plate with light, a detector that detects the light reflected from the imaging plate, and a determination unit that determines whether the imaging plate is set upside down based on the detection result of the detector.

The second aspect is a reading device according to the first aspect, in which the light functions as excitation light that excites the imaging plate in order to read a radiation image from the imaging plate.

The third aspect is a reading device according to the first or second aspect, in which the detector detects the emitted light from the imaging plate due to the excitation light.

The fourth aspect is a reading device according to any one of the first to third aspects, in which at least one piece of back-side specific information is displayed on the back side of the imaging plate.

The fifth aspect is a reading device according to the fourth aspect, in which the light source scans the light on the imaging plate, and a plurality of back-side specific information is displayed on the back side of the imaging plate.

The sixth aspect is a reading device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, in which at least one piece of front-side specific information is displayed on the front side of the imaging plate.

The seventh aspect is a reading device according to the sixth aspect, in which the light source scans the light on the imaging plate, and a plurality of front-side specific information is displayed on the front side of the imaging plate.

The eighth aspect is a reading device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, in which at least one protrusion is provided on the periphery of the imaging plate for determining whether the imaging plate is set upside down.

The ninth aspect is a reading device according to the eighth aspect, in which the light source scans the light on the imaging plate, and the imaging plate has a plurality of protrusions on its periphery for determining whether the imaging plate is set upside down.

The tenth aspect is a reading device according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, which notifies the user of a warning when it is determined that the imaging plate is set upside down.

An eleventh aspect is a reading device according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, in which, when it is determined that the imaging plate is not set upside down, erasing light for erasing the radiation image is irradiated onto the imaging plate from which the radiation image has been read, and when it is determined that the imaging plate is set upside down, the erasing light is not irradiated onto the imaging plate.

A twelfth aspect is a reading device according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, in which the light source executes a scanning process to scan the light on the imaging plate, and when it is determined during the scanning process that the imaging plate is set upside down, the scanning process is stopped.

A thirteenth aspect is a reading device according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, which ejects the imaging plate when it is determined that the imaging plate is set upside down.

In a fourteenth aspect, the reading device according to the thirteenth aspect irradiates the imaging plate from which the radiation image has been read with erasing light for erasing the radiation image when it is determined that the imaging plate is not set upside down, and ejects the imaging plate without irradiating it with the erasing light when it is determined that the imaging plate is set upside down.

The fifteenth aspect is a reading device according to the thirteenth or fourteenth aspect, in which the light source executes a scanning process to scan the light on the imaging plate, and when it is determined during the scanning process that the imaging plate is set upside down, the scanning process is stopped and the imaging plate is ejected.

The sixteenth aspect is a program for controlling a reading device that reads a radiation image from an imaging plate, the reading device having a light source that irradiates the imaging plate with light and a detector that detects the light reflected from the imaging plate, and the program causes the reading device to determine whether the imaging plate is set upside down based on the detection result of the detector.

The seventeenth aspect is a program according to the sixteenth aspect, which is a program for notifying the user of a warning when it is determined that the imaging plate is set upside down in the reading device.

The eighteenth aspect is a program according to the sixteenth or seventeenth aspect, which ejects the imaging plate when it is determined that the imaging plate is set upside down in the reading device.

According to the first and sixteenth aspects, it is possible to determine whether the imaging plate is set upside down based on the detection result of the detector. This makes it possible to read the radiation image from the imaging plate more reliably based on the determination result.

According to the second aspect, the light emitted by the light source functions as excitation light that excites the imaging plate in order to read a radiation image from the imaging plate. This eliminates the need to provide a separate light source that irradiates the imaging plate with excitation light. This simplifies the configuration of the reading device.

According to the third aspect, the detector detects the emitted light from the imaging plate. This eliminates the need to provide a separate detector for detecting the emitted light from the imaging plate. This simplifies the configuration of the reading device.

According to the fourth aspect, at least one piece of back-side specific information is displayed on the back side of the imaging plate, making it easy to determine whether the imaging plate is set upside down.

According to the fifth aspect, when a light source scans light on an imaging plate, a plurality of pieces of back-side-specific information are displayed on the back side of the imaging plate. This makes it possible to immediately identify that the imaging plate is set upside down, even if the orientation of the imaging plate is not constant when the imaging plate is set.

According to the sixth aspect, at least one piece of front-side specific information is displayed on the front side of the imaging plate, making it easy to determine whether the imaging plate is set upside down.

According to the seventh aspect, when a light source scans light on an imaging plate, a plurality of front-side-specific information is displayed on the front side of the imaging plate. This makes it possible to immediately identify that the imaging plate is set upside down, even if the orientation of the imaging plate is not constant when the imaging plate is set.

According to the eighth aspect, at least one protrusion is provided on the periphery of the imaging plate for determining whether the imaging plate is set upside down, making it easy to determine whether the imaging plate is set upside down.

According to the ninth aspect, when the light source scans light on the imaging plate, the periphery of the imaging plate is provided with a plurality of protrusions for determining whether the imaging plate is set upside down. This makes it possible to immediately determine whether the imaging plate is set upside down, even if the orientation of the imaging plate is not constant when the imaging plate is set.

According to the tenth and seventeenth aspects, if it is determined that the imaging plate is set upside down, a warning is issued to the user. This makes it possible to prompt the user to set the imaging plate correctly.

According to the eleventh aspect, when it is determined that the imaging plate is set upside down, the erasing light is not irradiated onto the imaging plate. This makes it difficult for the erasing light to affect the radiation image recorded by the imaging plate.

According to the twelfth aspect, when it is determined that the imaging plate is set upside down during the scanning process, the scanning process is stopped. This makes it possible to prevent the scanning process from continuing unnecessarily.

According to the thirteenth and eighteenth aspects, when it is determined that the imaging plate is set upside down, the imaging plate is ejected. This eliminates the need for a user operation to instruct the reading device to eject the imaging plate. Furthermore, by ejecting the imaging plate, the user can be prompted to set the imaging plate again.

According to the fourteenth aspect, when it is determined that the imaging plate is set upside down, the imaging plate is ejected without being irradiated with the erasing light. This allows the imaging plate to be ejected immediately when it is determined that the imaging plate is set upside down.

According to the fifteenth aspect, when it is determined during the scanning process that the imaging plate is set upside down, the scanning process is stopped and the imaging plate is ejected. This allows the imaging plate to be ejected immediately when it is determined that the imaging plate is set upside down.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the appearance of a reading device. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a reading device. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a reading device. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a reading device. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a reading device. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a reading device. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an IP presence region, an excitation light irradiation range, and a detection range. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an IP presence region, an excitation light irradiation range, and a detection range. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an IP presence region, an excitation light irradiation range, and a detection range. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an acquired overall image. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an acquired overall image. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an acquired overall image. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an acquired overall image. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the reading device. 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams showing an example of how an imaging plate is tilted. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an acquired overall image. 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams for explaining an example of a tilt angle identification process. 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams for explaining an example of a tilt angle identification process. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a size specification process. 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an example of the size and tilt angle of an imaging plate. 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an example of the size and tilt angle of an imaging plate. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of different sizes of imaging plates. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the reading device. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the reading device. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an acquired overall image. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of an acquired overall image. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of an acquired overall image. 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an example of the size and tilt angle of an imaging plate. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a tilt correction process. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an acquired overall image. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a cutout process. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an extracted image. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a cutout process. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an extracted image. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of an extracted image. FIG. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a cutout process. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an extracted image. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an extracted image. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a configuration of a holding portion. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an acquired overall image. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a cutout process. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a cutout process. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an extracted image. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an acquired overall image. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a cutout process. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an extracted image. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an extracted image. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display of unexposed notification information. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display of unexposed notification information. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display of unexposed notification information. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display of unexposed notification information. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display of unexposed notification information. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display of unexposed notification information. FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the back surface of an imaging plate. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an IP reflected light image included in an acquired overall image. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a front surface of an imaging plate. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a front surface of an imaging plate. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the reading device. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display on a reading device. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the reading device. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a state in which an imaging plate is set. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a state in which an imaging plate is set. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a state in which an imaging plate is set. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a state in which an imaging plate is set. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a state in which an imaging plate is set. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a state in which an imaging plate is set. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the reading device. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the reading device. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the reading device. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a reading device. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a reading device. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a reading device. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a reading device. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a reading device. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a reading device.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the appearance of a reading device 1. The reading device 1 is a device that reads a radiation image from an imaging plate 10 on which the radiation image is recorded. The reading device 1 can also be said to be a device that detects the radiation image recorded on the imaging plate 10.

The imaging plate 10 has a flat shape with a radiation image forming layer 11, and is a recording medium for recording a radiation image. The imaging plate 10 has, for example, a generally rectangular flat shape with rounded corners. The radiation image forming layer 11 is a layer that accumulates the energy of the irradiated radiation and emits luminescent light according to the accumulated energy. For example, the radiation image forming layer 11 is formed by applying a photostimulable phosphor to one main surface of a film formed of resin. X-rays, for example, are used as the radiation irradiated to the radiation image forming layer 11. When X-rays from an X-ray generator penetrate the object to be photographed and irradiate the imaging plate 10, energy according to the intensity of the X-rays is accumulated in the radiation image forming layer 11. Since the intensity of the X-rays is based on the distribution of X-ray absorbing regions in the object to be photographed, the distribution of the energy accumulated in the radiation image forming layer 11 is a radiation image of the object to be photographed by X-rays. In this way, the imaging plate 10 records, for example, a radiation image by X-rays as a latent image. The reading device 1 reads the radiation image from the radiation image forming layer 11 and generates an image signal (also called image data) that represents the read radiation image.

In this example, the imaging plate 10 is irradiated with radiation while it is placed in, for example, a person's mouth. Therefore, the imaging plate 10 is sized to fit inside a person's mouth. A radiographic image of, for example, teeth is recorded on the radiation image forming layer 11 of the imaging plate 10. However, the use of the imaging plate 10 is not limited to this.

Hereinafter, the main surface of the imaging plate 10 facing the radiation image forming layer 11 may be referred to as the front surface. Also, the main surface of the imaging plate 10 opposite the front surface may be referred to as the back surface.

As shown in FIG. 1, the reading device 1 includes, for example, a housing 2. The housing 2 contains a configuration for reading a radiation image from an imaging plate 10. This configuration will be described later.

The housing 2 is provided with an insertion opening 2a and an ejection opening 2b. The insertion opening 2a is provided, for example, on the top surface of the housing 2. A user of the reading device 1 can insert an imaging plate 10 into the housing 2 through the insertion opening 2a. The imaging plate 10 has its radiation image read inside the housing 2. The ejection opening 2b is provided, for example, on the lower part of one side surface of the housing 2. The imaging plate 10 after its radiation image has been read (also referred to as the read imaging plate 10) is ejected through the ejection opening 2b. A user of the reading device 1 can collect the read imaging plate 10 through the ejection opening 2b.

In this example, the reader 1 can erase the radiation image from the imaging plate 10 after reading the radiation image from the imaging plate 10. For example, the imaging plate 10 from which the radiation image has been erased is discharged from the outlet 2b.

The housing 2 is provided with, for example, an operation unit 4 that accepts operations from a user. The operation unit 4 includes, for example, a plurality of operation buttons 4a. Each operation button 4a is, for example, a hardware button. The plurality of operation buttons 4a include, for example, a power button and a start button for instructing the start of reading. The operation unit 4 may include a touch sensor that detects a touch operation by the user.

The housing 2 is provided with, for example, a display unit 3. The display unit 3 is configured with, for example, a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL (electro-luminescence) display panel. The display unit 3 is capable of displaying various types of information, for example, characters, symbols, figures, and images. The display unit 3 may display a radiation image read from the imaging plate 10 (in other words, a detected radiation image).

When the operation unit 4 includes a touch sensor, the touch sensor and the display unit 3 may form a touch panel display having a display function and a touch detection function. In this case, at least one of the multiple operation buttons 4a may be replaced with a software button displayed on the touch panel display, and the operation unit 4 may not include multiple operation buttons 4a. In addition, the reading device 1 may not include a display unit 3.

The housing 2 is provided with plate storage cases 6 and 7 capable of storing, for example, an imaging plate 10. The plate storage cases 6 and 7 are provided, for example, on the top surface of the housing 2. The plate storage case 6 is a case with a partition, and the plate storage case 7 is a case with a lid. The reading device 1 does not need to be provided with at least one of the plate storage cases 6 and 7.

A cable 5a of an AC adapter 5 extends from the housing 2 toward the outside. Power is supplied to each component of the reading device 1 from the AC adapter 5. The reading device 1 may be equipped with not only the AC adapter 5 but also a battery that supplies power to each component of the reading device 1. Alternatively, the reading device 1 may be equipped with a battery instead of the AC adapter 5.

<An example of the mechanism inside the housing>
Figures 2 to 5 are schematic diagrams showing an example of the configuration inside the housing 2. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the cross-sectional structure along the arrow A-A in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the cross-sectional structure along the arrow B-B in Figure 3. Figure 6 is a block diagram mainly showing an example of the configuration of a control unit 80 provided in the reading device 1. As will be described later, the holding unit 20 that holds the imaging plate 10 is capable of moving along a predetermined direction DR10 within the housing 2. Figure 3 shows the state in which the imaging plate 10 and the holding unit 20 have moved from the state shown in Figure 2.

As shown in Figures 2 to 6, the reading device 1 includes, for example, a holding unit 20, a light source 30, a detector 40, a driving unit 50, a pair of guide units 60, an erasing light source 70, a control unit 80, and an interface unit 95. These components are provided inside the housing 2.

<About the control unit>
The control unit 80 can be said to be a control circuit, and can comprehensively manage the operation of the reading device 1. The control unit 80 can control, for example, the display unit 3, the holding unit 20, the light source 30, the detector 40, the driving unit 50, the erasing light source 70, and the interface unit 95. The control unit 80 can also perform processing in response to a user operation received by the operation unit 4.

The control unit 80 is configured, for example, by a computer device having at least one processor and a memory unit. The at least one processor in the control unit 80 may include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), or may include a processor other than a CPU. In the control unit 80, the at least one processor executes a program in the memory unit (also called a memory circuit), thereby realizing various functions described below.

In the control unit 80, at least one processor executes a program in the memory unit to form functional blocks, such as an image processing unit 81, a display control unit 82, a drive control unit 83, a retention control unit 84, a detection control unit 85, a light emission control unit 86, and an erasure control unit 87.

The image processing unit 81 can perform image processing on, for example, an image signal (described below) output from the detector 40. The display control unit 82 can control the display of the display unit 3. The drive control unit 83 can control the drive unit 50. The retention control unit 84 can control the retention unit 20. The detection control unit 85 can control the detector 40. The light emission control unit 86 can control the light source 30. The erasure control unit 87 can control the erasure light source 70.

In addition, some functions of the control unit 80 or all functions of the control unit 80 may be realized by a hardware circuit that does not require software (in other words, a program) to realize the function. For example, some functions of the image processing unit 81 or all functions of the image processing unit 81 may be realized by a hardware circuit that does not require software to realize the function. The image processing unit 81 may be an image processing circuit independent of other configurations. In addition, some functions of the display control unit 82 or all functions of the display control unit 82 may be realized by a hardware circuit that does not require software to realize the function. The display control unit 82 may be a display control circuit independent of other configurations. In addition, some functions of the drive control unit 83 or all functions of the drive control unit 83 may be realized by a hardware circuit that does not require software to realize the function. The drive control unit 83 may be a drive control circuit independent of other configurations. In addition, some functions of the retention control unit 84 or all functions of the retention control unit 84 may be realized by a hardware circuit that does not require software to realize the function. The retention control unit 84 may be a display control circuit independent of other configurations. In addition, some functions of the detection control unit 85 or all functions of the detection control unit 85 may be realized by a hardware circuit that does not require software to realize the function. The detection control unit 85 may be a detection control circuit independent of the other components. In addition, some functions of the light emission control unit 86 or all of the functions of the light emission control unit 86 may be realized by a hardware circuit that does not require software to realize the function. The light emission control unit 86 may be a light emission control circuit independent of the other components. In addition, some functions of the erase control unit 87 or all of the functions of the erase control unit 87 may be realized by a hardware circuit that does not require software to realize the function. The erase control unit 87 may be an erase control circuit independent of the other components.

<Interface section>
The interface unit 95 can communicate with a device outside the housing 2 (hereinafter, also referred to as an external device), and can be called an interface circuit, a communication circuit, or a communication unit. The external device may include a personal computer, a mobile phone such as a smartphone, or other computer device. The external device may also include a data recording medium (e.g., a flash memory) that is detachable from the reading device 1. The interface unit 95 can receive a signal from the external device and input the received signal to the control unit 80. The interface unit 95 can also transmit a signal from the control unit 80 to the external device. For example, the interface unit 95 can transmit an image signal that has been image-processed in the image processing unit 81 of the control unit 80 to the external device. The interface unit 95 may perform wired communication with the external device or may perform wireless communication. The communication between the interface unit 95 and the external device may be compliant with Ethernet, USB (Universal Serial Bus), WiFi, or other standards.

<Regarding the holding part>
The holding unit 20 holds the imaging plate 10 inserted through the insertion opening 2a of the housing 2. The holding unit 20 includes, for example, a support plate 21 that supports the imaging plate 10, and a fixing unit 22 that fixes the position of the imaging plate 10 supported by the support plate 21.

The support plate 21 has a main surface 21a (also called the support surface 21a) that supports the back surface of the imaging plate 10, and a main surface 21b (also called the back surface 21b) opposite to the main surface 21a. The fixing portion 22 has, for example, a plurality of fixing portions 22a that approach the peripheral portion of the imaging plate 10. The fixing portion 22 can also be called a fixing member. The plurality of fixing portions 22a approach the peripheral portion of the imaging plate 10 so as to surround the peripheral portion. This fixes the position (i.e., relative position) and attitude (i.e., relative attitude) of the imaging plate 10 relative to the support plate 21. In this example, for example, two fixing portions 22a approach each of the two long sides of the imaging plate 10, and one fixing portion 22a approaches each of the two short sides of the imaging plate 10.

Each fixed portion 22a can be moved between a close position where it approaches the imaging plate 10 supported by the support plate 21 and a separated position where it is separated from the imaging plate 10 supported by the support plate 21 under the control of the holding control unit 84. With each fixed portion 22a in the separated position, the imaging plate 10 is inserted into the housing 2 through the insertion port 2a and supported by the support plate 21. Thereafter, the position and attitude of the imaging plate 10 are fixed by the fixing portion 22 as each fixed portion 22a moves from the separated position to the close position. When each fixed portion 22a is in the close position, it is in contact with, for example, the peripheral portion of the imaging plate 10.

When at least one of the multiple fixing portions 22a is in the close position, it does not have to be in contact with the peripheral portion of the imaging plate 10. The configuration of the fixing portion 22 is not limited to the above. The configuration of the holding portion 20 is not limited to the above.

<Regarding the drive unit and the pair of guide units>
The driving unit 50 is capable of moving the holding unit 20 along the predetermined direction DR10 under the control of the drive control unit 83. This allows the imaging plate 10 held by the holding unit 20 to also move along the predetermined direction DR10. It can also be said that the driving unit 50 is capable of moving the imaging plate 10 along the predetermined direction DR10 through the holding unit 20.

The pair of guide parts 60 extend along the specified direction DR10 with the holding part 20 sandwiched between them. A groove extending along the specified direction DR10 is formed on the inside of each guide part 60. A pair of opposing side edges of the support plate 21 fit into the inner grooves of the pair of guide parts 60, respectively. This allows the pair of guide parts 60 to guide the movement of the holding part 20 along the specified direction DR10. Note that the configuration of the guide parts 60 is not limited to this.

The drive unit 50 is, for example, configured with a ball screw mechanism having a motor 51, a screw shaft portion 52, and a nut portion 53. The motor 51 is controlled by the drive control unit 83. The screw shaft portion 52 is a rod-shaped member having a screw groove formed around its periphery. The screw shaft portion 52 extends along a predetermined direction DR10 and is rotated by the motor 51. The nut portion 53 is fixed to the holding unit 20. The nut portion 53 is fixed, for example, to the back surface 21b of the support plate 21 of the holding unit 20. The screw shaft portion 52 is screwed into the nut portion 53. The screw shaft portion 52 rotates in the forward or reverse direction according to the rotation of the motor 51 in the forward or reverse direction. The holding unit 20 moves to one side along the predetermined direction DR10 according to the rotation of the screw shaft portion 52 in the forward direction. At this time, the pair of guide portions 60 guide the movement of the holding unit 20 to one side. Meanwhile, the holding unit 20 moves to the other side along the predetermined direction DR10 in response to the rotation of the screw shaft 52 in the reverse direction. At this time, the pair of guide units 60 guide the movement of the holding unit 20 to the other side. The configuration of the drive unit 50 is not limited to this.

The drive unit 50 can move the holding unit 20 holding the imaging plate 10 to a reading start position where reading of the radiation image from the imaging plate 10 starts. Furthermore, when reading of the radiation image from the imaging plate 10 is completed, the drive unit 50 can move the holding unit 20 holding the imaging plate 10 to an erasing position where the radiation image on the imaging plate 10 is erased. Figures 2 and 3 show how the radiation image is read from the imaging plate 10. Figures 4 and 5 show how the radiation image is erased from the imaging plate 10.

<Light source and detector>
6, a light source 30, a light emission control unit 86 that controls the light source 30, a detector 40, and a detection control unit 85 that controls the detector 40 constitute a light measurement device 90 that reads a radiation image from the imaging plate 10. The light source 30, detector 40, detection control unit 85, and light emission control unit 86 that constitute the light measurement device 90 may be housed in a single case and formed as a unit, or they may not be housed in a single case.

The light source 30 can irradiate the imaging plate 10 held by the holder 20 with excitation light L1 to excite the radiation image forming layer 11. The light source 30 emits the excitation light L1 toward the support surface 21a of the holder 20. The light source 30 can scan the imaging plate 10 with the excitation light L1 in one direction (also called the main scanning direction DRm). In this embodiment, the main scanning direction DRm is a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction DR10. In other words, the main scanning direction DRm is a direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the holder 20.

The excitation light L1 is, for example, a visible laser light. The excitation light L1 may be, for example, a red laser light or a laser light of another color. When the excitation light L1 is irradiated onto the radiation image forming layer 11, the radiation image forming layer 11 emits light in accordance with the distribution of energy stored in the radiation image forming layer 11, and emitted light L2 is emitted from the radiation image forming layer 11. The emitted light L2 is also called stimulated emission, and is, for example, blue visible light. The detector 40 detects the emitted light L2 from the imaging plate 10, and outputs an electrical signal according to the intensity of the detected emitted light L2.

The light source 30 has, for example, a laser generating unit that generates and outputs the excitation light L1, and a scanning unit that scans the excitation light L1 on the imaging plate 10 in the main scanning direction DRm. The laser generating unit is, for example, a semiconductor laser, and is controlled by the light emission control unit 86. The laser generating unit may be a laser diode or another semiconductor laser. The scanning unit is, for example, a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) mirror that reflects the excitation light L1 from the laser generating unit toward the radiation image forming layer 11 of the imaging plate 10. The MEMS mirror changes the reflection angle of the excitation light L1 under the control of the light emission control unit 86 so that the irradiation point of the excitation light L1 on the radiation image forming layer 11 moves in the main scanning direction DRm.

The detector 40 includes an optical filter 42 on which the emitted light L2 (see FIG. 3) from the imaging plate 10 is incident, and a sensor 41 that detects the emitted light L2 emitted from the optical filter 42. The sensor 41 is controlled by the detection control unit 85. The optical filter 42 is disposed so as to face the detection surface of the emitted light L2 at the sensor 41. The transmittance (also called the emitted light transmittance) of the optical filter 42 for the emitted light L2 is very high. Therefore, the optical filter 42 transmits the emitted light L2 from the imaging plate 10 sufficiently and emits it to the sensor 41. On the other hand, the transmittance (also called the excitation light transmittance) of the optical filter 42 for the excitation light L1 is lower than the emitted light transmittance. For example, the excitation light transmittance is about 10% of the emitted light transmittance. Therefore, the optical filter 42 attenuates the reflected light of the excitation light L1 at the imaging plate 10 toward the sensor 41. In the present disclosure, the reflected light includes scattered light. Hereafter, simply referring to reflected light means reflected light of excitation light L1.

The sensor 41 is capable of detecting the emitted light L2 transmitted through the optical filter 42 and outputting an electrical signal corresponding to the intensity of the detected emitted light L2. The sensor 41 may be composed of, for example, a plurality of photodiodes or a photomultiplier tube.

In the reading device 1, when a process (also called a reading process) is performed to read a radiation image from the imaging plate 10, the holding unit 20 holding the imaging plate 10 is transported to a reading start position by the driving unit 50. Then, the reading process starts. In the reading process, the light source 30 repeatedly executes a process (also called a main scanning direction scan) of scanning the imaging plate 10 with the excitation light L1 in the main scanning direction DRm on the imaging plate 10 under the control of the light emission control unit 86. On the other hand, in the reading process, the driving unit 50 moves the holding unit 20 holding the imaging plate 10 in one direction DRs (also called a sub-scanning direction DRs) along the predetermined direction DR10. The sub-scanning direction DRs is a direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction DRm. While the holding unit 20 is moving in the sub-scanning direction DRs, the main scanning direction scan is repeatedly executed, so that the excitation light L1 is raster-scanned on the radiation image forming layer 11 of the imaging plate 10. As a result, in the reading process, the entire area of the radiation image forming layer 11 is sequentially irradiated with the excitation light L1, and the entire area of the radiation image forming layer 11 is scanned with the excitation light L1. While the excitation light L1 is raster-scanning the radiation image forming layer 11, the sensor 41 of the detector 40 detects the luminescent light L2 sequentially emitted by the radiation image forming layer 11 in response to the raster scanning, thereby reading a radiation image from the radiation image forming layer 11. The sensor 41 outputs an image signal representing the read radiation image (in other words, the detected radiation image) to the detection control unit 85 as a detection result of the luminescent light L2 during the raster scanning of the excitation light L1. This image signal includes the luminance values (in other words, pixel values) of a plurality of pixels representing the read radiation image. The sensor 41 outputs, for example, a grayscale image signal. Hereinafter, the radiation image read by the detector 40 may be referred to as a detected radiation image.

Here, the scanning in this application will be explained. Raster scanning can refer to a method of obtaining an image of a two-dimensional surface by scanning a two-dimensional object one-dimensionally at a point to obtain a line (scanning line), and then repeating a similar one-dimensional scan at a position shifted by a predetermined number of pixels in the perpendicular direction. If the purpose of obtaining an image of a two-dimensional surface can be achieved, the one-dimensional scan does not have to be a straight line scan, and the shift direction does not have to be a perpendicular direction. In addition, the unit scans do not necessarily have to be in the same direction, and for example, they may be repeated in opposite directions. In this application, each of the scans that are gathered to form an image of a two-dimensional surface, such as the one-dimensional scanning of raster scanning, is called a unit scan, the scanning direction of the unit scan is called the main scanning direction, the direction that intersects the unit scan is called the unit scan cross direction, such as the perpendicular direction of shift in raster scanning, and repeating two-dimensional scanning while shifting the unit scan in the unit scan direction is called unit scan repeated scanning. A scan that moves a unit scan in a direction intersecting the unit scan in order to repeat the unit scan is called a sub-scan, and a unit scan that is performed in a direction intersecting the sub-scan is called a main scan. The main scan direction can be said to be the scanning direction of the main scan, and the sub-scan direction can be said to be the scanning direction of the sub-scan. The scanning employed in the configuration of this application may be a unit scan repetitive scan, but in explaining the embodiment, a raster scan scan will be explained as a representative unit scan repetitive scan.

In this example, when the imaging plate 10 is properly held by the holding unit 20, the short side direction of the imaging plate 10 is parallel to the main scanning direction DRm, and the long side direction of the imaging plate 10 is parallel to the sub-scanning direction DRs, as shown in Figures 2 and 4. Here, the posture of the imaging plate 10 when it is properly held by the holding unit 20 is called the reference posture. In this example, the reference posture is a posture of the imaging plate 10 in which the short side direction of the imaging plate 10 is parallel to the main scanning direction DRm, and the long side direction of the imaging plate 10 is parallel to the sub-scanning direction DRs. Note that the reference posture is not limited to this.

The imaging plate 10 is basically held by the holding part 20 in a reference position. However, if the holding part 20 does not hold the imaging plate 10 properly due to a malfunction of the fixing part 22, the imaging plate 10 may be held by the holding part 20 in a tilted state from the reference position.

In this example, the sensor 41 outputs a larger luminance value, for example, as the intensity of the detected light increases. In the radiation image forming layer 11 of the imaging plate 10, the intensity of the emitted light L2 from a portion where the radiation irradiation intensity is greater and the accumulated energy is greater is greater. Therefore, the luminance value output by the sensor 41 for an image based on the detection of the emitted light L2 from a portion of the radiation image forming layer 11 where the accumulated energy is greater increases.

For example, consider the case where a radiation image of teeth is recorded in the radiation image forming layer 11. In this case, the intensity of the emitted light L2 from the portion of the radiation image forming layer 11 where the radiation image of the teeth is recorded, i.e., the portion irradiated with radiation that has passed through the teeth, is relatively low. Therefore, the luminance value output from the sensor 41 for the portion of the detected radiation image where the teeth are shown is relatively low. On the other hand, the intensity of the emitted light L2 from the portion of the radiation image forming layer 11 that is directly irradiated with radiation (also referred to as the directly irradiated portion) is relatively high. Therefore, the luminance value output from the sensor 41 for the image of the detected radiation image that corresponds to the directly irradiated portion of the radiation image forming layer 11 is relatively high.

In this example, the optical filter 42 attenuates the excitation light L1 but transmits the excitation light L1 to a certain extent. Therefore, the sensor 41 detects not only the luminescent light L2 emitted by the imaging plate 10 but also the reflected light of the excitation light L1 from the imaging plate 10 to a certain extent. Therefore, the luminance value of the detected radiation image output from the sensor 41 includes a luminance value corresponding to the intensity of the detected luminescent light L2 (also called the luminance value corresponding to the emitted light) and a luminance value corresponding to the detected reflected light (also called the luminance value corresponding to the reflected light). The luminance value corresponding to the emitted light is, for example, 10 times or more the luminance value corresponding to the reflected light. Therefore, the detected radiation image based on the image signal output from the detector 40 is not significantly affected by the reflected light and appropriately represents the radiation image recorded on the imaging plate 10.

In this example, the radiation image forming layer 11 of the imaging plate 10 may have partially unexposed portions where energy corresponding to the irradiation of radiation has not been accumulated. For example, when the imaging plate 10 is irradiated with radiation through an object to be photographed, the radiation image forming layer 11 may not be irradiated with radiation at portions that should be irradiated with radiation due to misalignment of the light source that emits radiation, resulting in partially unexposed portions. Such partially unexposed portions may be called cone cuts. In addition, the radiation image may be unintentionally erased from the portion of the radiation image forming layer 11 that has been irradiated with radiation, resulting in partially unexposed portions. For example, the imaging plate 10 that records the radiation image is usually stored covered so that it is not exposed to ambient light. However, if the imaging plate 10 is not properly covered, ambient light may be irradiated to a portion of the radiation image forming layer 11 during storage of the imaging plate 10, causing the radiation image recorded in that portion to be unintentionally erased. In this case as well, the radiation image forming layer 11 will have partially unexposed portions.

Even if the excitation light L1 is irradiated onto the unexposed portion of the imaging plate 10, the luminescence light L2 is not emitted from the unexposed portion. Therefore, when the excitation light L1 is irradiated onto the unexposed portion, the detector 40 detects the reflected light of the excitation light L1 at the unexposed portion without detecting the luminescence light L2. Therefore, the image signal output by the detector 40 may include the luminance values of a plurality of pixels representing the reflected light image of the unexposed portion, that is, the reflected light image based on the detection of the reflected light of the excitation light L1 from the unexposed portion. The overall image based on the image signal output by the detector 40 as the detection result of the luminescence light L2 and the reflected light may include not only the detected radiation image based on the detection of the luminescence light L2, but also the reflected light image of the unexposed portion (also called the unexposed region image). The luminance value of the detected radiation image output by the detector 40 is, for example, 10 times or more the luminance value of the unexposed region image output by the detector 40.

In this example, in the reading process, the excitation light L1 is irradiated not only to the imaging plate 10 but also to the portion of the holding unit 20 outside the imaging plate 10. Here, the object irradiated with the excitation light L1 in the reading device 1 is called the irradiation object 1200. In this example, the irradiation object 1200 is composed of the holding unit 20 and the imaging plate 10 held by the holding unit 20. In addition, the main surface 1200a on the support surface 21a side of the irradiation object 1200 is called the support side main surface 1200a. In this example, the support side main surface 1200a includes the surface of the radiation image forming layer 11 of the imaging plate 10, the surface of the fixing unit 22 of the holding unit 20, and the area of the support surface 21a of the support plate 21 of the holding unit 20 that is not covered by the imaging plate 10 and the fixing unit 22. In addition, the region R100 in which the imaging plate 10 exists in the support side main surface 1200a is called the IP existence region R100. The main surface of the irradiation object 1200 opposite the support side main surface 1200a coincides with the back surface 21b of the support plate 21.

In this example, the irradiation range R120 of the excitation light L1 on the support side main surface 1200a during the reading process (also referred to as the excitation light irradiation range) includes the IP presence region R100 but is larger than it. The excitation light irradiation range R120 can also be said to be the scanning range of the excitation light L1 during the reading process. In addition, the detection range R110 on the support side main surface 1200a of the detector 40 during the reading process also includes the IP presence region R100 but is larger than it.

Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an excitation light irradiation range R120, a detection range R110, and an IP presence region R100. The imaging plate 10 is omitted from Figure 7 and Figures 8 and 9 described below. As shown in Figure 7, the excitation light irradiation range R120 and the detection range R110 each include the IP presence region R100, but are larger than the IP presence region R100. The excitation light irradiation range R120 and the detection range R110 are, for example, the same size as each other and exist at the same position as each other. Note that, for convenience of explanation, in Figure 7, the excitation light irradiation range R120 is shown slightly larger than the detection range R110.

In the reading process, the light source 30 repeatedly scans in the main scanning direction while the holding unit 20 holding the imaging plate 10 moves in the sub-scanning direction DRs, so that the excitation light L1 is raster scanned in the excitation light irradiation range R120. The sensor 41 then sequentially outputs luminance values according to the irradiation position of the excitation light L1 in the detection range R110 in response to the raster scanning of the excitation light L1.

Here, the area on the support side main surface 1200a that is outside the IP presence region R100 and inside the excitation light irradiation range R120 and detection range R110 is called the IP outer region R130. In this example, the excitation light irradiation range R120 and the detection range R110 include the IP presence region R100 but are larger than the IP presence region R100, so the sensor 41 detects the reflected light of the excitation light L1 from the IP outer region R130. The IP outer region R130 includes, for example, at least a part of the surface of the fixing portion 22 and at least a part of the area of the support surface 21a of the support plate 21 that is not covered by the imaging plate 10 and the fixing portion 22. The IP outer region R130 is included in the surface of the holding portion 20, specifically, in the main surface of the holding portion 20 on the imaging plate 10 side.

Even if the excitation light L1 is irradiated onto the IP outer region R130, the emission light L2 is not emitted from the IP outer region R130. Therefore, when the excitation light L1 is irradiated onto the IP outer region R130, the detector 40 detects the reflected light of the excitation light L1 from the IP outer region R130 without detecting the emission light L2. Therefore, in the reading process, the image signal output by the detector 40 as the detection result of the emission light L2 and the reflected light includes the luminance values of a plurality of pixels representing the reflected light image of the IP outer region R130, that is, the reflected light image based on the detection of the reflected light of the excitation light L1 from the IP outer region R130. In this example, the overall image based on the image signal output by the detector 40 (also referred to as the acquired overall image) includes not only the detected radiation image but also the reflected light image of the IP outer region R130. When the imaging plate 10 includes an unexposed portion, the acquired overall image includes the detected radiation image, the unexposed region image, and the reflected light image of the IP outer region R130. Hereinafter, the reflected light image of the IP outer region R130 may be referred to as the IP outer region image.

In this example, the IP outer region R130 is treated to make the excitation light L1 less likely to be reflected. For example, the IP outer region R130 is black anodized. This makes it more difficult for the detector 40 to detect the reflected light of the excitation light L1 in the IP outer region R130 than the reflected light of the excitation light L1 in the unexposed portion of the imaging plate 10. In this example, the black anodized treatment makes it so that the excitation light L1 is hardly reflected in the IP outer region R130. The brightness value of the unexposed region image output by the detector 40 is, for example, three times or more the brightness value of the IP outer region image output by the detector 40. The black anodized treatment may also be performed on regions of the surface of the holding unit 20 other than the IP outer region R130. For example, the black anodized treatment may be performed on the entire surface of the holding unit 20.

The relationship between the excitation light irradiation range R120, the detection range R110, and the IP presence region R100 is not limited to the above example. Figures 8 and 9 are schematic diagrams showing other examples of the excitation light irradiation range R120, the detection range R110, and the IP presence region R100. In the example of Figure 8, the excitation light irradiation range R120 includes the detection range R110 and the IP presence region R100, but is larger than the detection range R110 and the IP presence region R100. In the example of Figure 9, the detection range R110 includes the excitation light irradiation range R120 and the IP presence region R100, but is larger than the excitation light irradiation range R120 and the IP presence region R100.

In the example of FIG. 9, the detection range R110 includes an area on the support side main surface 1200a other than the excitation light irradiation range R120 (also called the out-of-irradiation range area). Therefore, the image signal output by the detector 40 also includes a luminance value corresponding to the out-of-irradiation range area, but this luminance value is zero. In this case, the detector 40 may output an image signal that does not include a luminance value corresponding to the out-of-irradiation range area.

<About the erasing light source>
In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6, the erasing light source 70 and the erasing control unit 87 controlling the erasing light source 70 constitute an erasing unit 91 that performs an erasing process for erasing a radiation image from the imaging plate 10. The erasing light source 70 and the erasing control unit 87 constituting the erasing unit 91 may be housed in a single case and unitized, or may not be housed in a single case. The erasing light source 70 is capable of irradiating the imaging plate 10 with erasing light L3 for erasing a radiation image from the imaging plate 10. The erasing light source L3 is, for example, visible light. The erasing light L3 may be white light, red visible light, or other color visible light. The erasing light source 70 may be an LED (Light Emission Diode), a halogen lamp, or other light source.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the erasing light source 70 can irradiate the entire area of the radiation image forming layer 11 of the imaging plate 10 with the erasing light L3, for example, in one irradiation. In the erasing process, the radiation image forming layer 11 is irradiated with the erasing light L3, thereby erasing the radiation image from the radiation image forming layer 11.

When the reading process is completed, the drive unit 50 moves the holding unit 20, which holds the imaging plate 10, to the erasing position. When the holding unit 20 moves to the erasing position, the erasing unit 91 performs the erasing process. In the erasing process, the erasing light source 70, under the control of the erasing control unit 87, irradiates the entire area of the radiation image forming layer 11 of the imaging plate 10 with erasing light L3. This erases the radiation image from the imaging plate 10.

When the radiation image is erased from the imaging plate 10, the drive unit 50 moves the holding unit 20 to the ejection position. When the holding unit 20 moves to the ejection position, each fixed portion 22a of the holding unit 20 moves from the approach position to the separated position. Thereafter, the imaging plate 10 from which the radiation image has been erased is ejected to the outlet 2b. Hereinafter, the term "erased imaging plate 10" refers to an imaging plate 10 from which the radiation image has been erased.

<Image Processing Unit>
The image processing unit 81 of the control unit 80 receives the image signal output from the sensor 41 through the detection control unit 85. The image processing unit 81 associates pixel position information with each of a plurality of luminance values included in the image signal from the sensor 41. The pixel position information associated with a certain luminance value is information indicating the position (also referred to as pixel position) of a pixel having the certain luminance value in the acquired overall image.

Here, in the reading process, the drive unit 50 moves the holding unit 20 in the sub-scanning direction DRs in accordance with the repetition of the main scanning direction scan. Specifically, while the main scanning direction scan is performed a predetermined number of times, the drive unit 50 moves the holding unit 20 in the sub-scanning direction DRs so that the entire area of the excitation light irradiation range R120 is irradiated with the excitation light L1. Then, the sensor 41 sequentially outputs a luminance value according to the irradiation position of the excitation light L1 in the detection range R110 in accordance with the raster scan of the excitation light L1. Since the reading device 1 operates in this way in the reading process, if the excitation light irradiation range R120, the detection range R110, the time required for one main scanning direction scan, the repetition period of the main scanning direction scan, and the number of times the main scanning direction scan is performed in the reading process are known, it is possible to know at what position in the entire image the luminance value output by the sensor 41 at a certain timing is the luminance value of the pixel. The image processing unit 81 associates pixel position information with each of the multiple luminance values included in the image signal from the sensor 41 based on the excitation light irradiation range R120, the detection range R110, the time required for one main scanning scan, the repetition period of the main scanning scan, and the number of times the main scanning scan is performed in the reading process. Note that the detection control unit 85 may associate pixel position information with each of the multiple luminance values included in the image signal from the sensor 41.

The image processing unit 81 also performs image processing on the image signal from the sensor 41. The image processing unit 81 outputs, for example, the image signal after image processing and pixel position information associated with each luminance value contained therein to the display control unit 82. The display control unit 82 displays the acquired overall image including the detected radiation image on the display unit 3, for example, based on the image signal after image processing and the pixel position information associated with each luminance value of the image signal.

The image processing performed by the image processing unit 81 may include a luminance inversion process. The luminance inversion process is a process in which each luminance value of the image signal before the luminance inversion process is converted so that the larger the luminance value, the smaller the luminance value becomes. Here, the maximum value of the range in which the luminance value can be taken is called the maximum luminance value. For example, a value obtained by subtracting a certain luminance value contained in the image signal before the luminance inversion process from the maximum luminance value becomes the certain luminance value after conversion. By performing the luminance inversion process on the image signal, the luminance value of the radiation image based on the detection of the emission light L2 from a portion of the imaging plate 10 with a small amount of accumulated energy is large in the image signal after the image processing, unlike the image signal before the image processing, and the luminance value of the radiation image based on the detection of the emission light L2 from a portion of the imaging plate 10 with a large amount of accumulated energy is small. Furthermore, in the image signal after the image processing, the luminance value of the unexposed area image and the luminance value of the IP outer area image are larger than the luminance value of the detected radiation image.

The image processing performed by the image processing unit 81 may not include brightness inversion processing, or may include processing other than brightness inversion processing. The image processing may include, for example, offset correction and logarithmic conversion as processing other than brightness inversion processing.

Figures 10 and 11 are schematic diagrams showing an example of an overall image (also called pre-inversion overall image) 100a obtained based on an image signal before brightness inversion processing is performed. Figures 12 and 13 are schematic diagrams showing an example of an overall image (also called post-inversion overall image) 100b obtained based on an image signal after brightness inversion processing is performed. In Figures 10 to 13, the pre-inversion overall image 100a and the post-inversion overall image 100b are shown in grayscale. In Figures 10 to 13, the higher the brightness value of the image, the brighter the image is displayed (in other words, whiter), and the lower the brightness value of the image, the darker the image is displayed (in other words, blacker). The same applies to the figures described below that show images obtained by the reading device 1.

FIG. 10 shows a pre-inversion overall image 100a including a radiation image (in other words, a detected radiation image) 101a based on the detection of the emitted light L2 and an IP outer region image 102a. FIG. 11 shows a pre-inversion overall image 100a including a radiation image 101a, an IP outer region image 102a, and an unexposed region image 103a. FIG. 12 shows a post-inversion overall image 100b including a radiation image 101b and an IP outer region image 102b. FIG. 13 shows a post-inversion overall image 100b including a radiation image 101b, an IP outer region image 102b, and an unexposed region image 103b. In this example, since the detection range R110 of the sensor 41 is rectangular, the shape of the acquired overall image is rectangular, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 13.

When the display control unit 82 causes the display unit 3 to display the inverted overall image 100b based on the image signal after image processing, the display control unit 82 causes the display unit 3 to display the inverted overall image 100b in a grayscale as shown in, for example, FIGS. 12 and 13. FIGS. 12 and 13 can also be said to be diagrams showing display examples of the inverted overall image 100b. When the display control unit 82 causes the display unit 3 to display the pre-inverted overall image 100a based on the image signal before the brightness inversion process, the display control unit 82 causes the display unit 3 to display the pre-inverted overall image 100a in a grayscale as shown in, for example, FIGS. 10 and 11. FIGS. 10 and 11 can also be said to be diagrams showing display examples of the pre-inverted overall image 100a.

<Example of operation of the reading device>
Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the reading device 1. When the imaging plate 10 inserted through the insertion port 2a of the housing 2 is held by the holding unit 20 and the start button included in the operation unit 4 is operated, step s1 in Fig. 14 is executed. The operation of the start button can be said to be an operation to instruct the start of the series of processes shown in Fig. 14.

In step s1, the drive unit 50 moves the holding unit 20 to a reading start position under the control of the drive control unit 83. Next, in step s2, a reading process is performed in which a radiation image is read from the imaging plate 10. Next, in step s3, the drive unit 50 moves the holding unit 20 to an erasing position under the control of the drive control unit 83. Next, in step s4, the erasing light source 70 irradiates the imaging plate 10 with erasing light L3 under the control of the erasing control unit 87, thereby performing an erasing process in which the radiation line image is erased from the imaging plate 10. Next, in step s5, the drive unit 50 moves the holding unit 20 to an ejection position under the control of the drive control unit 83. Next, in step s6, the imaging plate 10 is ejected to the ejection port 2b of the housing 2. Then, in step s7, the display unit 3 displays the acquired overall image under the control of the display control unit 82. In step s7, the display unit 3 displays the inverted overall image in grayscale, for example, as shown in Figures 12 and 13. Note that step s7 may be performed at any time after step s2. For example, step s7 may be performed between steps s3 and s4.

<Identifying the tilt angle of the imaging plate>
The image processing unit 81 may perform, for example, a tilt angle identification process for identifying the tilt angle (also referred to as IP tilt angle) of the imaging plate 10 from a reference attitude. In the tilt angle identification process, the image processing unit 81 identifies the IP tilt angle based on, for example, an image signal output by the detector 40. The image processing unit 81 functions as an identification unit for identifying the IP tilt angle. A specific example of the tilt angle identification process will be described below, but the tilt angle identification process is not limited to the following example.

As described above, the reference posture in this example is a posture of the imaging plate 10 in which the short side direction and the long side direction of the imaging plate 10 are parallel to the main scanning direction DRm and the sub-scanning direction DRs, respectively. If the holding unit 20 does not hold the imaging plate 10 properly, when the imaging plate 10 held by the holding unit 20 is viewed from its front side, as shown in FIG. 15, the long side direction (also called the IP long side direction) of the imaging plate 10 may be inclined relative to the sub-scanning direction DRs, causing the imaging plate 10 to be inclined relative to the reference posture. In other words, the short side direction (also called the IP short side direction) of the imaging plate 10 may be inclined relative to the main scanning direction DRm, causing the imaging plate 10 to be inclined relative to the reference posture. In FIG. 15, the imaging plate 10 in the reference posture is shown by a dashed line.

In this example, the IP tilt angle, i.e., the tilt angle of the imaging plate 10 from the reference position, coincides with the tilt angle of the IP long side direction relative to the sub-scanning direction DRs. In other words, the IP tilt angle coincides with the tilt angle of the IP short side direction relative to the main scanning direction DRm.

On the other hand, the longitudinal direction of the detection range R110 of the sensor 41 (see FIG. 7, etc.) corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the acquired overall image based on the image signal from the sensor 41. In this example, since the longitudinal direction of the detection range R110 is parallel to the sub-scanning direction DRs, it can be said that the longitudinal direction of the acquired overall image corresponds to the sub-scanning direction DRs. Therefore, when the posture of the imaging plate 10 is the reference posture, the longitudinal direction of the acquired overall image and the longitudinal direction of the part of the acquired overall image that corresponds to the imaging plate 10 (also called the IP-equivalent part) coincide with each other. On the other hand, when the imaging plate 10 is tilted with respect to the reference posture, the longitudinal direction of the IP-equivalent part of the acquired overall image will be tilted with respect to the longitudinal direction of the acquired overall image. In other words, when the imaging plate 10 is tilted with respect to the reference posture, the short side direction of the IP-equivalent part included in the acquired overall image will be tilted with respect to the short side direction of the acquired overall image.

Figure 16 is a diagram showing an example of a pre-inversion overall image 100a obtained when the imaging plate 10 is tilted with respect to the reference posture. In the example of Figure 16, the longitudinal direction of the IP-equivalent portion 105a included in the pre-inversion overall image 100a is tilted with respect to the longitudinal direction of the pre-inversion overall image 100a. The tilt angle of the longitudinal direction of the IP-equivalent portion 105a with respect to the longitudinal direction of the pre-inversion overall image 100a coincides with the IP tilt angle.

Thus, in this example, the tilt angle of the IP-equivalent portion in the longitudinal direction relative to the longitudinal direction of the acquired overall image coincides with the IP tilt angle. Therefore, the image processing unit 81 determines the tilt angle of the IP-equivalent portion in the longitudinal direction relative to the longitudinal direction of the acquired overall image based on the image signal from the sensor 41. The image processing unit 81 then sets the determined tilt angle as the IP tilt angle. The operation of this image processing unit 81 is described in detail below.

In the tilt angle identification process, the image processing unit 81 binarizes the pre-inversion overall image based on the image signal before the brightness inversion process (also called the pre-inversion image signal) to generate a binary image. The image processing unit 81 first compares each brightness value of the pre-inversion overall image contained in the pre-inversion image signal with a preset threshold value. Then, for each brightness value of the pre-inversion overall image, the image processing unit 81 replaces brightness values equal to or greater than the threshold value with "1" and brightness values less than the threshold value with "0". In this way, the pre-inversion overall image is binarized to obtain a binary image.

The threshold value used in the binarization is set to, for example, a value that is greater than the luminance value of the IP outer region image contained in the image signal before inversion and less than the luminance value of the unexposed region image contained in the image signal before inversion. For example, consider a case where the luminance value of the IP outer region image contained in the image signal before inversion is 1000, and the luminance value of the unexposed region image contained in the image signal before inversion is 3000. In this case, the threshold value is set to, for example, 2000. The threshold value is set, for example, based on the image signal before inversion obtained by the reading device 1 before actual operation, and is stored in advance in the image processing unit 81 of the reading device 1. Note that since the luminance value of the detected radiation image contained in the image signal before inversion is greater than the luminance value of the unexposed region image contained in the image signal before inversion (see FIG. 11), the threshold value is smaller than the luminance value of the detected radiation image contained in the image signal before inversion.

By setting the threshold value as described above, in the binary image, each brightness value of the part corresponding to the IP outer area becomes "0". Furthermore, regardless of whether the imaging plate 10 includes an unexposed part, in the binary image, each brightness value of the part corresponding to the imaging plate 10 becomes "1".

Figure 17 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a binary image 500. Figure 17 shows a binary image 500 obtained by binarizing the pre-inversion overall image 100a shown in Figure 16. In Figure 17, in the binary image 500, an area (also called a high brightness area) 501 with a brightness value of "1" is shown in white, and an area (also called a low brightness area) 502 with a brightness value of "0" is shown in black. As can be seen from Figure 17, in the binary image 500, the high brightness area 501 corresponds to the imaging plate 10, and the low brightness area 502 corresponds to the IP outer area. The outer shape of the high brightness area 501 corresponds to the outer shape of the imaging plate 10.

Here, the high-luminance region 501 included in the binarized image 500 corresponds to the IP-equivalent portion 105a included in the pre-inversion overall image 100a. In the tilt angle identification process, the image processing unit 81 performs principal component analysis using the positions of multiple pixels that make up the high-luminance region 501 included in the generated binarized image 500 as analysis target data, and determines the first principal component axis for the analysis target data.

In the principal component analysis, the image processing unit 81 determines the center of gravity 501a (see FIG. 17) of the high-brightness region 501 included in the binarized image 500. Then, as shown in FIG. 17, the image processing unit 81 sets an XY coordinate system with the center of gravity 501a as the origin for the binarized image 500. At this time, the X axis is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the pre-inversion overall image 100a, and the Y axis is parallel to the lateral direction of the pre-inversion overall image 100a. As will be described later, the image processing unit 81 rotates the XY coordinate system around the center of gravity 501a. In this example, the clockwise rotation angle of the XY coordinate system is positive, and the counterclockwise rotation angle of the XY coordinate system is negative. The orientation of the XY coordinate system in which the X axis is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the pre-inversion overall image 100a and the Y axis is parallel to the lateral direction of the pre-inversion overall image 100a is called the initial orientation.

When the image processing unit 81 sets the XY coordinate system of the initial posture for the binarized image 500, it calculates the length L of the perpendicular line drawn from the position 510 of each pixel constituting the high-brightness region 501 to the Y axis. Next, the image processing unit 81 calculates the variance of the lengths L calculated for each of the pixels constituting the high-brightness region 501. This variance is called the variance at the initial posture.

The image processing unit 81 rotates the XY coordinate system from the initial posture to the clockwise 520R about the center of gravity 501a, for example, by 0.1 degrees, and performs clockwise processing to obtain the variance of multiple lengths L in the same manner every time the XY coordinate system is rotated by 0.1 degrees. In the clockwise processing, the image processing unit 81 finally rotates the XY coordinate system to the clockwise 520R, for example, by 90 degrees. The image processing unit 81 also rotates the XY coordinate system from the initial posture to the counterclockwise 520L about the center of gravity 501a, for example, by 0.1 degrees, and performs counterclockwise processing to obtain the variance of multiple lengths L in the same manner every time the XY coordinate system is rotated by 0.1 degrees. In the counterclockwise processing, the image processing unit 81 finally rotates the XY coordinate system to the counterclockwise 520L, for example, by 90 degrees.

When the image processing unit 81 executes the clockwise and counterclockwise processes, it identifies the minimum value among the multiple variances obtained in the clockwise and counterclockwise processes and the variance at the initial posture. Then, the image processing unit 81 sets the Y axis of the XY coordinate system when the identified minimum value is obtained as the first principal component axis. It can be said that the first principal component axis is an axis that minimizes the variance of the length of the perpendicular line drawn from the positions of the multiple pixels that make up the high-luminance region 501 to it. Hereinafter, the axis that is perpendicular to the first principal component axis and passes through the center of gravity 501a may be referred to as the second principal component axis. In addition, the XY coordinate system when the minimum value is obtained among the multiple variances obtained in the clockwise and counterclockwise processes and the variance at the initial posture may be referred to as the XY coordinate system of the minimum variance posture.

Figure 18 is a schematic diagram showing the first principal component axis 551 obtained from the binarized image 500 shown in Figure 17. In Figure 18, the Y axis of the XY coordinate system of the initial posture is shown by a dashed line. As shown in Figure 18, the first principal component axis 551 coincides with the longitudinal direction of the high brightness region 501. When the image processing unit 81 obtains the first principal component axis 551, it obtains a rotation angle α from the initial posture for an XY coordinate system having a Y axis that coincides with the first principal component axis 551, that is, the XY coordinate system of the minimum variance posture. Then, the image processing unit 81 sets the obtained rotation angle α as the inclination angle α of the longitudinal direction of the IP-equivalent part relative to the longitudinal direction of the acquired overall image. The Y axis of the XY coordinate system of the initial posture corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the acquired overall image, and the first principal component axis 551 (in other words, the Y axis of the XY coordinate system of the minimum variance posture) corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the IP-equivalent part included in the acquired overall image. Therefore, the rotation angle α can be said to be the tilt angle of the longitudinal direction of the IP-equivalent portion relative to the longitudinal direction of the acquired overall image. When the XY coordinate system of the minimum variance orientation is obtained by clockwise processing, the rotation angle α indicates a positive value, and when the XY coordinate system of the minimum variance orientation is obtained by counterclockwise processing, the rotation angle α indicates a negative value. And, when the XY coordinate system of the minimum variance orientation coincides with the XY coordinate system of the initial orientation, the rotation angle α is zero.

When the image processing unit 81 determines the tilt angle α of the longitudinal direction of the IP-equivalent portion relative to the longitudinal direction of the acquired overall image from the binary image 500 of the acquired overall image as described above, the determined tilt angle α is set as the IP tilt angle α. When the imaging plate 10 is viewed in plan from its front side, if the IP tilt angle α is positive, the imaging plate 10 is tilted clockwise with respect to the reference position, and if the IP tilt angle α is negative, the imaging plate 10 is tilted counterclockwise with respect to the reference position. Hereinafter, when referring to the tilt of the imaging plate 10, simply "clockwise" means clockwise when the imaging plate 10 is viewed from its front side, and simply "counterclockwise" means counterclockwise when the imaging plate 10 is viewed from its front side.

The above-described tilt angle identification process may be executed as part of the series of processes shown in FIG. 14, or may be executed at a different timing from the processes shown in FIG. 14. The IP tilt angle determined by the image processing unit 81 may be displayed on the display unit 3. At this time, the display unit 3 may display the IP tilt angle simultaneously with the acquired overall image, for example, in step s7, or may display the IP tilt angle when the acquired overall image is not displayed.

In this way, in this example, the image processing unit 81 determines the IP tilt angle based on the image signal that is the detection result of the emitted light L2 and reflected light from the imaging plate 10, and therefore can appropriately determine the IP tilt angle.

For example, consider a case where the sensor 41 cannot detect reflected light and the imaging plate 10 includes an unexposed portion. In this case, the brightness values of the unexposed area image and the IP outside area image included in the pre-inversion overall image based on the image signal from the sensor 41 are zero. Therefore, in the binarized image 500 obtained by binarizing the pre-inversion overall image, the brightness values of the parts corresponding to the unexposed area image and the IP outside area image are all "0", and the parts corresponding to the unexposed area image and the IP outside area image are all low brightness areas 502. Therefore, when the imaging plate 10 includes an unexposed portion, the high brightness area 501 of the binarized image 500 does not include a part corresponding to the unexposed portion, and the high brightness area 501 does not correspond to the IP-equivalent part included in the pre-inversion overall image. In other words, when the imaging plate 10 includes an unexposed portion, the outer shape of the high brightness area 501 does not correspond to the outer shape of the imaging plate 10. Therefore, when the image processing unit 81 performs principal component analysis on the high-brightness region 501, it may not be able to determine the first principal component axis corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the imaging plate 10, and may not be able to properly determine the inclination angle of the longitudinal direction of the IP-equivalent portion relative to the longitudinal direction of the acquired overall image.

In contrast, in this example, the sensor 41 can detect the reflected light to a certain extent, and the image processing unit 81 binarizes the pre-inversion overall image based on the image signal as the detection result of the emitted light L2 from the imaging plate 10 and the reflected light to generate the binarized image 500. Therefore, in the binarized image 500, even if the imaging plate 10 includes an unexposed portion, the high-brightness region 501 corresponds to the IP-equivalent portion included in the pre-inversion overall image, as shown in Figures 17 and 18. In other words, the outline of the high-brightness region 501 is shaped according to the outline of the imaging plate 10. As a result, when the image processing unit 81 performs a principal component analysis on the high-brightness region 501, it can determine the first principal component axis corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the imaging plate 10, and can appropriately determine the longitudinal inclination angle of the IP-equivalent portion relative to the longitudinal direction of the acquired overall image. Therefore, the image processing unit 81 can appropriately identify the IP inclination angle.

<Identifying the size of the imaging plate>
The image processing unit 81 may perform, for example, a size specification process for specifying the size (also referred to as IP size) of the imaging plate 10. In the size specification process, the image processing unit 81 specifies the IP size based on, for example, an image signal output by the detector 40. The image processing unit 81 functions as a specification unit for specifying the IP size. A specific example of the size specification process will be described below, but the size specification process is not limited to the following example.

The image processing unit 81, for example, binarizes the pre-inversion overall image based on the pre-inversion image signal in the same manner as described above to generate a binary image 500. The image processing unit 81 then identifies the IP size based on the generated binary image 500. For example, the image processing unit 81 numerically identifies the longitudinal size of the imaging plate 10 (also called the longitudinal size) and the lateral size of the imaging plate 10 (also called the lateral size).

When identifying the IP size, the image processing unit 81 performs principal component analysis using the positions of multiple pixels that make up the high-luminance region 501 contained in the binarized image 500 as the data to be analyzed in the same manner as described above, and determines a first principal component axis 551 for the data to be analyzed. Then, the image processing unit 81 determines a second principal component axis 552 that is perpendicular to the first principal component axis 551 and passes through the center of gravity 501a.

Figure 19 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the first principal component axis 551 and the second principal component axis 552. Figure 19 shows a binarized image 500 obtained by binarizing the pre-inversion overall image 100a shown in Figure 10 above, and the first principal component axis 551 and the second principal component axis 552 calculated based on the binarized image 500. The first principal component axis 551 is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the high-luminance region 501 corresponding to the imaging plate 10. The second principal component axis 552 is parallel to the transverse direction of the high-luminance region 501.

As shown in FIG. 19, the image processing unit 81 obtains the number of pixels (also called the number of pixels in the long direction) N1 along the first principal component axis 551 of the high-luminance region 501. The image processing unit 81 also obtains the number of pixels (also called the number of pixels in the short direction) N2 along the second principal component axis 552 of the high-luminance region 501. The image processing unit 81 then obtains the long side size of the imaging plate 10 based on the number of pixels in the long direction N1, and obtains the short side size of the imaging plate 10 based on the number of pixels in the short direction N2.

Here, in this example, a square area with sides of M mm in the detection range R110 of the sensor 41 corresponds to one pixel of the acquired overall image and the binary image 500. M mm is, for example, approximately 0.03 mm. The image processing unit 81 multiplies M mm by the number of pixels in the longitudinal direction N1 to obtain the length that is the longitudinal size of the imaging plate 10. The image processing unit 81 also multiplies M mm by the number of pixels in the transverse direction N2 to obtain the length that is the transverse size of the imaging plate 10. Hereinafter, the longitudinal size and transverse size of the imaging plate 10 that the image processing unit 81 has obtained may be referred to as the specific longitudinal size and the specific transverse size, respectively.

In the size determination process, the image processing unit 81 may numerically determine the area of the main surface of the imaging plate 10 (also referred to as the main surface area). In this case, the image processing unit 81 may determine the value obtained by multiplying the total number of pixels constituting the high-luminance region 501 by the square of M mm as the main surface area of the imaging plate 10. The main surface area can be said to be the area of the front surface of the imaging plate 10, or the area of the back surface of the imaging plate 10. Hereinafter, the main surface area determined by the image processing unit 81 for the imaging plate 10 may be referred to as the specific main surface area or specific area.

Figures 20 and 21 are diagrams showing an example of a specific long side size, a specific short side size, and a specific main surface area. Figure 20 shows the long side size, the short side size, and the main surface area determined based on the binarized image 500 of the pre-inversion overall image 100a shown in Figure 10 described above. Figure 21 shows the long side size, the short side size, and the main surface area determined based on the binarized image 500 of the pre-inversion overall image 100a shown in Figure 11 described above.

Here, Figs. 10 and 11 show a pre-inversion overall image 100a obtained by irradiating excitation light L1 onto an imaging plate 10 that is slightly tilted from a reference posture. Fig. 20 also shows the IP tilt angle determined from a binarized image 500 of the pre-inversion overall image 100a shown in Fig. 10, and Fig. 21 also shows the IP tilt angle determined from a binarized image 500 of the pre-inversion overall image 100a shown in Fig. 11.

20 and 21, the specific longitudinal size, specific transverse size, and specific main surface area when the pre-inversion overall image 100a does not include the unexposed region image 103a are substantially the same as the specific longitudinal size, specific transverse size, and specific main surface area when the pre-inversion overall image 100a includes the unexposed region image 103a. The image processing unit 81 can appropriately determine the longitudinal size, transverse size, and main surface area of the imaging plate 10, regardless of whether the pre-inversion overall image 100a includes the unexposed region image 103a.

The image processing unit 81 may identify the type of size of the imaging plate 10 in the size identification process. In this example, multiple sizes are prepared as the size of the imaging plate 10. In the reading device 1, the holding unit 20 is capable of holding each of the multiple sizes of the imaging plate 10. Then, the reading device 1 can read radiation images from each of the multiple sizes of the imaging plate 10.

Figure 22 shows an example of the different sizes of the imaging plate 10 (also called the different IP sizes). For example, four different IP sizes are available: size 0, size 1, size 2, and size 3. Here, the short side size and long side size of the imaging plate 10 for each size type are called the nominal short side size and nominal long side size, respectively.

The nominal short side size and nominal long side size of size 0 are 22 mm and 31 mm, respectively. The nominal short side size and nominal long side size of size 1 are 24 mm and 40 mm, respectively. The nominal short side size and nominal long side size of size 2 are 31 mm and 41 mm, respectively. And the nominal short side size and nominal long side size of size 3 are 27 mm and 54 mm, respectively. The value obtained by multiplying the nominal short side size and the nominal long side size is called the nominal main surface area or nominal area.

The image processing unit 81 identifies the size type of the imaging plate 10 based on, for example, the specific short side size, specific long side size, and specific main surface area of the imaging plate 10. For example, if the specific short side size is close to the nominal short side size of size 0, the specific long side size is close to the nominal long side size of size 0, and the specific area is close to the nominal area of size 0, the image processing unit 81 determines that the IP size type is size 0.

The image processing unit 81 determines whether the specific short-side size is close to the nominal short-side size of size 0, for example, using a first threshold value that is slightly smaller than the nominal short-side size of size 0 and a second threshold value that is slightly larger than the nominal short-side size of size 0. For example, if the specific short-side size is larger than the first threshold value and smaller than the second threshold value, the image processing unit 81 determines that the specific short-side size is close to the nominal short-side size of size 0.

The image processing unit 81 also determines whether the specific longitudinal size is close to the nominal longitudinal size of size 0, for example, using a third threshold value that is slightly smaller than the nominal longitudinal size of size 0 and a fourth threshold value that is slightly larger than the nominal longitudinal size of size 0. For example, if the specific longitudinal size is larger than the third threshold value and smaller than the fourth threshold value, the image processing unit 81 determines that the specific longitudinal size is close to the nominal longitudinal size of size 0.

The image processing unit 81 also determines whether the specific area is close to the nominal area of size 0, for example, using a fifth threshold value that is slightly smaller than the nominal area of size 0 and a sixth threshold value that is slightly larger than the nominal area of size 0. For example, if the specific area is larger than the fifth threshold value and smaller than the sixth threshold value, the image processing unit 81 determines that the specific area is close to the nominal area of size 0.

Similarly, the image processing unit 81 determines that the IP size type is size 1, for example, if the specific short side size is close to the nominal short side size of size 1, the specific long side size is close to the nominal long side size of size 1, and the specific main surface area is close to the nominal main surface area of size 1.

Similarly, the image processing unit 81 determines that the IP size type is size 2, for example, if the specific short side size is close to the nominal short side size of size 2, the specific long side size is close to the nominal long side size of size 2, and the specific main surface area is close to the nominal main surface area of size 2.

Similarly, the image processing unit 81 determines that the IP size type is size 3 if, for example, the specific short side size is close to the nominal short side size of size 3, the specific long side size is close to the nominal long side size of size 3, and the specific main surface area is close to the nominal main surface area of size 3.

Note that Figures 10 and 11 show a pre-inversion overall image 100a obtained by irradiating an imaging plate 10 of size 2 with excitation light L1. Therefore, the specific short side size and specific long side size shown in Figures 21 and 22 are close to the nominal short side size and nominal long side size of an imaging plate 10 of size 2, respectively. Therefore, when the type of IP size is identified based on the pre-inversion overall image 100a shown in Figures 10 and 11, size 3 is identified.

The size specification process as described above may be executed in the series of processes shown in FIG. 14, or may be executed at a different timing from the process shown in FIG. 14. The display unit 3 may display, for example, at least one of the types of short side size, long side size, main surface area, and IP size specified by the image processing unit 81. In this case, the display unit 3 may display at least one of the types of short side size, long side size, main surface area, and IP size simultaneously with the overall image acquired in step s7, for example, or when the overall image acquired is not displayed. The display unit 3 may display at least one of the types of short side size, long side size, main surface area, and IP size simultaneously with the IP inclination angle, or when the IP inclination angle is not displayed. The display unit 3 may display at least two of the types of short side size, long side size, main surface area, and IP size simultaneously.

In this way, in this example, the image processing unit 81 determines the IP size based on the image signal that is the detection result of the emitted light L2 and reflected light from the imaging plate 10, and therefore can appropriately determine the IP size, similar to the case of determining the IP tilt angle. As described above, even if the imaging plate 10 includes an unexposed portion, the high brightness area 501 of the binarized image 500 corresponds to the IP-equivalent portion of the pre-inversion overall image, and therefore the image processing unit 81 can appropriately determine the short side size, long side size, and main surface area of the imaging plate 10, and the type of IP size.

Figure 23 is a flowchart showing an example of a series of operations of the image processing unit 81 when the image processing unit 81 identifies the IP tilt angle and IP size. The series of processes shown in Figure 23 may be executed as part of the series of processes shown in Figure 14 described above, or may be executed at a timing separate from the processes shown in Figure 14.

23, in step s11, the image processing unit 81 binarizes the pre-inversion overall image based on the pre-inversion image signal to generate a binarized image 500. Next, in step s12, the image processing unit 81 identifies the main surface area of the imaging plate 10 based on the binarized image 500 as described above. Next, in step s13, the image processing unit 81 performs principal component analysis using the positions of multiple pixels that make up the high-luminance region 501 included in the binarized image 500 as the data to be analyzed, and determines the first principal component axis and the second principal component axis for the data to be analyzed.

Next, in step s14, the image processing unit 81 determines the IP tilt angle and the short-side size and long-side size of the imaging plate 10 based on the binarized image 500, the first principal component axis, and the second principal component axis, as described above. Next, in step s15, the image processing unit 81 determines whether the IP size type is size 3 or not based on the specific short-side size, specific long-side size, and specific area. In step s15, the image processing unit 81 determines that the IP size type is size 3, for example, as described above, if the specific short-side size is close to the nominal short-side size of size 3, the specific long-side size is close to the nominal long-side size of size 3, and the specific area is close to the nominal area of size 3.

If the determination in step s15 is YES, the process shown in FIG. 23 ends. On the other hand, if the determination in step s15 is NO, step s16 is executed. In step s16, the image processing unit 81 determines whether the type of IP size is size 2 based on the specific short side size, the specific long side size, and the specific area. In step s16, the image processing unit 81 determines that the type of IP size is size 2, for example, as described above, if the specific short side size is close to the nominal short side size of size 2, the specific long side size is close to the nominal long side size of size 2, and the specific area is close to the nominal area of size 2.

If the determination in step s16 is YES, the process shown in FIG. 23 ends. On the other hand, if the determination in step s16 is NO, step s17 is executed. In step s17, the image processing unit 81 determines whether the type of IP size is size 1 based on the specific short side size, the specific long side size, and the specific area. In step s17, the image processing unit 81 determines that the type of IP size is size 1 if, for example, as described above, the specific short side size is close to the nominal short side size of size 1, the specific long side size is close to the nominal long side size of size 1, and the specific area is close to the nominal area of size 1.

If the determination in step s17 is YES, the process shown in FIG. 23 ends. On the other hand, if the determination in step s17 is NO, step s18 is executed. In step s18, the image processing unit 81 determines that the IP size type is size 0. After execution of step s18, the process shown in FIG. 23 ends. Note that in step s18, the image processing unit 81 may determine whether the IP size type is size 0 or not based on the specific short side size, specific long side size, and specific area, similar to steps s15 to s17.

In the above example, the image processing unit 81 identifies the type of IP size based on the specific short-side size, the specific long-side size, and the specific area, but it is also possible to identify the type of IP size based on any one of the specific short-side size, the specific long-side size, and the specific area. As shown in FIG. 22, in this example, the nominal short-side size and the nominal long-side size are different between the multiple sizes. Furthermore, the nominal areas are also different between the multiple sizes. The image processing unit 81 may determine the type having the nominal short-side size closest to the specific short-side size among sizes 0 to 3 as the size type of the imaging plate 10. Furthermore, the image processing unit 81 may determine the type having the nominal long-side size closest to the specific long-side size among sizes 0 to 3 as the size type of the imaging plate 10. Furthermore, the image processing unit 81 may determine the type having the nominal area closest to the specific area among sizes 0 to 3 as the size type of the imaging plate 10.

The image processing unit 81 may also determine the type of IP size based on any two of the specific short-side size, the specific long-side size, and the specific area. For example, the image processing unit 81 may determine that the type of IP size is size 1 if the specific short-side size is close to the nominal short-side size of size 1 and the specific long-side size is close to the nominal long-side size of size 1.

In addition, in the size identification process, the longitudinal size of the imaging plate 10 does not have to be identified, the transverse size of the imaging plate 10 does not have to be identified, and the main surface area of the imaging plate 10 does not have to be identified. In addition, in the size identification process, the type of size of the imaging plate 10 does not have to be identified.

<Irradiation of Erased Imaging Plate with Excitation Light>
In the reading device 1, the light source 30 may irradiate the erased imaging plate 10 with excitation light L1, and the detector 40 may detect the reflected light of the excitation light L1 from the erased imaging plate 10 to obtain a reflected light image of the imaging plate 10. In this case, in this example, the detector 40 also detects the reflected light of the excitation light L1 from the IP outer region R130. In this example, the detector 40 detects the reflected light of the excitation light L1 from the erased imaging plate 10 and the IP outer region R130, and outputs an image signal as a result of the detection. An example of the operation of the reading device 1 that irradiates the erased imaging plate 10 with excitation light L1 will be described below.

Hereinafter, like the image signals described up until now, the image signal obtained as the detection result of the emitted light L2 and reflected light when the imaging plate 10 that records the radiation image is held will be referred to as the image signal at the time of emission. Also, like the acquired overall image described up until now, the overall image including the radiation image, that is, the overall image based on the image signal at the time of emission, will be referred to as the overall image at the time of emission. Also, the above-mentioned overall image before inversion and overall image after inversion will be referred to as the overall image at the time of emission before inversion and the overall image at the time of emission after inversion, respectively.

In addition, the image signal as the detection result of reflected light of light when the erased imaging plate 10 is held is called the erased image signal. The overall image based on the erased image signal is called the erased overall image. In this example, the erased overall image includes not only the reflected light image of the imaging plate 10, that is, the reflected light image based on the detection of the reflected light of the excitation light L1 at the imaging plate 10, but also the IP outer region image and does not include a radiation image. The erased overall image can also be said to be the reflected light image of the detection range R110 of the sensor 41. The reflected light image of the imaging plate 10 may be called the IP reflected light image. In the following description, the reading device 1 will be described with the overall image based on the image signal output by the detector 40 as the light detection result as the acquired overall image. In the following description, the acquired overall image is a concept that includes the light emission overall image and the erased overall image.

Figure 24 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the reading device 1 of this example. When the start button included in the operation unit 4 is operated, the reading device 1 executes the above-mentioned steps s1 to s4 as shown in Figure 24. In the reading process of step s2, the detector 40 outputs an emitted image signal as a detection result of the emitted light L2 and the reflected light.

After the erasure process in step s4, in step s21, the drive unit 50 moves the holding unit 20 holding the erased imaging plate 10 to the reading start position. Next, step s22 is executed. In step s22, the light source 30 irradiates the front surface and IP outer region of the erased imaging plate 10 with excitation light L1. Then, the detector 40 detects the reflected light of the excitation light L1 from the front surface and IP outer region of the erased imaging plate 10, and outputs an erasure image signal as the detection result. The erasure image signal is, for example, a grayscale image signal similar to the light emission image signal.

After step s22, the above-mentioned steps s5 and s6 are executed, and the erased imaging plate 10 is discharged to the outlet 2b of the housing 2. Next, in step s27, the display control unit 82 causes the display unit 3 to simultaneously and separately display the overall image at light emission based on the image signal at light emission obtained in step s2, and the overall image at erasure based on the image signal at erasure obtained in step s22. In step s27, the image processing unit 81 displays the overall image at light emission and the overall image at erasure, for example, in grayscale.

Note that step s27 may be executed at any time after step s22. For example, step s27 may be executed between step s22 and step s5. Furthermore, the entire image when light is emitted and the entire image when it is erased do not have to be displayed at the same time. Furthermore, in step s27, the entire image when light is emitted does not have to be displayed. At least one of the size determination process and the tilt angle determination process described above may be executed within the series of processes in FIG. 24, or may be executed at a timing separate from the processes in FIG. 24.

The erased image signal output by detector 40 includes the luminance values of the multiple pixels that make up the IP reflected light image and the luminance values of the multiple pixels that make up the IP outer region image. The luminance value included in the erased image signal indicates a larger value as the intensity of the reflected light detected by detector 40 increases. Therefore, for example, if the intensity of the reflected light in a certain region of the erased imaging plate 10 is high, the luminance of the reflected light image of that certain region included in the erased image signal will be large.

Figure 25 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an overall image 200 at the time of erasure. As shown in Figure 25, the overall image 200 at the time of erasure includes an IP reflected light image 201 and an IP outer area image 202. In the example of Figure 25, the IP reflected light image 201 shows the front surface of the imaging plate 10. Since the IP reflected light image 201 is a portion corresponding to the imaging plate 10 in the overall image 200 at the time of erasure, the IP reflected light image is also referred to as the IP corresponding portion.

The image processing unit 81 performs image processing on the erasure image signal. In this example, the image processing on the erasure image signal is different from the image processing on the light emission image signal, and for example, brightness inversion processing is not performed. Therefore, in the erasure image signal after image processing, similar to the erasure image signal before image processing, if the intensity of reflected light in a certain area of the imaging plate 10 is high, the brightness value of the reflected light image of the certain area will be large. On the other hand, if the intensity of reflected light in a certain area of the imaging plate 10 is low, the brightness value of the reflected light image of the certain area will be small. Hereinafter, the erasure overall image 200 based on the erasure image signal that has been subjected to image processing that does not include brightness inversion processing may be referred to as the pre-inversion erasure overall image 200.

In step s27, the display control unit 82 may, for example, cause the display unit 3 to display the overall image 100b at the time of light emission after inversion and the overall image 200 at the time of erasure before inversion in grayscale. In this case, the display unit 3 may display the overall image 100b at the time of light emission after inversion in grayscale as shown in the above-mentioned Figs. 12 and 13, and display the overall image 200 at the time of erasure before inversion in grayscale as shown in the above-mentioned Fig. 25.

Figures 26 and 27 are schematic diagrams showing an example of how the overall image 100b at the time of post-inversion light emission and the overall image 200 at the time of pre-inversion erasure are displayed on the display surface 3a of the display unit 3. Figure 26 shows the overall image 100b at the time of post-inversion light emission and the overall image 200 at the time of pre-inversion erasure when the imaging plate 10 does not include an unexposed portion. Figure 27 shows the overall image 100b at the time of post-inversion light emission and the overall image 200 at the time of pre-inversion erasure when the imaging plate 10 includes an unexposed portion.

As shown in Figures 26 and 27, the display unit 3 may display the post-inversion light-emission overall image 100b and the pre-inversion erased overall image 200, for example, at the same size or side-by-side. In this example, the display unit 3 displays an image brighter the greater the luminance value of the image, so that in the post-inversion light-emission overall image 100b, for example, the portion showing the teeth and the unexposed area image 103b are displayed brightly. Also, in the pre-inversion erased overall image 200, the portion showing the imaging plate 10 is displayed brightly.

Also, as shown in Figures 26 and 27, the overall image 200 before inversion when the imaging plate 10 includes an unexposed portion is the same as the overall image 200 before inversion when the imaging plate 10 does not include an unexposed portion. The user can check the appearance of the imaging plate 10 from the overall image 200 before inversion when erased (in other words, the overall image when erased) displayed on the display unit 3. Note that the display method of the overall image 100b after inversion when emitting light and the overall image 200 before inversion when erased are not limited to the examples of Figures 26 and 27.

24, the detector 40 detects the emitted light L2 from the imaging plate 10 excited by the excitation light L1 from the light source 30, and outputs an emission image signal as the detection result. After that, after the radiation image is erased from the imaging plate 10, the excitation light L1 is irradiated from the light source 30 onto the erased imaging plate 10, and the detector 40 detects the reflected light of the excitation light L1 from the imaging plate 10. In this way, the reading device 1 can easily obtain both the radiation image recorded on the imaging plate 10 and the reflected light image of the imaging plate 10 using the same light source 30 and the same detector 40.

Furthermore, as in the examples of Figures 26 and 27, when the overall image when light is emitted and the overall image when erased are displayed simultaneously and separately, the user can easily compare the overall image when light is emitted and the overall image when erased. In other words, the user can easily compare the radiation image read from the imaging plate 10 with the external appearance of the imaging plate 10. This allows the user to easily identify, for example, that the imaging plate 10 includes an unexposed portion. This point will be explained below.

When the imaging plate 10 includes an unexposed portion, no radiation image is present in the area of the overall image at the time of emission that corresponds to the unexposed portion. However, it is difficult for the user to determine from the display of the overall image at the time of emission alone whether a radiation image is originally present in the area and a radiation image is not present in the area due to a malfunction of the reading device 1, or whether a radiation image is not present in the area because the imaging plate 10 includes an unexposed portion. In contrast, as in the example of FIG. 27, when the overall image at the time of emission and the overall image at the time of erasure are displayed simultaneously and separately, the user can check the radiation image read from the imaging plate 10 from the display of the overall image at the time of emission, check the appearance of the imaging plate 10 from the display of the overall image at the time of erasure, and compare the two to easily determine that the imaging plate 10 includes an unexposed portion. The user can also easily determine the range of the unexposed portion on the imaging plate 10.

In the above example, the image processing unit 81 determines the IP tilt angle based on the overall image at the time of light emission, but the IP tilt angle may also be determined based on the overall image at the time of erasure (in other words, the reflected light image based on the image signal at the time of erasure). Similarly, the image processing unit 81 may determine the IP size based on the overall image at the time of erasure.

The image processing unit 81 can specify the IP inclination angle and IP size based on the overall image at the time of erasure in the same manner as when specifying the IP inclination angle and IP size based on the overall image at the time of light emission. Specifically, the image processing unit 81 binarizes the overall image at the time of erasure before inversion 200 to generate a binary image. This binary image is sometimes called a second binary image. The threshold value when binarizing the overall image at the time of erasure before inversion 200 is set to be, for example, larger than the luminance value of the IP outer area image 202 included in the overall image at the time of erasure before inversion 200 and smaller than the luminance value of the IP reflected light image 201 included in the overall image at the time of erasure before inversion. As a result, the second binary image becomes similar to the binary image of the overall image at the time of light emission before inversion, and in the second binary image, the area corresponding to the IP outer area becomes a low-luminance area, and the area corresponding to the imaging plate 10 becomes a high-luminance area. The outline of the high-brightness area of the second binarized image corresponds to the outline of the imaging plate 10, even if the imaging plate 10 includes unexposed portions. Based on the second binarized image, the image processing unit 81 can determine the IP tilt angle, the short side size, long side size, and main surface area of the imaging plate 10, and the type of IP size in the same manner as described above.

Figure 28 is a diagram showing the short side size, long side size, main surface area, and IP inclination angle of the imaging plate 10, determined based on a second binarized image obtained by binarizing the overall image 200 at the time of erasure before inversion shown in Figure 25. The overall image 200 at the time of erasure before inversion shown in Figure 25 is an overall image at the time of erasure obtained when excitation light L1 is irradiated onto an imaging plate 10 of size 2. As shown in Figure 28, the short side size and long side size determined from the overall image 200 at the time of erasure before inversion shown in Figure 25 are close to the nominal short side size and nominal long side size of an imaging plate 10 of size 2, respectively.

In this way, even if an erasure image signal representing a reflected light image of the imaging plate 10 is used to determine the IP tilt angle, the IP tilt angle can be appropriately determined in the same way as when an illumination image signal is used. Also, even if an erasure image signal is used to determine the IP size, the IP size can be appropriately determined in the same way as when an illumination image signal is used.

<Correction of the inclination of the IP part>
When the imaging plate 10 is tilted from the reference posture, the IP-equivalent portion is tilted in the acquired overall image, as shown in Fig. 16 and the like. In detail, when the imaging plate 10 is tilted clockwise from the reference posture, the longitudinal direction of the IP-equivalent portion is tilted clockwise with respect to the direction corresponding to the sub-scanning direction DRs in the acquired overall image (the longitudinal direction of the pre-inversion overall image 100a in Fig. 16). On the other hand, when the imaging plate 10 is tilted counterclockwise from the reference posture, the longitudinal direction of the IP-equivalent portion is tilted counterclockwise with respect to the direction corresponding to the sub-scanning direction DRs in the acquired overall image. If the acquired overall image is displayed with the IP-equivalent portion tilted, the user may have difficulty viewing the tilted IP-equivalent portion.

Therefore, the image processing unit 81 may perform a tilt correction process to correct the tilt of the IP-equivalent portion of the acquired overall image based on the IP tilt angle α. When the acquired overall image to be corrected is an overall image at the time of emission based on the detection of the emitted light L2, the tilt correction process corrects the tilt of the IP-equivalent portion, thereby correcting the tilt of the radiation image included in the IP-equivalent portion. On the other hand, when the acquired overall image to be corrected is an overall image at the time of erasure based on the detection of reflected light, the tilt correction process corrects the tilt of the IP reflected light image in which the imaging plate 10 is reflected. The image processing unit 81 may perform the tilt correction process on the acquired overall image based on the image signal before the brightness inversion process is performed, or may perform the tilt correction process on the acquired overall image based on the image signal after the brightness inversion process is performed. The display unit 3 may display the acquired overall image after the tilt correction process. The tilt correction process may be performed in the series of processes in FIG. 14, or may be performed at a timing different from the process in FIG. 14. The tilt correction process may be executed as part of the series of processes in FIG. 24, or may be executed at a different timing from the processes in FIG. 24. The tilt correction process can be said to be a process that corrects the tilt of the IP-equivalent portion of the overall image at the time of light emission according to the tilt of the imaging plate 10 from the reference attitude.

Figure 29 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of tilt correction processing. In Figure 29, the acquired overall image 250 before tilt correction processing is performed is shown on the top, and the acquired overall image 250 after tilt correction processing is performed is shown on the bottom. The acquired overall image 250 to be corrected includes an IP corresponding portion 251 and an IP outer area image 252. In Figure 29, the longitudinal direction DR1 of the IP corresponding portion 251 is shown by a dashed line, and the direction DR2 corresponding to the sub-scanning direction DRs in the acquired overall image 250 is shown by a dashed line.

In the tilt correction process, the image processing unit 81 determines the center of gravity 251a of the IP-corresponding portion 251 included in the acquired overall image 250 to be corrected. Here, the center of gravity 251a of the IP-corresponding portion 251 coincides with the center of gravity of the high-luminance region of the binary image of the acquired overall image 250. The image processing unit 81 generates a binary image of the acquired overall image 250 and determines the center of gravity of the high-luminance region of the generated binary image, thereby determining the center of gravity 251a of the IP-corresponding portion 251 of the acquired overall image 250. Next, the image processing unit 81 rotates the acquired overall image 250 by the IP tilt angle α around the determined center of gravity 251a. At this time, when the IP tilt angle α is positive, the image processing unit 81 rotates the acquired overall image 250 by the IP tilt angle α in the counterclockwise direction 255L as shown in FIG. 29. On the other hand, if the IP tilt angle α is negative, the image processing unit 81 rotates the acquired overall image 250 clockwise by the IP tilt angle α. This corrects the tilt of the IP-corresponding portion 251, and the longitudinal direction DR1 of the IP-corresponding portion 251 becomes parallel to the direction DR2 that corresponds to the sub-scanning direction DRs in the acquired overall image 250.

Figure 30 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a state in which the inclination correction process is performed on the overall image 100a at the time of pre-inversion emission shown in Figure 16 described above. As can be understood by comparing Figure 16 with Figure 30, the inclination of the radiation image 101a included in the IP-equivalent portion 105a is appropriately corrected by the inclination correction process on the overall image 100a at the time of pre-inversion emission. The attitude of the IP-equivalent portion 105a in the overall image 100a at the time of pre-inversion emission after the inclination correction process is the same as the attitude of the IP-equivalent portion 105a in the overall image 100a at the time of pre-inversion emission obtained when the attitude of the imaging plate 10 is the reference attitude. The display unit 3 may display the overall image 100a at the time of pre-inversion emission after the inclination correction process in a grayscale as shown in Figure 30, for example. Hereinafter, displaying the acquired overall image includes displaying the acquired overall image after the inclination correction process.

In this way, the image processing unit 81 can obtain an IP-equivalent portion whose tilt has been appropriately corrected by correcting the tilt of the IP-equivalent portion of the acquired overall image based on the IP tilt angle. For example, when tilt correction processing is performed on the overall image during light emission, a radiation image whose tilt has been appropriately corrected can be obtained. Also, when tilt correction processing is performed on the overall image during erasure, an IP reflected light image whose tilt has been appropriately corrected can be obtained.

<Regarding the extraction process for the entire captured image>
The image processing unit 81 may determine an excision image to be excised from the entire image at the time of light emission including a radiation image based on the IP inclination angle and IP size, and may perform excision processing to excise the determined excision image from the entire image at the time of light emission. This excision processing makes it possible to obtain a desired excision image according to the IP inclination angle and IP size from the entire image at the time of light emission. The image processing unit 81 functions as an excision unit that performs excision processing. The excision processing may be performed in the series of processes in FIG. 14, or may be performed at a timing different from that of the processes in FIG. 14. Moreover, the excision processing may be performed in the series of processes in FIG. 24, or may be performed at a timing different from that of the processes in FIG. 24.

In the cut-out process, for example, the IP-equivalent portion of the overall image when light is emitted may be determined as the cut-out image. In this case, the image processing unit 81 determines the IP-equivalent portion of the overall image when light is emitted as the cut-out image based on, for example, the type of IP size and the IP inclination angle. Below, an example of the operation of the image processing unit 81 when the image processing unit 81 determines the IP-equivalent portion of the overall image when light is emitted as the cut-out image is described. Hereinafter, the type of IP size identified by the image processing unit 81 may be referred to as a specific size Z. In this example, Z is one of the values 0, 1, 2, and 3.

In the cropping process, the image processing unit 81 sets a cropping frame for the overall image when light is emitted, for example, based on the type of IP size and the IP tilt angle. Then, the image processing unit 81 determines the part within the cropping frame in the overall image when light is emitted as the cropped image.

The shape of the cutting frame is similar to the nominal outer shape of the imaging plate 10 of the specific size Z. In this example, since the outer shape of the imaging plate 10 is a rectangle with rounded corners, the shape of the cutting frame is also a rectangle with rounded corners. The short size of the cutting frame is a value according to the nominal short size of the imaging plate 10 of the specific size Z (also called the nominal short size of the specific size Z), and the long size of the cutting frame is a value according to the nominal long size of the imaging plate 10 of the specific size Z (also called the nominal long size of the specific size Z).

Here, the image processing unit 81 knows in advance how many pixels in the captured overall image each of the nominal short side size and nominal long side size corresponds to for each type of IP size. When P1 pixels correspond to the nominal short side size of a specific size Z and P2 pixels correspond to the nominal long side size of a specific size Z, the image processing unit 81 sets the short side size of the cropping frame to the length of P1 pixels and sets the long side size of the cropping frame to the length of P2 pixels. For example, if P1 = 800 and P2 = 1100, the short side size of the cropping frame is set to the length of 800 pixels and the long side size of the cropping frame is set to the length of 1100 pixels.

When the image processing unit 81 has determined the outer shape and size of the cropping frame, it places the cropping frame on the overall image at the time of illumination so that the center of the cropping frame coincides with the center of gravity of the IP-equivalent portion of the overall image at the time of illumination and the long and short sides of the cropping frame are parallel to the long and short sides of the overall image at the time of illumination, respectively. As described above, the center of gravity of the IP-equivalent portion of the overall image at the time of illumination coincides with the center of gravity of the high-brightness area of the binarized image of the overall image at the time of illumination.

Next, the image processing unit 81 rotates the cropping frame placed on the overall image at the time of light emission by the IP tilt angle around the center of gravity of the IP-corresponding portion. At this time, the image processing unit 81 rotates the cropping frame clockwise if the IP tilt angle is positive, and rotates the cropping frame counterclockwise if the IP tilt angle is negative. As a result, the portion of the overall image at the time of light emission within the cropping frame coincides with the IP-corresponding portion. The image processing unit 81 determines the portion of the overall image at the time of light emission within the cropping frame rotated by the IP tilt angle as the cropped image. Thereafter, the image processing unit 81 crops the determined cropped image from the overall image at the time of light emission. As a result, the IP-corresponding portion is cropped from the overall image at the time of light emission, and an image of only the portion corresponding to the imaging plate 10 can be obtained. The cropping process may be performed on the overall image at the time of light emission before inversion, or on the overall image at the time of light emission after inversion.

Figure 31 is a schematic diagram showing an example of how the crop frame 150 is set for the overall image 100b at the time of inversion and light emission shown in Figure 12 described above. Figure 32 is a schematic diagram showing an example of how the cropped image 151 within the crop frame 150 in the overall image 100b at the time of inversion and light emission in the example of Figure 31 is cropped from the overall image 100b at the time of inversion and light emission. As shown in Figure 32, the IP equivalent portion 105b is appropriately cropped from the overall image 100b at the time of inversion and light emission. The cropped image 151 includes a radiation image 151a that is the same as the radiation image 101b included in the overall image 100b at the time of inversion and light emission.

Figure 33 is a schematic diagram showing an example of how the crop frame 150 is set for the overall image 100b at the time of inversion and light emission shown in Figure 13 described above. Figure 34 is a schematic diagram showing an example of how the cropped image 151 within the crop frame 150 in the overall image 100b at the time of inversion and light emission is cropped from the overall image 100b at the time of inversion and light emission in the example of Figure 33. As shown in Figure 34, even if the overall image 100b at the time of inversion and light emission includes an unexposed area image 103b, the IP-equivalent portion 105b is appropriately cropped from the overall image 100b at the time of inversion and light emission. The cropped image 151 includes a radiation image 151a that is the same as the radiation image 101b included in the overall image 100b at the time of inversion and light emission, and also includes an unexposed area image 151b that is the same as the unexposed area image 103b included in the overall image 100b at the time of inversion and light emission.

When the cutout process is performed, the display unit 3 may display the cutout image 151 cut out from the entire image at the time of light emission. In this case, the display unit 3 may display the cutout image 151 in grayscale as shown in Figs. 32 and 34. Figs. 32 and 34 can also be said to be schematic diagrams showing display examples of the cutout image 151. When the cutout image 151 is displayed, the user can check only the necessary image of the entire image at the time of light emission. When the IP-equivalent part is cut out and displayed as the cutout image 151 from the entire image at the time of light emission as in this example, the user can check only the necessary IP-equivalent part of the entire image at the time of light emission. This allows the user to easily identify that the imaging plate 10 includes an unexposed part by checking the display of the cutout image 151 as shown in Fig. 34, for example. The user can also easily identify the range of the unexposed part on the imaging plate 10.

The display unit 3 may simultaneously and separately display the cut-out image 151 cut out from the overall image at the time of light emission and the overall image at the time of erasure 200. FIG. 35 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a state in which the cut-out image 151 and the overall image at the time of erasure 200 are displayed in grayscale on the display surface 3a of the display unit 3. FIG. 35 shows the cut-out image 151 including the unexposed area image 151b. As shown in FIG. 35, the display unit 3 may display the cut-out image 151 and the overall image at the time of erasure 200, for example, so that the IP reflected light image (IP corresponding part) 201 of the cut-out image 151 and the overall image at the time of erasure 200 are the same size. In addition, the display unit 3 may display the cut-out image 151 and the overall image at the time of erasure 200, for example, side by side. By the display unit 3 simultaneously and separately displaying the cut-out image 151 and the overall image at the time of erasure 200, the user can easily compare the cut-out image 151 and the overall image at the time of erasure 200. This allows the user to easily determine whether the IP-corresponding portion has been appropriately cut out from the illuminated overall image, for example, by comparing the IP reflected light image 201 contained in the erased overall image 200 with the cut-out image 151.

The image processing unit 81 may correct the inclination of the cut-out image 151 cut out from the entire image at the time of light emission based on the IP inclination angle, similar to the tilt correction process described above. This makes it easier for the user to see the cut-out image 151 after correction, for example, when the cut-out image 151 is displayed. Hereinafter, the tilt correction process is considered to include correcting the inclination of the cut-out image 151.

The image processing unit 81 corrects the inclination of the cut-out image 151 in the same manner as the above-mentioned inclination correction process for the entire image at the time of light emission. Specifically, the image processing unit 81 first obtains the center of gravity of the cut-out image 151. The center of gravity of the cut-out image 151 coincides with the center of gravity of the high-luminance area of the binarized image of the entire image at the time of light emission. Therefore, the image processing unit 81 can obtain the center of gravity of the cut-out image 151 by obtaining the center of gravity of the high-luminance area of the binarized image of the entire image at the time of light emission. Next, the image processing unit 81 rotates the cut-out image 151 by the IP inclination angle around the obtained center of gravity. At this time, if the IP inclination angle is positive, the image processing unit 81 rotates the cut-out image 151 by the IP inclination angle counterclockwise. On the other hand, if the IP inclination angle is negative, the image processing unit 81 rotates the cut-out image 151 by the IP inclination angle clockwise. This corrects the inclination of the cut-out image 151. Therefore, the inclination of the radiation image based on the light emission image signal contained in the cut-out image 151 is corrected.

Figures 36 to 38 are schematic diagrams showing an example of a state in which the cropping process is performed on the overall image at the time of light emission, and then the tilt correction process is performed on the cropped image 151. In the example of Figures 36 to 38, the cropping process is performed on the overall image at the time of light emission before inversion 100a shown in Figure 16 described above. As shown in Figure 36, the image processing unit 81 sets the cropping frame 150 to the overall image at the time of light emission before inversion 100a as described above. Next, the image processing unit 81 crops the cropped image 151 within the cropping frame 150 in the overall image at the time of light emission before inversion 100a from the overall image at the time of light emission before inversion 100a as shown in Figure 37. Then, as shown in Figure 38, the image processing unit 81 corrects the tilt of the cropped cropped image 151 based on the IP tilt angle. This appropriately corrects the tilt of the cropped image 151 according to the tilt of the imaging plate 10 from the reference attitude. The orientation of the cropped image 151 after the tilt has been corrected will be the same as the orientation of the cropped image 151 obtained when the orientation of the imaging plate 10 is the reference orientation.

In the above example, the image processing unit 81 sets the IP-equivalent portion of the entire image at the time of light emission as the cut-out image 151, but it is also possible to set a part of the IP-equivalent portion as the cut-out image 151. An example of the operation of the image processing unit 81 in this case is described below.

Figure 39 is a schematic diagram showing another example of a holding unit 20 that holds an imaging plate 10. Figure 39 shows the state in which each fixed portion 22a of the fixed portion 22 of the holding unit 20 is in the close position. In the holding unit 20 (also called holding unit 20A) shown in Figure 39, when each fixed portion 22a is in the close position, the fixed portion 22 has an overlapping portion 220 that covers the peripheral portion 10a of the imaging plate 10. When each fixed portion 22a is in the close position, it has an overlapping portion 220a that covers the peripheral portion 10a of the imaging plate 10. The overlapping portion 220 of the fixed unit 22 is composed of overlapping portions 220a of multiple fixed portions 22a.

When the imaging plate 10 is held by the holding part 20A, the peripheral part 10a of the imaging plate 10 is covered by the overlapping part 220 of the fixing part 22, so that the reading device 1 can obtain an entire image when light is emitted, which includes the overlapping part 220.

Figure 40 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an overall image 100a at the time of pre-inversion emission obtained when the imaging plate 10 is held by the holding part 20A. The overall image 100a at the time of pre-inversion emission shown in Figure 40 includes an image 120 (also called an overlapping partial image 120) of the overlapping part 220 of the fixed part 22. The overlapping partial image 120 is an image based on detection of the reflected light of the excitation light L1 from the overlapping part 220. The overlapping partial image 120 is composed of an image 120a (also called an overlapping partial image 120a) of the overlapping part 220a of multiple fixed parts 22a. In this example, the surface of each fixed part 22a is subjected to, for example, black alumite treatment. Therefore, the brightness value of the overlapping partial image 120 included in the overall image 100a at the time of pre-inversion emission is small.

When the overlapping partial image 120 is included in the overall image at the time of light emission, the image processing unit 81 may determine a part of the IP-corresponding portion as the cut-out image 151 so that the cut-out image 151 does not include the overlapping partial image 120 (in other words, the multiple overlapping partial images 120a) in the overall image at the time of light emission. In this case, the image processing unit 81 sets the cut-out frame 150 in the overall image at the time of light emission based on the type of IP size and the IP inclination angle, for example, in the same manner as described above. Since the outer shape of the cut-out frame 150 set as described above forms a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the imaging plate 10, at this point, the overlapping partial image 120 is included within the cut-out frame 150. FIG. 41 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a state in which the cut-out frame 150 is set as described above for the overall image at the time of light emission before inversion 100a shown in FIG. 40. The cut-out frame 150 set in the overall image at the time of light emission before inversion 100a includes the multiple overlapping partial images 120a that constitute the overlapping partial image 120.

After setting the cropping frame 150 to the entire image at the time of light emission as described above, the image processing unit 81 reduces the cropping frame 150, for example, in a similar shape so that the overlapping partial image 120 is not included in the cropping frame 150. At this time, the image processing unit 81 reduces the cropping frame 150 in a similar shape so that the overlapping partial image 120 is not included in the cropping frame 150 and the cropping frame 150 after the reduction is as large as possible. The image processing unit 81 can specify the position and range of each overlapping partial image 120a in the entire image at the time of light emission, for example, based on the binarized image of the entire image at the time of light emission. Then, the image processing unit 81 reduces the cropping frame 150 in a similar shape so that the overlapping partial image 120 is not included in the cropping frame 150 and the cropping frame 150 after the reduction is as large as possible, based on the position and range specified for each overlapping partial image 120a. The image processing unit 81 then determines the portion within the reduced cropping frame 150 in the overall image at the time of light emission as the cropped image 151. This results in a cropped image 151 that does not include the overlapping partial image 120 and includes most of the IP corresponding portion 105a. FIG. 42 is a schematic diagram showing an example of how the cropping frame 150 shown in FIG. 41 has been reduced. As shown in FIG. 42, the image processing unit 81 determines the portion within the reduced cropping frame 150 in the overall image at the time of light emission before inversion as the cropped image 151.

When the image processing unit 81 determines the cut-out image 151, it cuts out the cut-out image 151 from the overall image at the time of light emission. Figure 43 is a schematic diagram showing an example of how the cut-out image 151 shown in Figure 42 is cut out from the pre-inversion overall image 100a.

In this way, when the image processing unit 81 determines a part of the IP-corresponding part as the cut-out image 151 so that the cut-out image 151 does not include the overlapping partial image 120, it is possible to obtain a cut-out image 151 that does not include the overlapping part 220 of the fixed part 22. As a result, for example, when the cut-out image 151 is displayed, the user can confirm only the part that corresponds to the imaging plate 10.

Even if the image processing unit 81 cuts out the cut-out image 151 that does not include the overlapping portion 220 from the overall image at the time of light emission, the image processing unit 81 may correct the inclination of the cut-out image 151 based on the IP inclination angle as described above. In this case, the display control unit 82 may display the cut-out image 151 with the corrected inclination on the display unit 3.

Figure 44 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the overall image 100a at the time of pre-inversion emission obtained when the imaging plate 10 is held by the holding unit 20A. Figures 45 to 47 are schematic diagrams showing an example of a state in which the overall image 100a at the time of pre-inversion emission shown in Figure 44 is subjected to a cutout process, and then a tilt correction process is performed on the cutout image 151. The image processing unit 81 sets the cutout frame 150 on the overall image 100a at the time of pre-inversion emission as described above, and then, as shown in Figure 45, reduces the cutout frame 150 in a similar shape so that the overlapping partial image 120 is not included in the cutout frame 150 and the cutout frame 150 after reduction is as large as possible. Next, the image processing unit 81 cuts out the cutout image 151 within the cutout frame 150 in the overall image 100a at the time of pre-inversion emission from the overall image 100a at the time of pre-inversion emission, as shown in Figure 46. Then, as shown in FIG. 47, the image processing unit 81 corrects the inclination of the cut-out image 151 based on the IP inclination angle. This allows the inclination of the cut-out image 151 according to the inclination of the imaging plate 10 from the reference attitude to be appropriately corrected.

In this way, the image processing unit 81 determines at least a portion of the IP-equivalent portion of the overall image at the time of light emission as the cut-out image based on the IP size and IP inclination angle, so that at least a portion of the IP-equivalent portion can be appropriately cut out from the overall image at the time of light emission.

Even if the overlapping partial image 120 is not included in the overall image at the time of light emission, the image processing unit 81 may reduce the cropping frame 150 set in the overall image at the time of light emission to, for example, a similar shape, and determine the part within the cropping frame 150 after the reduction in the overall image at the time of light emission as the cropped image 151. Even in this case, a part of the IP-equivalent part in the overall image at the time of light emission is determined as the cropped image 151. The image processing unit 81 may also enlarge the cropping frame 150 set in the overall image at the time of light emission to, for example, a similar shape, and determine the part within the cropping frame 150 after the enlargement in the overall image at the time of light emission as the cropped image 151. In this case, the IP-equivalent part and its surrounding parts (for example, a part of the IP outer area image or at least a part of the overlapping partial image 120) in the overall image at the time of light emission are determined as the cropped image 151.

In the cut-out process, the image processing unit 81 may determine a cut-out image (also called a second cut-out image) to be cut out in the erased overall image including the IP reflected light image based on the IP inclination angle and IP size, and cut out the determined second cut-out image from the erased overall image. In this case, the image processing unit 81 may determine at least a part of the IP-equivalent part (in other words, the IP reflected light image) of the erased overall image as the second cut-out image. In addition, when the erased overall image includes an image of the overlapping part 220, the image processing unit 81 may determine the second cut-out image so that the second cut-out image does not include the image of the overlapping part 220. In addition, the display control unit 82 may display the second cut-out image cut out from the erased overall image on the display unit 3. In this case, the display unit 3 may simultaneously and separately display the second cut-out image and the cut-out image (also called a first cut-out image) 151 cut out from the light-emitting overall image. The image processing unit 81 may also correct the tilt of the extracted second clipped image based on the IP tilt angle. The display control unit 82 may also cause the display unit 3 to display the second clipped image whose tilt has been corrected. In this case, the display unit 3 may simultaneously and separately display the second clipped image whose tilt has been corrected and the first clipped image whose tilt has been corrected.

Note that if the imaging plate 10 is hardly tilted from the reference position, the image processing unit 81 may determine the first and second cropped images based on the IP size without using the IP tilt angle. In this case, the cropping process does not require a process of rotating the cropping frame according to the IP tilt angle. Hereinafter, displaying a cropped image also includes displaying a cropped image with the tilt corrected.

<Identification of unexposed area images>
The image processing unit 81 may perform an unexposed area identification process for identifying an unexposed area image in the first cut-out image 151 or an unexposed area image in the entire image at the time of light emission. The unexposed area identification process may be executed in the series of processes in Fig. 14, or may be executed at a timing different from the process in Fig. 14. The unexposed area identification process may be executed in the series of processes in Fig. 24, or may be executed at a timing different from the process in Fig. 24. The image processing unit 81 functions as an identification unit that identifies an unexposed area image.

When the image processing unit 81 sets at least a part of the IP-corresponding portion to the first cropped image 151 as in the examples of Figures 37 and 43, etc., in the unexposed identification process, for example, a binary image is generated by binarizing the first cropped image 151. Here, as in the above-mentioned Figures 32 and 34, the first cropped image 151 cropped from the overall image 100b at the time of post-inversion light emission is called the first cropped image 151 after inversion. Also, as in the above-mentioned Figures 43 and 46, the first cropped image 151 cropped from the overall image 100a at the time of pre-inversion light emission is called the first cropped image 151 before inversion.

The threshold value used in the binarization of the first cut-out image 151 before inversion is set to, for example, a value smaller than the minimum luminance value of the radiation image contained in the first cut-out image 151 before inversion and larger than the luminance value of the unexposed region image contained in the first cut-out image 151 before inversion. For example, consider a case where the minimum luminance value of the radiation image contained in the first cut-out image 151 before inversion is 10,000 and the luminance value of the unexposed region image contained in the first cut-out image 151 before inversion is 3,000. In this case, the threshold value is set to, for example, 5,000. As a result, in the binarized image of the first cut-out image 151 before inversion, which is at least a part of the IP-corresponding portion, the portion corresponding to the unexposed region image becomes a low-luminance region, and the portion corresponding to the radiation image becomes a high-luminance region. The image processing unit 81 can appropriately identify the unexposed region image in the first cut-out image 151 before inversion by identifying the low-luminance region in the binarized image of the first cut-out image 151 before inversion. If the imaging plate 10 does not contain any unexposed areas, the binarized image of the pre-inversion first cut-out image 151 will not contain low-brightness areas.

The threshold value used in the binarization of the inverted first cut-out image 151 is set to, for example, a value greater than the maximum luminance value of the radiation image contained in the inverted first cut-out image 151 and less than the luminance value of the unexposed region image contained in the inverted first cut-out image 151. As a result, in the binarized image of the inverted first cut-out image 151, which is at least a part of the IP-equivalent portion, the portion corresponding to the unexposed region image becomes a high-luminance region, and the portion corresponding to the radiation image becomes a low-luminance region. The image processing unit 81 can appropriately identify the unexposed region image in the inverted first cut-out image 151 by identifying the high-luminance region in the binarized image of the inverted first cut-out image 151.

In this way, when the image processing unit 81 cuts out at least a portion of the IP-equivalent portion from the overall image at the time of light emission as the first cut-out image 151, it can appropriately identify the unexposed area image in the first cut-out image 151.

In the unexposed area identification process, the image processing unit 81 may identify an unexposed area image in the first cut-out image 151 that includes at least one of the IP outer area image and the overlapping partial image 120. In this case, the image processing unit 81 ternarizes the first cut-out image 151 to generate a ternarized image. Hereinafter, when there is no need to particularly distinguish between the IP outer area image and the overlapping partial image 120, each may be referred to as a low-reflection area image.

The image processing unit 81 first compares the luminance values of each of the multiple pixels constituting the first cut-out image 151 with a lower threshold value and an upper threshold value that are set in advance. The upper threshold value is a value greater than the lower threshold value. The image processing unit 81 replaces the luminance values of each of the multiple pixels constituting the first cut-out image 151 that are less than the lower threshold value with a first value, replaces the luminance values that are equal to or greater than the lower threshold value and less than the upper threshold value with a second value, and replaces the luminance values that are equal to or greater than the upper threshold value with a third value. Here, the third value is greater than the second value, and the second value is greater than the first value. In this way, the first cut-out image 151 is ternarized to obtain a ternarized image. Hereinafter, in the ternarized image, a region where the luminance value is the third value may be called a high luminance region, a region where the luminance value is the second value may be called a medium luminance region, and a region where the luminance value is the first value may be called a low luminance region.

The lower first threshold value used in the ternary conversion of the first cut-out image 151 before inversion is set to, for example, a value greater than the luminance value of the low reflection area image contained in the first cut-out image 151 before inversion and less than the luminance value of the unexposed area image contained in the first cut-out image 151 before inversion. The upper threshold value used in the ternary conversion of the first cut-out image 151 before inversion is set to, for example, a value greater than the luminance value of the unexposed area image contained in the first cut-out image 151 before inversion and less than the minimum luminance value of the radiation image contained in the first cut-out image 151 before inversion. For example, consider a case where the minimum luminance value of the radiation image contained in the first cut-out image 151 before inversion is 10,000, the luminance value of the unexposed area image contained in the first cut-out image 151 before inversion is 3,000, and the luminance value of the low reflection area image contained in the first cut-out image 151 before inversion is 1,000. In this case, the lower threshold value is set to, for example, 2,000, and the upper threshold value is set to, for example, 5,000. As a result, in the ternary image of the first pre-inversion cut-out image 151, the portion corresponding to the low reflection area image becomes a low brightness area, the portion corresponding to the unexposed area image becomes a medium brightness area, and the portion corresponding to the radiation image becomes a high brightness area. The image processing unit 81 can appropriately identify the unexposed area image in the first pre-inversion cut-out image 151 by identifying the medium brightness area in the ternary image of the first pre-inversion cut-out image 151. Note that if the imaging plate 10 does not include an unexposed area, the ternary image of the first pre-inversion cut-out image 151 does not include a medium brightness area.

The lower limit threshold value used in the ternary conversion of the inverted first cut-out image 151 is set to, for example, a value greater than the maximum luminance value of the radiation image contained in the inverted first cut-out image 151 and less than the luminance value of the unexposed region image contained in the inverted first cut-out image 151. The upper limit threshold value used in the ternary conversion of the inverted first cut-out image 151 is set to, for example, a value greater than the luminance value of the unexposed region image contained in the inverted first cut-out image 151 and less than the luminance value of the low-reflection region image contained in the inverted first cut-out image 151. As a result, in the ternary conversion image of the inverted first cut-out image 151, the portion corresponding to the low-reflection region image becomes a high-luminance region, the portion corresponding to the unexposed region image becomes a medium-luminance region, and the portion corresponding to the radiation image becomes a low-luminance region. The image processing unit 81 can appropriately specify the unexposed region image in the inverted first cut-out image 151 by specifying the medium-luminance region in the ternary conversion image of the inverted first cut-out image 151.

In this way, the image processing unit 81 can appropriately identify the unexposed area image in the first cut-out image 151, which includes the low-reflection area image.

In the unexposed area identification process, the image processing unit 81 may identify an unexposed area image in the overall image at the time of light emission. In this case, the image processing unit 81 ternarizes the overall image at the time of light emission to generate a ternarized image in the same manner as when identifying an unexposed area image in the first cut-out image 151 including a low-reflection area image. The lower limit threshold and upper limit threshold used in the ternarization of the overall image at the time of light emission before inversion 100a are set in the same manner as the lower limit threshold and upper limit threshold used in the ternarization of the first cut-out image 151 before inversion. The image processing unit 81 can appropriately identify the unexposed area image in the overall image at the time of light emission before inversion 100a by identifying a medium-brightness area in the ternarized image of the overall image at the time of light emission before inversion 100a. In addition, the lower limit threshold and upper limit threshold used in the ternarization of the overall image at the time of light emission after inversion 100b are set in the same manner as the lower limit threshold and upper limit threshold used in the ternarization of the first cut-out image after inversion 151. The image processing unit 81 can appropriately identify the unexposed area image in the overall image 100b after inversion and light emission by identifying the medium brightness area in the ternary image of the overall image 100b after inversion and light emission.

When the image processing unit 81 identifies an unexposed region image in the first cut-out image 151 or the overall image at the time of light emission, the display control unit 82 may cause the display unit 3 to display unexposed notification information 161 notifying that an unexposed region image exists in the first cut-out image 151 or the overall image at the time of light emission. This allows the user to easily recognize that an unexposed region image exists in the first cut-out image 151 or the overall image at the time of light emission. Therefore, the user can easily recognize that the imaging plate 10 includes an unexposed portion.

48 and 49 are schematic diagrams showing examples of the display of the unexposed notification information 161. In the example of FIG. 48, the first cut-out image 151 including the radiation image 151a and the unexposed area image 151b and the unexposed notification information 161 are displayed on the display surface 3a of the display unit 3. In the example of FIG. 49, the whole image 100b at the time of inversion and the unexposed notification information 161 are displayed on the display surface 3a. In the example of FIG. 48, the border line 1510 bordering the range of the unexposed area image 151b is displayed as the unexposed notification information 161 notifying that the unexposed area image 151b exists in the first cut-out image 151. Similarly, in the example of FIG. 49, the border line 1030 bordering the range of the unexposed area image 103b is displayed as the unexposed notification information 161 notifying that the unexposed area image 103b exists in the whole image 100b at the time of inversion and the unexposed area image 103b. The borders 1510 and 1030 may be displayed in at least one color.

The unexposed notification information 161 is not limited to the examples shown in Figures 48 and 49. For example, hatching such as diagonal lines applied to the unexposed area image may be displayed as the unexposed notification information 161. Furthermore, the unexposed area image may be displayed in color in at least one color to display the unexposed notification information 161.

Also, as shown in FIG. 50, a frame-shaped figure 1511 surrounding the first cut-out image 151 may be displayed as unexposed notification information 161. In the example of FIG. 50, hatching is shown in the frame-shaped figure 1511 for ease of explanation, but the frame-shaped figure 1511 may not be hatched or may be hatched. Also, the frame-shaped figure 1511 may be displayed in color with at least one color. Similarly, when an unexposed area image is identified in the overall image at the time of light emission, a frame-shaped figure surrounding the overall image at the time of light emission may be displayed as unexposed notification information 161. Also, the unexposed notification information 161 may be displayed as at least one of letters and symbols.

If the first cut-out image 151 or the overall image at the time of light emission does not include an unexposed region image, that is, if the image processing unit 81 does not identify an unexposed region image in the first cut-out image 151 or the overall image at the time of light emission, the display control unit 82 may cause the display unit 3 to display notification information 162 notifying that there is no unexposed region image in the first cut-out image 151 or the overall image at the time of light emission. This allows the user to easily recognize that the imaging plate 10 does not include an unexposed portion.

Figure 51 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of notification information 162. Figure 51 shows a display example of notification information 162 notifying that the first cut-out image 151 does not have an unexposed area image. In the example of Figure 51, a frame-shaped figure 1512 surrounding the first cut-out image 151 that does not include an unexposed area image is displayed as notification information 162. In the example of Figure 51, hatching is shown in the frame-shaped figure 1512 for convenience of explanation, but hatching may not be shown in the frame-shaped figure 1512 or may be shown. In addition, the frame-shaped figure 1512 may be displayed in at least one color. When the frame-shaped figure 1511 of Figure 50 is displayed as the unexposed notification information 161, the frame-shaped figure 1511 as the unexposed notification information 161 and the frame-shaped figure 1512 as the notification information 162 are displayed in different modes. At this time, the frame-shaped figures 1511 and 1512 may be displayed in different colors. Also, the frame-shaped figures 1511 and 1512 may be shown with different hatching. Similarly, when there is no unexposed region image in the overall image at the time of light emission, a frame-shaped figure surrounding the overall image at the time of light emission may be displayed as notification information 162. Also, the notification information 162 may be displayed as at least one of letters and symbols.

When the display control unit 82 simultaneously and separately displays the first cut-out image 151 and the overall image at the time of erasure 200 on the display unit 3 as shown in FIG. 35 above, and when the first cut-out image 151 includes an unexposed area image, the display control unit 82 may also display the unexposed notification information 161 on the display unit 3 as shown in FIG. 52. At this time, the second cut-out image may be displayed instead of the overall image at the time of erasure 200. Also, when the display control unit 82 simultaneously and separately displays the overall image at the time of light emission and the overall image at the time of erasure 200 on the display unit 3 as shown in FIG. 27 above, and when the overall image at the time of light emission includes an unexposed area image, the display control unit 82 may also display the unexposed notification information 161 on the display unit 3 as shown in FIG. 53. At this time, the second cut-out image may be displayed instead of the overall image at the time of erasure 200.

When the display control unit 82 causes the display unit 3 to simultaneously and separately display the first cut-out image 151 not including an unexposed region image and the overall image at erasure 200, the display control unit 82 may also cause the display unit 3 to display the notification information 162 together. At this time, the second cut-out image may be displayed instead of the overall image at erasure 200. Similarly, when the display control unit 82 causes the display unit 3 to simultaneously and separately display the overall image at light emission not including an unexposed region image and the overall image at erasure 200, the display control unit 82 may also cause the display unit 3 to display the notification information 162 together. At this time, the second cut-out image may be displayed instead of the overall image at erasure 200.

As described above, the detector 40 in this example can detect not only the emitted light L2 from the imaging plate 10, but also the reflected light of the excitation light L1 from the imaging plate 10 to a certain extent. Therefore, the reading device 1 can obtain a radiation image based on the detection of the emitted light L2, and a reflected light image (such as an image of an unexposed area) based on the detection of the reflected light. This improves the convenience of the reading device 1.

For example, the reading device 1 can appropriately determine the IP size and the IP inclination angle as described above based on the overall image at the time of emission, which includes a radiation image based on detection of the emitted light L2 from the imaging plate 10 and a reflected light image based on detection of the reflected light from the imaging plate 10.

For example, the reading device 1 can simultaneously and separately display a radiation image based on detection of emitted light L2 from the imaging plate 10 and a reflected light image based on detection of reflected light from the imaging plate 10, as shown in the above-mentioned Figures 26, 27, 35, 52, 53, etc., allowing the user to easily compare the radiation image read from the imaging plate 10 with the appearance of the imaging plate 10. This allows the user to easily identify, for example, that the imaging plate 10 includes an unexposed portion.

In addition, when the IP reflected light image is displayed, the user can determine, for example, that the imaging plate 10 has been inserted into the reading device 1 in a reversed position, based on the display of the IP reflected light image, and that the imaging plate 10 has been set upside down. As described above, the side of the imaging plate 10 on which the radiation image forming layer 11 is provided is the front side, and the side on the back side of the front side on which the radiation image forming layer 11 is not provided is the back side. In this example, the user inserts the imaging plate 10 into the reading device 1 in principle with the imaging plate 10 facing up, but it may be inserted with the imaging plate 10 facing down by mistake. When the imaging plate 10 is inserted with the imaging plate 10 facing up and set correctly, the support plate 21 of the holding unit 20 supports the back side of the imaging plate 10 as described above. Therefore, as described above, the excitation light L1 is correctly irradiated onto the front side of the imaging plate 10, in other words, onto the radiation image forming layer 11 of the imaging plate 10. On the other hand, when the imaging plate 10 is mistakenly inserted with the imaging plate 10 facing down and set upside down, the support plate 21 supports the front side of the imaging plate 10, that is, the radiation image forming layer 11 of the imaging plate 10. Therefore, the excitation light L1 is irradiated onto the rear surface of the imaging plate 10. The detector 40 then detects the reflected light of the excitation light L1 from the rear surface of the imaging plate 10 and the IP outer region R130, and outputs an image signal as the detection result.

Hereinafter, the image signal resulting from the detection of light from the imaging plate 10 when the imaging plate 10 is inserted face down into the reading device 1 and set upside down is referred to as the face-down image signal. In this embodiment, the face-down image signal is obtained as the detection of reflected light from the imaging plate 10. Also, the overall image based on the face-down image signal is referred to as the face-down overall image. The face-down overall image does not include a radiation image, and includes, for example, an IP reflected light image and an IP outer area image showing the back side of the imaging plate 10. Also, the support plate 21 supporting the front side of the imaging plate 10 is sometimes referred to as face-down support, and the support plate 21 supporting the back side of the imaging plate 10 is sometimes referred to as back-down support. Front-down support results in the imaging plate 10 being set face-down, and back-down support results in the imaging plate 10 being set face-up. Also, the act of setting the imaging plate 10 face-down is referred to as face-down insertion, and the act of setting the imaging plate 10 face-up is referred to as face-down insertion.

In the above description, it is assumed that the imaging plate 10 is always inserted face up and set correctly in the reading device 1. In other words, in the above description, it is assumed that the imaging plate 10 is always supported on the back side. Therefore, in the above description of the process in FIG. 14, the entire light emission image including the radiation image is obtained in step s2, and the entire light emission image including the radiation image is displayed in step s7. However, when the imaging plate 10 is inserted face down in the reading device 1, the acquired entire image obtained in step s2, in other words, the entire image based on the image signal output by the detector 40 in step s2, is a back-insertion entire image in which the back side of the imaging plate 10 is reflected. In other words, in step s2, a back-insertion entire image not including a radiation image is obtained, not a light emission entire image including a radiation image. Therefore, when the imaging plate 10 is inserted face down in the reading device 1, a back-insertion entire image is displayed in step s7. In the reading process in step s2, if the imaging plate 10 is set correctly, a radiation image is read from the imaging plate 10, and if the imaging plate 10 is set upside down, an overall image showing the back side of the imaging plate 10 is obtained.

Similarly, if the imaging plate 10 is inserted face down into the reading device 1, in the process of FIG. 24 above, a face-down overall image is obtained in step s2, and the erased overall image obtained in step s22 is the face-down overall image. Therefore, if the imaging plate 10 is inserted face-down into the reading device 1, two face-down overall images are displayed in step s27. Neither the face-down overall image, which shows the back side of the imaging plate 10, nor the erased overall image obtained when the erased imaging plate 10 is held in the holding section 20 includes a radiation image, and is composed only of a reflected light image.

Figure 54 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the back surface 10y of the imaging plate 10. In this example, information specific to the back surface 10y (also called back surface specific information) 600 is visibly displayed on the back surface 10y of the imaging plate 10. At least one piece of back surface specific information 600 may be displayed on the back surface 10y of the imaging plate 10.

The back side unique information 600 can also be said to be information that is not shown on the front side of the imaging plate 10. The back side unique information 600 can also be said to be back side identification information or a back side identifier for identifying the back side of the imaging plate 10. The back side unique information 600 can also be said to be information that indicates that the surface on which it is shown is the back side 10y of the imaging plate 10.

In the example of FIG. 54, multiple pieces of back-side unique information 600 are shown on the back side of the imaging plate 10. The multiple pieces of back-side unique information 600 include, for example, characters 600a indicating the size type of the imaging plate 10, characters 600b indicating the manufacturer of the imaging plate 10, a barcode 600c, and a barcode 600d. The barcode 600c and the barcode 600d may be the same as each other or different from each other. At least one of the barcodes 600c and 600d may indicate, for example, the serial number of the imaging plate 10.

Figure 55 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an IP reflected light image 301 included in the overall image at the time of reverse insertion obtained when the imaging plate 10 shown in Figure 54 is set upside down. The IP reflected light image 301 shows the reverse side 10y of the imaging plate 10 shown in Figure 54.

The IP reflected light image 301 shown in FIG. 55 includes multiple images 302 of rear-side unique information 600. The image 302 of the rear-side unique information 600 can also be said to be a reflected light image of the rear-side unique information 600. The multiple images 302 include, for example, an image 302a of characters 600a indicating the type of size of the imaging plate 10, an image 302b of characters 600b indicating the manufacturer of the imaging plate 10, an image 302c of a barcode 600c, and an image 302d of a barcode 600d.

Note that the fringe region, which is the edge region of the imaging plate 10, may be excluded from the target of image processing for obtaining a radiation image. In this fringe region, rear-side specific information 600, such as a very small barcode, may be displayed.

When the display unit 3 displays the overall image when the imaging plate 10 is inserted backwards, the user can determine that the imaging plate 10 has been inserted backwards into the reading device 1, that is, that the imaging plate 10 has been set upside down, based on the IP reflected light image 301 included in the displayed overall image when the imaging plate 10 is inserted backwards. Specifically, the user can determine that the imaging plate 10 has been inserted backwards into the reading device 1, that is, that the imaging plate 10 has been set upside down, by recognizing the image 302 of the back-side specific information 600 (also called the back-side specific image 302) included in the displayed IP reflected light image 301. In this way, the user can recognize that the imaging plate 10 was not inserted correctly into the reading device 1.

In addition, from another perspective, the user can determine that the imaging plate 10 has been correctly inserted into the reading device 1 with the front side facing up, i.e., that the imaging plate 10 has been set correctly, by recognizing that the IP reflected light image displayed on the display unit 3 does not include the back-side specific image 302.

The back-side unique information 600 shown on the back side of the imaging plate 10 is not limited to the above. For example, a two-dimensional barcode may be shown on the back side of the imaging plate 10 as the back-side unique information 600. Furthermore, letters, symbols or figures may be shown as the back-side unique information 600 in at least one of the four corners of the back side of the imaging plate 10. Furthermore, the back side of the imaging plate 10 may show the minimum amount of back-side unique information 600 required simply to identify the back side of the imaging plate 10.

The image processing unit 81 may cut out at least a portion of the IP reflected light image 301 as a cut-out image from the overall image at the time of insertion backside, in the same way as when cutting out a second cut-out image including at least a portion of the IP reflected light image from the overall image at the time of erasing. In this case, the display control unit 82 may cause at least a portion of the IP reflected light image 301 cut out from the overall image at the time of insertion backside to be displayed on the display unit 3. This allows the user to identify that the imaging plate 10 has been erroneously inserted face down into the reading device 1, based on at least a portion of the displayed IP reflected light image 301.

In the above example, the back-side specific information shown on the back side of the imaging plate 10 is used to allow the user to identify that the imaging plate 10 has been placed face down in the reading device 1, but information specific to the front side (also called front-side specific information) shown on the front side of the imaging plate 10 may also be used. At least one piece of front-side specific information may be visibly shown on the front side of the imaging plate 10. The front-side specific information can also be said to be information that is not shown on the back side of the imaging plate 10. The front-side specific information can also be said to be front-side identification information or a front-side identifier for identifying the front side of the imaging plate 10. The front-side specific information can also be said to be information that indicates that the side on which it is shown is the front side of the imaging plate 10.

The image signal resulting from the detection of light from the imaging plate 10 when the imaging plate 10 is inserted and set face up in the reading device 1 may be referred to as the face-up image signal. Also, the overall image based on the face-up image signal may be referred to as the face-up overall image.

The image signal resulting from the detection of light from the imaging plate 10 when the imaging plate 10 is inserted and set in the reading device 1 may be referred to as the image signal at insertion, and the overall image based on the image signal at insertion may be referred to as the overall image at insertion. The image signal at front insertion and the image signal at back insertion are each examples of the image signal at insertion, and the overall image at front insertion and the overall image at back insertion are each examples of the overall image at insertion.

The light irradiated to the imaging plate 10 to obtain an image signal at the time of insertion does not necessarily have to be excitation light L1. For example, the back surface of the imaging plate 10 may be irradiated with light that has no excitation ability, and if the reflected light is detected and an image of the back surface specific information 600 is obtained, it may be determined to be the back surface. In this case, if the back surface is not determined, the reading process may be started again by irradiating excitation light L1.

Figure 56 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an imaging plate 10 in which front unique information 1000 is shown on the front surface 10x. In the example of Figure 56, one piece of front unique information 1000 is shown on the front surface 10x of the imaging plate 10. The front unique information 1000 is, for example, characters. The front unique information 1000 may be characters indicating the manufacturer of the imaging plate 10, for example, the initials of the name of the manufacturer of the imaging plate 10.

On the front surface 10x of the imaging plate 10, the radiation image forming layer 11 is provided so as to avoid the front surface specific information 1000. In this example, the overall image at the time of emission based on the detection of the emitted light L2 and reflected light from the imaging plate 10 includes a reflected light image of the front surface specific information 1000. For example, by confirming that the acquired overall image or the cut-out image displayed on the display unit 3 does not include an image of the front surface specific information 1000 (i.e., a reflected light image), the user can determine that the imaging plate 10 has been mistakenly inserted face down into the reading device 1, that is, that the imaging plate 10 has been set upside down. In addition, by confirming that the acquired overall image or the cut-out image displayed on the display unit 3 includes an image of the front surface specific information 1000, the user can determine that the imaging plate 10 has been correctly inserted face up into the reading device 1, that is, that the imaging plate 10 has been correctly set.

Note that the front unique information 1000 is not limited to the example in FIG. 56. Also, as shown in FIG. 57, multiple pieces of front unique information 1000 may be displayed on the front surface 10x of the imaging plate 10. In the example in FIG. 57, the same two pieces of front unique information 1000 are displayed on the front surface 10x of the imaging plate 10, but two pieces of front unique information 1000 that are different from each other may be displayed. Also, the front surface of the imaging plate 10 may display the minimum amount of front unique information 1000 required to identify the front surface 10x of the imaging plate 10. Also, the front surface unique information 1000 may be displayed on the front surface of the imaging plate 10, and back surface unique information may be displayed on the back surface of the imaging plate 10.

Furthermore, the fringe region, which is the edge region of the imaging plate 10, may be excluded from the target of image processing for obtaining a radiation image. Front-side specific information 1000, such as a very small barcode, may be displayed in this fringe region.

The imaging plate 10 may also be provided with a convex portion 12 for allowing the user to identify that the imaging plate 10 has been placed face down in the reading device 1, i.e., that the imaging plate 10 has been set upside down. FIG. 58 is a diagram showing an example of the imaging plate 10 with the convex portion 12 provided. FIG. 58 shows the front surface 10x side of the imaging plate 10 in a state where the imaging plate 10 is set face up. In the example of FIG. 58, the convex portion 12 is provided on the periphery of the imaging plate 10. The convex portion 12 is provided on one of the four sides constituting the periphery of the imaging plate 10, avoiding the center. In the example of FIG. 58, the convex portion 12 is provided on the short side of the imaging plate 10, avoiding the center. The radiation image forming layer 11 is not formed on the surface of the convex portion 12, and the black anodizing process is not performed. The surface of the convex portion 12 reflects the excitation light L1 to the same extent as the surface of the imaging plate 10, for example. Regardless of whether the imaging plate 10 is set upside down, the overall image obtained based on the image signal output from the detector 40 includes a reflected light image of the convex portion 12. The convex portion 12 may be provided on the long side of the imaging plate 10.

In this way, the convex portion 12 is provided on one side of the imaging plate 10, avoiding the center, so that the position of the convex portion 12 when the imaging plate 10 is viewed from the light source 30 side is always different when the imaging plate 10 is supported on the back side and when the imaging plate 10 is supported on the front side.

Figure 59, like Figure 58, is a schematic diagram showing an example of the imaging plate 10 as viewed from the front surface 10x. Figure 59 shows the imaging plate 10 shown in Figure 58 rotated 180 degrees parallel to its main surface. Figures 60 and 61 are schematic diagrams showing an example of the imaging plate 10 as viewed from its back surface 10y with the imaging plate 10 set face down. Figure 61 shows the imaging plate 10 shown in Figure 60 rotated 180 degrees parallel to its main surface.

As shown in Figures 58 to 61, the position of the convex portion 12 when the imaging plate 10 is viewed from the front surface 10x side is always different from the position of the convex portion 12 when the imaging plate 10 is viewed from the back surface 10y side. As shown in Figures 58 and 59, when the imaging plate 10 is viewed from the front surface 10x side, the convex portion 12 is located closer to the adjacent side in the clockwise direction (the upper side in Figure 58) than the adjacent side in the counterclockwise direction (the lower side in Figure 58) of the side on which it is provided. In contrast, as shown in Figures 60 and 61, when the imaging plate 10 is viewed from the back surface 10y side, the convex portion 12 is located closer to the adjacent side in the counterclockwise direction (the lower side in Figure 60) than the adjacent side in the clockwise direction (the upper side in Figure 60) of the side on which it is provided.

In this way, when the convex portion 12 is provided on one side of the imaging plate 10, avoiding the center portion, the position of the convex portion 12 is always different when the imaging plate 10 is viewed from the front side 10x and when the imaging plate 10 is viewed from the back side 10y. Therefore, when the imaging plate 10 is supported on the back side and when the imaging plate 10 is supported on the front side, the position of the convex portion 12 when the imaging plate 10 is viewed from the light source 30 side is always different. In other words, when the imaging plate 10 is set upside down and when the imaging plate 10 is set correctly, the position of the convex portion 12 when the imaging plate 10 is viewed from the light source 30 side is always different. Therefore, the position of the image of the convex portion 12 (i.e., the reflected light image) in the overall image when emitting light or the overall image when erasing obtained when the imaging plate 10 is supported on the back side is always different from the position of the image of the convex portion 12 (i.e., the reflected light image) in the overall image when the imaging plate 10 is inserted on the back side obtained when the imaging plate 10 is supported on the front side. This allows the user to easily determine that the imaging plate 10 is supported with its front side facing up, that is, that the imaging plate 10 has been placed face down in the reading device 1, by checking the position of the image of the convex portion 12 in the acquired overall image displayed on the display unit 3. In other words, the user can easily determine that the imaging plate 10 has been set upside down by checking the position of the convex portion 12 in the acquired overall image displayed on the display unit 3. From another perspective, the user can easily determine that the imaging plate 10 has been set correctly by checking the position of the convex portion 12 in the acquired overall image displayed on the display unit 3.

In addition, the protrusion 12 may be detachable from the imaging plate 10, as shown in FIG. 62.

In addition, multiple convex portions 12 may be provided on the periphery of the imaging plate 10. Figures 63 and 64 are schematic diagrams showing an example of how two convex portions 12 are provided on the periphery of the imaging plate 10. Figure 63 shows the imaging plate 10 viewed from the front surface 10x side, and Figure 64 shows the imaging plate 10 viewed from the back surface 10y side. In the examples of Figures 63 and 64, two convex portions 12 are provided on two opposing sides of the imaging plate 10. In addition, when the imaging plate 10 is viewed from the front surface 10x side (or the back surface 10y side), the two convex portions 12 are present in positions that are point-symmetrical with respect to the center of the front surface 10x (or the back surface 10y). Even if two convex portions 12 are provided on the periphery of the imaging plate 10 as shown in Figures 63 and 64, the position of the image of the convex portion 12 in the light-emitting overall image or the erased overall image obtained when the imaging plate 10 is supported on the back side will always be different from the position of the image of the convex portion 12 in the back-insertion overall image obtained when the imaging plate 10 is supported on the front side. Therefore, by checking the position of the image of the convex portion 12 in the acquired overall image displayed on the display unit 3, the user can easily determine that the imaging plate 10 has been inserted in the reading device 1 face down, that is, that the imaging plate 10 has been set upside down. In addition, by checking the position of the image of the convex portion 12 in the acquired overall image displayed on the display unit 3, the user can easily determine that the imaging plate 10 has been inserted in the reading device 1 face up, that is, that the imaging plate 10 has been set correctly.

In addition, each of the two protrusions 12 may be detachable from the imaging plate 10 as shown in FIG. 65. Also, only one of the two protrusions 12 may be detachable from the imaging plate 10. Also, when at least one protrusion 12 is provided on the imaging plate 10, front surface-specific information may be displayed on the front surface 10x of the imaging plate 10, and back surface-specific information may be displayed on the back surface 10y of the imaging plate 10.

The image processing unit 81 may perform a determination process to determine whether or not the imaging plate 10 is set upside down based on the detection result of the detector 40. In this case, the image processing unit 81 functions as a determination unit that determines whether or not the imaging plate 10 is set upside down. The determination process can also be said to be a process that determines whether or not the imaging plate 10 is inserted into the reading device 1 face down.

Figure 66 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the reading device 1 when the image processing unit 81 performs the determination process. After the imaging plate 10 inserted through the insertion port 2a of the housing 2 is held by the holding unit 20, that is, after the imaging plate 10 is set inside the reading device 1, when the start button included in the operation unit 4 is operated, the above-mentioned steps s1 and s2 are executed. At the start of step s1, it is unclear to the reading device 1 whether the imaging plate 10 has been set correctly or upside down.

When the reading process of step s2 is completed, in step s201, the image processing unit 81 executes a judgment process. In this judgment process, the image processing unit 81 judges whether the imaging plate 10 is set upside down based on the image signal output by the detector 40 in the reading process of step s2.

Now, consider a case where the back side specific information 600 is shown on the back side of the imaging plate 10, as in the example of FIG. 54 described above. In this case, the image processing unit 81 judges whether or not the acquired overall image based on the image signal acquired in step s2 includes the image 302 of the back side specific information 600 (i.e., the back side specific image 302). The image processing unit 81 judges whether or not the acquired overall image includes, for example, the image 302c of the barcode 600c. Then, when the image processing unit 81 judges that the acquired overall image acquired in step s2 includes the back side specific image 302, it judges that the imaging plate 10 is set upside down. On the other hand, when the image processing unit 81 judges that the acquired overall image acquired in step s2 does not include the back side specific image 302, it judges that the imaging plate 10 is not set upside down. In other words, the image processing unit 81 judges that the imaging plate 10 is set correctly.

As another example, consider a case where the front unique information 1000 is shown on the front of the imaging plate 10, as shown in Figures 56 and 57 above. In this case, the image processing unit 81 determines whether or not the image of the front unique information 1000 is included in the acquired overall image obtained in step s2. If the image processing unit 81 determines that the image of the front unique information 1000 is included in the acquired overall image, it determines that the imaging plate 10 is not set upside down. On the other hand, if the image processing unit 81 determines that the image of the front unique information 1000 is not included in the acquired overall image, it determines that the imaging plate 10 is set upside down.

As another example, as in the examples of Figures 58 to 64 described above, consider a case where at least one convex portion 12 is provided on the periphery of the imaging plate 10 to determine whether the imaging plate 10 is set upside down. In this case, the image processing unit 81 checks the position of the image of the convex portion 12 in the acquired overall image obtained in step s2. Then, the image processing unit 81 determines whether the imaging plate 10 is set upside down based on the position of the image of the convex portion 12 in the acquired overall image. As described above, the position of the image of the convex portion 12 in the acquired overall image obtained when the imaging plate 10 is supported on the back side is always different from the position of the image of the convex portion 12 in the acquired overall image obtained when the imaging plate 10 is supported on the front side. This allows the image processing unit 81 to determine whether the imaging plate 10 is set upside down based on the position of the image of the convex portion 12 in the acquired overall image. The image processing unit 81 can specify the position of the image of the convex portion 12 in the acquired overall image based on, for example, a binary image obtained by binarizing the acquired overall image.

If it is determined in step s201 that the imaging plate 10 is not set upside down, the above-mentioned steps s3 and s4 are executed. After step s4, steps s5, s6, and s7 may be executed as in the example of FIG. 14 above, or steps s21, s22, s5, s6, and s27 may be executed as in the example of FIG. 24 above.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step s201 that the imaging plate 10 is set upside down, step s202 is executed. In step s202, the reading device 1 notifies the user of a warning. In this case, the display control unit 82 may notify the user of the warning by displaying warning information 650 on the display unit 3. In this case, the display unit 3 functions as a notification unit that notifies the user of the warning.

Figure 67 is a schematic diagram showing an example of how warning information 650 is displayed. In the example of Figure 67, the warning information 650 includes notification information 650a that notifies the user that the imaging plate 10 has been set upside down, and instruction information 650b that instructs the user to reinsert the imaging plate 10 face up. The instruction information 650b can also be said to be instruction information that instructs the user to set the imaging plate 10 correctly.

Note that the warning information 650 is not limited to the above example. Furthermore, the reading device 1 may notify the user of the warning by means other than displaying information. For example, if the reading device 1 is provided with a sound output means, such as a speaker, that outputs sound to the outside of the housing 2, the reading device 1 may notify the user of the warning by outputting a predetermined warning sound from the sound output means. In this case, the sound output means functions as a notification unit that notifies the user of the warning. Furthermore, if the reading device 1 is provided with a light-emitting unit, such as an LED, that outputs light to the outside of the housing 2, the reading device 1 may notify the user of the warning by causing the light-emitting unit to emit light. In this case, the light-emitting unit functions as a notification unit that notifies the user of the warning.

When the user is notified of the warning from the reading device 1, he or she operates, for example, the eject button included in the operation unit 4. When the operation unit 4 accepts the operation of the eject button, the above-mentioned steps s5 and s6 are executed in the reading device 1, and the imaging plate 10 from which the radiation image has not been erased is ejected to the ejection port 2b. Thereafter, the user inserts the imaging plate 10 that has been ejected from the reading device 1 back into the reading device 1. Thereafter, when the start button on the operation unit 4 is operated, the series of processes in FIG. 66 are executed again.

In step S202, the reading device 1 may notify the user of a warning and may display the overall image acquired in step S2 (i.e., the overall image when the bill is inserted backwards) on the display unit 3. In this case, the display unit 3 may display, for example, the warning information 650 and the overall image when the bill is inserted backwards simultaneously and separately.

In this way, the image processing unit 81 can determine whether or not the imaging plate is set upside down based on the detection result of the detector 40. This makes it possible to more reliably read the radiation image from the imaging plate 10 based on the determination result. For example, as in the above example, a warning can be notified to the user based on the determination result, urging the user to correctly set the imaging plate 10 in the reading device 1. This makes it possible to more reliably read the radiation image from the imaging plate 10.

In the example of FIG. 66, when it is determined that the imaging plate is set upside down, the erasure process is not executed and a warning is notified to the user. More specifically, in the example of FIG. 66, if it is not determined that the imaging plate is set upside down, the erasure process is executed, but when it is determined that the imaging plate is set upside down, the erasure process is not executed and a warning is notified to the user. In the example of FIG. 66, when it is determined that the imaging plate is set upside down, the erasure light L3 is not irradiated to the imaging plate 10 and a warning is notified to the user. In this way, when it is determined that the imaging plate is set upside down, a warning can be immediately notified to the user. The warning notification in step s202 may be executed between steps s3 and s4, or after step s4.

The erasing process also involves irradiating the imaging plate 10 with erasing light L3. If the erasing light L3 is irradiated when the imaging plate 10 is set upside down, this may adversely affect the radiation image recorded by the imaging plate 10 as a latent image. For example, if there is a gap between the support plate 21 and the imaging plate 10, the erasing light L3 may enter through the gap and partially erase or dilute the radiation image recorded by the imaging plate 10. It is also possible that the irradiation of the erasing light L3 may generate heat in the imaging plate 10, adversely affecting the detection signal. There is also a loss in the form of extra time required for the erasing process. Not executing the erasing process when the imaging plate is set upside down is intended to prevent these adverse effects and losses.

Also, as in the example of Figure 54, when at least one piece of back-side specific information 600 is displayed on the back side of the imaging plate 10, it is easy to determine whether the imaging plate 10 is set upside down.

Furthermore, as in the examples of Figures 56 and 57, when at least one front-side specific information 1000 is displayed on the front side of the imaging plate 10, it is easy to determine whether the imaging plate 10 is set upside down.

In addition, as in the examples of Figures 58 to 65, if at least one protrusion 12 is provided on the periphery of the imaging plate 10 to determine whether the imaging plate 10 is set upside down, it can be easily determined whether the imaging plate 10 is set upside down.

In the above example, when the reading device 1 determines that the imaging plate 10 is set upside down, the reading device 1 ejects the imaging plate 10 in response to a user instruction, but the imaging plate 10 may be automatically ejected without a user instruction. For example, step s3 may be executed after step s202. In this case, after the erasure process is executed, the above-mentioned steps s5 and s6 are executed and the imaging plate 10 is automatically ejected.

Also, as shown in FIG. 68, steps s205 and s206 may be executed in sequence after step s202. In step s205, similar to step s5 described above, the holder 20 is moved to the ejection position. In step s206, similar to step s6 described above, the imaging plate 10 is ejected to the outlet 2b. As a result, if it is determined that the imaging plate 10 is set upside down, the imaging plate 10 is automatically ejected. In other words, the imaging plate 10 is ejected in response to the determination that the imaging plate 10 is set upside down.

In this way, when it is determined that the imaging plate 10 is set upside down, the imaging plate 10 is ejected, eliminating the need for a user operation to instruct the reading device 1 to eject the imaging plate 10. This improves the convenience of the reading device 1. Furthermore, by ejecting the imaging plate 10, the user can be prompted to set the imaging plate 10 again.

In addition, in the example of FIG. 68, when it is determined that the imaging plate is set upside down, the erasure process is not performed and the imaging plate 10 is ejected. This allows the imaging plate 10 to be ejected immediately when it is determined that the imaging plate is set upside down.

Note that, after step s201 is determined as YES, steps s205 and s206 may be executed without executing step s202. In other words, if it is determined that the imaging plate 10 is set in the reversed display, the imaging plate 10 may be ejected without a warning being issued to the user. Also, step s202 may be executed after steps s205 and s206, or may be executed between steps s205 and s206.

As in the example of Figure 54, when multiple pieces of back-side-specific information 600 are displayed on the back side of the imaging plate 10, even if the orientation of the imaging plate 10 is not constant when the imaging plate 10 is set, it is possible to immediately identify that the imaging plate 10 has been set upside down. This point will be explained below.

As described above, in the reading process, while the light source 30 is performing a scanning process in which it repeatedly performs a main scanning direction scan in which the excitation light L1 is scanned in the main scanning direction DRm on the imaging plate 10, the drive unit 50 moves the holding unit 20 holding the imaging plate 10 in the sub-scanning direction DRs. This causes the excitation light L1 to be raster scanned over the imaging plate 10. The start of the reading process can also be said to be the start of the scanning process of the light source 30.

Figures 69 and 70 are schematic diagrams showing an example of an imaging plate 10 with multiple back-side-specific information 600 shown on the back side 10y, set upside down. In the example of Figures 69 and 70, only barcodes 600c and 600d are shown on the back side 10y of the imaging plate 10. The barcodes 600c and 600d are provided at both ends of the back side 10y of the imaging plate 10 in the longitudinal direction. Also, Figures 69 and 70 show the scanning direction DRr of the excitation light L1 with respect to the imaging plate 10 in the scanning process (in other words, raster scanning). In the example of Figure 70, the imaging plate 10 is set in a state rotated 180 degrees parallel to its main surface, compared to the example of Figure 69.

Here, on both sides of the longitudinal direction of the imaging plate 10, the side where the raster scan starts is called the forward scanning side, and the side where the raster scan ends is called the rear scanning side. The forward scanning side of the imaging plate 10 is the left side of Figs. 69 and 70, and the rear scanning side of the imaging plate 10 is the right side of Figs. 69 and 70. In the example of Figs. 69 and 70, rear-side specific information 600 is shown at each of the forward scanning end and rear scanning end of the rear surface 10y of the imaging plate 10. In this example, the imaging plate 10 may be set so that one of its longitudinal ends is located on the forward scanning side, as shown in Figs. 69 and 71, or the other of the longitudinal ends may be set so that it is located on the forward scanning side.

As described above, in the reading process of this example, main scanning direction scanning is repeatedly performed while the imaging plate 10 is moving in the sub-scanning direction DRs. As a result, as shown in the scanning direction DRr in Figures 69 and 70, scanning of the excitation light L1 in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the imaging plate 10 (also called a unit scan) is repeatedly performed from the scanning front side to the scanning rear side. In Figures 69 and 70, one of the multiple arrows indicating the scanning direction DRr represents a unit scan.

When the imaging plate 10 is set so that the barcode 600c is located in front of the scanning as shown in FIG. 69, the image of the barcode 600c is obtained in the first half of the reading process in step s2. When the imaging plate 10 is set so that the barcode 600d is located in front of the scanning as shown in FIG. 70, the image of the barcode 600d is obtained in the first half of the reading process. As a result, in the above-mentioned step s201, the image processing unit 81 can determine whether or not the image of the back side unique information 600 is included in the acquired overall image by checking only the image obtained in the first half of the reading process in the acquired overall image, rather than the entire acquired overall image obtained in the reading process. When the image of the back side unique information 600 is included in the image obtained in the first half of the reading process among the acquired overall image, the image processing unit 81 determines that the imaging plate 10 is set upside down. On the other hand, if the image of the back-side specific information 600 is not included in the image obtained in the first half of the reading process among the acquired overall image, the image processing unit 81 determines that the imaging plate 10 is not set upside down.

In contrast, consider a case where the barcode 600c is not shown on the back surface 10y of the imaging plate 10. In this case, when the imaging plate 10 is set in the position shown in FIG. 69, an image of the barcode 600c is obtained in the first half of the reading process. However, when the imaging plate 10 is set in the position shown in FIG. 70, an image of the barcode 600c is obtained in the second half of the reading process. Therefore, in order to determine that the imaging plate 10 is set upside down, whether the imaging plate 10 is set in the position shown in FIG. 69 or in the position shown in FIG. 70, the image processing unit 81 needs to check the entire acquired overall image and determine whether it includes an image of the back surface specific information 600.

In this way, by displaying multiple pieces of back-side unique information 600 on the back side of the imaging plate 10, even if the posture of the imaging plate 10 is not constant when the imaging plate 10 is set, the image processing unit 81 can determine whether or not the acquired overall image includes an image of the back-side unique information 600 by checking only a portion of the acquired overall image. This allows the image processing unit 81 to immediately determine whether or not the acquired overall image includes an image of the back-side unique information 600. Therefore, the image processing unit 81 can immediately identify that the imaging plate 10 has been set upside down. As a result, the reading device 1 can, for example, immediately notify the user of a warning or immediately eject the imaging plate 10.

In addition, as in the examples of Figures 69 and 70, when the back side unique information 600 is shown at each of the scanning front end and scanning rear end of the back side of the imaging plate 10, whether the imaging plate 10 is set in the posture of Figure 69 or the posture of Figure 70, the image processing unit 81 can determine whether or not the acquired overall image contains an image of the back side unique information 600 by checking only the image obtained at an early stage of the reading process among the acquired overall images. This allows the image processing unit 81 to immediately identify that the imaging plate 10 is set upside down. Note that the number of back side unique information 600 shown on the back side of the imaging plate 10 may be one. Also, the position where the back side unique information 600 is shown on the back side of the imaging plate 10 is not limited to the above example.

Similarly, when multiple pieces of front-side unique information 1000 are displayed on the front side of the imaging plate 10, as in the example of Figure 57, even if the orientation of the imaging plate 10 is not constant when the imaging plate 10 is set, it is possible to immediately identify that the imaging plate 10 is set upside down.

Figures 71 and 72 are schematic diagrams showing an example of how an imaging plate 10 with multiple front-side unique information 1000 displayed on the front surface 10x is set correctly. In the example of Figures 71 and 72, characters 1000a and 1000b are displayed as front-side unique information 1000 on the front surface 10x of the imaging plate 10. The characters 1000a and 1000b are displayed at the end of the front side of the scan and the end of the rear side of the scan, respectively, of the front surface 10x of the imaging plate 10. In the example of Figure 72, compared to the example of Figure 71, the imaging plate 10 is set in a state rotated 180 degrees parallel to its main surface.

When the imaging plate 10 is set so that the character 1000a is located at the front of the scan as shown in FIG. 71, an image of the character 1000a is obtained in the first half of the reading process. When the imaging plate 10 is set so that the character 1000b is located at the front of the scan as shown in FIG. 72, an image of the character 1000b is obtained in the first half of the reading process. As a result, in step s201, the image processing unit 81 can determine whether or not the image of the front unique information 1000 is included in the acquired overall image obtained in the reading process by checking only the image obtained in the first half of the reading process. When the image of the front unique information 1000 is not included in the image obtained in the first half of the reading process out of the entire acquisition, the image processing unit 81 can determine that the imaging plate 10 is set upside down.

In this way, by displaying multiple pieces of front-side unique information 1000 on the front side of the imaging plate 10, even if the posture of the imaging plate 10 is not constant when the imaging plate 10 is set, the image processing unit 81 can determine whether or not the image of the front-side unique information 1000 is included in the acquired overall image by checking only a portion of the acquired overall image. This allows the image processing unit 81 to immediately identify that the imaging plate 10 has been set upside down.

Also, as in the examples of Figures 71 and 72, when front-side unique information 1000 is shown at each of the scanning front end and scanning rear end of the front surface of the imaging plate 10, whether the imaging plate 10 is set in the position shown in Figure 71 or in the position shown in Figure 72, the image processing unit 81 can determine whether or not the acquired overall image contains an image of the front-side unique information 1000 by checking only the image obtained at an early stage of the reading process out of the acquired overall image. This allows the image processing unit 81 to immediately identify that the imaging plate 10 is set upside down.

In addition, in the examples of Figures 71 and 72, the front-side specific information 1000 is shown at the end of the front side of the scan ahead of the front surface 10x of the set imaging plate 10, closer to the start of the unit scan of the raster scan than the center. This allows the image processing unit 81 to determine whether or not the image of the front-side specific information 1000 is included in the acquired overall image by checking only a smaller portion of the acquired overall image. Therefore, the image processing unit 81 can more quickly identify that the imaging plate 10 has been set upside down.

The position where the front side unique information 1000 is shown on the front side of the imaging plate 10 is not limited to the above example. Also, the back side unique information 600 may be shown on the end of the back side of the imaging plate 10 on the forward scanning side, closer to the start of the unit scan of the raster scan than the center. This allows the image processing unit 81 to determine whether or not the image of the back side unique information 600 is included in the acquired overall image by checking only a smaller portion of the acquired overall image. This allows the image processing unit 81 to more quickly identify that the imaging plate 10 has been set upside down.

Similarly, in the case where multiple protrusions 12 are provided on the periphery of the imaging plate 10, as in the examples of Figures 63 to 65, even if the orientation of the imaging plate 10 is not constant when the imaging plate 10 is set, the image processing unit 81 can immediately identify that the imaging plate 10 is set upside down.

Figures 73 and 74 are schematic diagrams showing an example of an imaging plate 10 having multiple protrusions 12 that is set upside down. In the examples of Figures 73 and 74, protrusions 12a and 12b are provided on the periphery of the imaging plate 10. The protrusions 12a and 12b are provided on the short side of the periphery of the imaging plate 10 that faces forward in scanning and on the short side that faces backward in scanning, respectively. In the example of Figure 74, compared to the example of Figure 73, the imaging plate 10 is set in a state rotated 180 degrees parallel to its main surface.

When the imaging plate 10 is set so that the convex portion 12a is located in front of the scanning as shown in FIG. 73, an image of the convex portion 12a is obtained in the first half of the reading process. When the imaging plate 10 is set so that the convex portion 12b is located in front of the scanning as shown in FIG. 74, an image of the convex portion 12b is obtained in the first half of the reading process. As a result, in step s201, the image processing unit 81 can determine whether or not the image of the convex portion 12 is included in the acquired overall image obtained in the reading process by checking only the image obtained in the first half of the reading process. When the image of the convex portion 12 is included in the image obtained in the first half of the reading process among the acquired overall images, the image processing unit 81 specifies the position of the convex portion 12 relative to the imaging plate 10 based on the position of the image of the convex portion 12 in the image obtained in the first half of the reading process. Then, if the identified position of the convex portion 12 matches the position of the convex portion 12 when the imaging plate 10 is supported from the front (see, for example, Figures 73 and 74), the image processing unit 81 determines that the imaging plate 10 is set upside down. On the other hand, if the identified position of the convex portion 12 does not match the position of the convex portion 12 when the imaging plate 10 is supported from the front, the image processing unit 81 determines that the imaging plate 10 is not set upside down.

In this way, by providing multiple protrusions 12 on the periphery of the imaging plate 10, even if the posture of the imaging plate 10 is not constant when the imaging plate 10 is set, the image processing unit 81 can determine whether or not the image of the protrusions 12 is included in the acquired overall image by checking only a portion of the image of the acquired overall image. This allows the image processing unit 81 to immediately identify that the imaging plate 10 has been set upside down.

In addition, as in the examples of Figures 73 and 74, when a convex portion 12 is provided on each of the scanning front and scanning rear edges of the periphery of the imaging plate 10, whether the imaging plate 10 is set in the position shown in Figure 73 or in the position shown in Figure 74, the image processing unit 81 can determine whether or not the acquired overall image includes an image of the convex portion 12 by checking only the image obtained at an early stage of the reading process out of the acquired overall image. This allows the image processing unit 81 to immediately identify that the imaging plate 10 has been set upside down.

In addition, in the examples of Figures 74 and 74, the convex portion 12 is provided on the edge of the imaging plate 10 on the forward side of the scan, closer to the start side of the unit scan of the raster scan than the center. This allows the image processing unit 81 to determine whether or not the image of the convex portion 12 is included in the acquired overall image by checking only a smaller portion of the acquired overall image. Therefore, the image processing unit 81 can more quickly identify that the imaging plate 10 has been set upside down. Note that the position at which the convex portion 12 is provided on the periphery of the imaging plate 10 is not limited to the above example.

In the above example, the determination process is executed after the reading process in step s2 is completed, but the reading process and the determination process may be executed in parallel. Figure 75 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the reading device 1 in this case. When the start button on the operation unit 4 is operated to execute step s1, the reading process starts in step s211.

When the reading process starts, in other words, when the scanning process starts, in step s212, the image processing unit 81 determines whether or not it is possible to identify that the imaging plate 10 is set upside down based on the luminance values sequentially output from the detector 40 in response to the raster scan. Specifically, the image processing unit 81 determines whether or not it is possible to identify that the imaging plate 10 is set upside down based on the multiple luminance values (in other words, multiple pixel signals or multiple pixel values) output by the detector 40 from the start of the reading process to the present. Step s212 may be executed, for example, every time one luminance value is output from the detector 40, or every time multiple luminance values are output. Step s212 may also be executed, for example, every time the raster scan of the excitation light L1 is performed for one line or several lines.

Here, consider the case where the back side specific information 600 is shown on the back side of the imaging plate 10. In this case, in step s212, the image processing unit 81 judges whether or not the image 302 of the back side specific information 600 (i.e., the back side specific image 302) is included in the image (also called the judgment target image) represented by the multiple luminance values output by the detector 40 from the start of the reading process to the present. The luminance values of the multiple pixels constituting the judgment target image are composed of the multiple luminance values output by the detector 40 from the start of the reading process to the present. The judgment target image is at least a part of the acquired overall image obtained at the completion of the reading process. When the image processing unit 81 judges that the judgment target image contains the back side specific image 302, it judges that it has been identified that the imaging plate 10 is set upside down. In other words, the image processing unit 81 judges that the imaging plate 10 is set upside down. On the other hand, if the image processing unit 81 determines that the image to be determined does not include the back-side specific image 302, it determines that it was not possible to determine that the imaging plate 10 was set upside down.

As another example, consider a case where two pieces of front-side specific information 1000 are shown on the front side of the imaging plate 10, for example as shown in Figures 71 and 72 above. In this case, in step s212, the image processing unit 81 determines whether or not the image to be determined contains an image of the front-side specific information 1000. If the image processing unit 81 determines that the image to be determined contains an image of the front-side specific information 1000, it determines that it has not been possible to identify that the imaging plate 10 is set upside down. On the other hand, if the image processing unit 81 determines that the image to be determined does not contain the front-side specific information 1000, it determines whether or not the image to be determined corresponds to, for example, half of the acquired overall image. If the image processing unit 81 determines that the image to be determined corresponds to half of the acquired overall image, it determines that it has been possible to identify that the imaging plate 10 is set upside down. On the other hand, if the image processing unit 81 determines that the image to be judged does not correspond to half of the acquired overall image, in other words, that the image to be judged is less than half of the acquired overall image, it determines that it was not possible to identify that the imaging plate 10 was set upside down.

Here, the fact that the image to be judged does not include an image of the front unique information 1000 and that the image to be judged corresponds to half of the acquired overall image means that the image of the front unique information 1000 is not included in the image obtained in the first half of the reading process out of the acquired overall image. Therefore, if the image of the front unique information 1000 is not included in the image obtained in the first half of the reading process out of the acquired overall image, it can be said that the image processing unit 81 judges that it has been identified that the imaging plate 10 is set upside down.

As another example, consider a case where a convex portion 12 is provided on the periphery of the imaging plate 10. In this case, in step s212, the image processing unit 81 judges whether or not the image of the convex portion 12 is included in the image to be judged. When the image processing unit 81 judges that the image of the convex portion 12 is included in the image to be judged, it identifies the position of the convex portion 12 relative to the imaging plate 10 based on the position of the image of the convex portion 12 in the target judgment image. Then, if the identified position of the convex portion 12 coincides with the position of the convex portion 12 when the imaging plate 10 is supported on the front side (see, for example, Figures 73 and 74), the image processing unit 81 judges that it has been possible to identify that the imaging plate 10 is set upside down. On the other hand, if the identified position of the convex portion 12 does not coincide with the position of the convex portion 12 when the imaging plate 10 is supported on the front side, the image processing unit 81 judges that it has not been possible to identify that the imaging plate 10 is set upside down. In other words, if the identified position of the convex portion 12 coincides with the position of the convex portion 12 when the imaging plate 10 is supported on its back side (see, for example, FIG. 63), the image processing unit 81 determines that it was not possible to identify that the imaging plate 10 is set upside down.

In step s212, if the image processing unit 81 determines that the imaging plate 10 has been set upside down, in other words, if the image processing unit 81 determines that the imaging plate 10 has been set upside down, step s214 is executed. In step s214, the reading process is stopped. That is, the light emission control unit 86 causes the light source 30 to stop the scanning process, and the drive control unit 83 causes the drive unit 50 to stop moving the holder 20. This makes it possible to prevent the scanning process from continuing unnecessarily. After step s214, the above-mentioned steps s202, s205, and s206 are executed in sequence, and a warning is issued to the user and the imaging plate 10 is ejected.

On the other hand, if the image processing unit 81 determines in step s212 that it has not been able to identify that the imaging plate 10 is set upside down, step s213 is executed. In step s213, the image processing unit 81 determines whether the reading process has ended (in other words, whether it has been completed). The image processing unit 81 can determine whether the reading process has ended by, for example, being notified by the light emission control unit 86 that the scanning process has ended.

In step s213, if the image processing unit 81 determines that the reading process has not ended, it executes step s212 again. Thereafter, the reading device 1 operates in the same manner. On the other hand, if the image processing unit 81 determines that the reading process has ended, it determines in step s215 that the imaging plate 10 has been set correctly. In other words, if the image processing unit 81 cannot identify that the imaging plate 10 has been set upside down and the reading process ends, the image processing unit 81 determines that the imaging plate 10 has been set correctly. Thereafter, the above-mentioned steps s3 and s4 are executed, and the radiation image is erased from the imaging plate 10. After step s4, steps s5, s6, and s7 may be executed as in the example of FIG. 14 described above, or steps s21, s22, s5, s6, and s27 may be executed as in the example of FIG. 24 described above.

When the front unique information 1000 is shown on the front of the imaging plate 10, if it is determined in step s212 that the image to be judged contains an image of the front unique information 1000, the imaging plate 10 is set correctly. Therefore, after it is determined in step s212 that the image to be judged contains an image of the front unique information 1000, step s212 does not need to be executed until the reading process is completed.

In addition, if the imaging plate 10 has a protruding portion 12 on its periphery, when step s212 returns NO, the imaging plate 10 is set correctly. Therefore, if the imaging plate 10 has a protruding portion 12 on its periphery, once step s212 returns NO, step s212 does not need to be executed until the reading process is completed.

In addition, steps s205 and s206 may not be executed after step s202. In addition, when step s212 is judged as YES, steps s205 and s206 may be executed without executing step s202. In addition, step s202 may be executed between steps s205 and s206, or after steps s205 and s206.

In the example of FIG. 75, when it is determined during the reading process that the imaging plate 10 is set upside down, the reading process is stopped and a warning is notified to the user. In other words, when it is determined during the scanning process in which the excitation light L1 is scanned on the imaging plate 10 that the imaging plate 10 is set upside down, the scanning process is stopped and a warning is notified to the user. This makes it possible to immediately notify the user of the warning. Therefore, the user can immediately know that the imaging plate 10 is set upside down. As a result, the user can immediately reset the imaging plate 10.

In the example of FIG. 75, when it is determined during the reading process that the imaging plate is set upside down, the reading process is stopped and the imaging plate 10 is ejected. This makes it possible to immediately eject the imaging plate 10 and prompt the user to set the imaging plate 10 again.

In addition, as in the example of FIG. 54, when multiple pieces of back-side unique information 600 are shown on the back side of the imaging plate 10, even if the posture of the imaging plate 10 is not constant when the imaging plate 10 is set, the object determination image including the image of the back-side unique information 600 can be obtained immediately from the detection result of the detector 40. For example, when the imaging plate 10 is set so that the barcode 600c is located on the scanning front side as shown in FIG. 69 above, the object determination image including the image of the barcode 600c can be obtained at an early stage of the reading process. In addition, when the imaging plate 10 is set so that the barcode 600d is located on the scanning front side as shown in FIG. 70 above, the determination object image including the image of the barcode 600d can be obtained at an early stage of the reading process. Therefore, the image processing unit 81 can immediately obtain the image of the back-side unique information 600 from the detection result of the detector 40. As a result, the image processing unit 81 can identify that the imaging plate 10 is set upside down immediately after the reading process starts. As a result, if the imaging plate 10 is set upside down, the reading process can be stopped immediately.

Similarly, in the case where multiple pieces of front-side unique information 1000 are shown on the front side of the imaging plate 10 as in the example of FIG. 57, even if the posture of the imaging plate 10 is not constant when the imaging plate 10 is set, it is possible to immediately identify that the imaging plate 10 is set upside down. In the above step s212, the image processing unit 81 determines that the imaging plate 10 is set upside down if the image of the front-side unique information 1000 is not included in the image obtained in the first half of the reading process among the acquired overall image. In the case where multiple pieces of front-side unique information 1000 are arranged as in FIG. 71 and 72, the image processing unit 81 may determine that the imaging plate 10 is set upside down if the image of the front-side unique information 1000 is not included in the image obtained in the first third of the reading process among the acquired overall image. This makes it possible to immediately identify that the imaging plate 10 is set upside down after the reading process starts.

Similarly, when multiple protrusions 12 are provided on the periphery of the imaging plate 10, as in the examples of Figures 63 to 65, even if the orientation of the imaging plate 10 is not constant when the imaging plate 10 is set, it is possible to immediately identify that the imaging plate 10 has been set upside down.

In the example of FIG. 75, when step s212 returns YES, the reading process may not be stopped and step s202 may be executed after the reading process is completed.

In the above example, whether or not the imaging plate 10 is set upside down is determined based on the detection result of the detector 40 in the reading process, but whether or not the imaging plate 10 is set upside down may also be determined based on the detection result of the detector 40 after the erasing process has been executed. Figure 76 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the reading device 1 in this case. When the start button on the operation unit 4 is operated, steps s1, s2, s3, s4, and s21 are executed in sequence, as in Figure 24 above. To repeat, step s4 is a process of irradiating the imaging plate 10 with erasing light L3 to erase the radiation image.

Next, in step s221, the reading device 1 executes a scanning process and a scanning detection process in which the detector 40 detects light. The scanning detection process is a process of scanning the imaging plate 10 that has been erased. In the scanning detection process, the reading device 1 moves the holding unit 20 that holds the imaging plate 10 in the sub-scanning direction DRs while performing the scanning process. This causes the imaging plate 10 to be raster scanned with the excitation light L1. Then, in the scanning detection process, during the raster scan, the detector 40 detects the reflected light of the excitation light L1 from the imaging plate 10 and the IP outer region, and outputs an erased image signal as the detection result. Step s221 is the same process as step s22 in FIG. 24.

When the scanning detection process is completed, in step s222, the image processing unit 81 performs a judgment process to judge whether or not the imaging plate 10 is set upside down based on the erasure image signal output by the detector 40 in step s221. In other words, the image processing unit 81 performs a judgment process based on the overall image at erasure obtained in the scanning detection process. The judgment process in step s222 is the same as the judgment process in step s201 described above.

Here, the acquired overall image obtained in the reading process in step s2 may contain radiation images that are not necessary for the judgment process. Therefore, when the acquired overall image obtained in step s2 is used in the judgment process, the image processing unit 81 may have difficulty in judging whether or not the acquired overall image contains an image of the back side specific information, an image of the front side specific information, or an image of the convex portion 12. As a result, when the acquired overall image obtained in the reading process is used in the judgment process, the image processing unit 81 may have difficulty in judging whether or not the imaging plate 10 is set upside down. In contrast, the erased overall image obtained in step s221 does not contain radiation images that are not necessary for the judgment process. Therefore, when the erased overall image is used in the judgment process, it becomes easier for the image processing unit 81 to judge whether or not the imaging plate 10 is set upside down. In particular, when the front side specific information is used, the effect is great because radiation images that may be mixed in are erased.

If it is determined in step s222 that the imaging plate 10 is set upside down, steps s202, s205, and s206 performed in FIG. 68 above are executed in sequence. On the other hand, if it is determined in step s222 that the imaging plate 10 is not set upside down, steps s5, s6, and s27 performed in FIG. 24 above are executed in sequence.

Note that steps s205 and s206 do not have to be executed after step s202. Also, when step s222 is judged as YES, steps s205 and s206 may be executed without executing step s202. Also, step s202 may be executed between steps s205 and s206, or after steps s205 and s206.

In the example of Figure 76, the determination process is executed after the scanning detection process is completed, but the scanning detection process and the determination process may be executed in parallel. Figure 77 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the reading device 1 in this case. After the start button on the operation unit 4 is operated, steps s1, s2, and s3 are executed, and then steps s4 and s21 are executed.

After step s21, the scanning detection process starts in step s231. When the scanning detection process starts, in step s232, the image processing unit 81 determines whether or not it is possible to identify that the imaging plate 10 is set upside down based on the brightness values sequentially output from the detector 40 in response to the raster scan. The process of step s232 is the same as step s212 described above.

If the image processing unit 81 determines in step s232 that it has identified that the imaging plate 10 has been set upside down, in other words, if the image processing unit 81 determines that the imaging plate 10 has been set upside down, step s234 is executed. In step s234, the scanning detection process is stopped. This causes the scanning process and the movement of the holding unit 20 to be stopped. Thereafter, steps s202, s205, and s206 are executed in sequence.

On the other hand, if the image processing unit 81 determines in step s232 that it has not been able to identify that the imaging plate 10 is set upside down, step s233 is executed. In step s233, the image processing unit 81 determines whether the scanning detection process has ended. The image processing unit 81 can determine whether the scanning detection process has ended, for example, by being notified by the light emission control unit 86 that the scanning process has ended.

If the image processing unit 81 determines in step s233 that the scanning detection process has not ended, it executes step 232 again. Thereafter, the reading device 1 operates in the same manner. On the other hand, if the image processing unit 81 determines that the scanning detection process has ended, it determines in step s235 that the imaging plate 10 has been set correctly. Thereafter, steps s5, s6, and s27 are executed in sequence.

Note that steps s205 and s206 do not have to be executed after step s202. Also, when step s232 is judged as YES, steps s205 and s206 may be executed without executing step s202. Also, step s202 may be executed between steps s205 and s206, or after steps s205 and s206.

In addition, if the front-side unique information 1000 is shown on the front side of the imaging plate 10 and it is not necessary to obtain an entire image when erasing, when it is determined in step s232 that the image to be judged contains an image of the front-side unique information 1000, the scanning detection process may be stopped and step s235 may be executed.In addition, if a convex portion 12 is provided on the periphery of the imaging plate 10 and it is not necessary to obtain an entire image when erasing, once it is determined to be NO in step s232, the scanning detection process may be stopped and step s235 may be executed.

In the example of FIG. 77, similar to the example of FIG. 75, when it is determined that the imaging plate 10 is set upside down during the scanning process, the scanning process is stopped and a warning is notified to the user. This allows the user to be notified of the warning immediately. Also, in the example of FIG. 77, when it is determined that the imaging plate 10 is set upside down during the scanning process, the scanning process is stopped and the imaging plate 10 is ejected. This allows the imaging plate 10 to be ejected immediately.

In the example of FIG. 77, when step s232 returns YES, step s202 may be executed after the scanning detection process is completed without the scanning detection process being stopped.

<Other configuration examples of the reading device>
In the above example, the holding unit 20 moves, but the holding unit 20 does not have to move. In this case, the light source 30, the detector 40, and the erasing light source 70 move while the holding unit 20 is stopped, thereby realizing the same processing as described above in the reading device 1. Also, the light source 30, the detector 40, the erasing light source 70, and the holding unit 20 may move.

The reading device 1 may also be equipped with multiple light sources. Figure 78 is a schematic diagram showing an example configuration of a reading device 1 (also called reading device 1A) equipped with two light sources.

As shown in FIG. 78, the reading device 1A includes the above-mentioned light source 30 and another light source 130. The light source 130 is capable of irradiating the imaging plate 10 or the evaluation member 900 held in the holding unit 20 with irradiation light L11. The light source 130 has, for example, the same configuration as the light source 30, and is capable of scanning the irradiation light L11 in the main scanning direction DRm. The irradiation light L11 is, for example, a visible laser light. The wavelength of the irradiation light L11 may be the same as or different from the wavelength of the excitation light L1. The light source 130 is controlled by the light emission control unit 86, similar to the light source 30.

The light source 130 may be used, for example, in step s22 and the scanning detection process in FIG. 24 described above. In this case, in step s22 and the like, the light source 130, not the light source 30, irradiates the imaging plate 10 and the IP outer region with the irradiation light L11. In step s22 and the like, the light source 130, like the light source 30, repeatedly executes the process of scanning the irradiation light L11 on the imaging plate 10 and the IP outer region in the main scanning direction DRm under the control of the light emission control unit 86. Meanwhile, in step s22 and the like, the drive unit 50 moves the holding unit 20 holding the imaging plate 10 in the sub-scanning direction DRs, like the above-mentioned reading process. While the holding unit 20 is moving in the sub-scanning direction DRs, the process of scanning the irradiation light L11 in the main scanning direction DRm is repeatedly executed, so that the irradiation light L11 is raster-scanned on the imaging plate 10 and the IP outer region, like the excitation light L1. In steps s22 and the like, while the imaging plate 10 is raster-scanned with the irradiation light L11, the detector 40 detects the reflected light of the irradiation light L11 from the imaging plate 10 and outputs an image signal at the time of erasure as the detection result. The overall image at the time of erasure based on this image signal at the time of erasure includes an IP reflected light image and an IP outer area image, and does not include a radiation image, similar to the overall image at the time of erasure based on the detection of the reflected light of the excitation light L1. In steps s27 and the like in FIG. 24, an overall image at the time of erasure based on the detection of the reflected light of the irradiation light L11 is displayed. The reading device 1A can use the overall image at the time of erasure based on the detection of the reflected light of the irradiation light L11, similar to the overall image at the time of erasure based on the detection of the reflected light of the excitation light L1. For example, the reading device 1A may specify the IP inclination angle or the IP size based on the overall image at the time of erasure based on the detection of the reflected light of the irradiation light L11.

When the processing of FIG. 24 is executed by the reading device 1A when the imaging plate 10 is inserted face down into the reading device 1A, in step s22, an overall image when the imaging plate 10 is inserted face down is obtained based on the detection of the reflected light of the irradiation light L11, which is similar to the overall image when the imaging plate 10 is inserted face down described above based on the detection of the reflected light of the excitation light L1. The user can determine that the imaging plate 10 has been inserted face down into the reading device 1A based on the overall image when the imaging plate 10 is inserted face down displayed on the display unit 3 of the reading device 1A.

The reading device 1 may include multiple detectors. Figure 79 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a reading device 1 (also called reading device 1B) that includes two detectors and one light source.

As shown in FIG. 79, the reading device 1B includes the above-mentioned detector 40 and a detector 140 that is separate from the detector 40. The reading device 1B also includes a light source 30, but does not include a light source 130. The detector 140 has a configuration similar to that of the detector 40, for example. The detector 140 can detect the emitted light L2 from the imaging plate 10, similar to the detector 40. The detector 140 can also detect the reflected light of the excitation light L1 from the imaging plate 10 and the reflected light of the excitation light L1 from the IP outer region, similar to the detector 40.

The detector 140 may be used, for example, in step s22 and the scanning detection process in FIG. 24 described above. In this case, in the reading device 1B, while the light source 30 is raster scanning the imaging plate 10 and the IP outer region in step s22, etc., the detector 140 detects the reflected light of the excitation light L1 from the imaging plate 10 and the IP outer region, and outputs an image signal at the time of erasure as the detection result. The overall image at the time of erasure based on this image signal at the time of erasure includes an IP reflected light image and an IP outer region image, like the overall image at the time of erasure described up to now, but does not include a radiation image. The reading device 1B can perform various processes, such as identifying the IP tilt angle, based on the overall image at the time of erasure acquired in step s22, etc.

When the imaging plate 10 is inserted face down into the reading device 1B and the process of FIG. 24 is executed by the reading device 1B, in step s22, an overall image when the imaging plate 10 is inserted face down, which shows the back side of the imaging plate 10, is obtained, similar to the overall image when the imaging plate 10 is inserted face down as described above.

The reading device 1 may include multiple detectors and multiple light sources. Figure 80 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a reading device 1 (also called reading device 1C) that includes detectors 40 and 140 and light sources 30 and 130.

The reading device 1C may use the detector 140 and the light source 130, for example, in step s22 and the scanning detection process in FIG. 24 described above. In this case, in the reading device 1C, while the light source 130 raster scans the imaging plate 10 and the IP outer region in step s22, etc., the detector 140 detects the reflected light of the irradiation light L11 from the imaging plate 10 and the IP outer region, and outputs an image signal at the time of erasure as the detection result. The overall image at the time of erasure based on this image signal at the time of erasure includes an IP reflected light image and an IP outer region image, but does not include a radiation image, like the overall image at the time of erasure described so far. Note that when the imaging plate 10 is inserted into the reading device 1C facing down and the process in FIG. 24 is performed by the reading device 1C, in step s22, an acquired overall image showing the back side of the imaging plate 10 is obtained.

In the reading devices 1A and 1C, the light source 130 may output light other than visible light as the irradiation light L11. For example, the irradiation light L11 may be infrared light or ultraviolet light. In this case, detectors capable of detecting infrared light or ultraviolet light are used as the detectors 40 and 140. The irradiation light L11 output by the light source 130 may be light that cannot excite the radiation image forming layer 11 of the imaging plate 10. In other words, even if the irradiation light L11 is irradiated onto the radiation image forming layer 11 that records the radiation image, the emitted light L2 may not be output from the radiation image forming layer 11.

In the reading devices 1A and 1C, if the irradiation light L11 does not excite the radiation image forming layer 11, the process of determining whether the imaging plate 10 is set upside down may be performed before the reading process. In this case, the image processing unit 81 can determine whether the imaging plate 10 is set upside down based on the image signal output by the detector 40 as the detection result of the reflected light of the irradiation light L11 from the imaging plate 10.

In addition, in the reading devices 1B and 1C, the detector 140 that detects the reflected light of the irradiation light L11 may be equipped with, for example, a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor used in a camera. CCD is an abbreviation for Charge Coupled Device, and CMOS is an abbreviation for Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor.

In addition, in the reading device 1C, the light source 130 may irradiate the entire area of the imaging plate 10 with the irradiation light L11 in one irradiation, like the erasing light source 70, rather than scanning the irradiation light L11. In this case, the detector 140 may be equipped with, for example, a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor used in a camera.

In addition, in the reading devices 1A, 1B, and 1C, the detector 40 may not be able to detect the reflected light of the excitation light L1. In this case, the optical filter 42 of the detector 40 may not transmit the excitation light L1. In addition, in the reading device 1C, the detector 40 may not be able to detect the reflected light of the irradiation light L11. In this case, the optical filter 42 of the detector 40 may not transmit the irradiation light L11.

In the overall image at the time of emission acquired when the detector 40 does not detect reflected light of the excitation light L1, when the imaging plate 10 includes an unexposed portion, the brightness value of the unexposed region image and the brightness value of the IP outer region image will be similar. Therefore, when the imaging plate 10 includes an unexposed portion, it becomes difficult for the image processing unit 81 to determine the IP tilt angle and IP size based on the overall image at the time of emission using the method using the binary image as described above. However, even when the imaging plate 10 includes an unexposed portion, the image processing unit 81 can appropriately determine the IP tilt angle and IP size as described above based on the overall image at the time of erasure based on the image signal at the time of erasure output by the detector 140.

In addition, if the detector 40 does not detect the reflected light of the excitation light L1, the reflected light image of the back side unique information 600, the front side unique information 1000, or the convex portion 12 cannot be obtained from the detection result of the detector 40 when the excitation light L1 is irradiated to the imaging plate 10. In such a case, the reading device 1A can obtain the reflected light image of the back side unique information 600, the front side unique information 1000, or the convex portion 12 from the detection result of the reflected light of the irradiation light L11 at the detector 40, and can determine whether or not the imaging plate 10 is set upside down based on the detection result. In addition, the reading device 1B can determine whether or not the imaging plate 10 is set upside down based on the detection result of the reflected light of the excitation light L1 at the detector 140. In addition, the reading device 1C can determine whether or not the imaging plate 10 is set upside down based on the detection result of the reflected light of the irradiation light L11 at the detector 140.

In addition, in the reading devices 1B and 1C, the detector 140 may not be able to detect the emitted light L2. In this case, the reading devices 1B and 1C can obtain an IP reflected light image without erasing the radiation image from the imaging plate 10. For example, the reading device 1B may operate the detectors 40 and 140 simultaneously in the reading process of the above-mentioned step s2. In this case, the detection of the emitted light L2 by the detector 40 and the detection of the reflected light of the excitation light L1 from the imaging plate 10 by the detector 14 are performed in parallel. The overall image based on the image signal output by the detector 140 becomes an image similar to the overall image when erased, and includes an IP reflected light image and an IP outer area image, but does not include a radiation image. In addition, the reading device 1C may operate the light sources 30 and 130 simultaneously and the detectors 40 and 140 simultaneously in the reading process of the above-mentioned step s2. In this case, the detection of the emitted light L2 by the detector 40 and the detection of the reflected light of the irradiation light L11 from the imaging plate 10 by the detector 140 are performed in parallel. In this case, too, the overall image based on the image signal output by the detector 140 will be the same as the overall image when erased, and will include an IP reflected light image and an IP outer region image, but will not include a radiation image. In this way, by obtaining not only a radiation image based on the detection of the emitted light L2 during the reading process, but also a reflected light image based on the detection of the reflected light of the excitation light L1 or the irradiation light L11, the processing of steps s21 and s22 in FIG. 24 becomes unnecessary. In other words, during the series of processing in FIG. 14 described above, it is possible to obtain a radiation image based on the detection of the emitted light L2 and a reflected light image based on the detection of the reflected light of the excitation light L1 or the irradiation light L11. This simplifies the operation of the reading device 1.

In the examples of Figures 2 to 6 and the example of Figure 79 described above, a common light source is used to read out a radiation image from the imaging plate 10 and obtain a reflected light image of the imaging plate 10. In other words, the light source for reading out a radiation image from the imaging plate 10 functions as a light source for obtaining a reflected light image of the imaging plate 10. This allows the configuration of the reading device 1 to be simplified.

In addition, in the above-mentioned examples of Figures 2 to 6 or the example of Figure 79, it can be said that the light for obtaining a reflected light image of the imaging plate 10 functions as excitation light for reading out a radiation image from the imaging plate 10. This eliminates the need to provide a light source for irradiating the imaging plate 10 with excitation light in addition to a light source for irradiating the imaging plate 10 with light for obtaining a reflected light image of the imaging plate 10. This makes it possible to simplify the configuration of the reading device 1.

In addition, in the examples of Figures 2 to 6 and the example of Figure 78 described above, the detector that detects the emitted light L2 and the detector that detects the reflected light are integrated. In other words, the detector that detects the emitted light L2 functions as a detector that detects the reflected light. This allows the configuration of the reading device 1 to be simplified.

In addition, in the examples of Figures 2 to 6 and the example of Figure 78 described above, it can also be said that the detector that detects reflected light detects the emitted light L2. This eliminates the need to provide a detector that detects the emitted light L2 in addition to the detector that detects reflected light. This makes it possible to simplify the configuration of the reading device.

In the reading device 1 of the above example, multiple components other than the AC adapter 5 are integrated into the housing 2, but they do not have to be integrated. For example, the reading device 1 may have a display unit 13 located on the outside of the housing 2, in addition to or instead of the display unit 3 provided in the housing 2. Figure 81 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a reading device 1 (also called a reading device 1D) that has a display unit 13 on the outside of the display surface of the housing 2. The display unit 13 can also be called a display device 13.

The display unit 13 is, for example, a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL display device, and is capable of displaying various information such as characters, symbols, figures, and images. The display unit 13 is controlled by a display control unit 82 of the control unit 80 in the housing 2. The display control unit 82 can control the display unit 13, for example, through an interface unit 95 in the housing 2. The communication between the interface unit 95 and the display unit 13 may be compliant with USB, DisplayPort, or HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) (registered trademark). The interface unit 95 may be connected to the display unit 13 by wire or wirelessly. The display unit 13 may display the entire acquired image or a cut-out image. In the example of FIG. 81, the display unit 3 is provided in the housing 2 of the reading device 1D, but the display unit 3 may not be provided. In addition, the reading device 1D may be provided with multiple light sources or multiple detectors as shown in FIGS. 78 to 80.

82 and 83 are schematic diagrams showing another example of the configuration of the reading device 1. In the reading device 1 (also called the reading device 1E) shown in Figs. 82 and 83, a computer device 950 having some of the functions of the reading device 1E is provided outside the housing 2. As shown in Fig. 83, the computer device 950 includes, for example, the display unit 3, the image processing unit 81, and the display control unit 82 described above. The computer device 950 may be, for example, a personal computer (also called a general-purpose computer). In this case, the computer device 950 may be a notebook type or a desktop type. Hereinafter, in the reading device 1E, the housing 2, the multiple components integrated by the housing 2, and the AC adapter 5 may be collectively referred to as the reading device main body 9.

The computer device 950 is capable of communicating with the reading device main body 9. The computer device 950 includes, for example, a control unit 951 having an image processing unit 81 and a display control unit 82, and an interface unit 952 that communicates with the reading device main body 9. The computer device 950 also includes an operation unit 953 that accepts operations from the user.

The control unit 951 is capable of managing the operation of the computer device 950 in an integrated manner, and can also be considered a control circuit. The control unit 951 can control, for example, the display unit 3 and the interface unit 952. The control unit 951 can also perform processing in response to user operations received by the operation unit 953.

The control unit 951, for example, includes at least one processor and a memory unit, and can be said to be a type of computer device. The at least one processor included in the control unit 951 may include a CPU, or may include a processor other than the CPU. In the control unit 951, various functions are realized by the at least one processor executing a program in the memory unit (also called a memory circuit). In the control unit 951, the above-mentioned image processing unit 81 and display control unit 82 are formed as functional blocks by the at least one processor executing a program in the memory unit.

The operation unit 953 includes, for example, a keyboard and a mouse. The operation unit 953 may include a touch sensor that detects a touch operation by the user. When the operation unit 953 includes a touch sensor, the touch sensor and the display unit 3 may form a touch panel display having a display function and a touch detection function.

The interface unit 952 can communicate with the interface unit 95 of the reading device main body 9. The communication between the interface unit 952 and the interface unit 95 of the reading device main body 9 may conform to Ethernet, USB, WiFi, or other standards. The interface unit 952 may communicate with the interface unit 95 via wired or wireless communication. The interface unit 952 may be an interface circuit, a communication unit, or a communication circuit. The control unit 951 of the computer device 950 and the control unit 80 of the reading device main body 9 can exchange information with each other through the interface unit 952 and the interface unit 95.

In the reading device 1E, the control unit 951 of the computer device 950 and the control unit 80 of the reading device main body 9 cooperate to execute the various processes previously performed by the control unit 80. In the reading device 1E, the detection control unit 85 outputs the image signal output by the detector 40 to the interface unit 95. The interface unit 95 outputs the input image signal to the interface unit 952. The interface unit 952 inputs the input image signal to the control unit 951. The image processing unit 81 performs the above-mentioned image processing on the image signal input to the control unit 951. Then, based on the image signal after the image processing, the image processing unit 81 performs the above-mentioned inclination angle identification processing, size identification processing, and cut-out processing. In addition, the display control unit 82 displays, for example, the entire acquired image on the display unit 3 based on the image signal after the image processing.

The operation unit 953 of the computer device 950 may accept at least a part of the multiple user operations accepted by the operation unit 4 of the reading device main body 9. For example, the operation unit 953 may accept a user operation instructing the start of the series of processes in FIG. 14, may accept a user operation instructing the start of the series of processes in FIG. 23, may accept a user operation instructing the start of the series of processes in FIG. 24, or may accept a user operation instructing the start of the series of processes in FIGS. 66, 68, and 75 to 78. In this case, the control unit 951 notifies the reading device main body 9 of the user operation accepted by the operation unit 953 through the interface unit 952. In the reading device main body 9, the control unit 80 receives the notification from the control unit 951 through the interface unit 95, and executes processing according to the user operation accepted by the operation unit 953.

In addition, the operation unit 953 may accept a user operation that is not accepted by the operation unit 4, and the operation unit 4 may accept a user operation that is not accepted by the operation unit 953. In addition, when a user operation accepted by the operation unit 953 conflicts with a user operation accepted by the operation unit 4, the reading device 1E may, for example, preferentially execute a process according to the user operation accepted by the reading device main body 9.

The reading device 1E may include a display unit provided on the housing 2, as shown in FIG. 1 and the like. The reading device 1E may include multiple light sources or multiple detectors, as shown in FIGS. 78 to 80. The reading device 1E may not include either the operation unit 4 or 953. In the reading device 1E, the control unit 80 of the reading device main body 9 may execute some of the processes executed by the image processing unit 81 of the computer device 950. For example, the control unit 80 may execute image processing on the image signal from the detector 40, and the image signal after image processing may be input to the image processing unit 81.

Although the reading device 1 has been described in detail above, the above description is merely an example in all respects, and this disclosure is not limited thereto. Furthermore, the various modified examples described above can be combined and applied as long as they are not mutually inconsistent. It is understood that countless modified examples not illustrated can be envisioned without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E Reading device 10 Imaging plate 12, 12a, 12b Convex portion 30, 130 Light source 40, 140 Detector 81 Image processing unit 101a, 101b, 151a Radiation image 600 Back side unique information 600a, 600b, 1000a, 100b Characters 600c, 600d Barcode 1000 Front side unique information L1 Excitation light L2 Emission light L3 Erasing light L11 Irradiation light

Claims (18)

A reading device for reading a radiation image from an imaging plate, comprising:
a light source that irradiates the imaging plate with light;
a detector for detecting reflected light of the light from the imaging plate;
a determination unit that determines whether or not the imaging plate is set upside down based on a detection result of the detector,
The light source performs a scanning process of scanning the light on the imaging plate;
The reading device stops the scanning process when it is determined during the scanning process that the imaging plate is set upside down. 2. The reading device according to claim 1,
The light acts as an excitation light for exciting the imaging plate to read a radiation image from the imaging plate. 3. The reading device according to claim 1,
The detector detects the emitted light from the imaging plate due to the excitation light. A reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A reading device, wherein at least one piece of back-side specific information is indicated on the back side of the imaging plate. 5. The reading device according to claim 4,
A reading device, wherein the back surface of the imaging plate is provided with a plurality of back surface specific information. A reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A reading device, wherein the front surface of the imaging plate is provided with at least one front surface specific information. 7. The reading device according to claim 6,
A reading device, the front surface of the imaging plate being marked with a plurality of front surface specific information. A reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
a reading device, the reading device having at least one protrusion provided on a periphery of the imaging plate for determining whether or not the imaging plate is set upside down. 9. The reading device according to claim 8,
The imaging plate is provided on its periphery with a plurality of protrusions for determining whether the imaging plate is set upside down. A reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The reading device issues a warning to a user when it is determined that the imaging plate is set upside down. A reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
when it is determined that the imaging plate is not set upside down, irradiating the imaging plate from which the radiation image has been read with erasing light for erasing the radiation image;
The reading device does not irradiate the erasing light onto the imaging plate when it is determined that the imaging plate is set upside down. A reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
the reading device ejects the imaging plate when it is determined that the imaging plate is set upside down. 13. A reading device according to claim 12,
when it is determined that the imaging plate is not set upside down, irradiating the imaging plate from which the radiation image has been read with erasing light for erasing the radiation image;
the reading device ejects the imaging plate without irradiating the erasing light onto the imaging plate when it is determined that the imaging plate is set upside down. A reading device according to claim 12 or 13,
When it is determined during the scanning process that the imaging plate is set upside down, the reading device stops the scanning process and ejects the imaging plate. A reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
In the scanning process, the light source scans the light on the imaging plate from which the radiation image has been erased by the reading device;
the detector detects the reflected light from the imaging plate from which the radiation image has been erased;
The determination unit determines whether or not the imaging plate from which the radiation image has been erased is set upside down, based on a detection result from the detector. A reading device that reads a radiation image from an imaging plate, the reading device having a light source that irradiates the imaging plate with light, and a detector that detects reflected light of the light from the imaging plate, the reading device comprising:
the light source performs a scanning process of scanning the light on the imaging plate;
The reading device includes:
determining whether or not the imaging plate is set upside down based on a detection result of the detector;
a program for halting the scanning process when it is determined during the scanning process that the imaging plate is set upside down; The program according to claim 16,
The reading device includes:
a program for notifying a user of a warning when it is determined that the imaging plate is set upside down; The program according to claim 16 or 17,
The reading device includes:
a program for ejecting the imaging plate when it is determined that the imaging plate is set upside down;

Images