A system includes a pulse counter having a selectable pulse counter read-out rate, a pulse counter read-out (PCRO) storage register that stores a PCRO count, and a pulse-burst counter that has a pulse-burst counter read-out rate that is faster than all but the fastest selectable pulse counter read-out rate, a subtractor module in electronic communication with the pulse counter and the PCRO that subtracts the PCRO count from the pulse counter read-out count to output an uncorrected pulse count, a selection module in electronic communication with the pulse-burst counter that selects the pulse counter read-out rate in response to input from the pulse-burst counter, a multiplexer in electronic communication with the subtractor module and the selection module, the multiplexer selecting from among at least two dead-time correction transforms, the transform corresponding to the selected pulse counter read-out rate, and a control-and-readout module that outputs a dead-time corrected pulse rate.

The present technology relates to an optical pulse detection device, an optical pulse detection method, a radiation counter device, and a biological testing device which are capable of performing radiation counting in a more accurate manner. The optical pulse detection device includes a pixel array unit in which a plurality of pixels are arranged in a two-dimensional lattice shape, an AD converter that converts output signals of each of the pixels in the pixel array unit into digital values with gradation greater than 1 bit, and an output control circuit that performs error determination processing of comparing the digital value with a predetermined threshold value, and discarding a digital value, which is greater than the threshold value, among the digital values as an error. For example, the present technology is applicable to a radiation counter device, and the like.

The present technology relates to an optical pulse detection device, an optical pulse detection method, a radiation counter device, and a biological testing device which are capable of performing radiation counting in a more accurate manner. The optical pulse detection device includes a pixel array unit in which a plurality of pixels are arranged in a two-dimensional lattice shape, an AD converter that converts output signals of each of the pixels in the pixel array unit into digital values with gradation greater than 1 bit, and an output control circuit that performs error determination processing of comparing the digital value with a predetermined threshold value, and discarding a digital value, which is greater than the threshold value, among the digital values as an error. For example, the present technology is applicable to a radiation counter device, and the like.

A radiation detector (100) with a scintillator (102), a photosensor (104) and an electronics module (108) is proposed. The electronics module (108) has a current-to-frequency converter (110) with a charge integrator (112) for generating a pulsed signal in having a frequency correlating with a charge generated by the photosensor (104) during a measurement cycle. The electronics module (108) further comprises a current source (120) for generating a frequency offset of the pulsed signal, an interrupting device (134) for interrupting an integration of the charge by the charge integrator (112), and a logic module (124) for determining the frequency of the pulsed signal. Therein, the logic module (124) is configured for determining an off-state of a radiation (404) source and for triggering the interrupting device (134) upon determining the off-state of the radiation source (404).

A radiation detector (100) with a scintillator (102), a photosensor (104) and an electronics module (108) is proposed. The electronics module (108) has a current-to-frequency converter (110) with a charge integrator (112) for generating a pulsed signal in having a frequency correlating with a charge generated by the photosensor (104) during a measurement cycle. The electronics module (108) further comprises a current source (120) for generating a frequency offset of the pulsed signal, an interrupting device (134) for interrupting an integration of the charge by the charge integrator (112), and a logic module (124) for determining the frequency of the pulsed signal. Therein, the logic module (124) is configured for determining an off-state of a radiation (404) source and for triggering the interrupting device (134) upon determining the off-state of the radiation source (404).

A radiation detector (100) with a scintillator (102), a photosensor (104) and an electronics module (108) is proposed. The electronics module (108) has a current-to-frequency converter (110) with a charge integrator (112) for generating a pulsed signal in having a frequency correlating with a charge generated by the photosensor (104) during a measurement cycle. The electronics module (108) further comprises a current source (120) for generating a frequency offset of the pulsed signal, an interrupting device (134) for interrupting an integration of the charge by the charge integrator (112), and a logic module (124) for determining the frequency of the pulsed signal. Therein, the logic module (124) is configured for determining an off-state of a radiation (404) source and for triggering the interrupting device (134) upon determining the off-state of the radiation source (404).

A radiation detector (100) with a scintillator (102), a photosensor (104) and an electronics module (108) is proposed. The electronics module (108) has a current-to-frequency converter (110) with a charge integrator (112) for generating a pulsed signal in having a frequency correlating with a charge generated by the photosensor (104) during a measurement cycle. The electronics module (108) further comprises a current source (120) for generating a frequency offset of the pulsed signal, an interrupting device (134) for interrupting an integration of the charge by the charge integrator (112), and a logic module (124) for determining the frequency of the pulsed signal. Therein, the logic module (124) is configured for determining an off-state of a radiation (404) source and for triggering the interrupting device (134) upon determining the off-state of the radiation source (404).

A pulse detection circuit configured to detect peak pulse values from pulses contained in an input analog signal includes a control circuit to generate a peak control signal based on input from a microcontroller and/or a peak detector, and a peak track/hold circuit to produce an output peak analog signal responsive to the input analog signal and peak control signal. The peak track/hold circuit includes a peak-detect operational amplifier having first and second input terminals to receive the input analog signal and the peak control signal respectively, and a peak-hold capacitor connected to an output terminal of the operational amplifier. The pulse detection circuit includes an analog to digital converter to produce an output peak digital signal from the output peak analog signal. The peak track/hold circuit switches from a tracking mode to a hold mode upon the arrival of the peak control signal generated from the control circuit.

A pulse detection circuit configured to detect peak pulse values from pulses contained in an input analog signal includes a control circuit to generate a peak control signal based on input from a microcontroller and/or a peak detector, and a peak track/hold circuit to produce an output peak analog signal responsive to the input analog signal and peak control signal. The peak track/hold circuit includes a peak-detect operational amplifier having first and second input terminals to receive the input analog signal and the peak control signal respectively, and a peak-hold capacitor connected to an output terminal of the operational amplifier. The pulse detection circuit includes an analog to digital converter to produce an output peak digital signal from the output peak analog signal. The peak track/hold circuit switches from a tracking mode to a hold mode upon the arrival of the peak control signal generated from the control circuit.

In an X-ray imaging apparatus, a detection panel has monitor pixels for monitoring X-rays. A signal processor samples a dose signal of a dose per unit time of X-rays according to an output of the monitor pixels. A start detector checks whether irradiation of X-rays is started according to a result of comparison between the dose signal and a start threshold. An AEC device acquires cumulative dose from a start time of the start of irradiation of X-rays until acquisition time after a predetermined time according to the dose signal. According to the cumulative dose, a predicted time point of a reach of the cumulative dose to a target dose is estimated. A stop signal is transmitted to a radiation source controller at the predicted time point, to stop the irradiation of X-rays.