Systems and methods for digitally switching x-ray emission systems include a digital switching unit operable to selectively connect a low voltage driving circuit to activate a field emission type electron emitting construct such that electrons are accelerated by a high voltage towards an anode target thereby generating a pulse of x-rays. The x-ray pulses directed towards a scintillator are detected by an optical imager when its shutter is open. Shutter signals and the activation signals may be synchronized to produce required x-ray detection profiles.

Systems and methods for digitally switching x-ray emission systems include a digital switching unit operable to selectively connect a low voltage driving circuit to activate a field emission type electron emitting construct such that electrons are accelerated by a high voltage towards an anode target thereby generating a pulse of x-rays. The x-ray pulses directed towards a scintillator are detected by an optical imager when its shutter is open. Shutter signals and the activation signals may be synchronized to produce required x-ray detection profiles.

In an AED operation of detecting irradiation start of X-rays, a control unit of an electronic cassette selectively outputs the analog voltage signal from a part of the charge amplifiers including a detection CA connected to the detection channel of a detection pixel for irradiation start detection among the plurality of CAs connected to the MUX, to the ADC, causes the ADC to perform only the AD conversion process for the analog voltage signal selectively output from the multiplexer, and reduces the number of pulses NPU_A per unit time in a clock signal defining an operation timing of the ADC compared to that in the image reading operation.

In an AED operation of detecting irradiation start of X-rays, a control unit of an electronic cassette selectively outputs the analog voltage signal from a part of the charge amplifiers including a detection CA connected to the detection channel of a detection pixel for irradiation start detection among the plurality of CAs connected to the MUX, to the ADC, causes the ADC to perform only the AD conversion process for the analog voltage signal selectively output from the multiplexer, and reduces the number of pulses NPU_A per unit time in a clock signal defining an operation timing of the ADC compared to that in the image reading operation.

In an AED operation of detecting irradiation start of X-rays, a control unit of an electronic cassette selectively outputs the analog voltage signal from a part of the charge amplifiers including a detection CA connected to the detection channel of a detection pixel for irradiation start detection among the plurality of CAs connected to the MUX, to the ADC, causes the ADC to perform only the AD conversion process for the analog voltage signal selectively output from the multiplexer, and reduces the number of pulses NPU_A per unit time in a clock signal defining an operation timing of the ADC compared to that in the image reading operation.

In an AED operation of detecting irradiation start of X-rays, a control unit of an electronic cassette selectively outputs the analog voltage signal from a part of the charge amplifiers including a detection CA connected to the detection channel of a detection pixel for irradiation start detection among the plurality of CAs connected to the MUX, to the ADC, causes the ADC to perform only the AD conversion process for the analog voltage signal selectively output from the multiplexer, and reduces the number of pulses NPU_A per unit time in a clock signal defining an operation timing of the ADC compared to that in the image reading operation.

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

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

A signal relay device comprises a first connection I/F, to which an emission switch is connected, a second connection I/F, to which an emission signal I/F of an electronic cassette is connected, and a third connection I/F, to which a switch I/F of a source control device is connected, and a signal processing unit. The signal processing unit generates an emission execution signal during a time period in which an emission command signal from the emission switch and an emission enable signal from the electronic cassette are inputted. The source control device drives an X-ray tube to allow X-ray emission while the emission execution signal is inputted.

A signal relay device comprises a first connection I/F, to which an emission switch is connected, a second connection I/F, to which an emission signal I/F of an electronic cassette is connected, and a third connection I/F, to which a switch I/F of a source control device is connected, and a signal processing unit. The signal processing unit generates an emission execution signal during a time period in which an emission command signal from the emission switch and an emission enable signal from the electronic cassette are inputted. The source control device drives an X-ray tube to allow X-ray emission while the emission execution signal is inputted.