Method and apparatus for increasing the data acquisition rate in a digital detector

A method for processing image data from a desired field of view of a digital detector comprising the steps of:

• generating signals based upon radiation impacting the detector, the detector having an array of pixels forming rows and columns;
• initiating readout of the detector via a plurality of scan lines and data lines, each one of the scan lines coupled to a respective row of pixels and each one of the data lines coupled to a respective column of pixels;
• recharging pixels of each row of pixels discharged by the impact of the radiation, and measuring the amount of charge required to restore the charge to each pixel;
• converting the recharge on a first row of pixels, and simultaneously charging a second row of pixels;
• and
• transferring a converted recharge data to a data acquisition system, the measured recharge data of the first row of pixels being transferred concurrently as a third row of pixels is recharged and recharge of the second row of pixels is converted.

A system for processing image data from a desired field of view of a digital detector comprising:

• means for generating signals based upon radiation impacting the detector, the detector having an array of pixels forming rows and columns;
• means for initiating the readout of the detector via a plurality of scan lines and data lines, each one of the scan lines coupled to a respective row of pixels and each one of the data lines coupled to a respective column of pixels;
• means for recharging pixels of each rows discharged by the impact of the radiation, and for measuring the amount of charge required to restore the charge to each pixel;
• means for converting the measurement on a first row of pixels, and simultaneously recharging a second row of pixels;
• and
• means for transferring converted data to a data acquisition system, the measured data of the first row of pixels being transferred concurrently as pixels of a third row of pixels are recharged and the measurement of pixels of a second row of pixels is converted.

A computer program for generating an image and increasing an image acquisition rate of detector comprising:

• a tangible medium configured to support machine-readable code;
• and
• machine readable code supported on the medium and including:
• a routine for generating signals based upon radiation impacting a detector, the detector having an array of pixels forming rows and columns;
• a routine for initiating the readout of the detector, via a plurality of scan lines and data lines, each one of the scan lines coupled to a respective row of pixels and each one of the data lines coupled to a respective column of pixels;
• a routine for recharging pixels of each row discharged by the impact of the radiation, measuring the amount of charge required to restore the charge to each pixel;
• a routine for converting the measurement on a first row of pixels, and simultaneously charging a second row of pixels;
• and
• a routine for transferring the converted measurement data to a data acquisition system, the converted measurement data of the first row of pixels configured to be transferred concurrently as a third row of pixels is charged and the second row of pixels is converted.

A method for improving processing of image data from a digital detector comprising the steps of:

• generating signals based upon radiation impacting the detector in a desired field of view smaller than a fall field of view of the detector, the detector having an array of pixels forming rows and columns;
• initiating readout of the detector via a plurality of scan lines and data lines, each one of the scan lines coupled to a respective row of pixels and each one of the data lines coupled to a respective column of pixels;
• recharging pixels of each row of pixels discharged by the impact of the radiation, and measuring the amount of charge required to restore the charge to each pixel;
• converting the recharge on a first row of pixels, and simultaneously charging a second row of pixels;
• transferring a converted recharge data to a data acquisition system, the measured recharge data of the first row of pixels being transferred concurrently as a third row of pixels is recharged and recharge of the second row of pixels is converted;
• and
• storing the transferred data in a memory, wherein the data occupies less memory than comparable data for the full field of view.

A system for improving processing of image data from a digital detector comprising:

• means for generating signals based upon radiation impacting the detector in a desired field of view smaller than a fill field of view of the detector, the detector having an array of pixels forming rows and columns;
• means for initiating the readout of the detector via a plurality of scan lines and data lines, each one of the scan lines coupled to a respective row of pixels and each one of the data lines coupled to a respective column of pixels;
• means for recharging pixels of each row, the pixels being discharged by the impact of the radiation, and for measuring the amount of charge required to restore the charge to each pixel;
• means for converting the measurement on a first row of pixels, and simultaneously recharging a second row of pixels;
• means for transferring converted data to a data acquisition system, the measured data of the first row of pixels being transferred concurrently as pixels of a third row of pixels are recharged and the measurement of pixels of a second row of pixels is converted;
• and
• memory means for storing the transferred data, wherein the data occupies less memory than comparable data for the full field of view.