Method of taking X-ray images with a CCD image sensor, and a CCD image sensor system

Claim 1

A method of taking an X-ray image of an object comprising the steps of: configuring an X-ray image recording system having a base image system that can interrogate an image sensor, the image sensor having an image sensing device that can be placed into a record mode to record electronic images under control of the base system and interrogated by the base image system; setting the image sensing device in the record mode in which an image of an object can be recorded therein; physically and electrically isolating the image sensing device from the base image system after the image sensing device is set into the record mode; maintaining the image sensing device in the record mode previously set for a predetermined period of time while the image sensor is physically and electrically isolated from the base image system; placing the image sensor in a position such that the image sensing device is near an object which is desired to be electronically imaged; directing X-rays through the object and onto the image sensor such that an electronic image is formed within the image sensing device; and coupling the image sensor and the base image system after the electronic image of the object has been generated in the image sensing device so as to enable transfer of the electronic image of the object from the image sensing device to the base image system.

Claim 2

A method of taking an X-ray image of an object comprising the steps of: configuring an X-ray image recording system having a base image system that can interrogate an image sensor, the image sensor having an image sensing device that can be placed into a record mode to record electronic images under control of the base system and interrogated by the base image system; setting the image sensing device in the record mode in which an image of an object can be recorded therein; physically and electrically isolating the image sensing device from the base image system after the image sensing device is set into the record mode; maintaining the image sensing device in the record mode previously set for a predetermined period of time while the image sensor is physically and electrically isolated from the base image system; placing the image sensor in a position such that the image sensing device is near an object which is desired to be electronically imaged; directing X-rays through the object and onto the image sensor such that an electronic image is formed within the image sensing device; and coupling the image sensor and the base image system after the electronic image of the object has been generated in the image sensing device so as to enable transfer of the electronic image of the object from the image sensing device to the base image system.

Claim 8

A method of creating an X-ray image of an object on an image sensor so that it can be retrieved by a base system capable of interrogating the image sensor comprising the steps of: electrically coupling the image sensor, which comprises; 1. means for selectively setting an image sensing device thereof in a recording mode in which an image of an object can be recorded therein, and 2. first wireless means for transmitting signals representative of the image recorded within the image sensing device to the base image system that comprises; second wireless means for receiving signals from the image sensing device and, interrogation means for reading the image that has been stored in the image sensor; setting the image sensing device to the mode in which an image of an object can be recorded therein; physically and electrically isolating the image sensor from the base image system after the image sensing device has been set in the mode in which an image can be recorded therein; maintaining the image sensing device in the mode previously set in for a useful period of time while the image sensor is physically and electrically isolated from the base image system; placing the image sensor such that the image sensing device is near an object which is desired to take an X-ray image of; directing X-rays through the object and onto the image sensing device to generate an electronic image of the object in the image sensing device; establishing via the first and second wireless means an electrical coupling between the image sensing device and the base image system so as to enable transfer of the electronic image of the object from the image sensor to the base image system; and reading out an output signal from the image sensing device which corresponds to the image of the object.

Claim 9

A method of creating an X-ray image of an object on an image sensor so that it can be retrieved by a base system capable of interrogating the image sensor comprising the steps of: electrically coupling the image sensor, which comprises; 1. means for selectively setting an image sensing device thereof in a recording mode in which an image of an object can be recorded therein, and 2. first wireless means for transmitting signals representative of the image recorded within the image sensing device to the base image system that comprises; second wireless means for receiving signals from the image sensing device and, interrogation means for reading the image that has been stored in the image sensor; setting the image sensing device to the mode in which an image of an object can be recorded therein; physically and electrically isolating the image sensor from the base image system after the image sensing device has been set in the mode in which an image can be recorded therein; maintaining the image sensing device in the mode previously set in for a useful period of time while the image sensor is physically and electrically isolated from the base image system; placing the image sensor such that the image sensing device is near an object which is desired to take an X-ray image of; directing X-rays through the object and onto the image sensing device to generate an electronic image of the object in the image sensing device; establishing via the first and second wireless means an electrical coupling between the image sensing device and the base image system so as to enable transfer of the electronic image of the object from the image sensor to the base image system; and reading out an output signal from the image sensing device which corresponds to the image of the object.

Claim 10

A method of creating X-ray images of objects comprising the steps of: configuring an X-ray system having a base image system electrically coupled to a charge coupled device image sensor capable of storing data representative of objects in electronic form, the charge coupled device comprising 1. means for selectively setting the charge coupled device in a record mode for recording an image of an object therein, and 2. wireless means for selectively transmitting signals to and receiving signals from the base image system, to the base image system that comprises wireless means for selectively transmitting signals to and receiving signals from the charge coupled device image sensor; setting the charge coupled device to the mode in which an image of an object can be recorded therein using the wireless means of both the charge coupled device image sensor and the base image system; physically and electrically isolating the charge coupled device image sensor from the base image system after charge coupled device has been set in the mode in which an image can be recorded therein; maintaining the image sensor in the mode previously set in for a useful period of time while the image sensor is physically and electrically isolated from the base image system; placing the charge coupled device image sensor near an object of which it is desired to take an X-ray; directing X-rays through the object and onto the charge coupled device image sensor to generate an electronic image of the object in the charge coupled device image sensor; establishing via the wireless means of both the charge coupled device image sensor and the base image system an electrical coupling between the charge coupled device image sensor and the base image system so as to transfer the electronic image of the object from the charge coupled device image sensor to the base image system; and reading out an output signal from the base image system which corresponds to the image of the object.

Claim 11

A method of creating X-ray images of objects comprising the steps of: configuring an X-ray system having a base image system electrically coupled to a charge coupled device image sensor capable of storing data representative of objects in electronic form, the charge coupled device comprising 1. means for selectively setting the charge coupled device in a record mode for recording an image of an object therein, and 2. wireless means for selectively transmitting signals to and receiving signals from the base image system, to the base image system that comprises wireless means for selectively transmitting signals to and receiving signals from the charge coupled device image sensor; setting the charge coupled device to the mode in which an image of an object can be recorded therein using the wireless means of both the charge coupled device image sensor and the base image system; physically and electrically isolating the charge coupled device image sensor from the base image system after charge coupled device has been set in the mode in which an image can be recorded therein; maintaining the image sensor in the mode previously set in for a useful period of time while the image sensor is physically and electrically isolated from the base image system; placing the charge coupled device image sensor near an object of which it is desired to take an X-ray; directing X-rays through the object and onto the charge coupled device image sensor to generate an electronic image of the object in the charge coupled device image sensor; establishing via the wireless means of both the charge coupled device image sensor and the base image system an electrical coupling between the charge coupled device image sensor and the base image system so as to transfer the electronic image of the object from the charge coupled device image sensor to the base image system; and reading out an output signal from the base image system which corresponds to the image of the object.

Claim 12

A method of taking X-ray images of objects comprising the steps of: configuring an X-ray system having a base image system with a detachable image sensor, such that the image sensor is capable of storing electronic images and the base image system is capable of performing interrogations of the detachable image sensor to read data stored thereon; placing the image sensor, which comprises an image sensing device and means for setting the image sensing device in a record mode in which electrical representations of objects can be stored therein, in direct electrical contact with a base image system; setting the image sensing device to the record mode; detaching the image sensor from the base image system while the image sensor is in the record mode; so as to physically and electrically isolate the image sensor and the base image system; maintaining the image sensor in the record mode previously set in for a predetermined period of time while the image sensor is physically and electrically isolated from the base image system; placing the image sensing device near an object of which it is desired to take an X-ray; directing X-rays through the object and onto the image sensing device to generate an electronic image the object in the charge coupled device; placing the image sensor back into direct electrical contact with the base image system; and reading out an output signal from the base image sensor which corresponds to the image of the object.

Claim 13

A method of taking X-ray images of objects comprising the steps of: configuring an X-ray system having a base image system with a detachable image sensor, such that the image sensor is capable of storing electronic images and the base image system is capable of performing interrogations of the detachable image sensor to read data stored thereon; placing the image sensor, which comprises an image sensing device and means for setting the image sensing device in a record mode in which electrical representations of objects can be stored therein, in direct electrical contact with a base image system; setting the image sensing device to the record mode; detaching the image sensor from the base image system while the image sensor is in the record mode; so as to physically and electrically isolate the image sensor and the base image system; maintaining the image sensor in the record mode previously set in for a predetermined period of time while the image sensor is physically and electrically isolated from the base image system; placing the image sensing device near an object of which it is desired to take an X-ray; directing X-rays through the object and onto the image sensing device to generate an electronic image the object in the charge coupled device; placing the image sensor back into direct electrical contact with the base image system; and reading out an output signal from the base image sensor which corresponds to the image of the object.

Claim 14

A method of taking X-ray images of objects comprising the steps of: configuring an X-ray system with a base image system having a detachable charge coupled device image sensor that is capable of storing electronic image data when placed into a record mode, and the base image system is capable of reading image data stored on the charge coupled device image sensor; placing the charge coupled device image sensor in the record mode in which an image of an object can be recorded therein, and further placing the charge coupled device image sensor in direct electrical contact with the base image system; removing the charged coupled device image sensor from the base image system after same has been placed in the record mode in which an image can be recorded therein so as to physically isolate the image sensor from the base image system; maintaining the charge coupled device in the record mode previously set in for a useful period of time while the image sensor is physically and electrically isolated from the base image system; placing the charge coupled device image sensor near an object of which it is desired to take an X-ray; directing X-rays through the object and onto the charge coupled device to generate an electronic image of the object within the charge coupled device; placing the charge coupled device image sensor back into direct electrical contact with the base image system; and reading out an output signal from the base image sensor which corresponds to the image of the object.

Claim 15

A method of taking X-ray images of objects comprising the steps of: configuring an X-ray system with a base image system having a detachable charge coupled device image sensor that is capable of storing electronic image data when placed into a record mode, and the base image system is capable of reading image data stored on the charge coupled device image sensor; placing the charge coupled device image sensor in the record mode in which an image of an object can be recorded therein, and further placing the charge coupled device image sensor in direct electrical contact with the base image system; removing the charged coupled device image sensor from the base image system after same has been placed in the record mode in which an image can be recorded therein so as to physically isolate the image sensor from the base image system; maintaining the charge coupled device in the record mode previously set in for a useful period of time while the image sensor is physically and electrically isolated from the base image system; placing the charge coupled device image sensor near an object of which it is desired to take an X-ray; directing X-rays through the object and onto the charge coupled device to generate an electronic image of the object within the charge coupled device; placing the charge coupled device image sensor back into direct electrical contact with the base image system; and reading out an output signal from the base image sensor which corresponds to the image of the object.

Claim 20

A method of taking dental X-ray comprising the steps of: configuring an X-ray system with a base image system that has a detachable charge coupled device image sensor, such that the charge coupled device image sensor is capable of storing electronic image data representing objects when placed into a record mode, and the base image system is capable of reading image data stored on the charge coupled device image sensor; placing the charge coupled device image sensor in the record mode and further placing the charge coupled device image sensor in direct electrical contact with a base image system; removing the charge coupled device image sensor from the base image system after the charge coupled device has been placed in the mode in which an image can be recorded therein so as to physically and electrically isolate the charge coupled device image sensor from the base image system; maintaining the charge coupled device in the mode previously set in for a predetermined period of time while the image sensor is physically and electrically isolated from the base image system; placing the charge-coupled device image sensor in the mouth of a person at one side of the teeth to be X-rayed; directing X-rays into the mouth of the person, through the teeth, and onto the charge coupled device image sensor to generate an electronic image of the teeth in the charge coupled device; removing the charge coupled device image sensor from the mouth of the person; placing the charge coupled device image sensor back into direct electrical contact with the image system; and reading out an output signal from the base image sensor which corresponds to an image of the teeth.

Claim 21

A method of taking dental X-ray comprising the steps of: configuring an X-ray system with a base image system that has a detachable charge coupled device image sensor, such that the charge coupled device image sensor is capable of storing electronic image data representing objects when placed into a record mode, and the base image system is capable of reading image data stored on the charge coupled device image sensor; placing the charge coupled device image sensor in the record mode and further placing the charge coupled device image sensor in direct electrical contact with a base image system; removing the charge coupled device image sensor from the base image system after the charge coupled device has been placed in the mode in which an image can be recorded therein so as to physically and electrically isolate the charge coupled device image sensor from the base image system; maintaining the charge coupled device in the mode previously set in for a predetermined period of time while the image sensor is physically and electrically isolated from the base image system; placing the charge-coupled device image sensor in the mouth of a person at one side of the teeth to be X-rayed; directing X-rays into the mouth of the person, through the teeth, and onto the charge coupled device image sensor to generate an electronic image of the teeth in the charge coupled device; removing the charge coupled device image sensor from the mouth of the person; placing the charge coupled device image sensor back into direct electrical contact with the image system; and reading out an output signal from the base image sensor which corresponds to an image of the teeth.