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US4905148A
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Three-dimensional surface representation using connectivity method without leaks
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1988-08-04
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Granted: 1990-02-27
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Expires: 2008-08-04
Abstract
Abstract Objects within a three-dimensional tomographic data set which occupy the same portion of the image histogram are separated prior to three-dimensional surface extraction by applying connectivity first to unwanted objects. The unwanted objects thus identified are modified so that they no longer occupy the same portion of the histogram or are flagged. Next, connectivity is applied to the desired objects using a criterion different from the one used on the unwanted objects.
Inventors
- 👤 Carl R. Crawford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:40
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T17/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S378/00; Y10S378/901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A method for generating a three-dimensional surface definition of an object-of-interest within a three-dimensional tomographic data set, said data set including a plurality of voxel data points, each voxel having a respective density value, said object-of-interest including voxels having density values satisfying a predetermined property, said method comprising the steps of: identifying a non-object seed voxel in said data set not in said object-of-interest and having a density value satisfying said property; applying connectivity to said non-object seed voxel according to a first criterion C 1 ; modifying the density value of each voxel satisfying connectivity according to C 1 ; specifying an object-of-interest seed voxel; and applying connectivity to said object-of-interest seed voxel according to a second criterion C 2 , where C 1 is not equal to C 2 .
Claim 2
Independent Claim
132 words
A method for generating a three-dimensional surface definition of an object-of-interest within a three-dimensional tomographic data set, said data set including a plurality of voxel data points, each voxel having a respective density value, said object-of-interest including voxels having density values satisfying a predetermined property, said method comprising the steps of: identifying a non-object seed voxel in said data set not in said object-of-interest and having a density value satisfying said property; applying connectivity to said non-object seed voxel according to a first criterion C 1 ; modifying the density value of each voxel satisfying connectivity according to C 1 ; specifying an object-of-interest seed voxel; and applying connectivity to said object-of-interest seed voxel according to a second criterion C 2 , where C 1 is not equal to C 2 .
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein C 1 defines a neighbor of a voxel differently than C 2 .
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 2 wherein C 1 is anisotropic and wherein C 2 defines a three-dimensional connectivity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 2 wherein C 1 defines a two-dimensional connectivity and wherein C 2 defines a three-dimensional connectivity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said predetermined property is a range of density values.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
149 words
Apparatus for generating a three-dimensional surface definition of an object-of-interest within a three-dimensional tomographic data set, said data set including a plurality of voxel data points, each voxel having a respective density value, said object-of-interest including voxels having density values satisfying a predetermined property, said apparatus comprising: seed means for specifying an object seed voxel in said object-of-interest and a non-object seed voxel outside said object-of-interest and having said predetermined property; connectivity means coupled to said seed means for applying connectivity to said non-object seed voxel according to a first criterion C 1 , and for subsequently applying connectivity to said object seed voxel according to a second criterion C 2 ; and modifying means coupled to said connectivity means for changing, prior to application of criterion C 2 , the value of each voxel satisfying connectivity according to C 1 to a value not satisfying said predetermined property.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
149 words
Apparatus for generating a three-dimensional surface definition of an object-of-interest within a three-dimensional tomographic data set, said data set including a plurality of voxel data points, each voxel having a respective density value, said object-of-interest including voxels having density values satisfying a predetermined property, said apparatus comprising: seed means for specifying an object seed voxel in said object-of-interest and a non-object seed voxel outside said object-of-interest and having said predetermined property; connectivity means coupled to said seed means for applying connectivity to said non-object seed voxel according to a first criterion C 1 , and for subsequently applying connectivity to said object seed voxel according to a second criterion C 2 ; and modifying means coupled to said connectivity means for changing, prior to application of criterion C 2 , the value of each voxel satisfying connectivity according to C 1 to a value not satisfying said predetermined property.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said predetermined property is a range of density values and wherein said apparatus further comprises range means for specifying said range.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4751643A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-02-26 | 1993-08-28 | 1994-02-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-02-26 | 1997-08-28 | 1998-02-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-02-26 | 2001-08-28 | 2002-02-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |