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Image diagnosis apparatus

Assignee: GE Healthcare Japan Corp
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Filing: 1987-07-02
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Granted: 1991-10-15
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Expires: 2007-07-02
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Abstract

Abstract The image diagnosis apparatus of the present invention is equipped with means for automatically determining a window level and a window width for image displaying in accordance with the value of reconstructed image data. With this window level/window width calculating means (13), the window level is obtained with respect to each reconstructed image on the basis of the virtual average value of its pixel data and the window width is also obtained which has a certain relationship with that window level. When displaying each reconstructed image, a display is made in accordance with each window level and each window width thus obtained. Instead of the obtained window level and window width, those set by a manual setting section (23) may be used by a changeover operation when necessary.

Inventors

  • 👤 Toru Shimazaki
  • 👤 Keiki Yamaguchi
  • 👤 Yoshihiko Watanabe
  • 👤 Noriaki Yamada

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-24 22:12
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T5/00; G06T5/40; G01; G01R; G01R33/00; G01R33/20; G01R33/44; G01R33/48; G01R33/54; G01R33/56; G06T5/90; G06T5/92; G06T2207/00; G06T2207/10; G06T2207/10072; G06T2207/10088

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim 174 words
In an image diagnosis apparatus comprising means for collecting data pertaining to tissue configuration or biochemical functions of a subject to be examined; means for converting said data into two-dimensional image data by reconstruction processing; means for storing said two-dimensional image data in a memory means; means for manually setting a window level and a window width; and means for generating an image based on said two-dimensional image data; the improvement comprising calculating means for calculating a window level and a window width peculiar to each two-dimensional image data in accordance with a predetermined calculation method; memory means for storing the values calculated by said calculating means in annexed form to each two dimensional image data; and switching means for selectively switching to said means for generating an image any of the following: (1) said set window level and said set window width, (2) said calculated window level and said calculated window width, (3) said set window level and said calculated window width, or (4) said calculated window level and said set window width.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 174 words
In an image diagnosis apparatus comprising means for collecting data pertaining to tissue configuration or biochemical functions of a subject to be examined; means for converting said data into two-dimensional image data by reconstruction processing; means for storing said two-dimensional image data in a memory means; means for manually setting a window level and a window width; and means for generating an image based on said two-dimensional image data; the improvement comprising calculating means for calculating a window level and a window width peculiar to each two-dimensional image data in accordance with a predetermined calculation method; memory means for storing the values calculated by said calculating means in annexed form to each two dimensional image data; and switching means for selectively switching to said means for generating an image any of the following: (1) said set window level and said set window width, (2) said calculated window level and said calculated window width, (3) said set window level and said calculated window width, or (4) said calculated window level and said set window width.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 191 words
In an image diagnosis apparatus comprising means for collecting data pertaining to tissue configuration or biochemical functions of a subject to be examined; means for converting said data into two-dimensional image data by reconstruction processing; means for storing said two-dimensional image data in a memory means; means for manually setting a window level and a window width; and means for generating an image based on said two-dimensional image data; the improvement comprising calculating means for calculating a window level and a window width peculiar to each two-dimensional image data in accordance with a predetermined calculation method; memory means for storing the values calculated by said calculating means in annexed form to each two dimensional image data; and switching means for selectively switching said set window level and said window width or said calculated window level and said calculated window width, or any combination thereof, to said means for generating an image; wherein said calculating means calculates a window level by taking the average value of all pixels of an image to be reconstructed, and calculates a window width by multiplying the calculated window level by a factor of 1 to 3.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 191 words
In an image diagnosis apparatus comprising means for collecting data pertaining to tissue configuration or biochemical functions of a subject to be examined; means for converting said data into two-dimensional image data by reconstruction processing; means for storing said two-dimensional image data in a memory means; means for manually setting a window level and a window width; and means for generating an image based on said two-dimensional image data; the improvement comprising calculating means for calculating a window level and a window width peculiar to each two-dimensional image data in accordance with a predetermined calculation method; memory means for storing the values calculated by said calculating means in annexed form to each two dimensional image data; and switching means for selectively switching said set window level and said window width or said calculated window level and said calculated window width, or any combination thereof, to said means for generating an image; wherein said calculating means calculates a window level by taking the average value of all pixels of an image to be reconstructed, and calculates a window width by multiplying the calculated window level by a factor of 1 to 3.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 195 words
In an image diagnosis apparatus comprising means for collecting data pertaining to tissue configuration or biochemical functions of a subject to be examined; means for converting said data into two-dimensional image data by reconstruction; means for storing said two-dimensional image data in a memory means; means for manually setting a window level and a window width; and means for generating an image based on said two-dimensional image data; the improvement comprising calculating means for calculating a window level and a window width peculiar to each two-dimensional image data in accordance with a predetermined calculation method; memory means for storing the values calculated by said calculating means in annexed form to each two dimensional image data; and switching means for selectively switching said set window level and said set window width or said calculated window level and said calculated window width, or any combination thereof, to said means for generating an image; wherein said calculating means calculates a window level by taking the average value of pixels in a limited central area of an image to be reconstructed, and calculates a window width by multiplying the calculated window level by a factor of 1 to 3.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 195 words
In an image diagnosis apparatus comprising means for collecting data pertaining to tissue configuration or biochemical functions of a subject to be examined; means for converting said data into two-dimensional image data by reconstruction; means for storing said two-dimensional image data in a memory means; means for manually setting a window level and a window width; and means for generating an image based on said two-dimensional image data; the improvement comprising calculating means for calculating a window level and a window width peculiar to each two-dimensional image data in accordance with a predetermined calculation method; memory means for storing the values calculated by said calculating means in annexed form to each two dimensional image data; and switching means for selectively switching said set window level and said set window width or said calculated window level and said calculated window width, or any combination thereof, to said means for generating an image; wherein said calculating means calculates a window level by taking the average value of pixels in a limited central area of an image to be reconstructed, and calculates a window width by multiplying the calculated window level by a factor of 1 to 3.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 206 words
In an image diagnosis apparatus comprising means for collecting data pertaining to tissue configuration or biochemical functions of a subject to be examined; means for converting said data into two-dimensional image data by reconstruction processing; means for storing said two-dimensional image data in a memory means; means for manually setting a window level and a window width; and means for generating an image based on said two-dimensional image data; the improvement comprising calculating means for calculating a window level and a window width peculiar to each two-dimensional image data in accordance with a predetermined calculation method; memory means for storing the values calculated by said calculating means in annexed form to each two-dimensional image data; and switching means for selectively switching said set window level and said set window width or said calculated window level and said calculated window width, or any combination thereof, to said means for generating an image; wherein said calculating means calculates a window level by taking an intermediate value between the maximum value and the minimum value of all pixels of an image to be reconstructed, and calculates a window width by multiplying the difference between the last mentioned said maximum and minimum values by a factor of 0.5 to 1.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 206 words
In an image diagnosis apparatus comprising means for collecting data pertaining to tissue configuration or biochemical functions of a subject to be examined; means for converting said data into two-dimensional image data by reconstruction processing; means for storing said two-dimensional image data in a memory means; means for manually setting a window level and a window width; and means for generating an image based on said two-dimensional image data; the improvement comprising calculating means for calculating a window level and a window width peculiar to each two-dimensional image data in accordance with a predetermined calculation method; memory means for storing the values calculated by said calculating means in annexed form to each two-dimensional image data; and switching means for selectively switching said set window level and said set window width or said calculated window level and said calculated window width, or any combination thereof, to said means for generating an image; wherein said calculating means calculates a window level by taking an intermediate value between the maximum value and the minimum value of all pixels of an image to be reconstructed, and calculates a window width by multiplying the difference between the last mentioned said maximum and minimum values by a factor of 0.5 to 1.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 212 words
In an image diagnosis apparatus comprising means for collecting data pertaining to tissue configuration or biochemical functions of a subject to be examined; means for converting said data into two-dimensional image data by reconstruction processing; means for storing said two-dimensional image data in a memory means; means for manually setting a window level and a window width; and means for generating an image based on said two-dimensional image data; the improvement comprising calculating means for calculating a window level and a window width peculiar to each two-dimensional image data in accordance with a predetermined calculation method; memory means for storing the values calculated by said calculating means in annexed form to each two-dimensional image data; and switching means for selectively switching said set window level and said set window width or said calculated window level and said calculated window width, or any combination thereof, to said means for generating an image; wherein said calculating means calculates a window level by taking an intermediate value between the maximum value and the minimum value of individual average values of sub-areas defined on pixels of an image to be reconstructed, and calculates a window width by multiplying the difference between the last mentioned said maximum and minimum values by a factor of 0.5 to 1.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 212 words
In an image diagnosis apparatus comprising means for collecting data pertaining to tissue configuration or biochemical functions of a subject to be examined; means for converting said data into two-dimensional image data by reconstruction processing; means for storing said two-dimensional image data in a memory means; means for manually setting a window level and a window width; and means for generating an image based on said two-dimensional image data; the improvement comprising calculating means for calculating a window level and a window width peculiar to each two-dimensional image data in accordance with a predetermined calculation method; memory means for storing the values calculated by said calculating means in annexed form to each two-dimensional image data; and switching means for selectively switching said set window level and said set window width or said calculated window level and said calculated window width, or any combination thereof, to said means for generating an image; wherein said calculating means calculates a window level by taking an intermediate value between the maximum value and the minimum value of individual average values of sub-areas defined on pixels of an image to be reconstructed, and calculates a window width by multiplying the difference between the last mentioned said maximum and minimum values by a factor of 0.5 to 1.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 214 words
In an image diagnosis apparatus comprising means for collecting data pertaining to tissue configuration or biochemical functions of a subject to be examined; means for converting said data into two-dimensional image data by reconstruction processing; means for storing said two-dimensional image data in a memory means; means for manually setting a window level and a window width; and means for generating an image based on said two-dimensional image data; the improvement comprising calculating means for calculating a window level and a window width peculiar to each two-dimensional image data in accordance with a predetermined calculation method; memory means for storing the values calculated by said calculating means in annexed form to each two-dimensional image data; and switching means for selectively switching said set window level and said set window width or said calculated window level and said calculated window width, or any combination thereof, to said means for generating an image; wherein said calculating means calculates a window level by taking an intermediate value between the maximum value and the minimum value of pixels located inside a limited vertical or horizontal band-like area of an image to be reconstructed, and calculates a window width by multiplying the difference between the last mentioned said maximum and minimum values by a factor of 0.5 to 1.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 214 words
In an image diagnosis apparatus comprising means for collecting data pertaining to tissue configuration or biochemical functions of a subject to be examined; means for converting said data into two-dimensional image data by reconstruction processing; means for storing said two-dimensional image data in a memory means; means for manually setting a window level and a window width; and means for generating an image based on said two-dimensional image data; the improvement comprising calculating means for calculating a window level and a window width peculiar to each two-dimensional image data in accordance with a predetermined calculation method; memory means for storing the values calculated by said calculating means in annexed form to each two-dimensional image data; and switching means for selectively switching said set window level and said set window width or said calculated window level and said calculated window width, or any combination thereof, to said means for generating an image; wherein said calculating means calculates a window level by taking an intermediate value between the maximum value and the minimum value of pixels located inside a limited vertical or horizontal band-like area of an image to be reconstructed, and calculates a window width by multiplying the difference between the last mentioned said maximum and minimum values by a factor of 0.5 to 1.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 208 words
In an image diagnosis apparatus comprising means for collecting data pertaining to tissue configuration or biochemical functions of a subject to be examined; means for converting said data into two-dimensional image data by reconstruction processing; means for storing said two-dimensional image data in a memory means; means for manually setting a window level and a window width; and means for generating an image based on said two-dimensional image data; the improvement comprising calculating means for calculating a window level and a window width peculiar to each two-dimensional image data in accordance with a predetermined calculation method; memory means for storing the values calculated by said calculating means in annexed form to each two-dimensional image data; and switching means for selectively switching said set window level and said set window width or said calculated window level and said calculated window width, or any combination thereof, to said means for generating an image; wherein said calculating means calculates a window level by taking the average value of pixels located inside an inscribed circle of an image to be reconstructed, and calculates a window width by multiplying the difference between said last mentioned average value and the average value of pixels located outside said inscribed circle by a factor of 2.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 208 words
In an image diagnosis apparatus comprising means for collecting data pertaining to tissue configuration or biochemical functions of a subject to be examined; means for converting said data into two-dimensional image data by reconstruction processing; means for storing said two-dimensional image data in a memory means; means for manually setting a window level and a window width; and means for generating an image based on said two-dimensional image data; the improvement comprising calculating means for calculating a window level and a window width peculiar to each two-dimensional image data in accordance with a predetermined calculation method; memory means for storing the values calculated by said calculating means in annexed form to each two-dimensional image data; and switching means for selectively switching said set window level and said set window width or said calculated window level and said calculated window width, or any combination thereof, to said means for generating an image; wherein said calculating means calculates a window level by taking the average value of pixels located inside an inscribed circle of an image to be reconstructed, and calculates a window width by multiplying the difference between said last mentioned average value and the average value of pixels located outside said inscribed circle by a factor of 2.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 195 words
In an image diagnosis apparatus comprising means for collecting data pertaining to tissue configuration or biochemical functions of a subject to be examined; means for converting said data into two-dimensional image data by reconstruction processing; means for storing said two-dimensional image data in a memory means; means for manually setting a window level and a window width; and means for generating an image based on said two-dimensional image data; the improvement comprising calculating means for calculating a window level and a window width peculiar to each two-dimensional image data in accordnace with a predetermined calculation method; memory means for storing the values calculated by said calculating means in annexed form in each two-dimensional image data; and switching means for selectively switching said set window level and said set window width or said calculated window level and said calculated window width, or any combination thereof, to said means for generating an image; wherein said calculating means calculates a window level by taking the center of gravity of a histogram of all pixels of an image to be reconstructed, and calculates a window width by multiplying said calculated window level by a factor of 1 to 3.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 195 words
In an image diagnosis apparatus comprising means for collecting data pertaining to tissue configuration or biochemical functions of a subject to be examined; means for converting said data into two-dimensional image data by reconstruction processing; means for storing said two-dimensional image data in a memory means; means for manually setting a window level and a window width; and means for generating an image based on said two-dimensional image data; the improvement comprising calculating means for calculating a window level and a window width peculiar to each two-dimensional image data in accordnace with a predetermined calculation method; memory means for storing the values calculated by said calculating means in annexed form in each two-dimensional image data; and switching means for selectively switching said set window level and said set window width or said calculated window level and said calculated window width, or any combination thereof, to said means for generating an image; wherein said calculating means calculates a window level by taking the center of gravity of a histogram of all pixels of an image to be reconstructed, and calculates a window width by multiplying said calculated window level by a factor of 1 to 3.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 40 words
The apparatus of claim 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8, wherein said means for generating an image generates an image display based on a two-dimensional data using one of the calculated window levels, and a set window width.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 40 words
The apparatus of claim 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8, wherein said means for generating an image generates an image display based on a two-dimensional data using one of the calculated window widths, and a set window level.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 105 words
In an image diagnosis apparatus comprising means for collecting data pertaining to tissue configurations or biochemical functions of a subject being examined; means for storing two-dimensional image data in a memory means; means for calculating window level and window width; and means for generating an image based on said two-dimensional image data and using the calculated window level and window width; the improvement wherein said means for calculating calculates a window level by taking the average value of all pixels of a predetermined area of an image to be reconstructed, and calculates a window width by multiplying the calculated window level by a predetermined factor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 105 words
In an image diagnosis apparatus comprising means for collecting data pertaining to tissue configurations or biochemical functions of a subject being examined; means for storing two-dimensional image data in a memory means; means for calculating window level and window width; and means for generating an image based on said two-dimensional image data and using the calculated window level and window width; the improvement wherein said means for calculating calculates a window level by taking the average value of all pixels of a predetermined area of an image to be reconstructed, and calculates a window width by multiplying the calculated window level by a predetermined factor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 45 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said calculating means calculates a window level by taking the average value of all pixels of an image to be reconstructed, and calculates a window width by multiplying the calculated window level by a factor of 1 to 3.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 49 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said calculating means calculates a window level by taking the average value of pixels in a limited central area of an image to be reconstructed, and calculates a window width by multiplying the calculated window level by a factor of 1 to 3.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 64 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said calculating means calculates a window level by taking an intermediate value between the maximum value and the minimum value of all pixels of the predetermined area of an image to be reconstructed, and calculates a window width by multiplying the difference between the last mentioned said maximum and minimum values by a factor of 0.5 to 1.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 70 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said calculating means calculates a window level by taking an intermediate value between the maximum value and the minimum value of individual average values of sub-areas defined on pixels of the predetermined area of an image to be reconstructed, and calculates a window width by multiplying the difference between the last mentioned said maximum and minimum values by a factor of 0.5 to 1.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 72 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said calculating means calculates a window level by taking an intermediate value between the maximum value and the minimum value of pixels located inside a limited vertical or horizontal band-like area of the predetermined area of an image to be reconstructed, and calculates a window width by multiplying the difference between the last mentioned said maximum and minimum values by a factor of 0.5 to 1.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 62 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said calculating means calculates a window level by taking the average value of pixels located inside an inscribed circle of an image to be reconstructed, and calculates a window width by multiplying the difference between said last mentioned average value and the average value of pixels located outside said inscribed circle by a factor of 2.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 53 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said calculating means calculates a window level by taking the center of gravity of a histogram of all pixels of the predetermined area of an image to be reconstructed, and calculates a window width by multiplying said calculated window level by a factor of 1 to 3.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 35 words
The apparatus of claim 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 or 18, wherein said means for generating an image generates an image display based on a two-dimensional data using one of the calculated window levels.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 35 words
The apparatus of claim 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 or 18, wherein said means for generating an image generates an image display based on a two-dimensional data using one of the calculated window widths.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 124 words
In an image diagnosis apparatus comprising means for collecting data pertaining to tissue configurations or biochemical functions of a subject to be examined; means for storing two-dimensional image data in a memory means; means for calculating window level and window width; and means for generating an image based on said two-dimensional image data and using the calculated window level and window width; the improvement wherein said means for calculating calculates a window level by taking an intermediate value between the maximum value and the minimum value of all pixels of a predetermined area of an image to be reconstructed, and calculates a window width by multiplying the difference between the last mentioned said maximum and minimum values by a factor of 0.5 to 1.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 124 words
In an image diagnosis apparatus comprising means for collecting data pertaining to tissue configurations or biochemical functions of a subject to be examined; means for storing two-dimensional image data in a memory means; means for calculating window level and window width; and means for generating an image based on said two-dimensional image data and using the calculated window level and window width; the improvement wherein said means for calculating calculates a window level by taking an intermediate value between the maximum value and the minimum value of all pixels of a predetermined area of an image to be reconstructed, and calculates a window width by multiplying the difference between the last mentioned said maximum and minimum values by a factor of 0.5 to 1.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 38 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said calculating means calculates a window level by taking an intermediate value between maximum and minimum values of individual average values of sub-areas defined on pixels of an image to be reconstructed.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 41 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said calculating means calculates a window level by taking the intermediate value between the maximum and minimum values of pixels located inside a limited vertical or horizontal band-like area of an image to be reconstructed.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

JPS54162931A Cited
US4688175A Cited
US4864500A Cited
US4852002A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1994-10-14 1995-04-15 1995-10-15 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1998-10-14 1999-04-15 1999-10-15 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2002-10-14 2003-04-15 2003-10-15 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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