US5333165A
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Method and apparatus for three-dimensional video signals
Assignee: Hologic Inc
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Filing: 1992-02-27
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Granted: 1994-07-26
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Expires: 2012-02-27
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for processing three-dimensional video signals representing a solid subject comprises, radiating the subject, receiving radiation from the subject with receptors on three axes intersecting the subject to produce three planar images of the subject volume normal to the three respective radiation axes. The picture elements of the three planar images are converted into three corresponding sets of planar video pixel signals which are converted into voxels and written at the three radiation axes into superimposition in a three dimensional storage matrix such that coincidence of three pixels in the three respective images stores a single voxel representative of the superposition of the three pixels. The voxels in the matrix can then be addressed by a view selector at an angle other than the three original radiation axes to read the selected two dimensional view out of the matrix to a display or recorder.
Inventors
- 👤 Ying Sun
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 05:04
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N23/00; G01N23/02; G01N23/06; G01N23/083; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S378/00; Y10S378/901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A method of processing three-dimensional video signals representing a solid subject comprising: radiating the subject; receiving radiation from the subject on three axes intersecting the subject using radiation receptors to produce three planar images of the subject volume normal to the three respective radiation axes; converting the picture elements of the three planar images into three corresponding sets of planar video pixel signals; writing the three planar signal sets at the three radiation axes into superimposition in a three dimensional storage matrix such that coincidence of three pixels in the three respective images stores a single voxel representative of the superposition of the three pixels; addressing voxels on a selected view angle toward the three dimensional matrix other than the angles of the three radiation axes; reading, the addressed voxels of the selected view angle out of the matrix; and displaying or recording a two-dimensional image of the voxels read out at the selected view angle.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
156 words
A method of processing three-dimensional video signals representing a solid subject comprising: radiating the subject; receiving radiation from the subject on three axes intersecting the subject using radiation receptors to produce three planar images of the subject volume normal to the three respective radiation axes; converting the picture elements of the three planar images into three corresponding sets of planar video pixel signals; writing the three planar signal sets at the three radiation axes into superimposition in a three dimensional storage matrix such that coincidence of three pixels in the three respective images stores a single voxel representative of the superposition of the three pixels; addressing voxels on a selected view angle toward the three dimensional matrix other than the angles of the three radiation axes; reading, the addressed voxels of the selected view angle out of the matrix; and displaying or recording a two-dimensional image of the voxels read out at the selected view angle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the three planar images are produced as gray scale signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the three planar images are converted into binary pixel signals before writing into the matrix.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein the gray scale signals above and below a fixed threshhold are converted to black and white binary signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the radiation is light.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the planar images produced substantially simultaneously.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the three radiation axes are spaced substantial solid angles apart.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the three radiation axes are orthogonally spaced.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the three radiation axes are spaced apart by solid angles between forty-five and ninety degrees.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein a voxel is generated by the addition of three pixels intercepting at the same address in three-dimensional space.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein voxels having value less than the sum of three pixel values are filtered before being read out for display.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the three planar images are on a gray scale, and are iteratively compared with corresponding voxels in the matrix so as to exclude storage in the matrix of an artificial volume not present in the subject.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the display of the selected two-dimensional image is substantially simultaneous with the radiation of the subject.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the two-dimensional image read out of the matrix is displayed photographically.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
141 words
Electrical apparatus for processing three dimensional video signals representing a solid subject comprising: three receptors of radiation on three different image axes intersecting the subject at three different angles for converting the radiation to three corresponding two-dimensional video images respectively represented by three sets of pixels; a voxel generator coupled to the three receptors for producing one three-dimensional set of voxels at the three-dimensional intercept of pixels projected from the three two-dimensional pixel sets; a three-dimensional voxel matrix for storing the voxels; adjustable means connected to the voxel matrix for selecting a viewing axis scanning the three-dimensional matrix at an angle other than the radiation axis angles, and addressing and reading out voxels within the selected view; and means coupled to the matrix for displaying the addressed and read out voxels of the selected three-dimensional view in a single two-dimensional image.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
141 words
Electrical apparatus for processing three dimensional video signals representing a solid subject comprising: three receptors of radiation on three different image axes intersecting the subject at three different angles for converting the radiation to three corresponding two-dimensional video images respectively represented by three sets of pixels; a voxel generator coupled to the three receptors for producing one three-dimensional set of voxels at the three-dimensional intercept of pixels projected from the three two-dimensional pixel sets; a three-dimensional voxel matrix for storing the voxels; adjustable means connected to the voxel matrix for selecting a viewing axis scanning the three-dimensional matrix at an angle other than the radiation axis angles, and addressing and reading out voxels within the selected view; and means coupled to the matrix for displaying the addressed and read out voxels of the selected three-dimensional view in a single two-dimensional image.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the receptors are video cameras.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claim 15 including means coupling respective radiation receptors to the voxel matrix comprising a modulator converting all pixel values above and below a threshold value to equal black and white values.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 15 including a filter coupling the matrix to the displaying means for iteratively enhancing the voxel image read out of the matrix .
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the displaying means is a cathode ray tube.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
150 words
Electrical apparatus for angiographic examination of a subject comprising: three sets of X-radiation sources and receptors for directing beams along three separate radiation axes intersecting a volume within the subject and forming three two-dimensional images of the volume; electro-optical means producing three two-dimensional sets of video signal pixels from the three images; a voxel generator coupled to the three receptors for producing one three-dimensional set of voxels corresponding to the three-dimensional intercept of pixels projected frown the three two-dimensional pixels sets; a three-dimensional matrix for storing the voxels electrically; adjustable control means connected to the matrix for selecting a view axis for scanning the three-dimensional matrix at an angle other than the radiation axis angles, and addressing and reading out voxels with in the selected view; and means coupled to the matrix for displaying the addressed and read out voxels of the selected three-dimensional view in a single two-dimensional image.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
150 words
Electrical apparatus for angiographic examination of a subject comprising: three sets of X-radiation sources and receptors for directing beams along three separate radiation axes intersecting a volume within the subject and forming three two-dimensional images of the volume; electro-optical means producing three two-dimensional sets of video signal pixels from the three images; a voxel generator coupled to the three receptors for producing one three-dimensional set of voxels corresponding to the three-dimensional intercept of pixels projected frown the three two-dimensional pixels sets; a three-dimensional matrix for storing the voxels electrically; adjustable control means connected to the matrix for selecting a view axis for scanning the three-dimensional matrix at an angle other than the radiation axis angles, and addressing and reading out voxels with in the selected view; and means coupled to the matrix for displaying the addressed and read out voxels of the selected three-dimensional view in a single two-dimensional image.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the matrix has an address with three dimensional coordinates for each voxel.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the matrix has three dimensional addresses correponding electrically to the three dimensionally spaced elements of a geometric solid.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the adjustable means comprises a controller selectively addressing voxels on intercepts around the selected view axis.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the radiation receptors are X-ray image intensifiers.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 20 including a modulator coupled between each radiation receptor and the voxel generator passing only pixels above a substantial threshold value.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-07-25 | 1998-01-24 | 1998-07-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-07-25 | 2002-01-24 | 2002-07-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-07-25 | 2006-01-24 | 2006-07-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |