Digital pixel-accurate intensity processing method for image information enhancement

Claim 3

The method of claim 1 including the step of: adjusting said selected intensity range of said differential image data array to a desired intensity by contrast stretching.

Claim 4

The method of claim 2 wherein: said contrast stretching comprises linear contrast stretching.

Claim 5

The method of claim 3 wherein said linear contrast stretching comprises: determining minimum and maximum pixel values in said hysteresis processed image data array; and recalculating output pixel values using the following equation: q(x,y)=(p(x,y)-minpix)*maxval(maxpix-minpix) where "p(x,y)" is the initial pixel value, "q(x,y)" is the final output pixel value, "minpix" is the minimum pixel value in said hysteresis processed image data array, "maxpix" is the maximum pixel value in said hysteresis processed image data array, and "maxval" is the maximum pixel value.

Claim 6

The method of claim 2 wherein: said desired intensity is within a visual intensity range.

Claim 7

The method of claim 1 wherein: both of said first and second image data arrays are hysteresis processed.

Claim 8

The method of claim 1 wherein: said selected intensity range defines at least one differential image data array selected from the image groupings consisting of spacial detail, intensity detail and image noise.

Claim 9

The method of claim 1 wherein: said differential image data array is displayed as schematic graphs.

Claim 10

The method of claim 1 wherein: said digitized image data array has a 10-bit to 16-bit accuracy.

Claim 11

The method of claim 1 wherein: said digitized image data array comprises microscopic data obtained from a group consisting of transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, light microscopy and atomic force microscopy.

Claim 12

The method of claim 1 wherein: said digitized image data array comprises medical imaging data.

Claim 13

The method of claim 11 wherein: said medical imaging data comprises radiological imaging data.

Claim 14

The method of claim 12 wherein: said radiological imaging data is obtained from a group consisting of mammogram and x-ray imaging data.

Claim 15

The method of claim 1 wherein: said digitized image data array is selected from a group consisting of machine vision data, robotic vision data, remote sensing data and astronomical data.

Claim 16

The method of claim 1 wherein: said digitized image data array is selected from a group consisting of array optical images, video images and computer generated images.

Claim 17

The method of claim 1 wherein: said digitized image dam array comprises a multi-dimensional data array.

Claim 18

The method of claim 1 wherein said step of hysteresis processing comprises: (a) determining if a selected pixel's intensity value along a line in relation to its neighbors' intensities falls within a preselected cursor width; (b) generating a first processed line in a first direction, said step of generating said first processed line comprising, (1) maintaining the selected pixel's relative intensity value if it is outside the cursor width, and (2) changing the selected pixel's intensity value if it is within the cursor width to an intermediate value which is generally equivalent to the intensity of the last maintained value; (c) generating a second processed line in a second direction, said step of generating said second processed line comprising, (1) maintaining the selected pixel's relative intensity value if it is outside the cursor width, and (2) changing the selected pixel 's intensity value if it is within the cursor width to an intermediate value which is generally equivalent to the intensity of the last maintained value; and (d) bidirectionally averaging said first and second processed lines to generate a one dimensional hysteresis line.

Claim 19

The method of claim 17 wherein: said one dimensional hysteresis lines in step (d) comprise spacially neighboring pixels.

Claim 20

The method of claim 18 wherein: said one dimensional hysteresis lines are linear lines radiating at preselected angles through said selected pixel.

Claim 21

The method of claim 19 including: summing the intensities of each of the one dimensional hysteresis lines for the selected pixel to define a summation value.

Claim 22

The method of claim 20 further including the step of: dividing the summation value by the total number of one dimensional hysteresis lines in the set to define an output value.

Claim 23

The method of claim 1 wherein said step of hysteresis processing comprises: (a) determining if a selected pixel's intensity value in relation to its neighbors' intensities falls within a preselected cursor width; (b) maintaining the selected pixel's relative intensity value if it is outside the cursor width; and (c) changing the selected pixel's intensity value if it is within the cursor width to an intermediate value.

Claim 24

The method of claim 1 wherein both of said first and second image data arrays are processed and wherein: each of said processed image data arrays is generated using a different hysteresis factor.

Claim 25

The method of claim 1 wherein: said digitized image data array comprises a two dimensional data array.

Claim 26

The method of claim 1 wherein: said digitized image data array comprises a three dimensional data array.

Claim 27

The method of claim 1 wherein: said digitized image data array comprises a data array including x, y and z spacial coordinates.

Claim 28

The method of claim 1 wherein: said digitized image data array comprises a data array including time coordinates.

Claim 29

The method of claim 1 wherein: said digitized image data array comprises a data array including physical values.

Claim 30

The method of claim 1 wherein: said digitized image data array comprises a data array including chemical values.

Claim 31

The method of claim 1 wherein: said digitized image data array comprises a data array including values for statistical analysis.

Claim 34

The apparatus of claim 31 including the step of: means for adjusting said selected intensity range of said differential image data array to a desired intensity by contrast stretching.

Claim 35

The apparatus of claim 32 wherein: said means for contrast stretching comprises linear contrast stretching.

Claim 36

The apparatus of claim 33 wherein said linear contrast stretching comprises: means for determining minimum and maximum pixel values in said hysteresis processed image data array; and means for recalculating output pixel values using the following equation: q(x,y)=(p(x,y)-minpix)*maxval(maxpix-minpix) where "p(x,y)" is the initial pixel value, "q(x,y)" is the final output pixel value, "minpix" is the minimum pixel value in said hysteresis processed image data array, "maxpix" is the maximum pixel value in said hysteresis processed image data array, and "maxval" is the maximum pixel value.

Claim 37

The apparatus of claim 32 wherein: said desired intensity being within a visual intensity range.

Claim 38

The apparatus of claim 31 wherein: both of said first and second image data arrays are hysteresis processed.

Claim 39

The apparatus of claim 31 wherein: said selected intensity range defines at least one differential image data array selected from the image groupings consisting of spacial detail, intensity detail and image noise.

Claim 40

The apparatus of claim 31 wherein: said digitized image data array comprises microscopic data obtained from a group consisting of transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy.

Claim 41

The apparatus of claim 31 wherein: said digitized image data array comprises medical imaging data.

Claim 42

The apparatus of claim 39 wherein: said medical imaging data comprises radiological imaging data.

Claim 43

The apparatus of claim 40 wherein: said radiological imaging data is obtained from a group consisting of mammogram and x-ray imaging data.

Claim 44

The apparatus of claim 31 wherein: said digitized image data array is selected from a group consisting of machine vision data, robotic vision data, remote sensing data and astronomical data.

Claim 45

The apparatus of claim 31 wherein both of said first and second image data arrays are processed, with each of said processed image data arrays being generated using a different hysteresis factor.

Claim 46

The apparatus of claim 31 further comprising: means for quantifying image information into at least four image intensity classification including features, image details, intensity details and spacial noise.