US5737456A
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Method for image reconstruction
Assignee: UMass Memorial Medical Center
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Filing: 1995-06-09
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Granted: 1998-04-07
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Expires: 2015-06-09
Abstract
Abstract A method for processing a digitized image is described. The method includes the step of first generating a digitized image using an image-measuring system and representing the image as a vector g. A point spread function (PSF), represented as the function k(x,y,z), is also determined, with the PSF containing sub-pixels having a closer spacing than points in the g. Both the vector g and the function k(x,y,z) are then processed by: (a) selecting a vector c; (b) calculating the value of psi (c) = +TR <IMAGE> using the vectors g and c, and the function k(x,y,z); and, (c) iteratively repeating steps (a) and (b) to determine a value for c that minimizes PSI (c). The image is then reconstructed by substituting in <IMAGE> the value for c that minimizes PSI (c) so that the processed image contains sub-pixels having a closer spacing than the points of the vector g.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter A. Carrington
- 👤 Kevin E. Fogarty
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 19:57
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T5/00; G06T5/73; B; B82; B82Y; B82Y15/00; G06T3/00; G06T3/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
A method for processing a digitized image to form a processed image, said method comprising: generating a digitized image using an image-measuring system and representing said image as a vector g, determining for said measuring system a point spread function (PSF) and representing said PSF as a function k(x,y,z), said PSF comprising sub-pixels having a closer spacing than points in said vector g, and processing said vector g and said function k(x,y,z) by: (a) selecting a vector c; (b) calculating the value of Ψ(c) using said vector g, said selected vector c, and said function k(x,y,z), where and wherein α is a balancing term and V is a volume element; ##EQU9## and, (c) iteratively repeating steps (a) and (b) to determine a value for c that minimizes Ψ(c); and, reconstructing said digitized image to form said processed by including in ##EQU10## said value for c that minimizes Ψ(c) so that said processed image comprises sub-pixels having a closer spacing than said points of said vector g.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
166 words
A method for processing a digitized image to form a processed image, said method comprising: generating a digitized image using an image-measuring system and representing said image as a vector g, determining for said measuring system a point spread function (PSF) and representing said PSF as a function k(x,y,z), said PSF comprising sub-pixels having a closer spacing than points in said vector g, and processing said vector g and said function k(x,y,z) by: (a) selecting a vector c; (b) calculating the value of Ψ(c) using said vector g, said selected vector c, and said function k(x,y,z), where and wherein α is a balancing term and V is a volume element; ##EQU9## and, (c) iteratively repeating steps (a) and (b) to determine a value for c that minimizes Ψ(c); and, reconstructing said digitized image to form said processed by including in ##EQU10## said value for c that minimizes Ψ(c) so that said processed image comprises sub-pixels having a closer spacing than said points of said vector g.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said spacing of said sub-pixels of f(x,y,z) is selected during said processing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said digitized image is generated by a CCD comprising an array of pixels.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said sub-pixels of said processed image have a closer spacing than said pixels of said CCD.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising generating multiple digitized images prior to said processing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said multiple digitized images are taken from multiple sections of an object using an optical system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 6, wherein said optical system includes a lens, and said multiple digitized images are generated by adjusting a position of said lens relative to said object.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 5, further comprising sequentially processing said multiple digitized images during said processing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said PSF is determined using a digitized image of a light-emitting object having a known size.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 9, wherein said digitized image is generated by a CCD comprising an array of pixels.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 9, further comprising generating multiple digitized images of said object having a known size.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said multiple digitized images are taken using an optical system from multiple sections of said object having a known size.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 9, wherein said light-emitting object is a fluorescent sphere having a known diameter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method of claim 13, wherein said PSF is determined by first generating a digital image of said light-emitting object, and then solving for said PSF using the equation: digital image=(PSF*PIXEL(x,y))*(BEAD(x,y,z)*BL) wherein PIXEL(x,y) is a function that describes a light sensitivity profile of said pixel of said CCD, BL is a spatial band limit of said optical system, and BEAD(x,y,z) is a dye distribution in said fluorescent sphere.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1, wherein processing and reconstructing are performed using a computer.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
173 words
A method for increasing the resolution of a detector comprising an array of pixels, said method comprising: generating a digitized image using said detector and representing said image as a vector g, determining for said detector a point spread function (PSF) and representing said PSF as a function k(x,y,z), said PSF comprising sub-pixels having a closer spacing than said pixels of said detector, and processing said vector g and said function k(x,y,z) by: (a) selecting a vector c; (b) calculating the value of Ψ(c) using said vector g, said selected vector c, and said function k(x,y,z) where ##EQU11## and wherein α is a balancing term and V is a volume element; and, (c) iteratively repeating steps (a) and (b) to determine a value for c that minimizes Ψ(c); and, reconstructing said digitized image to form a processed image by substituting in ##EQU12## said value for c that minimizes Ψ(c) so that said processed image comprises sub-pixels having a closer spacing than said pixels of said detector, thereby increasing the resolution of said detector.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
173 words
A method for increasing the resolution of a detector comprising an array of pixels, said method comprising: generating a digitized image using said detector and representing said image as a vector g, determining for said detector a point spread function (PSF) and representing said PSF as a function k(x,y,z), said PSF comprising sub-pixels having a closer spacing than said pixels of said detector, and processing said vector g and said function k(x,y,z) by: (a) selecting a vector c; (b) calculating the value of Ψ(c) using said vector g, said selected vector c, and said function k(x,y,z) where ##EQU11## and wherein α is a balancing term and V is a volume element; and, (c) iteratively repeating steps (a) and (b) to determine a value for c that minimizes Ψ(c); and, reconstructing said digitized image to form a processed image by substituting in ##EQU12## said value for c that minimizes Ψ(c) so that said processed image comprises sub-pixels having a closer spacing than said pixels of said detector, thereby increasing the resolution of said detector.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 16, wherein said detector is a charge-coupled device (CCD).
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
171 words
An image-measuring system for generating a high-resolution digital image, said system comprising: an imaging system comprising a lens and a detector containing pixels, said imaging system generating a first digital image of a sample represented by a vector g, and for generating a point spread function (PSF) represented as a function k(x,y,z), said PSF comprising sub-pixels having a closer spacing than said pixels, and a processor configured to process said vector g and said function k(x,y,z) by: (a) selecting a vector c; (b) calculating the value of Ψ(c) using said vector g, said selected vector c, and said function k(x,y,z), where ##EQU13## and wherein a is a balancing term and V is a volume element; (c) iteratively repeating steps (a) and (b) to determine a value for c that minimizes Ψ(c); and, reconstructing said digitized image to form high-resolution digital image said by substituting in ##EQU14## said value for c that minimizes Ψ(c) so that said processed image comprises sub-pixels having a closer spacing than said points of said vector g.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
171 words
An image-measuring system for generating a high-resolution digital image, said system comprising: an imaging system comprising a lens and a detector containing pixels, said imaging system generating a first digital image of a sample represented by a vector g, and for generating a point spread function (PSF) represented as a function k(x,y,z), said PSF comprising sub-pixels having a closer spacing than said pixels, and a processor configured to process said vector g and said function k(x,y,z) by: (a) selecting a vector c; (b) calculating the value of Ψ(c) using said vector g, said selected vector c, and said function k(x,y,z), where ##EQU13## and wherein a is a balancing term and V is a volume element; (c) iteratively repeating steps (a) and (b) to determine a value for c that minimizes Ψ(c); and, reconstructing said digitized image to form high-resolution digital image said by substituting in ##EQU14## said value for c that minimizes Ψ(c) so that said processed image comprises sub-pixels having a closer spacing than said points of said vector g.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
The image-measuring system of claim 18, wherein said processor is a computer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The image-measuring system of claim 18, wherein said detector is a CCD camera.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-04-06 | 2001-10-06 | 2002-04-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-04-06 | 2005-10-06 | 2006-04-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-04-06 | 2009-10-06 | 2010-04-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |