US5898797A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image processing system and method
Assignee: Base Ten Systems Inc
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Filing: 1997-04-04
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Granted: 1999-04-27
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Expires: 2017-04-04
Abstract
Abstract A method and system for processing a digital image of an object comprises forming a single pixel image outline of the object in a digital image and producing a measure of the outline shape as a single number. In this way risk of spina bifida can be determined from an ultrasonic image of a fetal skull.
Inventors
- 👤 Theodore F. Weiss
- 👤 Erwin Donath
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 00:42
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T5/00; G06T5/73; G06T5/20; G06T5/30; G06T7/00; G06T7/10; G06T7/12; G06T7/60; G06T7/64; G06T2207/00; G06T2207/30; G06T2207/30004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for processing a digital image of an object including an outline image having an inner edge and an outer edge with an expected thickness range therebetween, comprising the steps of: applying a band pass filter to the digital image of the object having the expected thickness range to remove image portions having pixel thicknesses above and below the expected thickness range to enhance the outline image; edge detecting the enhanced outline image to produce an outline of the outline image; forming a single pixel image outline of the outline image from the outline; and producing at least one single number measure of the outline shape.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for processing a digital image of an object including an outline image having an inner edge and an outer edge with an expected thickness range therebetween, comprising the steps of: applying a band pass filter to the digital image of the object having the expected thickness range to remove image portions having pixel thicknesses above and below the expected thickness range to enhance the outline image; edge detecting the enhanced outline image to produce an outline of the outline image; forming a single pixel image outline of the outline image from the outline; and producing at least one single number measure of the outline shape.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the band pass filter is underdamped to produce an overshoot and thereby a clear area around the outline image.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for processing a digital image of an object, comprising the steps of: forming an outline of an object in a digital image; measuring the radius of curvature of the outline at a plurality of sampling points, transforming the radius of curvature values to curvature values which are the inverse thereof; plotting the curvature values; computing the area of the plot of curvature values below a predetermined threshold value; and assigning the computed area as a figure of merit for the outline.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for processing a digital image of an object, comprising the steps of: forming an outline of an object in a digital image; measuring the radius of curvature of the outline at a plurality of sampling points, transforming the radius of curvature values to curvature values which are the inverse thereof; plotting the curvature values; computing the area of the plot of curvature values below a predetermined threshold value; and assigning the computed area as a figure of merit for the outline.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 3, further comprising comparing the figure of merit to at least one distribution of figures of merit to determine a characteristic of the outline.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for processing a digital image of an object including an outline image having an inner edge and an outer edge with an expected thickness range therebetween, comprising the steps of: applying a band pass filter to the digital image of the object having the expected thickness range to remove image portions having pixel thicknesses above and below the expected thickness range to enhance the outline image; and edge detecting the enhanced outline image to produce an outline of the outline image.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for processing a digital image of an object including an outline image having an inner edge and an outer edge with an expected thickness range therebetween, comprising the steps of: applying a band pass filter to the digital image of the object having the expected thickness range to remove image portions having pixel thicknesses above and below the expected thickness range to enhance the outline image; and edge detecting the enhanced outline image to produce an outline of the outline image.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 5, wherein the band pass filter is underdamped to produce an overshoot and thereby a clear area around the outline image.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method according to claim 5, further comprising the steps of: measuring the radius of curvature of the outline at a plurality of sampling points, transforming the radius of curvature values to curvature values which are the inverse thereof; plotting the curvature values; computing the area of the plot of curvature values below a predetermined threshhold value; and assigning the computed area as a figure of merit for the outline.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 7, further comprising comparing the figure of merit to at least one distribution of figures of merit to determine a characteristic of the outline.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for evaluating an outline image of an object, comprising the steps of: measuring the radius of curvature of the outline at a plurality of sampling points, transforming the radius of curvature values to curvature values which are the inverse thereof; plotting the curvature values; computing the area of the plot of curvature values below a predetermined threshhold value; and assigning the computed area as a figure of merit for the outline.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for evaluating an outline image of an object, comprising the steps of: measuring the radius of curvature of the outline at a plurality of sampling points, transforming the radius of curvature values to curvature values which are the inverse thereof; plotting the curvature values; computing the area of the plot of curvature values below a predetermined threshhold value; and assigning the computed area as a figure of merit for the outline.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 9, further comprising comparing the figure of merit to at least one distribution of figures of merit to determine a characteristic of the outline.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
121 words
A system for processing a digital image of an object including an outline image having an inner edge and an outer edge with an expected thickness range therebetween, comprising: means for applying a band pass filter to the digital image of the object having the expected thickness range prior to forming a single pixel outline to remove image portions having pixel thicknesses above and below the expected thickness range to enhance the outline image; means for edge detecting the enhanced outline image to produce an outline of the outline image; means for forming a single pixel image outline of the outline image from the outline; and means for producing at least one single number measure of the single pixel outline shape.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
121 words
A system for processing a digital image of an object including an outline image having an inner edge and an outer edge with an expected thickness range therebetween, comprising: means for applying a band pass filter to the digital image of the object having the expected thickness range prior to forming a single pixel outline to remove image portions having pixel thicknesses above and below the expected thickness range to enhance the outline image; means for edge detecting the enhanced outline image to produce an outline of the outline image; means for forming a single pixel image outline of the outline image from the outline; and means for producing at least one single number measure of the single pixel outline shape.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system according to claim 11, wherein the band pass filter is underdamped to produce an overshoot and thereby a clear area around the outline image.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
103 words
A system for processing digital image of an object, comprising: means for forming a single pixel image outline of an object comprising: means for measuring the radius of curvature of the outline at a plurality of sampling points, means for transforming the radius of curvature values to curvature values which are the inverse thereof; plotting the curvature values; means for computing the area of the plot of curvature values below a predetermined threshold value; and means for assigning the computed area as a figure of merit for the outline; and means for producing at least one single number measure of the outline shape.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
103 words
A system for processing digital image of an object, comprising: means for forming a single pixel image outline of an object comprising: means for measuring the radius of curvature of the outline at a plurality of sampling points, means for transforming the radius of curvature values to curvature values which are the inverse thereof; plotting the curvature values; means for computing the area of the plot of curvature values below a predetermined threshold value; and means for assigning the computed area as a figure of merit for the outline; and means for producing at least one single number measure of the outline shape.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system according to claim 13, further comprising means for comparing the figure of merit to at least one distribution of figures of merit to determine a characteristic of the outline.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
84 words
A system for processing a digital image of an object including an outline image having an inner edge and an outer edge with an expected thickness range therebetween, comprising: means for applying a band pass filter to the digital image of the object having the expected thickness range to remove image portions having pixel thicknesses above and below the expected thickness range to enhance the outline image; and means for edge detecting the enhanced outline image to produce an outline of the outline image.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
84 words
A system for processing a digital image of an object including an outline image having an inner edge and an outer edge with an expected thickness range therebetween, comprising: means for applying a band pass filter to the digital image of the object having the expected thickness range to remove image portions having pixel thicknesses above and below the expected thickness range to enhance the outline image; and means for edge detecting the enhanced outline image to produce an outline of the outline image.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system according to claim 15, wherein the band pass filter is underdamped to produce an overshoot an thereby a clear area around the outline image.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
77 words
The system according to claim 15, further comprising: means for measuring the radius of curvature of the outline at a plurality of sampling points, means for transforming the radius of curvature values to curvature values which are the inverse thereof; means for plotting the curvature values; means for computing the area of the plot of curvature values below a predetermined threshhold value; and means for assigning the computed area as a figure of merit for the outline.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system according to claim 17, further comprising means for comparing the figure of merit to at least one distribution of figures of merit to determine a characteristic of the outline.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
80 words
A system for evaluating an outline image of an object, comprising: means for measuring the radius of curvature of the outline at a plurality of sampling points, means for transforming the radius of curvature values to curvature values which are the inverse thereof; means for plotting the curvature values; means for computing the area of the plot of curvature values below a predetermined threshhold value; and means for assigning the computed area as a figure of merit for the outline.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
80 words
A system for evaluating an outline image of an object, comprising: means for measuring the radius of curvature of the outline at a plurality of sampling points, means for transforming the radius of curvature values to curvature values which are the inverse thereof; means for plotting the curvature values; means for computing the area of the plot of curvature values below a predetermined threshhold value; and means for assigning the computed area as a figure of merit for the outline.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system according to claim 19, further comprising means for comparing the figure of merit to at least one distribution of figures of merit to determine a characteristic of the outline.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-04-26 | 2002-10-26 | 2003-04-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-04-26 | 2006-10-26 | 2007-04-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-04-26 | 2010-10-26 | 2011-04-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |