US6344858B1
Expired / Lapsed
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Method of evaluating image processing performed on a radiographic image
Assignee: Agfa HealthCare NV
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Filing: 1997-06-26
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Granted: 2002-02-05
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Expires: 2017-06-26
Abstract
Abstract Method of evaluating image processing performed on a radiographic image. Method and apparatus for reading a radiation image stored in a photostimulable phosphor sheet or on a photographic film provided with the possibility of convenient evaluation of the performed image processing.
Inventors
- 👤 Pieter Paul Vuylsteke
- 👤 Danny Jozef Janssens
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 11:28
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/32; H04N1/32101; G; G16; G16H; G16H30/00; G16H30/20; G16H30/40; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/32; H04N2201/3201; H04N2201/3225; H04N2201/3226; H04N2201/3242; H04N2201/325; H04N2201/3274
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
An apparatus for evaluating image processing performed on a plurality of original radiographic images each stored on a different photostimulable phosphor screen, comprising: means for scanning each screen with stimulating radiation; means for detecting the light emitted from each screen upon stimulation; means for converting the detected light emitted from each screen into a digital signal representation of the original radiographic image stored on the screen; means for determining a set of processing parameters for each original radiographic image; means for processing the digital signal representation of each original radiographic image on the basis of the set of processing parameters determined for the image; means for deducing from the digital signal representation of each original radiographic image a reduced version representing a reduced number of pixels; means for storing an evaluation data record for each of the plurality of original radiographic images, the evaluation data record for each image comprising data identifying the image, the set of processing parameters for the image, intermediate processing results for the image, and the reduced version of the image; means for identifying one of the plurality of original radiographic images to be evaluated; means for retrieving the evaluation data record pertaining to the identified image; and means for generating an output of the contents of the retrieved evaluation data record.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
216 words
An apparatus for evaluating image processing performed on a plurality of original radiographic images each stored on a different photostimulable phosphor screen, comprising: means for scanning each screen with stimulating radiation; means for detecting the light emitted from each screen upon stimulation; means for converting the detected light emitted from each screen into a digital signal representation of the original radiographic image stored on the screen; means for determining a set of processing parameters for each original radiographic image; means for processing the digital signal representation of each original radiographic image on the basis of the set of processing parameters determined for the image; means for deducing from the digital signal representation of each original radiographic image a reduced version representing a reduced number of pixels; means for storing an evaluation data record for each of the plurality of original radiographic images, the evaluation data record for each image comprising data identifying the image, the set of processing parameters for the image, intermediate processing results for the image, and the reduced version of the image; means for identifying one of the plurality of original radiographic images to be evaluated; means for retrieving the evaluation data record pertaining to the identified image; and means for generating an output of the contents of the retrieved evaluation data record.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for storing the evaluation data record for each of the plurality of original radiographic images is a sequentially organized storage device capable of storing data pertaining to N read-out images, said storage device being organized so that data originating from a N+1-th read-out image is stored at the expense of data originating from a first of N read-out images.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 2 comprising control means which upon activation prohibit shift out of the evaluation data record pertaining to at least one identified image from said storage device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for identifying one of the plurality of original radiographic images to be evaluated comprises: means for displaying stored identification data, and means for scrolling through said displayed identification data and for controlling retrieval of the evaluation data record corresponding to the displayed identification data.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for generating an output is a hard copy recorder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for generating an output is a personal computer.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
214 words
An apparatus for evaluating image processing performed on a plurality of original radiographic images each stored in a different radiographic film, comprising: means for scanning each film with a light beam; means for detecting the light modulated by the image in each film; means for converting the image-wise modulated light into a digital signal representation of the original radiographic image stored in each film; means for determining a set of processing parameters for each original radiographic image; means for processing the digital signal representation of each original radiographic image on the basis of the set of processing parameters determined for the image; means for deducing from the digital signal representation of each original radiographic image a reduced version representing a reduced number of pixels; means for storing an evaluation data record for each of the plurality of original radiographic images, the evaluation data record for each image comprising data identifying the image, the set of processing parameters for the image, intermediate processing results for the image, and the reduced version of the image; means for identifying one of the plurality of original radiographic images to be evaluated; means for retrieving the evaluation data record pertaining to the identified image; and means for generating an output of the contents of the retrieved evaluation data record.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
214 words
An apparatus for evaluating image processing performed on a plurality of original radiographic images each stored in a different radiographic film, comprising: means for scanning each film with a light beam; means for detecting the light modulated by the image in each film; means for converting the image-wise modulated light into a digital signal representation of the original radiographic image stored in each film; means for determining a set of processing parameters for each original radiographic image; means for processing the digital signal representation of each original radiographic image on the basis of the set of processing parameters determined for the image; means for deducing from the digital signal representation of each original radiographic image a reduced version representing a reduced number of pixels; means for storing an evaluation data record for each of the plurality of original radiographic images, the evaluation data record for each image comprising data identifying the image, the set of processing parameters for the image, intermediate processing results for the image, and the reduced version of the image; means for identifying one of the plurality of original radiographic images to be evaluated; means for retrieving the evaluation data record pertaining to the identified image; and means for generating an output of the contents of the retrieved evaluation data record.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
68 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said means for storing the evaluation data record for each of the plurality of original radiographic images is a sequentially organized storage device capable of storing data pertaining to N read-out images, said storage device being organized so that data originating from a N+1-th read-out image is stored at the expense of data originating from a first of N read-out images.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 8 comprising control means which upon activation prohibits shift out of the evaluation data record pertaining to at least one identified image from said storage device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said means for generating an output is a hard copy recorder.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said means for generating an output is a personal computer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said means for identifying one of the plurality of original radiographic images to be evaluated comprises: means for displaying stored identification data, and means for scrolling through said displayed identification data and for controlling retrieval of the evaluation data record corresponding to the displayed identification data.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
224 words
An apparatus for evaluating image processing performed on a plurality of original radiographic images each stored on a different photostimulable phosphor screen, comprising: a radiation read-out unit for scanning each screen with stimulating radiation, for detecting the light emitted from each screen upon stimulation, and for converting the detected light emitted from each screen into a digital signal representation of the original radiographic image stored on the screen; an image processor for determining a set of processing parameters for each original radiographic image, for processing the digital signal representation of each original radiographic image on the basis of the set of processing parameters determined for the image, and for deducing from the digital signal representation of each original radiographic image a reduced version representing a reduced number of pixels; data storage for storing an evaluation data record for each of the plurality of original radiographic images, the evaluation data record for each image comprising data identifying the image, the set of processing parameters for the image, intermediate processing results for the image, and the reduced version of the image; a system for identifying one of the plurality of original radiographic images to be evaluated; a system for retrieving the evaluation data record pertaining to the identified image; and an output device for generating an output of the contents of the retrieved evaluation data record.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
224 words
An apparatus for evaluating image processing performed on a plurality of original radiographic images each stored on a different photostimulable phosphor screen, comprising: a radiation read-out unit for scanning each screen with stimulating radiation, for detecting the light emitted from each screen upon stimulation, and for converting the detected light emitted from each screen into a digital signal representation of the original radiographic image stored on the screen; an image processor for determining a set of processing parameters for each original radiographic image, for processing the digital signal representation of each original radiographic image on the basis of the set of processing parameters determined for the image, and for deducing from the digital signal representation of each original radiographic image a reduced version representing a reduced number of pixels; data storage for storing an evaluation data record for each of the plurality of original radiographic images, the evaluation data record for each image comprising data identifying the image, the set of processing parameters for the image, intermediate processing results for the image, and the reduced version of the image; a system for identifying one of the plurality of original radiographic images to be evaluated; a system for retrieving the evaluation data record pertaining to the identified image; and an output device for generating an output of the contents of the retrieved evaluation data record.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said data storage for storing the evaluation data record for each of the plurality of original radiographic images is a sequentially organized storage device capable of storing data pertaining to N read-out images, said storage device being organized so that data originating from a N+1-th read-out image is stored at the expense of data originating from a first of N read-out images.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus according to claim 14 further comprising a control system which upon activation prohibits shift out of the evaluation data record pertaining to at least one identified image from said storage device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said system for identifying one of the plurality of original radiographic images to be evaluated comprises: a display for displaying stored identification data, and a system for scrolling through said displayed identification data and for controlling retrieval of the evaluation data record corresponding to the displayed identification data.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said output device for generating an output is a hard copy recorder.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said output device for generating an output is a personal computer.
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) | 2005-02-04 | 2005-08-06 | 2006-02-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-02-04 | 2009-08-06 | 2010-02-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-02-04 | 2013-08-06 | 2014-02-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |