SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPROVING VISIBILITY OF SCANNED IMAGES

• US 20080253653A1
• Filed: 04/12/2007
• Published: 10/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Morpho Detection (Safran SA)
• Original Assignee: Morpho Detection (Safran SA)
• Inventors: Gable, Todd
• Application Number:
  US11/734,515
• Publication Number:
  US 20080253653A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/173
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 5/20 Detecting prohibited goods, e.g. weapons, explosives, hazardous substances, contraband or smuggled objects
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 2201/05 Recognition of patterns representing particular kinds of hidden objects, e.g. weapons, explosives, drugs

Abstract

A method for improving the visibility of a scanned image is provided. The method includes scanning a container to generate the scanned image, where the scanned image includes a container image including at least an object of interest image. The method also includes segmenting the object of interest image from the scanned image and distinguishing the object of interest image from the container image.

Claims

1. A method for improving the visibility of a scanned image comprising:

scanning a container to generate the scanned image, the scanned image comprising a container image including at least an object of interest image;

segmenting the object of interest image from the scanned image; and

distinguishing the object of interest image from the container image.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising removing the object of interest image from the scanned image to generate a removed background image including an empty space.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising changing a characteristic of the object of interest image to generate a changed object of interest image.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

removing the object of interest image from the scanned image to generate a removed object of interest image and a removed background image including an empty space;

changing a characteristic of the removed object of interest image to generate a changed object of interest image; and

adding the changed object of interest image to the empty space.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

removing the object of interest image from the scanned image to generate a removed object of interest image and a removed background image including an empty space;

changing a characteristic of the removed object of interest image to generate a changed object of interest image; and

rotating the changed object of interest image.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

removing the object of interest image from the scanned image to generate a removed background image including an empty space and a removed object of interest image; and

identifying an object of interest by manipulating the removed object of interest image, wherein manipulating includes at least rotating.

7. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

removing the object of interest image from the scanned image to generate a removed object of interest image and a removed background image including an empty space;

changing a characteristic of the removed background image to generate a changed background image;

changing a characteristic of the removed object of interest image to generate a changed object of interest image; and

adding the changed object of interest image to the empty space within the changed background image.

8. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

removing the object of interest image from the scanned image to generate a removed object of interest image and a removed background image including an empty space;

changing a characteristic of the removed background image to generate a changed background image;

changing a characteristic of the removed object of interest image to generate a changed object of interest image; and

rotating the changed object of interest image.

9. A system for improving the visibility of a scanned image, said system comprising:

a scanner configured to generate the scanned image, the scanned image comprising a container image including at least an object of interest image; and

a processor configured to segment an object of interest image from the scanned image and distinguish the object of interest image from the container image.

10. A system in accordance with claim 9 wherein said processor is further configured to:

remove the object of interest image from the scanned image to generate a removed background image including an empty space and a removed object of interest; and

identify an object of interest by manipulating the removed object of interest image.

11. A system in accordance with claim 9 wherein said processor is further configured to change a characteristic of the object of interest image to generate a changed object of interest image.

12. A system in accordance with claim 9 wherein said processor is further configured to:

remove the object of interest image from the scanned image to generate a removed object of interest image and a removed background image including an empty space;

change a characteristic of the removed object of interest image to generate a changed object of interest image; and

add the changed object of interest image to the empty space.

13. A system in accordance with claim 9 wherein said processor is further configured to:

remove the object of interest image from the scanned image to generate a removed object of interest image and a removed background image including an empty space;

change a characteristic of the removed object of interest image to generate a changed object of interest image; and

rotate the changed object of interest image.

14. A system in accordance with claim 9 wherein said processor is further configured to:

remove the object of interest image from the scanned image to generate a removed background image including an empty space; and

change a characteristic of the removed background image to generate a changed background image.

15. A system in accordance with claim 9 wherein said processor is further configured to:

remove the object of interest image from the scanned image to generate a removed object of interest image and a removed background image including an empty space;

change a characteristic of the removed background image to generate a changed background image;

change a characteristic of the removed object of interest image to generate a changed object of interest image; and

add the changed object of interest image to the empty space within the changed background image.

16. A system in accordance with claim 9 wherein said processor is further configured to:

remove the object of interest image from the scanned image to generate a removed object of interest image and a removed background image including an empty space;

change a characteristic of the removed background image to generate a changed background image;

change a characteristic of the removed object of interest image to generate a changed object of interest image; and

rotate the changed object of interest image.

17. An imaging apparatus for improving the visibility of a scanned image, said imaging apparatus comprising:

a scanning system; and

a processor configured to generate the scanned image, the scanned image comprising a container image including at least an object of interest image, and segment the object of interest image from the scanned image to distinguish the object of interest image from the container image.

18. An imaging apparatus in accordance with claim 17, wherein said processor is further configured to:

remove the object of interest image from the scanned image to generate a removed background image including an empty space and a removed object of interest image; and

identify an object of interest by manipulating the removed object of interest image.

19. An imaging apparatus in accordance with claim 17, wherein said processor is further configured to change a characteristic of the object of interest image to generate a changed object of interest image.

20. An imaging apparatus in accordance with claim 17, wherein said processor is further configured to:

remove the object of interest image from the scanned image to generate a removed object of interest image and a removed background image including an empty space;

change a characteristic of the removed object of interest image to generate a changed object of interest image; and

add the changed object of interest image to the empty space.