Method for image management of X-ray images

• US 6,825,854 B1
• Filed: 02/01/2000
• Issued: 11/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Heimann Systems GmbH
• Original Assignee: Heimann Systems GmbH
• Inventors: Ullrich, Stefan, Beneke, Knut
• Primary Examiner(s): Bella, Matthew C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sajous, Wesner
• Application Number:
  US09/496,214
• Time in Patent Office: 1,764 Days
• Field of Search: 345/619, 345/660, 345/661, 345/670, 345/676, 345/838, 345/501, 345/530, 345/531, 345/547, 345/549, 345/555-556, 345/629, 345/502, 707/101, 707/103, 707/104, 705/2, 705/3, 382/141, 382/132, 382/149, 382/294, 600/407, 600/504, 600/2.1, 250/581, 378/98.2
• US Class Current: 345/619
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/51 Indexing; Data structures therefor; Storage structures

Abstract

A method for image management of X-ray images stores the images in files along with reduced-size versions of the images and additional information relating to the images. A user may preview each image in a reduced-size display, based on the reduced-size image, which preview may also include the additional information. The image may then be selected from the display for complete display of the original image.

Claims

1. A method for image management of X-ray images comprising the steps of:

scanning a sequence of objects to produce X-ray images;

processing the X-ray images to produce a sequence of X-ray images, each corresponding to one of said sequence of objects;

storing each of said images corresponding to one of said objects to an image file having a predetermined file name, which step comprises the sub-step of;

generating and storing, along with the respective X-ray image, a reduced-size version of the image; and

displaying the respective reduced-size version of the image in a preview when the predetermined file name is selected,

wherein said predetermined file name is determined based on a specific code of an object.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of storing further comprises the step of storing additional information about the respective X-ray image in the image file along with the X-ray image and its reduced-size image;

and wherein said step of displaying includes the step of displaying said additional information in said preview when the predetermined file name is selected.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said step of displaying further comprises the step of:

using a search program, specifying only a limited subset of images for preview based on information input to the search program corresponding to said additional information.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of generating and storing comprises the step of:

generating said reduced-size image from an X-ray image by reducing the X-ray proportionally and in all of its dimensions.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of generating and storing comprises the step of:

storing the size of an X-ray image on an object-specific basis.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined file name is determined as a function of date and time.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

reading a code associated with an object to be scanned; and

determining a file name based on said code.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein said code is a barcode on a tag on said object to be scanned, and said step of reading a code comprises the step of reading the barcode.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined file name is determined as a function of date.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined file name is determined as a function of time.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined file name is assigned automatically on an object-by-object basis.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

displaying the file names corresponding to said images in one of a list and a tree structure.

13. A method for image management of X-ray images comprising the steps of:

scanning objects to produce a sequence of X-ray images;

storing each of said images to an image file having an automatically determined file name, which step comprises the sub-steps of;

automatically determining separate X-ray images according to gaps between the scanned objects;

automatically assigning a file name for each separate X-ray image; and

generating and storing, along with the respective X-ray image, a reduced-size version of the image; and

displaying the respective reduced-size version of the image in a preview when the automatically assigned file name is selected.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein said step of automatically determining separate X-ray images according to gaps between the scanned objects comprises the step of:

determining a separate X-ray image as the image between two gaps.

15. A method for image management of X-ray images comprising the steps of:

scanning objects to produce X-ray images;

detecting gaps between said objects in said X-ray images to produce a sequence of X-ray images corresponding to said objects;

storing each of said X-ray images corresponding to an object to an image file having a predetermined file name, which step comprises the sub-step of;

generating and storing, along with the respective X-ray image, a reduced-size version of the image; and

displaying the respective reduced-size version of the image in a preview when the predetermined file name is selected.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein said step of detecting gaps between said objects to produce a sequence of X-ray images further comprises the steps of:

determining each X-ray image to be a portion of the sequence located between two consecutive gaps.

17. A method of performing X-ray screening of baggage, comprising the steps of:

providing objects, the objects comprising baggage, for X-ray screening; and

executing the method for image management of X-ray images according to claim 15.