Method of processing X-ray images

• US 7,062,074 B1
• Filed: 03/30/2000
• Issued: 06/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Heimann Systems GmbH
• Original Assignee: Heimann Systems GmbH
• Inventors: Beneke, Knut
• Primary Examiner(s): Ahmed, Samir
• Assistant Examiner(s): LE, BRIAN Q
• Application Number:
  US09/537,546
• Time in Patent Office: 2,266 Days
• Field of Search: 382/132, 382/131, 382/128, 382/129, 382/203, 382/173, 382/177, 382/180, 382/280, 382/283, 382/291
• US Class Current: 382/123
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 23/04 and forming images of the material

Abstract

A method of processing an X-ray image of articles contained in a transilluminated object and made visible for an observer on a monitor screen, includes the following steps: Placing individual markings about the image of certain, previously determined articles and automatically and stepwise combining the individual markings into a final added marking if at least two individual markings mutually fit. The combining step includes the steps of comparing for fit mutually facing sides of two adjoining individual markings and determining a ratio of an overlapping area of the two adjoining individual markings to the total area of at least one of the two adjoining individual markings.

Claims

1. A method of processing an X-ray image of articles contained in a transilluminated object and made visible for an observer on a monitor screen, comprising the following steps:

(a) placing individual markings about the image of certain, previously determined articles; and

(b) automatically and stepwise combining the individual markings into a final added marking if at least two individual markings mutually fit; and

(c) storing said individual markings in a marking list of a memory;

said combining step comprises the steps of

(1) performing a coordinate comparison to identify mutually facing sides of two adjoining individual markings;

(2) determining a ratio of an overlapping area of said two adjoining individual markings to the total area of at least one of said two adjoining individual markings;

(3) forming an individual added marking from two individual markings resulting from said comparing and determining steps;

(4) storing said individual added marking in said marking list;

(5) storing said individual markings, from which said individual added marking has been formed, from said marking list in a sub-marking memory of a marking memory as sub-markings of said individual added marking;

(6) comparing said individual added marking with a further individual marking called from said marking list for forming a final added marking;

(7) adding said final added marking to said marking list; and

(8) storing the individual added marking and the further marking, from which said final added marking has been formed, in said sub-marking memory as sub-markings of said final added marking, whereby structures of said sub-markings are preserved, wherein said coordinate comparison comprises determining a distance between a coordinate of the first adjoining marking and a coordinate of the second adjoining marking, and determining whether the distance exceeds a previously set, variable limit.

2. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said comparing step comprises the step of comparing lengths and positions of said facing sides.

3. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said step of determining a ratio comprises the step of determining a ratio of said overlapping area of said two adjoining individual markings with the total area of one of said two adjoining individual markings.

4. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said combining step further comprises the step of setting a degree in combining said individual markings for providing an option to display one of individual added markings and individual markings instead of a sole final added marking.

5. The method as defined in claim 4, further comprising the steps of adding the structure of the individual markings and the individual added markings from the sub-marking memory to said marking list if one of individual added markings and individual markings are displayed instead of a sole final added marking.

6. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said comparing and determining steps include the step of comparing coordinates in which said individual and individual added markings are positioned.

7. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the individual markings are respective rectangles surrounding the image of a respective article.

8. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the individual markings are displayed on the monitor screen.

9. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the transilluminated objects are transilluminated baggage objects.

10. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the individual markings are displayed on the monitor screen.

11. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the transilluminated objects are transilluminated baggage objects.

12. A method of processing an X-ray image of articles contained in a transilluminated object and made visible for an observer on a monitor screen, comprising the following steps:

(a) placing individual markings about the image of certain, previously determined articles, the individual markings being displayable on the monitor screen;

(b) automatically and stepwise combining the individual markings into a final added marking if at least two individual markings mutually fit; and

(c) storing said individual markings in a marking list of a memory;

said combining step comprises the steps of

(1) performing a coordinate comparison to identify mutually facing sides of two adjoining individual markings;

(2) determining a ratio of an overlapping area of said two adjoining individual markings to the total area of at least one of said two adjoining individual markings;

(3) forming an individual added marking from two individual markings resulting from said comparing and determining steps;

(4) storing said individual added marking in said marking list;

(5) storing said individual markings, from which said individual added marking has been formed, from said marking list in a sub-marking memory of a marking memory as sub-markings of said individual added marking;

(6) comparing said individual added marking with a further individual marking called from said marking list for forming a final added marking;

(7) adding said final added marking to said marking list; and

(8) storing the individual added marking and the further marking, from which said final added marking has been formed, in said sub-marking memory as sub-markings of said final added marking, whereby structures of said sub-markings are preserved, wherein said coordinate comparison comprises determining a distance between a coordinate of the first adjoining marking and a coordinate of the second adjoining marking, and determining whether the distance exceeds a previously set, variable limit.

13. The method as defined in claim 12, wherein said comparing step comprises the step of comparing lengths and positions of said facing sides.

14. The method as defined in claim 12, wherein said step of determining a ratio comprises the step of determining a ratio of said overlapping area of said two adjoining individual markings with the total area of one of said two adjoining individual markings.

15. The method as defined in claim 12, wherein said combining step further comprises the step of setting a degree in combining said individual markings for providing an option to display one of individual added markings and individual markings instead of a sole final added marking.

16. The method as defined in claim 15, further comprising the steps of adding the structure of the individual markings and the individual added markings from the sub-marking memory to said marking list if one of individual added markings and individual markings are displayed instead of a sole final added marking.

17. The method as defined in claim 12, wherein said comparing and determining steps include the step of comparing coordinates in which said individual and individual added markings are positioned.

18. The method as defined in claim 12, wherein the individual markings are respective rectangles surrounding the image of a respective article.