×

Method and product for processing digital images

  • US 7,623,728 B2
  • Filed: 03/24/2004
  • Issued: 11/24/2009
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2004
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A method for processing a digital image, the method comprising:

  • acquiring a digital first image of a biological object;

    estimating a foreground region from the first image relating to the biological object, wherein the estimating of a foreground region includes defining an initial foreground region as that region containing those pixels of the first image meeting a first criterion;

    estimating a background region from the first image relating to other than the biological object, wherein the estimating a background region includes defining the background region as that region containing those pixels of the first image meeting a second criterion; and

    by using the first image, the estimated foreground region and the estimated background region, calculating a transition region disposed between the foreground region and the background region by a gradient constrained hysteresis threshold method, wherein pixels of the transition region meet a third criterion;

    wherein the estimated foreground region, the estimated background region, and the calculated transition region, each comprise a separate set of pixels that may each be processed separately for suppressing pixel intensities in the estimated background region and improving image quality;

    iteratively calculating incremental transition regions, each having an incrementally larger gradient tolerance value, until a gradient tolerance value threshold is met or exceeded, wherein;

    each incremental transition region is calculated to be that region containing pixels connected to a pixel of a previously calculated incremental transition region, having an intensity greater than the second threshold, and having a gradient magnitude that is within the incrementally larger gradient tolerance value of the gradient magnitude of the incremental transition region pixel to which it is connected; and

    ,generating a second image of the biological object when the gradient tolerance value threshold is met or exceeded.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×