Radiographic image enhancement comparison and storage requirement reduction system
First Claim
1. A system for analyzing a radiograph in the form of a digital image, said system comprising:
- a central processing unit;
input means for receiving said digital image, said input means controlled by said central processing unit;
permanent storage means responsive to said central processing unit for permanently storing said digital image received by said input means so that said stored digital image cannot be modified;
temporary storage means responsive to said central processing unit for temporarily storing said digital image for display, said temporary storage means storing said digital image separate from said permanent storage means;
means in communication with said temporary storage means for displaying a copy of said digital image stored in said temporary storage means;
means for making enhancements for said displayed copy; and
enhancement storage means in communication with said central processing unit for storing said enhancements separate from said digital image stored in said permanent storage means and in said temporary storage means, said central processing unit causing said enhancements to be brought from said enhancement storage means and making said enhancements to said displayed copy whenever said copy is to be displayed, so that no enhanced image need be saved.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for processing a radiograph such as an x-ray includes a scanner, a computer with monitor for displaying a digital copy of the radiograph and pet-forming a number of enhancements. The computer stores the digitized image in memory in such a way that it cannot be modified, stores temporarily a second copy of the image in random access memory for display, and stores the enhancements separately in a data file so that, each time the user wishes to see an enhanced image, the enhancements are applied to the displayed digital image as an overlay, rather than being stored as a copy of the enhanced image. Less space is required for storage when only the unenhanced image and the enhancements are stored than if the unenhanced and the enhanced images are stored. Furthermore, not only is the unenhanced image available for a variety of purposes (stored in such a way that it cannot be modified), but the enhancements that are made to produce the enhanced, displayed image are reproduced the same way each time.
866 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for analyzing a radiograph in the form of a digital image, said system comprising:
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a central processing unit; input means for receiving said digital image, said input means controlled by said central processing unit; permanent storage means responsive to said central processing unit for permanently storing said digital image received by said input means so that said stored digital image cannot be modified; temporary storage means responsive to said central processing unit for temporarily storing said digital image for display, said temporary storage means storing said digital image separate from said permanent storage means; means in communication with said temporary storage means for displaying a copy of said digital image stored in said temporary storage means; means for making enhancements for said displayed copy; and enhancement storage means in communication with said central processing unit for storing said enhancements separate from said digital image stored in said permanent storage means and in said temporary storage means, said central processing unit causing said enhancements to be brought from said enhancement storage means and making said enhancements to said displayed copy whenever said copy is to be displayed, so that no enhanced image need be saved. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for analyzing a radiograph, said system comprising:
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a central processing unit; means for scanning said radiograph and producing a digital image of said radiograph, said scanning means controlled by said central processing unit; permanent storage means responsive to said central processing unit for permanently storing said digital image received by said input means so that said stored digital image cannot be modified; temporary storage means responsive to said central processing unit for temporarily storing said digital image for display, said temporary storage means storing said digital image separate from said permanent storage means; means in communication with said temporary storage means for displaying a copy of said digital image stored in said temporary storage means; means for making enhancements for said displayed copy; and enhancement storage means in communication with said central processing unit for storing said enhancements separate from said digital image stored in said permanent storage means and in said temporary storage means, said central processing unit causing said enhancements to be brought from said enhancement storage means and making said enhancements to said displayed copy whenever said copy is to be displayed so that no enhanced image need be saved. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system for analyzing a radiograph, said system comprising:
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a central processing unit; input means for receiving said digital image, said input means controlled by said central processing unit; permanent storage means responsive to said central processing unit for permanently storing said digital image received by said input means so that said stored digital image cannot be modified; temporary storage means responsive to said central processing unit for temporarily storing said digital image for display, said temporary storage means storing said digital image separate from said permanent storage means; a monitor controlled by said central processing unit for displaying a copy of said digital image stored in said temporary storage means; means for zooming in on a portion of said displayed copy, said monitor displaying said portion; means for making enhancements for said displayed copy, said enhancements including means for identifying said landmarks, means for calculating relationships among said landmarks, and labeling means for making labels; and enhancement storage means in communication with said central processing unit for storing said enhancements separate from said digital image stored in said permanent storage means and in said temporary storage means, said central processing unit causing said enhancements to be brought from said enhancement storage means and making said enhancements to said displayed copy whenever said copy is to be displayed so that no enhanced image need be saved. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification