Method and device for holistic evaluation of subtle irregularities in a digital image
AssigneeThe Procter & Gamble Company
InventorsFabio Zonfrilli, Qi Zhang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Digital image processing device and method for holistic evaluation of subtle irregularities in a digital image by using the scale space technique to identify irregularities of interest and by calculating a total irregularity score using a function of intensity, scale and optionally location of the identified irregularities of interest. Specifically, the digital image represents a liquid mixture formed by mixing two or more liquid compositions of different ingredients, colors, viscosities, and/or solubility; the subtle irregularities represent non-homogenous mixing spots or regions in such liquid mixture.
Claims14
A method operational in an image processing device for evaluating irregularities of interest in a digital image, comprising the steps of:
- (a) receiving a digital image that potentially comprises irregularities of interest;
- (b) extracting an area of interest from said digital image by removing background areas;
- (c) conducting scale space analysis of the extracted area of interest to identify extrema each representing a local maximum or minimum, wherein each extremum has a specific intensity and is of a specific scale;
- (d) selecting extrema having intensities above a minimal threshold value from the identified extrema and recording such as irregularities of interest;
- (e) calculating a total irregularity score using a function of the intensities and scales of all recorded irregularities of interest;
- and
- (f) evaluating irregularities of interest in the digital image using the calculated total irregularity score.
An image processing device for evaluating irregularities of interest in a digital image, comprising:
- (a) an image input unit configured to receive a digital image that potentially comprises irregularities of interest;
- (b) an image extraction unit configured to extract an area of interest from said digital image by removing background areas;
- (c) a scale space analysis unit configured to conduct scale space analysis of the extracted area of interest and to identify extrema each representing a local maximum or minimum, wherein each extremum has a specific intensity and is of a specific scale;
- (d) an irregularity selection unit configured to select extrema of a minimal intensity from the identified extrema and to record such as irregularities of interest;
- (e) an irregularity score calculating unit configured to calculate a total irregularity score using a function of the intensities and scales of all recorded irregularities of interest;
- and
- (f) an output unit for outputting the calculated total irregularity score for use in evaluation of irregularities of interest in the digital image.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.