Fractal model based image processing

An apparatus for generating medical diagnostic image representations, the apparatus comprising:

• a medical diagnostic apparatus for generating medical diagnostic signals indicative of an image region of a patient;
• an imager for transforming the medical diagnostic signals into electronic image representations, each electronic image representation including a pixel value corresponding to each pixel of a pixel array;
• a loading means for loading each pixel value into uniformly distributed, spaced pixels of a zoom memory means such that the pixel values are stored in uniformly distributed filled pixels and empty pixels are disposed therebetween;
• an interpolating means for generating a pixel value for each empty pixel, the interpolating means including:
• an averaging means for generating an average of neighboring pixel values;
• a random number generator for generating a random number;
• a self-similarity value generating means for generating a self-similarity value corresponding to each pixel, the self-similarity value generating means being operatively connected with the imager to receive pixel values therefrom, each self-similarity value varying in accordance with a ratio of differences between the corresponding pixel value and pixel values in at least two rings contiguous to the corresponding pixel value;
• a weighting means for weighting the random number in accordance with the self-similarity value, the weighting means being operatively connected with the self-similarity value generating means and the random number generator;
• and,
• combining means for combining the pixel value average from the averaging means and the weighted randon number from the weighting means, the combining means being operatively connected with the averaging means to receive the average value therefrom, with the weighting means for receiving the weighted random number therefrom, and with the zoom memory means for storing the combined average pixel value and weighted random number at the corresponding empty pixel thereof.

A method of improving an image comprising:

• converting data into an electronic image representation which includes an array of pixel values;
• determining a first difference between the corresponding pixel value and each pixel value within a first surrounding ring and averaging the first ring differences;
• determining a difference between the corresponding pixel value and each pixel value in a second surrounding ring and averaging the second ring differences;
• generating a self-similarity value corresponding to each pixel value of the electronic image representation in accordance with a difference between the first and second difference averages corresponding to the same pixel value;
• providing an improved electronic image representation by replacing each pixel value by a combination of the replaced pixel value, pixel values of pixels surrounding the replaced pixel value, and the self-similarity value corresponding to the replaced pixel value.

A method of medical diagnostic imaging comprising:

• converting medical diagnostic data into an electronic image representation which includes an array of pixels, each pixel having a pixel value;
• generating a self-similarity value corresponding to each pixel;
• enlarging a selected portion of the electronic image representation, the enlarging step including distributing pixel values of the selected image representation portion substantially uniformly among pixels of an enlarged image electronic representation such that a fraction of the enlarged image representation pixels are filled by the transferred pixel values and empty pixels are defined therebetween;
• for each empty pixel, averaging pixel values from neighboring filled pixels;
• for each empty pixel deriving a fractal value which varies in accordance with a random number and the self-similarity values of the neighboring filled pixels;
• and,
• combining the fractal value and the neighboring pixel value average that corresponds to the same empty pixel.

A method of enlarging a selected portion of an image representation comprising:

• converting data into an electronic image representation which includes an array of pixels, each pixel having a pixel value;
• generating a self-similarity value corresponding to each pixel from pixel values of adjacent pixels;
• distributing pixel values of the selected image representation portion substantially uniformly among pixels of an enlarged image electronic representation such that a fraction of the enlarged image representation pixels are filled by the transferred pixel values and empty pixels are defined therebetween;
• for each empty pixel, averaging pixel values from neighboring filled pixels;
• for each empty pixel, deriving a fractal value which varies in accordance with a random number and the self-similarity values of adjacent pixels;
• and,
• combining the fractal value and the neighboring pixel value average that corresponds to the same empty pixel.