Method and apparatus for processing image corresponding to radiographic pattern

An apparatus for processing an image corresponding to a radiographic pattern, said image being formed of a plurality of pixels each having a value corresponding to density, said apparatus comprising:

• reading means for reading the image corresponding to the radiographic pattern;
• memory means, coupled to said reading means, for storing values of pixels forming said image;
• dividing means, coupled to said memory means, for dividing the image stored in said memory means into a plurality of image regions based on the values of the pixels forming said image, each image region including pixels each of which has a value falling with a predetermined range, said dividing means comprising:
• first means for making a histogram of values of pixels included in said image,
• second means for smoothing a curve representing the histogram made by said first means, and
• third means for determining said plurality of image regions based on peaks and valleys of a smoothed curve obtained by said second means;
• and
• processing means for applying an image process to said plurality of image regions of said image, processing conditions used for said plurality of image regions in said image processing differing from each other.

A method for processing an image corresponding to a radiographic pattern, said image being formed of a plurality of pixels each having a value corresponding to density, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) obtaining the image corresponding to the radiographic pattern so that values of pixels forming said image are stored in a memory,
• said step (a) obtaining an image corresponding to a thorax X-ray photograph;
• (b) dividing the image into a plurality of image regions based on the values of the pixels forming said image, each image region including pixels each of which has a value falling within a predetermined range,
• said step (b) dividing said image into a plurality of image regions each corresponding to an anatomical region in the thorax, and said step (b) comprising the steps of:
• (b-1) making a histogram of values of pixels included in said image,
• (b-2) smoothing a curve representing the histogram made by said step (b-1), and
• (b-3) determining said plurality of image regions based on peaks and valleys of a smoothed curve obtained by said step (b-2);
• and
• (c) applying an image processing to said plurality of image regions of said image, processing conditions used for said plurality of image regions in said image processing differing from each other.