Spatial filter for an image processing system

A spatial filter for a two dimensional image formed by a plurality of picture elements arranged in rows and columns comprising:

• means for receiving picture elements on a column by column basis and sequentially within each column;
• first means for applying a first single dimension filter function to each column of picture elements received via a connection to said means for receiving;
• a first memory connected to said first means for applying a first single dimension filter function to store picture elements that have been processed by said first means;
• means for reading the stored picture elements from said first memory row by row in a field interlaced order;
• second means for applying a second single dimension filter function to each row of picture elements read from said first memory;
• a look up table memory having an address port and a data port, the address port being connected to receive picture elements processed by said second means for applying;
• a second memory connected to store picture elements from said means for receiving;
• and
• means, coupled to said second memory and to said look up table memory, for combining a picture element read from said second memory with data received from the data port of said look up table memory to produce a resultant picture element.

An X-ray imaging system comprising:

• means for generating a X-radiation;
• a detector that responds to the X-radiation by producing a two dimensional image consisting of a plurality of picture elements arranged in rows and columns;
• means for reading picture elements from said detector in column by column order;
• a first means for filtering each column of picture elements received from said detector according to first filter function;
• a first frame buffer connected to said first means for filtering to store picture elements that have been processed by said first means;
• means for reading the stored picture elements from said first memory row by row in a field interlaced order;
• a second means for filtering each row of picture elements received from said first frame buffer according to a second filter function to produce filtered picture elements;
• and
• means for generating a video signal from filtered picture elements.