Method for determining the components of image noise patterns of an imaging device and use of this method in an imaging device

A method for determining at least one component of a noise pattern of an imaging device, comprising the steps of:

• providing flat field data;
• forming a preliminary estimate of banding components by computing one-dimensional averages of the flat field data and carrying out a Fourier analysis of the one dimensional averages;
• determining the banding components by carrying out a two-dimensional Fourier analysis of the original flat field data, and comparing the result to the preliminary estimate;
• removing the banding components from the flat field data, to obtain modified flat field data;
• forming a second preliminary estimate of streaking components by carrying out a Fourier analysis on the modified flat field data;
• determining the two-dimensional random noise statistics by carrying out a Fourier analysis on the modified flat field data;
• and
• determining the streaking components by modifying the preliminary estimate of the streaking components with the two-dimensional random noise statistics.

A computer program embodied on a computer readable medium for determining at least one component of a noise pattern of an imaging device, comprising:

• a data input segment providing flat field data with respect to the specific imaging device;
• a calculation segment for forming a preliminary estimate of banding components and streaking components which are part of said flat field data;
• and
• a plurality of data output segments providing a determination of the banding components, two-dimensional random noise statistics and the streaking components.

A computer program embodied on a computer readable medium for determining at least one component of a noise pattern of an imaging device, comprising:

• a data input segment providing flat field data;
• a first estimate segment for forming preliminary banding components by computing one-dimensional averages of the flat field data and carrying out a Fourier analysis of the one dimensional averages;
• a determination segment for calculation the banding components by carrying out a two-dimensional Fourier analysis of the original flat field data, and comparing the result to the preliminary banding components;
• a filtering segment for removing the banding components from the flat field data, to obtain modified flat field data;
• a second estimate segment for forming a second preliminary estimate of streaking components by carrying out a Fourier analysis on the modified flat field data;
• a determination segment for determining the two-dimensional random noise statistics by carrying out a Fourier analysis on the modified flat field data;
• and
• a determination segment for determining the streaking components by modifying the preliminary estimate of the streaking components with the two-dimensional random noise statistics.

An imaging device comprising:

• a data input segment for providing flat field data;
• a control section for forming a preliminary estimate of banding components and streaking components, and determining the banding components, the two-dimensional random noise statistics and the streaking components;
• and
• a correction section for applying the determined banding components, the two-dimensional random noise statistics and the streaking components to image data.