US 6,674,880 B1Granted

Convolution filtering of similarity data for visual display of enhanced image

AssigneeConfirma, Inc.

InventorsChristopher L. Stork, Bradley T. Wyman

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Abstract

A similarity value of data elements is modified to provide an improved image of an object. Using an appropriate sensor, data is collected from an object and stored as a plurality of discrete data points. The data points are compared to each other to determine how similar the data properties of one data element are to another data element. A similarity value is assigned to each of the data elements representative of the difference between the properties of the two data elements. The similarity value for each particular data element is then modified based on a weighted similarity value of the data element itself and a group of adjacent data elements. The modified similarity value is then stored for each data element and used to produce an image representative of the object.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A method of modifying data, comprising:

storing in a first memory the representation of an object using a plurality of discrete data elements that represent corresponding locations in the object;
assigning a similarity value to each data element, the value of the similarity being representative of a property of the object;
organizing the similarity values of the discrete data elements into a pattern in which data elements that are adjacent to each other in the pattern represent adjacent locations within the object;
modifying the similarity value of a selected data element based on the weighted similarity value of itself and a plurality of adjacent data elements;
storing the modified similarity values of the data elements;
and
forming an image viewable by a user that is composed of a plurality of discrete visual pixels whose display properties are based on the modified similarity values of the data elements.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.