Enhancing images superimposed on uneven or partially obscured background
AssigneeThe Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
InventorsR. Theodore Smith, Jan P. Koniarek, Jackie K. Chan
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Abstract
This invention provides a method of leveling an image of a non-uniform background. The method uses all or a portion of the image data from the original image and mathematical algorithms to construct a model image that reflects the non-uniform background of the original image and subtract the model image from the original image to generate an image with a more uniform background. This invention also provides computer software for performing the methods of the invention.
Claims32
A method for enhancing images having non-uniform backgrounds, comprising:
- providing a first digital image of an object of interest, said image having a background of non-uniform intensity;
- processing the first image to obtain a second digital image, said second digital image containing information regarding the non-uniformity in the background of the first image;
- subtracting the second image from the first image to obtain a third digital image with a background of more uniform intensity;
- and
- displaying the third digital image to a user,
- wherein said processing and subtracting are effected via a digital computer or other digital data processor.
A method for enhancing images having non-uniform backgrounds, comprising:
- providing a first digital image of an object of interest, said image having a background of non-uniform intensity;
- dividing said first digital image into at least two regions;
- processing each region to obtain a set of second digital images, each of said second digital images containing information regarding the non-uniformity in the background of an associated region of the first image;
- combining the second digital images to form a combined second image;
- subtracting the combined second image from the first image to obtain a third digital image;
- and
- displaying the third digital image to a user,
- wherein said dividing, processing and subtracting are effected via a digital computer or other digital data processor.
A method for enhancing images having non-uniform backgrounds, comprising:
- providing a first digital image of an object of interest, said image having a background of non-uniform intensity;
- dividing said first digital image into at least two regions;
- segmenting the pixels of each region into at least two groups using a defined first algorithm;
- processing each region by applying a defined second algorithm to at least one of said segmented pixel groups to obtain a set of second digital images, each of said second digital images containing information regarding the non-uniformity in the background of an associated region of the first image;
- combining the second digital images to form a combined second image;
- subtracting the combined second image from the first image to obtain a third digital image;
- and
- displaying the third digital image to a user,
- wherein said dividing, processing and subtracting are effected via a digital computer or other digital data processor.
A computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied therein, the computer readable program code means in said computer program product comprising means for causing a computer to:
- receive a data array representing an image of an object of interest;
- divide the data array into regions;
- divide the data in each region into subsets using statistical parameters;
- fit a quadratic polynomial function Q(x, y) to the subsets in each region to create a segment image,
- each segment image reflecting the non-uniformity in the background of the region;
- smooth out the segment image along the boundaries between regions;
- combine the segment images to form a new data array;
- subtract the new data array from the original data array;
- and
- display the result of said subtraction to a user as an image.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.