Optimizing image signal interpretation for analog image signals from medical image recording devices
AssigneeBrainlab AG
InventorsFlorian Kraus, Christian Maier, Manfred Weiser
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for optimizing the interpretation of analog image signals or sequences of image signals output by medical image recording devices. The correlation of consecutively recorded image signals is tested and, based on the test, the image signals are identified as depicting the same or different images. More specifically, if the correlation is not less than a particular threshold value, it is established that the image signals depict the same image. If the correlation is less than a particular threshold value, it is established that the image signals possibly depict different images. Further, the threshold value is dynamically adjusted if the correlation has changed.
Claims12
A method for optimizing the interpretation of analog image signals or sequences of image signals output by medical image recording devices, comprising the steps of:
- a) testing the correlation of consecutively recorded image signals;
- b) establishing that the image signals depict the same image if the correlation is not less than a particular threshold value;
- c) establishing that the image signals possibly depict different images if the correlation is less than the particular threshold value;
- and
- d) dynamically adjusting the threshold value if the correlation has changed
- wherein when it is established that different images are depicted, a certain number of consecutive image signals below the threshold value are evaluated, and a standard deviation of the image signals is determined and compared with a pre-set value, wherein:
- c1a) if the number of changed image signals in succession is at least equal to a predetermined sample number and the standard deviation is lower than the pre-set value, it is established that the correlation deviation has been caused by changes in the manner of recording the same image;
- and
- c1b) the threshold value is adjusted lower;
- or
- c2a) if the number of changed image signals in succession is at least equal to the predetermined sample number and the standard deviation is higher than the pre-set value, it is established that the correlation deviation has been caused by continuously detecting images from different and changing recording situations;
- c2b) the threshold value is not adjusted;
- or
- c3) if the number of changed image signals in succession is less than the predetermined sample number, an image signal from the consecutive image signals is classified as a new image.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.