Interpolated image filtering method and apparatus
AssigneeGE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
InventorGopal B. Avinash
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A technique for processing a digital image in which an operator selection of a field of view triggers the automatic selection of a shrink factor, so that image processing and quality is uniform regardless of the operator selection. Processing of the image includes shrinking the image by the shrink factor, identifying structural elements within the image, differentially processing the structure and non-structure elements, expanding the image by the shrink factor, and texture blending the processed image with the original image. Optionally, high frequency noise may also be blended with the processed image to improve perceived image quality.
Claims30
A method for processing a digital image, the method comprising the steps of:
- a processor automatically setting a shrink factor based upon an operator selected field of view;
- shrinking the image by the shrink factor;
- processing the shrunken image to selectively enhance one or more selected regions, wherein processing of selected regions comprises orientation smoothing selected pixels each in only one selected direction of a plurality of possible directions;
- expanding the shrunken and processed image by the shrink factor;
- and
- blending one or more portions of the expanded image with one or more corresponding portions of the image.
A method for processing a digital image, the method comprising the steps of:
- a processor automatically specifying a shrink factor based upon a field of view selected by an operator;
- shrinking the image by the shrink factor;
- processing the shrunken image, wherein processing the image comprises orientation smoothing selected pixels each in only one selected direction of a plurality of possible direction;
- expanding the shrunken and processed image by the shrink factor;
- and
- blending one or more portions of the expanded image with one or more corresponding portions of the image.
A system for processing a digital image, the system comprising:
- an input device for controlling image acquisition and processing;
- an output device for producing a reconstructed image based upon processed image data;
- and
- a signal processing circuit configured to provide processed image data wherein the signal processing circuit receives a selected field of view from an operator via the input device, assigns a shrink factor in response to the selected field of view, shrinks the image by the shrink factor, processes the shrunken image, wherein processes the image comprises orientation smoothing selected pixels each in only one selected direction of a plurality of possible direction;
- expands the shrunken and processed image by the shrink factor, and blends one or more portions of the expanded image with one or more corresponding portions of the image.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.