Method for generating a composite image

A computer program product for use on a computer system for calculating a mismatch value between an overlaid composite image and an overlaid separate image, the computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable program code thereon, the computer readable program code comprising program code for:

• calculating an overlaid composite image average pixel intensity;
• calculating an adjusted overlaid composite image pixel intensity by subtracting the overlaid composite image average pixel intensity from an intensity of each pixel in the overlaid composite image;
• calculating an overlaid separate image average pixel intensity;
• calculating an adjusted overlaid separate image pixel intensity by subtracting the overlaid separate image average pixel intensity from an intensity of each pixel in the overlaid separate image;
• calculating an overlaid pixel intensity difference by subtracting each adjusted overlaid composite image pixel intensity from the adjusted overlaid separate image pixel intensity for each pixel;
• calculating an overlaid pixel intensity difference absolute value for each pixel;
• calculating a total overlaid pixel intensity difference by adding the overlaid pixel intensity difference absolute value of all pixels;
• calculating a total overlaid separate image pixel intensity by adding the adjusted overlaid separate image pixel intensities of all pixels;
• and
• calculating a mismatch value by dividing the total overlaid pixel intensity difference by the total overlaid separate image pixel intensity.

A system for generating a composite image based on a separate image, the system comprising:

• means for receiving the separate image;
• means for comparing the separate image to the composite image pixel by pixel, producing a mismatch value;
• and
• means for modifying at least one of the composite image and the separate image to reduce the mismatch value, thereby generating a final composite image.

A method for generating a composite image in a computer based on a separate image, the method comprising:

• receiving the separate image into a computer system;
• using a digital process, comparing the separate image to the composite image in the computer, producing a mismatch value;
• modifying at least one of the composite image and the separate image to reduce the mismatch value, thereby generating a final composite image, wherein modifying the separate image includes modifying at least one of a position, an orientation, a size, and an appearance of the separate image;
• and
• displaying a toolbar on a display coupled to the computer that includes buttons for increasing the intensity of the composite image and decreasing the intensity of the separate image and for decreasing the intensity of the composite image and increasing the intensity of the separate image.

A computer program product for use on a computer system for generating a composite image based on a separate image, the computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable program code thereon, the computer readable program code comprising:

• program code for comparing the separate image to the composite image including program code for:
• (a) calculating an overlaid composite image average pixel intensity,
• (b) calculating an adjusted overlaid composite image pixel intensity by subtracting the overlaid composite image average pixel intensity from an intensity of each pixel in the overlaid composite image,
• (c) calculating an overlaid separate image average pixel intensity,
• (d) calculating an adjusted overlaid separate image pixel intensity by subtracting the overlaid separate image average pixel intensity from an intensity of each pixel in the overlaid separate image,
• (e) calculating an overlaid pixel intensity difference by subtracting each adjusted overlaid composite image pixel intensity from the adjusted overlaid separate image pixel intensity for each pixel,
• (f) calculating an overlaid pixel intensity difference absolute value for each pixel,
• (g) calculating a total overlaid pixel intensity difference by adding the overlaid pixel intensity difference absolute value of all pixels,
• (h) calculating a total overlaid separate image pixel intensity by adding the adjusted overlaid separate image pixel intensities of all pixels,
• (i) calculating a mismatch value by dividing the total overlaid pixel intensity difference by the total overlaid separate image pixel intensity, producing a mismatch value;
• and
• program code for modifying at least one of the composite image and the separate image to reduce the mismatch value, thereby generating a final composite image.