IP Library Granted Patent US 7,650,022
Granted Patent B2
US 7,650,022 · App. 11/049,588 · Granted Jan 19, 2010

Methods and systems for combining a plurality of radiographic images

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,650,022
App. No.
11/049,588
Granted
Jan 19, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods and systems for combining a plurality of radiographic images. Software can be used to provide various stitching and blending methods to join first and second images into a composite, larger image.

Claims (30)

1. A method of blending at least a first and second radiographic image in an overlap section of a stitched image using a computer system, the method comprising:

computing via a processor a pixel intensity of the first image and second image in the overlap section of the stitched image; and

displaying by a graphical user interface a smooth transition in the overlap section between the first and second image from 0% to 100% of the pixel intensity of the second image.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein displaying the smooth transition comprises:

displaying 100% of the pixel intensity first image at a first end of the overlap section;

blending 50% of the pixel intensity of the first and second images at a half point; and

displaying 100% of the pixel intensity of the second image at a second end of the overlap section;

wherein the distribution of the smooth transition of the pixel intensity between the first end, half point, and second end varies with linear weighting.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein displaying the smooth transition comprises:

displaying 100% of the pixel intensity first image at a first end of the overlap section;

blending 50% of the pixel intensity of the first and second images at a half point; and

displaying 100% of the pixel intensity of the second image at a second end of the overlap section;

wherein the distribution of the smooth transition of the pixel intensity between the first end, second end, and half point varies with non-linear weighting.

4. A method of blending at least a first and second stitched image using a computer system, wherein the first image and second image comprises pixels, wherein the stitched image defines an overlap section in which portions of the pixel in the first image overlap with pixels in the second image, the method comprising:

computing via a processor a pixel intensity for each of the pixels from the first and second image in the overlap section; and

displaying by a graphical user interface a largest computed pixel intensity of the overlapping pixels from the first and second images.

5. A method of blending at least a first and second stitched image using a computer system, wherein the first image and second image comprises pixels, wherein the stitched image defines an overlap section in which portions of the pixel in the first image overlap with pixels in the second image, the method comprising:

computing via a processor a pixel intensity for each of the pixels from the first and second image in the overlap section; and

displaying by a graphical user interface a smallest computed pixel intensity of the overlapping pixels from the first and second images.

6. A method of stitching a plurality of images using a computer system, the method comprising:

providing a first image and a second image to a processor;

allowing a user to choose via a user interface one of at least two types of markers to align the first and second images;

marking the first image and second image with a chosen marker; and

aligning the markers to stitch the first and second images together.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein allowing comprises letting the user choose from at least two of a single point marker, two point markers, a line marker, and a point and line marker.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein marking comprises marking the first image and second image with a point marker, and wherein aligning comprises performing at least one of a translation (with no rotation) of one of the images to align the markers on the first image and second image.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein marking comprises marking the first image and second image with two point markers, and wherein aligning comprises performing at least one of a translation and rotation of one of the images to align the two markers on the first image with the two markers on the second image.

10. The method of claim 6 wherein marking comprises marking the first image and second image with a point marker and a line marker, and wherein aligning comprises performing at least one of a translation and a rotation of one of the images to match the point markers on the first image and second image and to make the line markers parallel.

11. The method of claim 6 wherein marking comprises marking the first image and second image with a line marker, and wherein aligning comprises performing at least one of a translation and rotation of one of the images to match one end of the line marker on the first image with an end of the line marker on the second image and to align the images such that the lines are parallel.

12. The method of claim 6 comprising blending the images in an overlap section of the stitched image.

Assignments (7)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 21, 2022
From: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
To: MERATIVE US L.P.
Reel/Frame 061496/0752 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 16, 2021
From: MERGE HEALTHCARE SOLUTIONS INC.
To: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 055617/0985 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE CONVEYING AND RECEIVING PARTY PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 049393 FRAME: 0396. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE RELEASE OF SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Sep 6, 2019
From: MERRICK RIS, LLC
To: CEDARA SOFTWARE (USA) LIMITED
Reel/Frame 050299/0529 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 6, 2019
From: CEDARA SOFTWARE (USA) LIMITED
To: MERRICK RIS, LLC
Reel/Frame 049393/0396 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 15, 2015
From: GUGGENHEIM CORPORATE FUNDING, LLC
To: MERGE HEALTHCARE SOLUTIONS INC.; MERGE HEALTHCARE INCORPORATED; MERGE SH HOLDINGS, INC.; REQUISITE SOFTWARE, INC.; CEDARA SOFTWARE CORP.; ULTRAVISUAL MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; MERGE ECLINICAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 036874/0234 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST (PATENTS) (REEL 030281/FRAME 0510) Recorded Apr 29, 2014
From: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MERGE HEALTHCARE INCORPORATED; MERGE ASSET MANAGEMENT CORP.; MERGE ECLINICAL INC.; MERGE HEALTHCARE SOLUTIONS INC.; MERGE SF HOLDINGS, INC.; MERGE SH HOLDINGS, INC.; REQUISITE SOFTWARE INC.; MERGE INTERACTIVE, INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 032784/0850 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 29, 2014
From: MERGE HEALTHCARE INCORPORATED; MERGE ASSET MANAGEMENT CORP.; MERGE ECLINICAL INC.; MERGE HEALTHCARE SOLUTIONS INC.; MERGE SF HOLDINGS, INC.; MERGE SH HOLDINGS, INC.; REQUISITE SOFTWARE INC.
To: GUGGENHEIM CORPORATE FUNDING, LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 032784/0644 →