Image processing method, system, apparatus and electronic device

Abstract

The present application provides an image processing method, system, device and electronic equipment. The embodiment does not immediately perform image acquisition after receiving an image acquisition request, but first controls the X-ray detector to be in a waiting exposure state and maintains for a period of time (the period of time is from the beginning of the X-ray generator emitting a specified dose of X-rays to the target object to the end of the X-ray generator emitting X-rays according to the specified requirements), and then rapidly acquires the first image and the second image in turn, and finally obtains the target image (simultaneously presenting the information of the thick area and the thin area of the target object) meeting the above image acquisition request based on the first image and the second image, thereby improving the quality of the image such as the high dynamic range of the image.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to image processing technology, and in particular to image processing methods, systems, apparatus and electronic devices. Background Technology

[0002] The primary function of an X-ray detector is to detect and image X-rays. X-rays are electromagnetic waves with extremely high frequency, extremely short wavelength, high energy, and strong penetrating power.

[0003] Currently, during the imaging process of X-ray detectors, the difference in the thickness of the object being detected often causes differences in the attenuation of X-rays, resulting in images generated by the X-ray detectors failing to meet usage requirements, such as the imaging dynamic range failing to meet usage requirements. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides image processing methods, systems, apparatus, and electronic devices to improve the high dynamic range of images.

[0005] This application provides an image processing method applied to a control processor, comprising:

[0006] Based on the currently received image acquisition request, control the X-ray detector to the waiting exposure state, and control the X-ray generator to emit X-rays toward the target object according to the specified requirements;

[0007] After the X-ray generator stops emitting X-rays according to the specified requirements, the X-ray detector is controlled to switch from the waiting exposure state to the image acquisition state, so that the X-ray detector acquires a first image in the image acquisition state and continues to acquire a second image after completing the acquisition of the first image; compared with the second image, the clarity of the thick region on the target object contained in the first image is higher than the clarity of the thick region contained in the second image, and the clarity of the thin region on the target object contained in the first image is lower than the clarity of the thin region contained in the second image; the thick region refers to the region on the target object whose thickness meets the set thickness requirement, and the thin region refers to the region on the target object other than the thick region;

[0008] Obtain a third image and a fourth image; the third image is the same as the first image, or is an image obtained by performing a first correction process on the first image; the fourth image is the same as the second image, or is an image obtained by performing a second correction process on the second image;

[0009] The third image and the fourth image are fused together to obtain the target image.

[0010] This application provides an image processing system, the system comprising:

[0011] X-ray generator, target object, X-ray detector, control processor;

[0012] An X-ray generator is used to emit X-rays toward a target object under the control of a control processor.

[0013] The control processor is used to execute the steps in the above method;

[0014] The X-ray detector is configured to first stop the current operation and switch from the current working state to a waiting-for-exposure state based on the control of the control processor; and...

[0015] After the X-ray generator stops emitting X-rays according to the specified requirements, the system switches from the waiting exposure state to the image acquisition state under the control of the control processor. In the image acquisition state, a first image is acquired, and after the first image is acquired, image acquisition continues to acquire a second image.

[0016] This application provides an image processing apparatus, which is applied to a control processor and includes:

[0017] The exposure control unit is used to control the X-ray detector to a waiting exposure state based on the currently received image acquisition request, and to control the X-ray generator to emit X-rays toward the target object according to the specified requirements.

[0018] The acquisition control unit is configured to control the X-ray detector to switch from the waiting-for-exposure state to the image acquisition state after the X-ray generator has finished emitting X-rays according to the specified requirements. This allows the X-ray detector to acquire a first image in the image acquisition state and continue acquiring images to obtain a second image after completing the first image acquisition. Compared to the second image, the first image contains a thicker region on the target object with higher clarity than the thicker region in the second image, and the first image contains a thinner region on the target object with lower clarity than the thinner region in the second image. The thicker region refers to the area on the target object whose thickness meets the set thickness requirement, and the thinner region refers to the area on the target object remaining excluding the thicker region.

[0019] An image processing unit is configured to obtain a third image and a fourth image; the third image is identical to the first image, or is an image obtained by performing a first correction process on the first image; the fourth image is identical to the second image, or is an image obtained by performing a second correction process on the second image; and,

[0020] The third image and the fourth image are fused together to obtain the target image.

[0021] This application also provides an electronic device. The electronic device includes: a processor and a machine-readable storage medium;

[0022] The machine-readable storage medium stores machine-executable instructions that can be executed by the processor;

[0023] The processor is used to execute machine-executable instructions to implement the steps of the disclosed method.

[0024] As can be seen from the above technical solution, this embodiment does not immediately perform image acquisition after receiving an image acquisition request. Instead, it first controls the X-ray detector to be in a waiting exposure state and maintains it for a period of time (this period of time is from the start of controlling the X-ray generator to emit a specified dose of X-rays towards the target object to the end of the X-ray generator emitting X-rays according to the specified requirements). Then, it quickly acquires the first image and the second image in sequence. Based on the first image and the second image, the target image that meets the above image acquisition request is finally obtained (simultaneously presenting the information of the thick area and the thin area on the target object), thereby improving the image quality, such as the high dynamic range of the image.

[0025] Furthermore, the method described in this embodiment does not incur any hardware costs or increase the complexity of the detector system design, and has high applicability.

[0026] Furthermore, the present invention can achieve perfect imaging of objects with large thickness differences through the above method, reducing the complexity of actual operation for users. Attached Figure Description

[0027] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this disclosure.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of an X-ray imaging system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0029] Figure 2 A flowchart illustrating the method provided in this application embodiment;

[0030] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of image processing provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0031] Figure 4 Another image processing schematic diagram provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0032] Figure 5 This is a structural diagram of the device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0033] Figure 6 This is a structural diagram of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0034] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application, and to make the above-mentioned objectives, features and advantages of the embodiments of this application more apparent and understandable, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] See Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of an X-ray imaging system provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 1 As shown, an X-ray imaging system mainly includes: an X-ray generator, the object being detected (hereinafter referred to as the target object), an X-ray detector, and a control processor. The control processor is a general term for devices or functional modules that have control and processing functions.

[0036] In this embodiment, the X-ray generator is used to emit X-rays toward the target object under the control of the control processor.

[0037] Optionally, the target object can be an object with varying degrees of thickness uniformity (also known as a large difference in thickness uniformity). That is, the varying uniformity of the target object (also known as poor uniformity) results in different degrees of attenuation of X-rays in different regions of the target object (also known as a large difference in attenuation of X-rays in different regions of the target object).

[0038] In this embodiment, an X-ray detector is used to detect and image X-rays. In this embodiment, the X-ray detector can be an area array detector or a linear array detector; this embodiment is not specifically limited to either.

[0039] In this embodiment, the aforementioned control processor may be, for example, a PC, but this embodiment is not specifically limited to that.

[0040] The aforementioned control processor is used to activate the X-ray generator to emit X-rays towards the target object, or to deactivate the X-ray generator to stop emitting X-rays towards the target object. And,

[0041] The aforementioned control processor is also used to interact with the X-ray detector to perform image processing on the images output by the X-ray detector, such as image display. This embodiment is not specifically limited, and examples will be described below.

[0042] Based on the above description, the method provided in the embodiments of this application will be described below:

[0043] See Figure 2 , Figure 2This is a flowchart illustrating a method provided in an embodiment of this application. This flowchart can be applied to the control processor described above. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the process may include the following steps:

[0044] Step 201: Based on the currently received image acquisition request, control the X-ray detector to stop its current operation and switch to the waiting exposure state, and control the X-ray generator to emit X-rays toward the target object according to the specified requirements. After the X-ray generator finishes emitting X-rays according to the above-mentioned specified requirements, proceed to step 202.

[0045] In this embodiment, the X-ray detector can be controlled to stop its current operation and switch from the current default state to a waiting-for-exposure state. The default state refers to a standby state of the detector. For example, in the default state, the detector can perform its own internal logic processing according to operational needs (such as clearing the charge). The waiting-for-exposure state refers to a transitional operating state that is different from the default state and in which the detector does not perform image acquisition operations. The image acquisition state refers to the operating state in which image acquisition operations are performed.

[0046] In this embodiment, the image acquisition request may be sent by an external device connected to the control processor, such as a client, or it may be input by the user. This embodiment does not specifically limit the request.

[0047] When the aforementioned control processor receives an image acquisition request, it controls the X-ray detector to enter a waiting-for-exposure state. As an example, if the X-ray detector is in a waiting-for-exposure state, the control processor maintains this state; conversely, if the X-ray detector is not in a waiting-for-exposure state (e.g., the default state), the control processor switches the X-ray detector from the default state to the waiting-for-exposure state.

[0048] Of course, if the X-ray detector is in image acquisition mode instead of waiting for exposure, it means that image acquisition is in progress. We can wait until the X-ray detector completes image acquisition, such as the acquisition of the second image described below, and then switch the X-ray detector's state from image acquisition mode to the waiting for exposure mode. Alternatively, if the X-ray detector is in image acquisition mode instead of waiting for exposure, it means that image acquisition is in progress. We can wait until the X-ray detector completes image acquisition, such as the acquisition of the second image described below, and then switch the X-ray detector's state from image acquisition mode to the default state described above, before switching the X-ray detector from the default state to the waiting for exposure mode. This embodiment is not specifically limited to these states.

[0049] As an example, the X-ray detector does not perform image acquisition operations in the above default state. For example, it can perform internal logic processing such as clearing the charge. This example is not specifically limited.

[0050] In this embodiment, the X-ray generator stopping X-ray emission according to the above-mentioned specified requirements means:

[0051] If the X-ray dose emitted by the X-ray generator reaches the dose requirement specified in the specification; and / or, the X-ray detector is in the waiting exposure state for the specified duration, then the X-ray generator is turned off to stop emitting X-rays.

[0052] Optionally, since this embodiment addresses the simultaneous imaging of both the thick region (the region whose thickness meets the set thickness requirement) and the thin region (the region remaining on the target object excluding the thick region) of the target object, the X-ray dose emitted by the X-ray generator is generally very high. The specific value can be set according to actual needs, as long as the details of the thick and thin regions of the target object can be imaged.

[0053] In addition, in this embodiment, the duration of the X-ray detector in the waiting exposure state can also be set according to actual needs, as long as the details of the thick and thin areas of the target object in step 202 below can be imaged.

[0054] Step 202: Control the X-ray detector to switch from the waiting exposure state to the image acquisition state, so that the X-ray detector can acquire the first image in the image acquisition state and continue to acquire the second image after the first image acquisition is completed.

[0055] It should be noted that when the X-ray generator stops emitting X-rays according to the above-mentioned requirements, it also means that the exposure window of the X-ray detector ends.

[0056] Once the X-ray detector's exposure window ends, the aforementioned control processor switches the X-ray detector from the waiting-for-exposure state to the image acquisition state, allowing the X-ray detector, such as an area array detector, to immediately acquire the first image (referred to as the raw image, or simply the first image). Since the first image is acquired promptly after the exposure window ends, the thicker areas of the target object contained within it have higher clarity. In other words, acquiring the first image promptly after the exposure window ends primarily focuses on capturing the thicker areas of the target object. Here, "thicker areas" refers to regions on the target object whose thickness meets the set thickness requirements. For thinner areas on the target object (the areas remaining on the target object excluding the thicker areas) and empty areas, their appearance in the first image may be overexposed. The empty areas refer to imaging areas not covered by objects.

[0057] After acquiring the first image, the X-ray detector, such as an area array detector, quickly acquires a second image (hereinafter referred to as the second image, or lag image in this embodiment). Compared to the first image, the second image contains thicker areas of the target object with lower resolution than the thicker areas contained in the first image. The second image is primarily intended to present thinner areas and empty areas on the target object. Compared to the first image, the second image contains thinner areas of the target object with higher resolution than the thinner areas contained in the first image.

[0058] In this application embodiment, lag refers to an imaging phenomenon of a detector (such as an area array detector), specifically the residual dose problem caused by the inability to fully read the charge within pixels during the first image acquisition process when acquiring a second image after a high-dose exposure. For example, when an object is photographed for a long time with a high dose of radiation, resulting in overexposure, the first image acquisition cannot read all the charge in the pixels of the detector panel; during the second image acquisition, the charge remaining in the pixels from the first image will be read again, resulting in a faint reappearance of the first image in the second image acquisition. The lag phenomenon significantly impacts image quality during continuous dynamic high-dose image acquisition. Therefore, the solution provided in this application embodiment can solve this problem and optimize image quality.

[0059] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the time for the X-ray detector to acquire the first image and the time for the X-ray detector to acquire the second image can be the same. For example, in this case, the final image quality can be optimized without increasing time costs. Alternatively, the time for the X-ray detector to acquire the first image and the time for the X-ray detector to acquire the second image can be different, wherein the time for the X-ray detector to acquire the first image is longer than the time for the X-ray detector to acquire the second image. For example, in this case, the charge in the detector panel pixels can be read out as much as possible during the first image acquisition, and the readout of the remaining charge can be reduced during the second image acquisition. This embodiment is not specifically limited. It should also be noted that in this embodiment, the X-ray emission dose for acquiring the first image and the second image can be the same as that of existing single imaging (direct acquisition of the target object). In addition, this embodiment does not limit the time interval between the first image and the second image. For example, the second image can be acquired within a set time after the first image is acquired, and the specific time can be adjusted according to product requirements.

[0060] Step 203: Obtain a third image and a fourth image; the third image is the same as the first image, or is an image obtained by performing a first correction process on the first image; the fourth image is the same as the second image, or is an image obtained by performing a second correction process on the second image. The third or fourth image may be output by an X-ray detector, or the third or fourth image may be output by an image processing subunit, which may be a functional module with image processing capabilities independent of the X-ray detector;

[0061] As one embodiment, the first correction processing of the first image may be as follows: based on the correction template acquired during the initialization process of an X-ray detector, such as an area array detector, the first image is fundamentally corrected to optimize the imaging differences caused by the differences in the X-ray detector, such as the panel, and the X-ray cone beam. Specifically, this embodiment may perform correction processing on the first image based on a first offset template and a first gain template used for the first correction processing. The specific correction method is similar to existing image correction methods that rely on offset and gain, and this embodiment is not specifically limited to this method.

[0062] Similarly, the second correction processing on the second image can be performed as follows: based on a correction template acquired during the initialization process using an X-ray detector, such as an area array detector, to correct lag images, the first image is basically corrected. The correction method and principle are similar to the correction method for the original image. For example, the second image is corrected based on a second offset template and a second gain template used for the second correction processing. The specific correction method is similar to existing image correction methods that rely on offset and gain, and this embodiment is not specifically limited to this.

[0063] Step 204: The third and fourth images are fused to obtain the target image.

[0064] It should be noted that if the third image is identical to the first image, then in step 204, before fusing the third and fourth images, the process further includes performing a first correction process on the first image. The specific details of performing the first correction process on the first image are as described above and will not be repeated here.

[0065] Similarly, if the fourth image is identical to the second image, step 204 further includes performing a second correction process on the second image before fusing the third and fourth images. The specific details of the second correction process on the second image are as described above and will not be repeated here.

[0066] In practical applications, the effect of the thin area on the target object presented by the second image (i.e., the lag image) may not meet the requirements. To ensure this requirement, image enhancement processing is required for the fourth image. The clarity of the processed fourth image is greater than that of the unprocessed fourth image.

[0067] Based on this, step 204, which involves fusing the third and fourth images to obtain the target image, includes: performing image enhancement processing on the fourth image to obtain a fifth image; the clarity of the fifth image is greater than that of the fourth image; if there are overexposed pixels in the third image that meet the overexposure condition, for each overexposed pixel in the third image that meets the overexposure condition, a mapping pixel is found in the fifth image, the position of the overexposed pixel in the third image is the same as the position of the mapping pixel in the fifth image, and the gray value of the overexposed pixel is adjusted based on the gray value of the mapping pixel so that the overexposed pixel no longer meets the overexposure condition after the gray value is adjusted; the third and fifth images are then fused to generate the target image. For example, the gray values ​​of corresponding pixels in the third and fifth images can be weighted and fused to generate the target image. It should be understood that the specific fusion algorithm between images is not specifically limited in this embodiment and can be adaptively selected according to processing requirements.

[0068] It should be noted that the purpose of the image enhancement processing on the fourth image is to better highlight the details and boundaries of thin areas on the target object in the image. Optionally, the fifth image obtained by performing image enhancement processing on the fourth image may present thick areas on the target object as completely black, which may not be able to display the details of the aforementioned thick areas.

[0069] The image enhancement processing of the fourth image described above can be implemented in many ways. For example: first, the fourth image is denoised (the denoising method is similar to existing image denoising methods, and this embodiment is not specifically limited); the denoised fourth image is binarized to extract the contour information. The extracted contour information is then superimposed on the denoised fourth image (for example, the gray value at a pixel in the extracted contour information is added to the gray value at that pixel in the denoised fourth image, or the average is taken to obtain a new image) to optimize the overall contour information of the image. The superimposed image is then subjected to contrast enhancement processing, such as normalization and / or histogram averaging, to obtain the fifth image, ensuring the contrast of the final fifth image. After the above image enhancement processing of the fourth image, the final fifth image has reduced noise and enhanced contours, achieving a relatively better effect compared to before the image enhancement processing.

[0070] As described above, the imaging effect of the thicker regions of the target object in the third image is better than that in the fifth image, while the imaging effect of the thinner regions of the target object in the fifth image is better than that in the third image. That is, the third image mainly contains information about the thicker regions of the target object, and the fifth image mainly contains information about the thinner regions. In this embodiment, the third and fifth images are fused together to form a single target image. This target image then contains both the aforementioned thin and thick regions with relatively high clarity. Thus, through the acquisition of the first and second images, clear imaging of both the thick and thin regions of the target object has been achieved. Figure 3 and Figure 4 An example is shown in the diagram of image processing.

[0071] In this embodiment, for example, the pixel values ​​or grayscale values ​​of the third and fifth images can be weighted and fused. This may change the dynamic range of the final target image, such as increasing the dynamic range of the image. The weighting coefficients are adjusted according to the actual image acquisition requirements.

[0072] In specific implementation, as described above, overexposed scenes may exist in the third or first image. As described above, once an overexposed pixel satisfying the overexposed condition is found in the third image, for each overexposed pixel satisfying the overexposed condition in the third image, a mapping pixel for that overexposed pixel is found in the fifth image. The position of the overexposed pixel in the third image is the same as the position of the mapping pixel in the fifth image. The grayscale value of the overexposed pixel is adjusted based on the grayscale value of the mapping pixel so that the overexposed pixel no longer satisfies the overexposed condition after the grayscale value is adjusted. Then, the third and fifth images are fused, resulting in an increased bit depth in the target image, and the target image simultaneously clearly presents both thick and thin areas of the target object. The increased bit depth of the target image also means that the dynamic range of the target image is simultaneously improved. Here, the bit depth mentioned in this embodiment refers to the maximum number of bits in a digital display image.

[0073] In other words, by following the above-described fusion and overexposed pixel processing methods, the final target image has a different bit depth than the existing single-shot image (images acquired row by row or column by column), and consequently, its dynamic range is also different. For example, the existing single-shot image (source image) has a bit depth of 16 bits and a dynamic range of 76.3 dB. Following the above method, the target image can have a bit depth that can be extended to 24 bits, and its dynamic range is 124.5 dB.

[0074] Of course, this embodiment does not limit the bit depth of the source image or the bit depth of the target image. The bit depth of the source image is arbitrary, and the bit depth of the target image can be higher, lower, or the same as the bit depth of the source image; this embodiment does not specifically limit these. The output bit depth of the source image depends on the final image effect.

[0075] Normally, the bit depth of an image is changed during image processing. Generally, a higher dynamic range uses a higher bit depth to represent the image. However, in the actual image processing algorithm calculation process, in order to better display the image, the bit depth may not necessarily be increased, and may even be decreased. The final calculation result of the image processing algorithm shall prevail. In most cases, the bit depth is increased after image processing.

[0076] This concludes the process. Figure 2 The process is shown below.

[0077] pass Figure 2 As can be seen from the process shown, this embodiment does not immediately perform image acquisition after receiving an image acquisition request. Instead, it first controls the X-ray detector to be in a waiting exposure state and maintains it for a period of time (this period is from the start of controlling the X-ray generator to emit a specified dose of X-rays towards the target object until the X-ray generator stops emitting X-rays according to the specified requirements). Then, it quickly acquires the first image and the second image in sequence. Based on the first image and the second image, the target image that meets the above image acquisition request is finally obtained (simultaneously presenting information about the thick area and the thin area on the target object), thereby improving the image quality, such as the high dynamic range of the image.

[0078] Furthermore, the method described in this embodiment does not incur any hardware costs or increase the complexity of the detector system design, and has high applicability.

[0079] Furthermore, the present invention can achieve perfect imaging of objects with large thickness differences through the above method, reducing the complexity of actual operation for users.

[0080] In this embodiment, the first offset template and the first gain template, as well as the second offset template and the second gain template, can be obtained in the following manner. For example, with the X-ray generator turned off, n pairs of dark-field images are acquired (each pair of dark-field images includes a first dark-field template image and a second dark-field template image). Then, the X-ray generator is turned on, and n pairs of bright-field images are acquired (each pair of bright-field images includes a first bright-field template image and a second bright-field template image).

[0081] The first dark-field template image in each pair of dark-field images is superimposed (e.g., by adding gray values ​​at the same position or averaging them) to obtain the first offset template. Similarly, the second dark-field template image in each pair of dark-field images is superimposed (e.g., by adding gray values ​​at the same position or averaging them) to obtain the second offset template.

[0082] The first bright field template image in each pair of bright field images is offset-corrected using the first offset template. The corrected first bright field template images are then subjected to specific processing, such as superimposing the corrected first bright field template images (e.g., superimposing the gray values ​​of pixels at the same position in each image) to obtain a superimposed image. The gray values ​​of each pixel in the superimposed image are then corrected, for example, by taking the average gray value of each pixel in the entire superimposed image and dividing the gray value of each pixel by the average value to finally obtain the first gain template.

[0083] Similarly, the second offset template can be used to perform offset correction on the second bright field template image in each pair of bright field images; the corrected second bright field template images are then subjected to specific processing, such as first superimposing the corrected second bright field template images (e.g., superimposing the gray values ​​of pixels at the same position in each image) to obtain a superimposed image, and then correcting the gray values ​​of each pixel in the superimposed image, such as first taking the gray values ​​of each pixel in the entire superimposed image, for example, taking the average gray values, and then dividing the gray values ​​of each pixel by the average value to finally obtain the second gain template.

[0084] Ultimately, we will obtain the first offset template, the first gain template, the second offset template, and the second gain template as described above.

[0085] The methods provided in the embodiments of this application have been described above. The apparatus provided in the embodiments of this application is described below:

[0086] See Figure 5 , Figure 5 A structural diagram of a device provided in an embodiment of this application. The device is applied to a control processor and includes:

[0087] The exposure control unit is used to control the X-ray detector to stop its current operation and switch from the current default state to the waiting exposure state based on the currently received image acquisition request, and to control the X-ray generator to emit X-rays toward the target object according to the specified requirements.

[0088] The acquisition control unit is configured to control the X-ray detector to switch from the waiting-for-exposure state to the image acquisition state after the X-ray generator has finished emitting X-rays according to the specified requirements. This allows the X-ray detector to acquire a first image in the image acquisition state and continue acquiring images to obtain a second image after completing the first image acquisition. Compared to the second image, the first image contains a thicker region on the target object with higher clarity than the thicker region in the second image, and the first image contains a thinner region on the target object with lower clarity than the thinner region in the second image. The thicker region refers to the area on the target object whose thickness meets the set thickness requirement, and the thinner region refers to the area on the target object remaining excluding the thicker region.

[0089] An image processing unit is configured to acquire a third image and a fourth image (e.g., output from an X-ray detector); the third image is identical to the first image, or is an image obtained by performing a first correction process on the first image; the fourth image is identical to the second image, or is an image obtained by performing a second correction process on the second image; and,

[0090] The third image and the fourth image are fused together to obtain the target image.

[0091] Optionally, the time for the X-ray detector to acquire the first image is the same as the time for the X-ray detector to acquire the second image; or,

[0092] The time for the X-ray detector to acquire the first image is different from the time for the X-ray detector to acquire the second image, wherein the time for the X-ray detector to acquire the first image is longer than the time for the X-ray detector to acquire the second image.

[0093] Optionally, the X-ray generator stopping X-ray emission according to the specified requirements means:

[0094] If the X-ray dose emitted by the X-ray generator reaches the dose requirement in the specified requirements; and / or, the duration for which the X-ray detector is in the waiting exposure state is the duration in the specified requirements, then the X-ray generator is turned off to stop emitting X-rays.

[0095] Optionally, the step of fusing the third image and the fourth image to obtain the target image includes:

[0096] The fourth image is enhanced to obtain a fifth image; the clarity of the fifth image is greater than that of the fourth image.

[0097] If there are overexposed pixels in the third image that meet the overexposed conditions, then for each overexposed pixel in the third image that meets the overexposed conditions, find the mapping pixel of the overexposed pixel in the fifth image. The position of the overexposed pixel in the third image is the same as the position of the mapping pixel in the fifth image. Adjust the gray value of the overexposed pixel based on the gray value of the mapping pixel so that the overexposed pixel no longer meets the overexposed conditions after the gray value is adjusted.

[0098] The third and fifth images are fused to generate the target image.

[0099] Optionally, the image enhancement processing of the fourth image includes:

[0100] The fourth image is then subjected to noise reduction processing;

[0101] The fourth image after noise reduction is binarized to extract the contour information in the image;

[0102] The extracted contour information is superimposed on the fourth image after noise reduction to optimize the overall contour information of the image.

[0103] The superimposed images are then subjected to contrast enhancement processing to obtain the fifth image.

[0104] Optionally, if the third image is the same as the first image, before performing the fusion process on the third image and the fourth image, the process further includes: performing a first correction process on the first image;

[0105] If the fourth image is the same as the second image, before performing the fusion process on the third image and the fourth image, the process further includes: performing a second correction process on the second image;

[0106] The first correction process for the first image includes: performing correction processing on the first image based on a first offset template and a first gain template used for the first correction process;

[0107] The second correction process for the second image includes: performing correction processing on the second image based on a second offset template and a second gain template used for the second correction process.

[0108] Optionally, after the X-ray detector acquires the second image, the acquisition control unit controls the X-ray detector to switch from the image acquisition state to the default state. In the default state, the X-ray detector does not perform image acquisition operations. For example, the X-ray detector can perform internal logic processing in the default state.

[0109] This concludes the process. Figure 5 Structural description of the device shown.

[0110] This application also provides embodiments that... Figure 5 The hardware structure of the device shown. See also Figure 6 , Figure 6 This is a structural diagram of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 6 As shown, the hardware structure may include: a processor and a machine-readable storage medium, the machine-readable storage medium storing machine-executable instructions that can be executed by the processor; the processor is used to execute the machine-executable instructions to implement the method disclosed in the above example of this application.

[0111] Based on the same application concept as the above method, this application embodiment also provides a machine-readable storage medium storing a plurality of computer instructions, which, when executed by a processor, can implement the method disclosed in the above examples of this application.

[0112] For example, the aforementioned machine-readable storage medium can be any electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physical storage device that can contain or store information such as executable instructions, data, etc. For instance, machine-readable storage media can be: RAM (Random Access Memory), volatile memory, non-volatile memory, flash memory, storage drives (such as hard disk drives), solid-state drives, any type of storage disk (such as optical discs, DVDs, etc.), or similar storage media, or combinations thereof.

[0113] The above description is merely an embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of this application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the scope of the claims of this application.

Claims

1. An image processing method, characterized in that, This method is applied to a control processor, including: Based on the currently received image acquisition request, control the X-ray detector to the waiting exposure state, and control the X-ray generator to emit X-rays toward the target object according to the specified requirements; After the X-ray generator stops emitting X-rays according to the specified requirements, the X-ray detector is controlled to switch from the waiting exposure state to the image acquisition state, so that the X-ray detector acquires a first image in the image acquisition state and continues to acquire a second image after completing the acquisition of the first image; compared with the second image, the clarity of the thick region on the target object contained in the first image is higher than the clarity of the thick region contained in the second image, and the clarity of the thin region on the target object contained in the first image is lower than the clarity of the thin region contained in the second image; the thick region refers to the region on the target object whose thickness meets the set thickness requirement, and the thin region refers to the region on the target object other than the thick region; Obtain a third image and a fourth image; the third image is the same as the first image, or is an image obtained by performing a first correction process on the first image; the fourth image is the same as the second image, or is an image obtained by performing a second correction process on the second image; The third image and the fourth image are fused together to obtain the target image.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The time it takes for the X-ray detector to acquire the first image is the same as the time it takes for the X-ray detector to acquire the second image; or... The time for the X-ray detector to acquire the first image is different from the time for the X-ray detector to acquire the second image, wherein the time for the X-ray detector to acquire the first image is longer than the time for the X-ray detector to acquire the second image.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The X-ray generator stopping X-ray emission according to the specified requirements means: If the X-ray dose emitted by the X-ray generator reaches the dose requirement in the specified requirements; and / or, the duration for which the X-ray detector is in the waiting exposure state is the duration in the specified requirements, then the X-ray generator is turned off to stop emitting X-rays.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The process of fusing the third image and the fourth image to obtain the target image includes: The fourth image is enhanced to obtain a fifth image; the clarity of the fifth image is greater than that of the fourth image. If there are overexposed pixels in the third image that meet the overexposure condition, then for each overexposed pixel in the third image that meets the overexposure condition, find the mapping pixel of the overexposed pixel in the fifth image. The position of the overexposed pixel in the third image is the same as the position of the mapping pixel in the fifth image. Adjust the gray value of the overexposed pixel based on the gray value of the mapping pixel so that the overexposed pixel no longer meets the overexposure condition after the overexposed pixel is adjusted. The third and fifth images are fused to generate the target image.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The image enhancement processing of the fourth image includes: The fourth image is then subjected to noise reduction processing; The fourth image after noise reduction is binarized to extract the contour information in the image. The extracted contour information is superimposed on the fourth image after noise reduction to optimize the overall contour information of the image. The superimposed images are then subjected to contrast enhancement processing to obtain the fifth image.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, If the third image is the same as the first image, before performing the fusion process on the third image and the fourth image, the process further includes: performing a first correction process on the first image; If the fourth image is the same as the second image, before performing the fusion process on the third image and the fourth image, the process further includes: performing a second correction process on the second image; The first correction process for the first image includes: performing correction processing on the first image based on a first offset template and a first gain template used for the first correction process; The second correction process for the second image includes: performing correction processing on the second image based on a second offset template and a second gain template used for the second correction process.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: After the X-ray detector acquires the second image, it controls the X-ray detector to switch from the image acquisition state to the default state; in the default state, the X-ray detector does not perform image acquisition operations.

8. An image processing system, characterized in that, The system includes: X-ray generator, target object, X-ray detector, control processor; An X-ray generator is used to emit X-rays toward a target object under the control of a control processor. A control processor for performing the steps of the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 7; The X-ray detector is configured to first stop the current operation and switch from the current working state to a waiting-for-exposure state based on the control of the control processor; and... After the X-ray generator stops emitting X-rays according to the specified requirements, the system switches from the waiting exposure state to the image acquisition state under the control of the control processor. In the image acquisition state, a first image is acquired, and after the first image is acquired, image acquisition continues to acquire a second image.

9. An image processing apparatus, characterized in that, This device is used to control the processor and includes: The exposure control unit is used to control the X-ray detector to a waiting exposure state based on the currently received image acquisition request, and to control the X-ray generator to emit X-rays toward the target object according to the specified requirements. The acquisition control unit is configured to control the X-ray detector to switch from the waiting-for-exposure state to the image acquisition state after the X-ray generator has finished emitting X-rays according to the specified requirements. This allows the X-ray detector to acquire a first image in the image acquisition state and continue acquiring images to obtain a second image after completing the first image acquisition. Compared to the second image, the first image contains a thicker region on the target object with higher clarity than the thicker region in the second image, and the first image contains a thinner region on the target object with lower clarity than the thinner region in the second image. The thicker region refers to the area on the target object whose thickness meets the set thickness requirement, and the thinner region refers to the area on the target object remaining excluding the thicker region. An image processing unit is configured to obtain a third image and a fourth image; the third image is identical to the first image, or is an image obtained by performing a first correction process on the first image; the fourth image is identical to the second image, or is an image obtained by performing a second correction process on the second image; and, The third image and the fourth image are fused together to obtain the target image.

10. An electronic device, characterized in that, The electronic device includes: a processor and a machine-readable storage medium; The machine-readable storage medium stores machine-executable instructions that can be executed by the processor; The processor is configured to execute machine-executable instructions to implement the method steps of any one of claims 1-7.

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