Image Measurement Using Reference Object Markers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for measuring the size of objects in images, such as using a ruler adjacent to the object of interest, provide inaccurate and inconsistent measurements due to reliance on visual estimation and clinician skill.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with processors and memories that retrieve and display images of objects with a reference object of known size, allowing users to overlay measurement markers and calculate the actual size of the object using the reference object's known dimensions and display sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a ruler is placed adjacent to the wound site for measurement, then a measurement reference is provided, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates because the user must visually estimate the size based on the ruler rather than measuring the wound directly
Solution Approach 1:
A reference object with known dimensions is introduced as an intermediary element placed within the image frame alongside the wound. This reference object serves as a mediator that enables direct digital measurement calculation by providing a known dimensional reference, eliminating the need for visual estimation while maintaining ease of operation through automated processing
Solution Approach 2:
The manual visual estimation process is replaced with an automated digital measurement system. The system uses image processing algorithms to automatically calculate wound dimensions based on the reference object's known size and the relative positions in the image, substituting the mechanical/visual estimation method with an automated computational approach that improves accuracy
2Ease of operation
If manual visual estimation based on a ruler is used, then the measurement process is simple to perform, but measurement consistency deteriorates due to varying clinician skills
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system performs self-service through automated processing. Once the reference object is placed in the image, the system automatically calculates all necessary measurements without requiring clinician skill for estimation. The automated algorithm consistently processes images regardless of operator expertise, ensuring measurement reliability while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The inconsistent manual visual estimation process is replaced with a consistent automated digital measurement system. The system uses standardized image processing algorithms that produce uniform results across different users, eliminating the variability introduced by different clinician skills while preserving ease of operation
3Measurement precision
If a ruler is placed adjacent to the object for measurement, then a reference is provided, but the measurement reliability deteriorates because the ruler is not on the object itself
Solution Approach 1:
The reference object serves as an intermediary that is placed within the same image frame as the wound, establishing a direct spatial relationship. This eliminates the distance error between the ruler and the object by ensuring both the reference object and the measurement target are captured in the same image plane, thereby improving measurement reliability
Data Source
AI summary
An approach is provided for measuring objects in images of scenes using measurement markers. An image editor retrieves and displays an image of a scene that includes an object of interest and a reference object having a known actual size in the scene in at least one dimension. A user of the image editor overlays a measurement marker on the object of interest in the displayed image. The image editor image editor determines a display size in the image editor of the at least one dimension of the reference object and a display size in the image editor of at least one dimension of the measurement marker. The image editor determines and displays an actual size in the scene of the at least one dimension of the measurement marker. Embodiments allow a user to adjust the scale of the reference object.