Imaging System Sensor Performance Assessment via Phantom Comparison

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Solution Overview

Problem

Image quality degradation in imaging systems over time due to sensor parameter changes or subsystem degradation is difficult to detect and troubleshoot, leading to inefficiencies in maintaining desired image quality.

Innovation Solution

A method involving an imaging phantom device to assess performance quality by comparing current digital image data to a standard set, automatically determining imaging parameter differences, and correlating these differences to changes in sensor subsystem parameters, such as transmit intensity, exposure time, and dynamic range settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If image quality assessment is performed manually by operators, then detection of image quality degradation is possible, but the process is time-consuming and difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage quality detection accuracyVSAvoidtime to detect and troubleshoot image quality issues

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging system automatically performs image quality assessment by comparing current images against stored reference images, eliminating the need for manual operator intervention. The system self-diagnoses degradation sources by analyzing parameter differences between current and reference images, thereby reducing both time and difficulty of detection while maintaining high accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical assessment processes with automated computational image analysis. By using computer-based algorithms to compare images and identify parameter differences, the system achieves faster and more consistent results without human intervention, directly addressing the time loss and difficulty associated with manual assessment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If sensor parameter settings are changed to adapt to different imaging conditions, then imaging versatility is improved, but image quality degradation occurs over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging mode adaptabilityVSAvoidimage quality consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors image quality by comparing current images against stored reference images and provides feedback when degradation is detected. This feedback mechanism allows the system to identify when parameter changes have caused quality loss and triggers alerts for correction, thereby maintaining reliability while preserving the ability to adapt to different imaging conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent stores reference images acquired under optimal conditions for each imaging mode before degradation occurs. These pre-stored references serve as benchmarks for future comparisons, enabling the system to detect deviations from optimal performance and prompting timely parameter adjustments to restore image quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If manual troubleshooting of image quality degradation is performed, then source identification is possible, but the process is difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesource of degradation detectionVSAvoidtime to track down degradation source

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual troubleshooting with automated computational analysis that compares current images against reference images and automatically identifies parameter differences. This computational approach rapidly pinpoints the source of degradation by analyzing quantitative differences in image parameters, eliminating the time-consuming nature of manual troubleshooting while improving detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediate computational analysis layer that bridges the gap between raw image data and degradation source identification. By using automated algorithms to analyze parameter differences and correlate them with sensor settings, the system provides a clear pathway to identifying degradation sources without requiring manual intervention, thereby reducing both difficulty and time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7775714B2Methods of assessing performance in an imaging system

Publication Date: 2010.08.17 CRUCS HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

A system, method, and computer readable medium for facilitating the assessment of performance quality of an imaging system having a sensor subsystem. An imaging mode of operation of the imaging system is selected and at least one current set of digital image data of an imaging phantom device is acquired with the imaging system via the sensor subsystem. The currently acquired set of digital phantom image data is automatically compared to at least one previously acquired set of digital phantom image data representing a standard image of quality corresponding to the selected imaging mode of operation and the imaging phantom device to automatically determine if at least one sensor parameter of the sensor subsystem has changed.