Monochrome LCD Sub-Pixel Segmentation for High-Resolution Medical Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for displaying medical images on LCDs reduce image resolution significantly, failing to maintain the aspect ratio and achieve the necessary resolution for diagnosing tiny pathological signs like calcopherite, which requires a pixel pitch of 100 µm, due to the difference in pixel pitches between flat panel detectors and LCDs.

Innovation Solution

An image displaying apparatus and program that convert original monochrome image data into a display image with a higher number of pixels along the major axis by using weighted averaging and interpolation, allowing independent driving of sub-pixels on a monochrome LCD with square-shaped pixels, thereby maintaining the aspect ratio and improving resolution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If image reduction method is used to display medical image on LCD, then the image can be displayed on the LCD screen, but the resolution is significantly declined

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage display compatibilityVSAvoidimage resolution
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments each pixel into three sub-pixels (first, second, and third sub-pixels) arranged in the row direction. By independently controlling these sub-pixels with different luminance, the system achieves higher effective resolution along the row direction while maintaining compatibility with standard LCD displays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies different luminance values to different sub-pixels within the same pixel location. The first, second, and third sub-pixels have different luminance characteristics, allowing local differentiation of image information and effectively tripling the resolution along the row direction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If sub pixels are driven independently to improve resolution along major axis, then resolution is improved, but the aspect ratio of original image cannot be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresolution along major axisVSAvoidaspect ratio
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a new dimension of control by utilizing the row direction (horizontal dimension) for high-resolution display through sub-pixel segmentation. The column direction maintains standard pixel rendering, creating a dimensional differentiation that achieves high resolution along the row while preserving the original aspect ratio through proper image conversion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If pixels are reduced from 2.774 pixels to one pixel, then the image fits the LCD screen, but the desired resolution for diagnosing tiny pathological signs cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage display efficiencyVSAvoidpixel pitch resolution
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention dynamically adjusts the luminance of each sub-pixel based on the image data requirements. By varying the luminance of first, second, and third sub-pixels independently, the system creates a dynamic display mechanism that effectively triples the resolution along the row direction, achieving 100 μm resolution capability without sacrificing display efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2500899B1Image displaying apparatus and image display program
Publication Date: 2017.11.08 JVC KENWOOD CORP
  • EP2500899B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2500899B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~3
  • EP2500899B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An original monochrome image recorded with an FPD (flat panel detector) which consists mainly of an array, m rows and n columns, of pixels is reduced and converted into a display image which consists of an array, q rows and (3*n*q/m) columns, of pixels before the display image is transferred to a monochrome liquid crystal display equipped with a monochrome LCD which is composed mainly of an array, q rows and P columns, of pixels, where m, n, q, and P are natural numbers and m≤n, q<P, n/m<P/q, and m>q are given. The monochrome liquid crystal display drives the three sub pixels of each pixel independently aligned along the row of the monochrome LCD to display the display image of the pixels in q rows and (3*n*q/m) columns.