Radiographic Image Orientation Detection Using Linear Hough Transformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the orientation of radiographic images are unreliable due to the lack of differentiation between image values from the body region of interest, background, and foreground, leading to skewed calculations and inconsistent orientation determination, especially when images are not perfectly aligned.
Innovation Solution
An automated system and method that uses Linear Hough Transformation to detect straight lines in digital radiographic images, determining orientation based on the strongest lines or pairs of lines with similar slopes, and rotating the image to a predefined position to ensure accurate alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If intensity values from horizontal and vertical strips are compared without differentiating their sources, then orientation determination can be performed, but the calculations are skewed by background and foreground inclusion leading to unreliable results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image into distinct regions (body region of interest, background, and foreground) and processes intensity values from each region separately. This allows the system to differentiate between image value sources and perform orientation determination only using relevant data from the body region, eliminating skewing effects from background and foreground inclusion.
2Ease of manufacture
If prior art methods assume perfect alignment of the body region on the film, then calculation simplicity is maintained, but the assumption ignores reality of actual image production leading to inconsistent orientation determination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions to detect and correct misalignment before orientation determination. The system first identifies the actual position and orientation of the body region in the image, then adjusts subsequent calculations to account for any deviation from perfect alignment. This ensures reliable orientation determination even when images are not perfectly aligned during production.
3Adaptability or versatility
If images are fed to display or processing systems in arbitrary orientations, then system flexibility is maintained, but errors occur in display and accurate enhancement/processing is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automated feedback mechanism that determines the correct orientation of each image and communicates this information to subsequent display and processing systems. The system analyzes image content to identify orientation, then uses this information to automatically rotate or adjust the image before it is displayed or processed, ensuring accuracy while maintaining system flexibility to accept images in any initial orientation.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for determining orientation of an image, comprising: an image receiver, configured to receive the image, and an orientation determiner, associated with the image receiver and configured to automatically determine the orientation of the image, based on analysis of internal image information.