Reference Image Selection for Sequence Registration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image registration of sequences often results in distortions due to the selection of inappropriate reference images, which can lead to alignment issues, especially when the reference image is not representative of the majority of the sequence, causing other images to be transformed to resemble an image of lesser or no interest.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that establish a reference image within an image sequence using a transformation metric to quantify the degree of transformation required, selecting an image that minimizes this metric to avoid outliers and ensure alignment with the majority of the sequence, thereby reducing distortions and improving registration quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a fixed reference image is selected for image sequence registration, then the registration process can be simplified and completed efficiently, but distortions occur when the reference image is not representative of the majority of the sequence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of reference image selection from a fixed arbitrary choice to a dynamic selection based on transformation metric minimization. By evaluating and comparing transformation metrics across different candidate reference images, the system identifies the optimal reference image that minimizes cumulative transformation, thereby resolving the contradiction between registration efficiency and accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the image sequence itself to determine the optimal reference image through automatic evaluation of transformation metrics. Rather than relying on external manual selection or fixed algorithms, the registration process self-optimizes by selecting the reference image that naturally minimizes transformation requirements for the entire sequence.
2Manufacturing precision
If transformations are applied to align images to a reference image, then geometric alignment is achieved, but distortions are introduced when the reference image is an outlier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by selecting the reference image in advance based on minimizing transformation metric before performing the actual alignment transformations. This preventive approach ensures that the reference image is representative and avoids the introduction of excessive distortions during the transformation process, thereby maintaining image quality while achieving geometric alignment.
3Measurement precision
If numerical optimization methods are used to maximize similarity between images, then transformation accuracy is improved, but computational complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-selecting the optimal reference image based on transformation metric evaluation before initiating the computationally intensive numerical optimization process. This preliminary step reduces the search space and focuses subsequent optimization efforts on finding transformations relative to the already-identified optimal reference, thereby improving transformation accuracy while reducing overall processing time.
Data Source
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AI summary
System (100) for registering an image sequence, comprising: -an input (120) for obtaining the image sequence (200), the image sequence comprising a plurality of images (201-205) arranged sequentially within an image range; -a transformation processor (140) for establishing transformations between pairs of consecutive images in the image sequence (200) to obtain a plurality of transformations (211-214); -an alignment processor (160) for, based on the plurality of transformations (211-214), aligning the image sequence (200) to a reference image (203) to obtain a registered image sequence (230); -wherein the alignment processor (160) is arranged for establishing the reference image (203) from the plurality of images (201-205) based on a transformation metric, the transformation metric quantifying a degree of transformation required for aligning the image sequence (200) to the reference image (203).