Weighted Pixel Superposition for X-ray Image Transition Artifacts

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Solution Overview

Problem

In the processing of X-ray image data, particularly in industrial quality control, transition artifacts in overlapping areas of partial images from multiple cameras or detectors lead to incorrect diagnoses and inefficient imaging, as existing methods fail to adequately address geometric discrepancies and defective pixels.

Innovation Solution

A device and method that store and generate overall images by weighting pixel data from overlapping areas, reducing artifact influence through adaptive weighting functions that account for geometric positions and defects, allowing for smoother transitions and accurate image merging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple cameras or X-ray detectors are used to cover large image areas, then the imaging coverage and productivity are improved, but transition artifacts occur in overlapping areas that reduce image quality and reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging coverageVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using different weighting factors for different regions of the overlapping areas. Pixels in the overlapping regions are weighted differently based on their position and characteristics, allowing the system to maintain high image quality in transition zones while preserving the benefits of multi-camera coverage. This localized approach ensures that artifacts in overlapping areas do not compromise overall image reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If geometric correction is performed with high correction resolution, then alignment precision is improved, but processing time and computational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing geometric correction at a higher resolution before the final image merging process. The individual images are corrected for alignment inaccuracies and parameter fluctuations using a correction resolution higher than the overall resolution, so that when the corrected images are combined, the alignment precision is already optimized, reducing the need for additional processing time during the merging stage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Quantity of substance

If defective pixels are present in partial images, then hardware defects and aging are reflected in the data, but they cause artifacts that make automated evaluation more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata completenessVSAvoidautomated evaluation
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing weighting factors as a mediator between the defective pixels and the final image. These weighting factors are calculated based on the position of pixels in overlapping areas and are used to reduce the influence of defective pixels during the merging process. This intermediary mechanism allows the system to maintain data completeness while reducing the impact of hardware defects and aging on automated evaluation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2054853B1Apparatus and method for reducing transition artefacts in an overall image composed of partial images
Publication Date: 2018.08.22 FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV
  • EP2054853B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2054853B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2054853B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for reducing transition artefacts in an overall image composed of partial images whose image areas have overlap areas. The apparatus comprises a device for storing image data of the pixels of the partial images and a device for generating the overall image, on the basis of the image data of the partial images by superposition of the image data of the pixels in the overlap area in accordance with a weighting, wherein the weighting is formed in such a way that an influence of a pixel of a partial image which would cause an artefact in the overall image is reduced in the overall image.