X-ray Image Processing Apparatus Flicker Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing X-ray image processing methods struggle to effectively suppress flicker caused by fluctuations in X-ray irradiation, leading to unwanted luminance fluctuations in X-ray images, especially when analysis failures occur.
Innovation Solution
An X-ray image processing apparatus that calculates first and second analysis values for successive frames, determines whether correction is needed based on time-direction statistics, and corrects the analysis values to stabilize tone processing, thereby reducing flicker.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If image analysis accuracy is improved to determine the state of the X-ray image, then the analysis precision is improved, but the processing complexity increases and the probability of image analysis failure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image analysis process into multiple independent analysis values (first analysis value from object region, second analysis value from other regions) that can be calculated separately. This segmentation allows the system to handle complex analysis tasks through multiple simpler sub-tasks, reducing the overall probability of complete analysis failure while maintaining high precision through regional specialization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs multiple analysis calculations (first analysis value, second analysis value, and their statistics) beyond a single analysis step. This partial or excessive action ensures that even if one analysis fails, other analysis values and their statistical relationships can compensate, maintaining system reliability without requiring overly complex single-step analysis.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If smoothing is applied to reduce the influence of failed analysis values, then the flicker reduction is achieved, but the reduction effect weakens when failure amount is large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms by calculating statistics (mean, standard deviation) of multiple successive analysis values and using this statistical information to determine whether correction is needed. The determination unit uses feedback from statistical analysis to decide when to apply correction, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to the actual analysis quality and maintains reliable flicker suppression even with large failure amounts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter representation from single analysis values to statistical parameters (mean, standard deviation, variance) of multiple analysis values. This parameter transformation allows the system to characterize analysis quality and flicker risk through statistical metrics, enabling more effective and reliable flicker suppression decisions compared to simple smoothing of individual values.
3Ease of manufacture
If an average value is used as correction value for failed analysis, then the correction process is simplified, but it is impossible to consider fluctuations of the X-ray generation apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static correction (fixed average value) to dynamic correction where the correction decision and method adapt based on calculated statistics of successive analysis values. The determination unit dynamically assesses whether correction is needed by evaluating statistical parameters, allowing the system to consider X-ray generation fluctuations and adjust correction accordingly, maintaining both simplicity and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from statistical analysis of multiple analysis values to dynamically determine correction needs. Rather than applying fixed average correction unconditionally, the feedback mechanism evaluates whether correction is actually needed based on observed fluctuations, enabling simple yet precise correction that adapts to real-time X-ray generation conditions.
4Stability of the object's composition
If tone processing is performed to optimize the X-ray image, then the luminance stability is improved, but the processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calculations of statistics (mean, standard deviation) from multiple analysis values before the actual tone processing decision. This preliminary statistical analysis prepares the necessary information in advance, allowing the determination unit to quickly decide whether correction and tone processing are needed, reducing the time penalty of tone processing by pre-evaluating the necessity through statistical metrics.
Data Source
AI summary
An X-ray image processing apparatus for performing image processing for frames successively obtained by an X-ray sensor acquires a first analysis value and a second analysis value by analyzing each of the successively obtained frames, and calculates, as a first statistic and a second statistic, statistics in a time direction of the first analysis values and the second analysis values of the successively obtained frames. Based on the calculated first and second statistics, the X-ray image processing apparatus determines whether to correct the first analysis value. If it is determined to correct the first analysis value, the X-ray image processing apparatus corrects the first analysis value based on the first statistic.