X-ray Image Processing Correcting Cosmic Ray Noise

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image processing methods for X-ray data are inefficient in removing the effects of cosmic rays, noise, and defective pixels in real time without losing data, as they often require additional measurements or preparation, leading to suboptimal performance and increased analysis time.

Innovation Solution

An image processing method that determines and corrects abnormal values in X-ray image data by analyzing a three-dimensional space formed by a series of captured image frames, replacing intensities of target elements with calculated replacement values from peripheral elements, allowing for real-time correction without prior data preparation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If measurement is performed twice under the same conditions to identify abnormal values, then abnormal value detection accuracy is improved, but measurement time increases and real-time performance is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabnormal value detection accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing a correction mask before actual measurement. The correction mask is generated by performing a preliminary measurement to identify abnormal pixel positions, then using this mask to correct abnormal values during subsequent measurements. This eliminates the need for repeated measurements to detect abnormal values, thereby reducing measurement time while maintaining detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If exposure time is divided into multiple short times and image frames are collected, then abnormal value identification capability is improved, but data processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabnormal value identification capabilityVSAvoiddata processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the taking out principle by extracting only the essential information needed for abnormal value detection. Instead of processing all image frame data in detail, the system extracts pixel intensity values at specific positions and compares them against the correction mask. This selective extraction approach maintains abnormal value identification capability while significantly reducing data processing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Measurement precision

If correction mask is prepared in advance by shaking the detector, then abnormal value correction accuracy is improved, but preparation time increases and real-time performance is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabnormal value correction accuracyVSAvoidpreparation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by combining the correction mask preparation process with the actual measurement process. The correction mask is generated using the same measurement conditions and detector configuration as the actual measurement, ensuring consistency. This integration eliminates separate preparation steps and reduces the time penalty associated with creating correction masks, while maintaining correction accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3226205B1Image processing method and image processing apparatus
Publication Date: 2019.08.28 RIGAKU CORP
  • EP3226205B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3226205B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3226205B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An image processing method and an image processing apparatus which remove the effects of cosmic rays, noise and defective pixels without losing data in a specified time and which can correct image data efficiently and with high accuracy are provided. An image processing method of performing correction processing on an abnormal value of X-ray image data is provided which includes the steps of: (S3) determining whether or not there exists a target element with intensity significantly different from intensity of peripheral elements, in a three dimensional space formed with a space axis and a time axis defined by a series of captured image frames; and (S9) replacing the intensity of the target element with a replacement value calculated from the intensity of peripheral elements.