KR20160057727A - Image processing method and system using the detector characteristics - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an image processing method using sensor characteristics and a system thereof, which can process an image taken by using an X-ray, etc. The method and the system of the present invention can take an X-ray image for medical care, particularly for dental treatment by changing a dose according to imaging conditions and can individually apply image processing elements corresponding to each dose in image processing, thereby displaying the optimal image. The image processing method of the present invention comprises the steps of: receiving imaging data and dose data from an X-ray imaging device; and performing image processing on the imaging data by an image processing device.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an image processing method using a sensor characteristic,

The present invention relates to a method for processing a photographed image using X-ray or the like, which is used for imaging, such as X-rays used for medical treatment, particularly dental treatment, The present invention relates to an image processing method and a system using the sensor characteristic for displaying an optimal image by separately applying image processing elements.

Generally, X-rays are frequently used for medical diagnosis. Most imaging devices are used for examining the internal state of the body rather than photographing the external appearance of the body. X-rays and the like are widely used.

In particular, even in the case of dental treatment, such X-rays are frequently used for tooth condition, tooth roots, and diagnosis of inflammation. In addition, recently, image analysis is performed to automatically analyze captured images to enable automatic diagnosis.

For this, the state of the photographed image should be good, and automatic analysis should be performed only if the distinguishing characteristic is good so that each part can be easily analyzed.

However, there is a case in which the photographer moves at the time of photographing, or the characteristics of the bone mineral density or the region become different from patient to patient, particularly in the case of inflammation or abnormality, or in cases where images are overlapped, It is significant.

Or the posture and angle of the photographee to be photographed are also different, and the photographing condition is not always uniform so that the image analysis is not easy.

Thus, the image data, once captured, is subjected to image processing such as noise removal and enhancement of sharpness prior to analysis.

However, it is a reality that it is a reality to shoot several times while changing the irradiation dose of X-rays little by little depending on the state of the photographing equipment, the posture of the photographer, and other photographing conditions. Therefore, it is possible to provide a good image quality for one or two images in a single image processing condition because the photographing condition changing every time is changed frequently. However, most of the images are not automatically analyzed, There arises a problem that may occur.

Therefore, there is an urgent need for a technique of image processing that reflects a change in photographing conditions.

Open Patent No. 10-2013-0011823 (published on January 30, 2013) Published Patent No. 10-2009-0118670 (Published Nov. 18, 2009) Open Patent No. 10-2014-0055250 (Published May 2014, 2014)

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention is applied to an image processing apparatus, which performs image processing on a corresponding image pickup data by reflecting an individual dose value which is changed even when a dose of an X- To provide images as image quality.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus and method which can provide table data on characteristic values to be applied to each of the noise, contrast characteristic and sharpness control section corresponding to major parameters in image processing, .

It is still another object of the present invention to provide image information so that subsequent automatic analysis can be easily performed by providing an optimal image according to photographing conditions such as X-ray.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling an X-ray imaging apparatus, comprising the steps of: (a) transmitting radiographic data and dose value data, And (b) the image processing apparatus (30) reads one or more data among noise characteristic value data, contrast characteristic value data and sharpness characteristic value data corresponding to the dose value data, And performing image processing on the image pickup data by resetting the image pickup data.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the noise characteristic value, the contrast characteristic value, and the sharpness characteristic value of the X-ray sensor according to the dose value is stored in the data storage unit before the step (b) The present invention also provides an image processing method using sensor characteristics that further include:

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of processing an image using sensor characteristics, further comprising: displaying the image-captured data image-processed after the step (b).

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an X-ray photographing apparatus 20 (including an X-ray sensor) for photographing an X-ray image and transmitting radiographing data, which is a radiographing result, and dose value data at the X- ); A data storage unit for storing at least one of a noise characteristic value, a contrast characteristic value, and a sharpness characteristic value of the X-ray sensor according to a dose value; The data storage unit reads any one or more of noise characteristic value data, contrast characteristic value data and sharpness characteristic value data corresponding to the dose value data transmitted from the X-ray imaging apparatus 20, An image processing device (30) for image processing the image pickup data by resetting image processing parameters by at least one of characteristic value data, contrast characteristic value data, and sharpness characteristic value data; And an image display device (40) for displaying image information processed by the image processing device (30).

According to the present invention configured as above, since the image processing of the image capturing data is performed by reflecting the individual dose value which is changed even when the dose of X-rays or the like is adjusted by the photographing condition at the time of photographing, There is an excellent effect of providing images.

Further, another effect of the present invention is to provide, as table data, characteristic values to be applied for each dose, with respect to the noise, contrast characteristic, and sharpness control portion corresponding to the main parameters in the image processing, .

Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide image information so that subsequent automatic analysis can be easily performed by providing an optimal image according to photographing conditions such as X-ray.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall flow configuration example in the image processing method according to the present invention.
2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of characteristics of each processing element in the image processing method according to the present invention.
3 is an explanatory diagram of application of an exemplary value to a noise characteristic value according to a dose of an X-ray or the like as noise processing in the image processing method according to the present invention.
4 is an explanatory diagram of application of an exemplary value to a contrast characteristic value according to a dose of an X-ray or the like as contrast characteristic processing in the image processing method according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of application of an example value to a sharpness characteristic value according to a dose of an X-ray or the like as sharpness processing in the image processing method according to the present invention.
6 is an image processing flowchart of the image processing method according to the present invention.
7 is a configuration diagram of an image processing system according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In other words, the image processing method and system using the characteristics of the sensor according to the present invention can transmit and receive image pickup data and dose value data from the image pickup apparatus 20 as shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, An image processing step of reading at least one of noise characteristic value data, contrast characteristic value data and sharpness characteristic value data corresponding to the dose value data by the imaging means 30 and reading the imaging data to perform image processing An image processing method and an image processing system thereof.

The image processing system for this purpose includes a photographing device 20 for photographing an X-ray image using an X-ray source and an X-ray sensor, image capturing data photographed from the photographing device 20, The image processing parameter is reset to at least one of the noise characteristic value (SNR), the contrast characteristic value (MTF), and the sharpness characteristic value (SNR) corresponding to the dose value, And an image processing device (30) for performing image processing on the photographed image pickup data.

And an image display device (40) for displaying image information processed by the image processing device (30).

Thus, according to the image processing method and the image processing system of the present invention, the leading noise figure value (SNR) corresponding to the dose value at the time of radiography of X-rays or the like in the photographing apparatus 20, ) And a sharpness characteristic value (SNR), and performs image processing on the photographed image pickup data.

That is, the dose of the X-ray emitted from the initial photographing apparatus 20 can be adjusted according to the photographing target or the photographing condition, but the dose value is generally determined according to the image photographing equipment. This corresponds to the initial set value of the photographing apparatus 20 and is photographed with the set photographing setting value, and the photographed image data is displayed to the user through image processing. However, the conditions of the filming scene will change every time. That is, depending on the external lighting condition, the region to be photographed, the photographing angle, the subject's skin or the state of the body, the photographed image may be slightly different every time even if photographed under the same photographing conditions.

Therefore, it is necessary to perform image processing of the image correction because some photographs can be distinguished well, but it may become difficult to discriminate some photographs.

In general image processing, noise can be removed, contrast can be increased or decreased, and image processing such as sharpening the photographed portion can be performed.

However, since the photographed region characteristic or the photographed angle can have different characteristics, the photographed image is optimally photographed while changing the dose of the X-ray or the like when the photographed image is taken depending on the situation.

According to the present invention, when the dose is changed as described above, the image processing is performed after changing numerical values such as the noise processing parameter, the contrast characteristic parameter, and the sharpness characteristic parameter in correspondence with the respective dose values. Thus, by performing the image processing in an optimal state according to the dose value change, it is possible to visually confirm the portion that makes it easy to see each photographed part clearly.

That is, in the present invention, by adjusting parameter coefficient values used for image processing such as noise reduction, contrast enhancement and sharpness enhancement in image processing, So that an optimal image processing according to a dose of X-rays or the like is performed.

To this end, in the present invention, a noise characteristic value (SNR), a contrast characteristic value (MTF), a sharpness characteristic value (SNR), etc. applied to each dose value of X- And stores the table data in the data storage unit 36 of the image processing apparatus 30 in advance.

And the set data table value inputted thereto is processed by the setting data processing unit 35 and stored in the data storage unit 36. In this sensor characteristic setting step, a noise characteristic value table storing step for processing the inputted noise characteristic value (SNR) and storing the processed noise characteristic value (SNR) in the data storing unit 36, 36, and storing the contrast characteristic value table data in the data storage unit 36 by processing the inputted sharpness characteristic value (SNR).

The imaging data and the dose data photographed by the imaging device 20 are transmitted to the image processing device 30 for image processing and then displayed on the image display device 40 and stored in the data storage 36. [ Or may be transmitted to other remote control stations as required.

Therefore, the photographing apparatus 20, the image processing apparatus 30, the image display apparatus 40, etc. may be provided as a single terminal, or may be composed of separate devices connected by wired / It will be conducted appropriately.

Next, in the detailed step of the detailed configuration of the image processing system and the image processing method by which image processing is performed and displayed on the subsequently captured image capturing data in a state where the table data of the inputted setting is stored as described above .

That is, as described above, the image processing system includes a photographing apparatus 20, an image processing apparatus 30, an image display apparatus 40, and the like, thereby performing an image photographing step, an image processing step, will be.

The image processing apparatus 30 includes an information receiving unit (not shown) for receiving imaging data such as X-rays taken by the imaging apparatus 20 and dose information data at the time of imaging such as X-rays and storing the data in the data storage unit 36 31).

The image processing method is a method in which image capturing data such as X-rays captured by the image capturing apparatus 20 and dose information data during image capturing such as X-rays are received by the information receiving unit 31 and stored in the data storing unit 36 And the step of inputting the image-dose information.

Thus, the X-ray and other dose values at the time of capturing the image pickup data are transmitted to the image processing apparatus and stored together with the image pickup data taken by the image pickup apparatus 20.

Then, processing of the photographed image data is performed, so that the photographed image is displayed more clearly.

To this end, the photographing apparatus 20 stores parameter data including at least one of a noise characteristic value (SNR), a contrast characteristic value (MTF) and a sharpness characteristic value (SNR) corresponding to a dose value at the time of photographing, 36 from the characteristic setting data table according to the dose value.

Further, in the image processing method, parameter data including at least one of a noise characteristic value (SNR), a contrast characteristic value (MTF) and a sharpness characteristic value (SNR) corresponding to a dose value at the time of photographing in the photographing apparatus From the characteristic setting data table corresponding to the dose value of the data storage unit 36. [

Therefore, it is not necessary to use a single reference value for image processing such as noise removal, image contrast adjustment, sharpness adjustment, etc. during image processing, but noise characteristic values of noise removal corresponding to dose values of X- (SNR), a contrast adjustment characteristic value (MTF) of contrast adjustment, and a sharpness characteristic value (SNR) of sharpness adjustment, the image processing can be more customized and optimized.

That is, in the image processing unit 34 including the processing unit of any one of the noise image processing unit 341, the contrast characteristic processing unit 342, and the sharpness characteristic processing unit 343 using the parameter data read thereon, And an image processing unit (34) for performing image processing on the photographed image pickup data by resetting the image processing parameters to at least one of a noise characteristic value (SNR), a contrast characteristic value (MTF) and a sharpness characteristic value (SNR) will be.

In the image processing method, in the image processing unit 34 including the processing unit of any one of the noise image processing unit 341, the contrast characteristic processing unit 342 and the sharpness characteristic processing unit 343 using the read parameter data, (SNR), a contrast characteristic value (MTF), and a sharpness characteristic value (SNR) corresponding to the read image data .

And storing the image data and displaying the image data on the image display device 40.

The image processing apparatus 30 also stores various types of data to be processed in the above process, such as image capturing data transmitted from the image capturing apparatus 20 and dose information data for image capturing such as X-rays, And a data storage unit 36 for storing parameter data including at least one of a noise characteristic value (SNR), a contrast characteristic value (MTF), and a sharpness characteristic value (SNR).

In the image processing method and system using the characteristics of the sensor according to the present invention, which are processed as described above, the noise processing, the contrast processing, and the sharpness processing are the main examples of the image processing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

3 to 5, and the like. In the embodiment of the present invention, the intensity of X-ray or the like actually irradiated with the dose value may be stored as the dose value table data, The dose value may be determined as a table value by setting a level grade for each intensity range such as an X-ray, as in the examples of FIGS. 3 to 5, for simplification and quick calculation. That is, as shown in the example of the accompanying drawings, each level value of the dose value is divided into a predetermined range of the intensity of the X-ray or the like irradiated at the time of photographing, so that the dose level value is determined.

As a detailed example, the image processing unit 34 of the image processing system is provided with a noise reduction unit 36 for generating a noise corresponding to a dose value at the time of photographing, such as an X-ray read from a characteristic setting data table corresponding to a dose value stored in the data storage unit 36 And a noise image processing unit 341 for noise-processing the image pickup data by resetting the image processing parameters with SNR data.

In order to reduce the noise of the image pickup data such as X-rays, the first image-dose information storing step stores the noise characteristic value (SNR) data corresponding to the dose value at the time of shooting such as X- A noise characteristic value reading step to read from the characteristic setting data table according to the dose value is performed.

The image processing step includes a noise processing step of noise-processing the image pickup data by resetting the image processing parameter with the noise characteristic value (SNR) data corresponding to the dose value in the noise image processing unit 341.

FIG. 3 shows the table data of the noise characteristic value (SNR) according to the dose for reducing the noise in the image of the imaging data. When the dose value is photographed at three levels, the noise characteristic value (SNR) Thereby performing image processing of noise reduction.

Of course, depending on the situation, the X-ray dose values may be photographed at 2 levels or 5 levels. In this case, the image processing operation of noise reduction is performed by reading the noise characteristic values (SNR) .

Next, a description will be made of an image processing example according to the image contrast.

The image processing unit 34 of the image processing apparatus 30 is provided with a contrast characteristic value corresponding to the dose value at the time of photographing such as X-ray read from the characteristic setting data table according to the dose value stored in the data storage unit 36 And a contrast characteristic processing unit 342 for resetting the image processing parameters with the MTF data and processing the contrast characteristics of the image capturing data.

The image-dose information storing step may include a contrast characteristic value (MTF) data corresponding to a dose value at the time of photographing of an X-ray or the like from a characteristic setting data table corresponding to a dose value of the data storage unit Value reading step.

In the image processing step, the contrast characteristic processing unit 342 performs a contrast characteristic processing step of processing the contrast characteristic of the image capturing data by resetting the image processing parameter with the read contrast characteristic value (MTF) data corresponding to the dose value .

FIG. 4 shows the table data of the dose contrast characteristic value (MTF) for image contrast processing in the image of the imaging data. When the dose value is photographed at 3 levels, the contrast characteristic value (SNR) And performs image processing in contrast to the image.

Of course, depending on the situation, the X-ray doses can be taken at 2 levels or 5 levels. In this case, the image contrast of the images is read by reading the contrast characteristic (SNR) do.

Next, the image processing unit 34 of the image processing apparatus 30 receives the sharpness characteristic value corresponding to the dose value at the time of photographing such as X-rays read from the characteristic setting data table corresponding to the dose value stored in the data storage unit 36 And a sharpness characteristic processing unit 343 for performing sharpness processing on the image pickup data by resetting image processing parameters using SNR data.

The image-dose information storage step stores the SNR data corresponding to the dose value at the time of photographing of the X-ray or the like from the characteristic setting data table corresponding to the dose value of the data storage unit 36, Value reading step.

In the image processing step, the sharpness characteristic processing unit 343 performs a sharpness processing step of performing sharpness processing on the image pickup data by resetting the image processing parameters to the leading sharpness characteristic value (SNR) data corresponding to the dose value .

FIG. 5 shows the table data of the sharpness characteristic value (SNR) according to the dose for the sharpness processing in the image of the imaging data. When the dose value is photographed at three levels, the sharpness characteristic value (SNR) Thereby performing sharpness image processing.

Of course, depending on the situation, the X-ray dose may be taken at 2 levels or 5 levels. In this case, the image processing operation of the image clarity is performed by reading the SNR of 5.1 or 3.0 respectively .

(Example)

Hereinafter, an image processing method and an image processing system using the sensor characteristic according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Accordingly, the present invention uses X-rays or the like for image processing of imaging data photographed by positively utilizing dose information when photographing using X-ray or the like, whereby the photographing conditions, characteristics of the photographed region, Or gesture. Therefore, basically, one or a plurality of circuits are photographed at a different dose at the time of photographing. In the photographing in which the dose is changed, the image analysis is performed by reflecting the parameter corresponding to the dose value Is a key feature.

The image processing system for this purpose includes a photographing apparatus 20 for photographing using X-ray or the like, and an image processing apparatus 30 for analyzing and processing image data.

In this way, the manager inputs the information of the dose value range in the photographing apparatus 20, the type of the parameter to be reflected in the image processing, and the data value (numerical value, etc.) to be applied for each dose value in each parameter It is necessary to perform the sensor characteristic setting step.

The target parameter types may include noise removal, contrast characteristic adjustment, sharpness adjustment, and the like, which are the main factors in image processing, and may be applied to various parameters when necessary.

Thus, by performing the noise characteristic value (SNR) setting step with respect to noise reduction, the contrast characteristic value (MTF) setting step for adjusting the contrast characteristic, and the sharpness characteristic value (SNR) setting step for adjusting the sharpness, The characteristic setting data table for each dose is input, and is stored in the data storage unit 36 of the image processing apparatus 30. [ Then, when analyzing the individual image pickup data, such table data is read and used.

Next, the image processing step of editing the separately photographed image data is performed.

For this purpose, the subject is photographed through the photographing device 20 to generate image photographing data, and also the dose value at the time of photographing is stored. The image capturing data and the corresponding dose value information are transmitted from the image capturing apparatus 20 to the image processing apparatus 30 and stored in the data storage unit 36 by the process of the information receiving unit 31 .

Accordingly, the image quality of the image capturing data prior to the image editing (image processing) may be good depending on the photographing condition, but in most cases, it is easy to utilize the image capturing data for medical use only through some degree of image editing (image processing).

(SNR), a contrast characteristic value (MTF), and a sharpness characteristic value (SNR) corresponding to a dose value corresponding to the corresponding image capturing data at the time of image processing of the individual image capturing data, And a parameter reading step of reading data from the table by the parameter reading unit 33.

Then, the image processing step of performing image processing for each image characteristic by each member of each image processing unit 34 is performed. I.e., a noise processing step of performing image processing by reflecting a noise characteristic value (SNR). In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the dose level is set to 3 levels and the data of the noise characteristic value (SNR) 4.5 is reflected in the calculation.

The following is an example of a formula applied to an image processing algorithm applying a noise characteristic value (SNR). In the case of the X-ray dose level 3 in the noise reduction algorithm, a noise characteristic value Data will be adjusted to perform image processing.

(One embodiment of the noise reduction algorithm application formula)

And performs a contrast characteristic processing step of processing the contrast characteristic image by reflecting the contrast characteristic value (MTF). In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the dose level is set to 3 levels and the data of the contrast characteristic value (MTF) 21 is reflected in the calculation.

In the following, an example of a formula applied to an image processing algorithm applying a contrast characteristic value (MTF) is shown. In the contrast enhancement algorithm, when the X-ray dose level is 3, Value (MTF) data to perform image processing.

(An embodiment of the contrast enhancement algorithm application formula)

Then, a sharpness processing step of performing image processing of the sharpness characteristic is performed by reflecting the sharpness characteristic value (SNR). In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the dose level is set to 3 levels and the data of the sharpness characteristic value (SNR) 4.5 is reflected in the calculation.

The following is an example of the formula applied to the image processing algorithm applying the sharpness characteristic value (SNR). In the sharpening enhancement algorithm, when the X-ray dose level is 3, the sharpness characteristic Value (SNR) data to perform image processing.

(One embodiment of the sharpen enhancement algorithm application formula)

The image-processed image capturing data is stored and then the data output through the image output unit 37 is displayed on the image display device.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The technical idea of the present invention should not be construed as being limited.

20: photographing apparatus 30: image processing apparatus
31: information receiving unit 33: parameter reading unit
34: Image processing unit 36: Data storage unit
40: Video display device

Claims (4)

(a) transmitting radiographic data and dose value data as dose information at the time of image capturing from an X-ray imaging apparatus (20) including an X-ray sensor;
(b) the image processing device (30) reads one or more data among noise characteristic value data, contrast characteristic value data and clarity characteristic value data corresponding to the dose value data, and re-sets the image processing parameters with the read data And performing image processing on the image pickup data by using the sensor characteristic.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein at least one of a noise characteristic value, a contrast characteristic value, and a sharpness characteristic value of the X-ray sensor according to a dose value before the step (b) is stored.
The method according to claim 1,
The method of claim 1, further comprising: displaying the image-captured data image-processed after the step (b).
An X-ray photographing apparatus (20) including an X-ray sensor and photographing an X-ray image and transmitting radiographing data as a radiographing result and dose value data as dose information at the X-ray radiographing;
A data storage unit for storing at least one of a noise characteristic value, a contrast characteristic value, and a sharpness characteristic value of the X-ray sensor according to a dose value;
The data storage unit reads any one or more of noise characteristic value data, contrast characteristic value data and sharpness characteristic value data corresponding to the dose value data transmitted from the X-ray imaging apparatus 20, An image processing device (30) for image processing the image pickup data by resetting image processing parameters by at least one of characteristic value data, contrast characteristic value data, and sharpness characteristic value data; And
And an image display device (40) for displaying image information processed by the image processing device (30).

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