Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Computer graphics processing – Three-dimension
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-12
2002-01-29
Zimmerman, Mark (Department: 2772)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Computer graphics processing
Three-dimension
Reexamination Certificate
active
06342889
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the analysis of computer-generated images, and more particularly to a method and system for selecting at least one optimal view of a three dimensional image.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Computer-generated images are used in many different industries to model surfaces and solids. In the medical fields, computer imaging is used in combination with ultrasound imaging, magnetic resonance imaging or other medical imaging technology, to display, analyze and organize the data these medical imaging technologies provide. For example, ultrasound machines use ultrasonic wave, i.e. sonar, to scan a patient's body. The data thus obtained is then analyzed by physicians to assist the physicians in their diagnosis and treatment of patients. Ultrasound can be used to view a fetus, blood-flow patterns in arteries, or to scan organs for irregularities such as cysts, etc.
Typically, a three dimensional image is displayed to a user by being projected on a two dimensional surface such as a screen or a print out. Computer systems have been devised that permit the user to take different cross-sectional views of the image, thereby enabling a user to view a portion of the three dimensional image by choosing one or more cross-sectional views. Some computer systems permit the user to geometrically transform the image by rotating, translating and scaling the image, and also permit the user to take cross-sectional views at different orientations, such that the user can sequentially view the three-dimensional image using a series of oblique planes. Other computer systems take a different approach instead of showing a cross-section of the three dimensional image, they “render” the image by making part of the image transparent or translucent such that points under those parts are revealed. In a maximum intensity display, for example, the highest intensity points along a line parallel to the sight of the user are shown, similar to an x-ray picture of a foot.
While three dimensional images provide a wealth of information, filtering out the information that is of interest from irrelevant information can be very time-consuming. There may be many different cross-sectional views of interest in a single three dimensional image. Each of these different cross-sectional views may contain only one point of interest. If all of these cross-sectional views must be stored and subsequently reviewed, then resources may be wasted in that a great deal of irrelevant information is being stored and must be filtered out again when the cross-sectional views are again reviewed. It may also be necessary to keep track of many different cross-sectional views of the three dimensional image in order to keep track of all of the points of interest in that three dimensional image.
Accordingly, there is a need for a system and method of analyzing computer-generated images in order to filter out as much irrelevant information as possible from the cross-sectional views used to display the information of interest.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of one aspect of the present inventions to provide a method of analyzing a computer-generated three dimensional image and of selecting at least one view of the three dimensional image that maximizes the relevant information as compared to alternative views of the three dimensional image.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of selecting at least one optimal surface of a three dimensional image such that the at least one optimal surface includes at least two spatial coordinates of interest. The three dimensional image is generated in a coordinate space by an image-defining array consisting of ordered image properties. Each ordered image property in the image-defining array has a unique associated spatial coordinate in the coordinate space such that each ordered image property is mappable to the unique associated spatial coordinate.
The three dimensional image also has a plurality of surfaces. Each surface has an associated image-defining subarray in the image-defining array such that each surface of the plurality of surfaces is generated by mapping each ordered image property of the associated image-defining subarray onto the unique associated spatial coordinate. This plurality of surfaces includes a selected visible surface shown in a display divided tip into a plurality of display coordinates. The display selectably displays views such that a series of distinct selected visible surfaces of the plurality of surfaces of the three dimensional image are viewable on the display. The display includes an associated one-to-one projection means for projecting each selected visible surface of the three dimension image onto the display, such that a view-specific one-to-one correspondence exists between each display coordinate and the spatial coordinate projected.
The method is implemented using a data processor having a memory, a coordinate space modeling means, a user interface means, a mapping means. The memory has access to the image-defining array. The coordinate space modeling means is loaded in memory and models and manipulates the coordinate space. The coordinate space modeling means responds to a group of commands to rotate the coordinate space, translate a selected visible surface of the coordinate space, and, pivot a selected visible surface about an arbitrary axis on the selected visible surface. The user interface means permits commands to be selected from the group of commands, and communicates with the coordinate space modeling means in order to relay selected commands to the coordinate space modeling means.
The mapping means is operable for each visible surface of the three dimensional image to map each ordered image property of the associated image-defining subarray for each visible surface onto the unique associated spatial coordinate in the coordinate space to generate the visible surface of the three dimensional image.
The method comprises the following steps. (1) The user interacts with the coordinate space via the user interface means and the coordinate space modeling means to generate a series of views of the three dimensional image in the display. Each view includes at least one selected visible surface of the three dimensional image. (2) The user then selects a plurality of spatial coordinates of interest from the series of views. Each spatial coordinate of interest in the plurality of spatial coordinates of interest is selected by selecting a display coordinate in an associated view in the series of views using the user interface means. The spatial coordinate of interest is then determined based on the associated view and the view-specific one-to-one correspondence between the selected display coordinate and the spatial coordinate of interest mapped on the selected display coordinate. (3) Next, the coordinate space is manipulated by the coordinate space modeling means to orient a selected visible surface of the coordinate space, such that the selected visible surface of the coordinate space corresponds to the at least one optimal surface.
In preferred versions of the above-described method, step 3 is executed automatically on user command after selection of at least two or three coordinates of interest.
In another preferred version of the above-described method, when at least three coordinates of interest are selected, step 3 includes the following steps. (1) Calculating a first vector by subtracting a first coordinate of interest selected from the at least three coordinates of interest from a second coordinate of interest selected from the at least three coordinates of interest. (2) Calculating a second vector by subtracting the first coordinate of interest from a third coordinate of interest selected from the at least three coordinates of interest. (3) Automatically applying the group of commands to (I) rotate the coordinate space; (ii) translate a selected visible surface of the coordinate space; and, (iii) pivot a selected visible surface about an arbitrary spatial c
Dicomit Dicom Information Technologies Corp.
Santiago Enrique L
LandOfFree
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