Abstract: Signals representative of total photocharge integrated within respective image-sensor pixels are read out of the pixels after a first exposure interval that constitutes a first fraction of a frame interval. Signals in excess of a threshold level are read out of the pixels after an ensuing second exposure interval that constitutes a second fraction of the frame interval, leaving residual photocharge within the pixels. After a third exposure interval that constitutes a third fraction of the frame interval, signals representative of a combination of at least the residual photocharge and photocharge integrated within the pixels during the third exposure interval are read out of the pixels.

Abstract: Signals representative of total photocharge integrated within respective image-sensor pixels are read out of the pixels after a first exposure interval that constitutes a first fraction of a frame interval. Signals in excess of a threshold level are read out of the pixels after an ensuing second exposure interval that constitutes a second fraction of the frame interval, leaving residual photocharge within the pixels. After a third exposure interval that constitutes a third fraction of the frame interval, signals representative of a combination of at least the residual photocharge and photocharge integrated within the pixels during the third exposure interval are read out of the pixels.

Abstract: Signals representative of total photocharge integrated within respective image-sensor pixels are read out of the pixels after a first exposure interval that constitutes a first fraction of a frame interval. Signals in excess of a threshold level are read out of the pixels after an ensuing second exposure interval that constitutes a second fraction of the frame interval, leaving residual photocharge within the pixels. After a third exposure interval that constitutes a third fraction of the frame interval, signals representative of a combination of at least the residual photocharge and photocharge integrated within the pixels during the third exposure interval are read out of the pixels.

Abstract: An optical smart sensor combines a phase grating with a rolling shutting to distinguish between modulated point sources. Employing a phase grating in lieu of a lens dramatically reduces size and cost, while using timing information inherent to imaging techniques that used a rolling shutter allows the smart sensor to distinguish point sources quickly and easily using a single frame of image data.

Abstract: Signals representative of total photocharge integrated within respective image-sensor pixels are read out of the pixels after a first exposure interval that constitutes a first fraction of a frame interval. Signals in excess of a threshold level are read out of the pixels after an ensuing second exposure interval that constitutes a second fraction of the frame interval, leaving residual photocharge within the pixels. After a third exposure interval that constitutes a third fraction of the frame interval, signals representative of a combination of at least the residual photocharge and photocharge integrated within the pixels during the third exposure interval are read out of the pixels.

Abstract: An imaging device has an optical grating with a repealing pattern of similar subgratings, each of which produces a similar interference pattern responsive to an image scene. An underlying pixel array samples the similar images to obtain a collection of similar, low-resolution patterns. A processor sums these patterns, on a per-pixel basis, to produce a low-noise, low-resolution digest of the imaged scene. The digest simplifies some aspects of image processing and has application where active illumination power is a chief concern, either for power constraints or when excessive illumination would be undesirable or unsafe.

Abstract: An imaging system includes multiple diffractive optical gratings disposed over a two-dimensional array of photosensitive pixels. The different gratings present different patterns and features that are tailored to produce point-spread responses that emphasize different properties of an imaged scene. The different responses are captured by the pixels, and data captured from the responses can be used separately or together to analyze aspects of the scene. The imaging systems can include circuitry to analyze the image data, and to support modes that select between point-spread responses, selections of the pixels, and algorithms for analyzing image data.

Abstract: Signals representative of total photocharge integrated within respective image-sensor pixels are read out of the pixels after a first exposure interval that constitutes a first fraction of a frame interval. Signals in excess of a threshold level are read out of the pixels after an ensuing second exposure interval that constitutes a second fraction of the frame interval, leaving residual photocharge within the pixels. After a third exposure interval that constitutes a third fraction of the frame interval, signals representative of a combination of at least the residual photocharge and photocharge integrated within the pixels during the third exposure interval are read out of the pixels.

Abstract: An optical smart sensor combines a phase grating with a rolling shutting to distinguish between modulated point sources. Employing a phase grating in lieu of a lens dramatically reduces size and cost, while using timing information inherent to imaging techniques that used a rolling shutter allows the smart sensor to distinguish point sources quickly and easily using a single frame of image data.

Abstract: Signals representative of total photocharge integrated within respective image-sensor pixels are read out of the pixels after a first exposure interval that constitutes a first fraction of a frame interval. Signals in excess of a threshold level are read out of the pixels after an ensuing second exposure interval that constitutes a second fraction of the frame interval, leaving residual photocharge within the pixels. After a third exposure interval that constitutes a third fraction of the frame interval, signals representative of a combination of at least the residual photocharge and photocharge integrated within the pixels during the third exposure interval are read out of the pixels.

Abstract: An imaging system includes multiple diffractive optical gratings disposed over a two-dimensional array of photosensitive pixels. The different gratings present different patterns and features that are tailored to produce point-spread responses that emphasize different properties of an imaged scene. The different responses are captured by the pixels, and data captured from the responses can be used separately or together to analyze aspects of the scene. The imaging systems can include circuitry to analyze the image data, and to support modes that select between point-spread responses, selections of the pixels, and algorithms for analyzing image data.

Abstract: Signals representative of total photocharge integrated within respective image-sensor pixels are read out of the pixels after a first exposure interval that constitutes a first fraction of a frame interval. Signals in excess of a threshold level are read out of the pixels after an ensuing second exposure interval that constitutes a second fraction of the frame interval, leaving residual photocharge within the pixels. After a third exposure interval that constitutes a third fraction of the frame interval, signals representative of a combination of at least the residual photocharge and photocharge integrated within the pixels during the third exposure interval are read out of the pixels.

Abstract: A method and system for computer-aided detection of abnormal lesions in digital mammograms is described, wherein digital films are processed using an automated and computerized method of detecting the order and orientation of a set of films. In one embodiment, anatomic features are used to detect the order, orientation and identification of a film series. In another embodiment of the invention, a technologist feeds films into the system in any order and orientation. After processing, the system provides an output on a display device to a radiologist that is in an order and orientation preferred by the radiologist. In yet another embodiment of the invention, films from one case are distinguished from films of another case. In this manner and through the use of a bulk loader, a large number of films can be stacked together and fed into the system at one time.

Abstract: An optical imaging system with dynamic buffer management is described. Embodiments of the optical imaging system include an image sensor, a buffer, and a buffer mode controller. The image sensor includes a pixel array to read out a plurality of pixel lines for a frame of an image. The buffer is configured to store a plurality of buffer values corresponding to a plurality of pixel values for each of the pixel lines. The buffer mode controller is configured to dynamically switch between an accumulation mode and an averaging mode. The accumulation mode facilitates a computation of each buffer value according to a sum value of the corresponding pixel value and a corresponding previous buffer value. The averaging mode facilitates a computation of each buffer value according to an average value of a normalized value of the corresponding pixel value and the corresponding previous buffer value.

Abstract: A CAD system pre-analyzes a medical image to automatically determine whether contrast agent was introduced into the patient before forming that image. In one embodiment, contrast agent detection is performed by comparing the voxel values in known blood-containing areas to voxel values of known water-containing areas, and if there is a substantial difference above a preferred threshold, then it is determined that this patient was indeed injected with the contrast agent. Upon finding that the patient was indeed injected with contrast agent, the CAD algorithm then automatically performs both a detection algorithm that uses the contrast agent and one that does not and notifies the clinician that both sets of results are available to look at. However, if it is determined that the patient was, not injected with contrast agent, the CAD algorithm does not perform the algorithm that uses the contrast agent does not give the user the option to view any results from such algorithm.

Abstract: An algorithm is quickly scans a digital image volume to detect density nodules. A first stage is based on a transform to quickly highlight regions requiring further processing. The first stage operates with somewhat lower sensitivity than is possible with more detailed analyses, but operates to highlight regions for further analysis and processing. The transform dynamically adapts to various nodule sizes through the use of radial zones. A second stage uses a detailed gradient distribution analysis that only operates on voxels that pass a threshold of the first stage.

Abstract: An optical imaging system with dynamic buffer management is described. Embodiments of the optical imaging system include an image sensor, a buffer, and a buffer mode controller. The image sensor includes a pixel array to read out a plurality of pixel lines for a frame of an image. The buffer is configured to store a plurality of buffer values corresponding to a plurality of pixel values for each of the pixel lines. The buffer mode controller is configured to dynamically switch between an accumulation mode and an averaging mode. The accumulation mode facilitates a computation of each buffer value according to a sum value of the corresponding pixel value and a corresponding previous buffer value. The averaging mode facilitates a computation of each buffer value according to an average value of a normalized value of the corresponding pixel value and the corresponding previous buffer value.

Abstract: A CAD system pre-analyzes a medical image to automatically determine whether contrast agent was introduced into the patient before forming that image. In one embodiment, contrast agent detection is performed by comparing the voxel values in known blood-containing areas to voxel values of known water-containing areas, and if there is a substantial difference above a preferred threshold, then it is determined that this patient was indeed injected with the contrast agent. Upon finding that the patient was indeed injected with contrast agent, the CAD algorithm then automatically performs both a detection algorithm that uses the contrast agent and one that does not and notifies the clinician that both sets of results are available to look at. However, if it is determined that the patient was, not injected with contrast agent, the CAD algorithm does not perform the algorithm that uses the contrast agent does not give the user the option to view any results from such algorithm.

Abstract: A region-growing method for identifying nodules in an anatomical volume segments a 3-D image volume by controlled voxel growth from seed points. The process is based on creation and use of a distance map for tracking the distance of vessel voxels from a predetermined location. A volume map is created that identifies the largest sphere that can pass between a voxel and a predetermined location without touching a non-vessel voxel. The ratio between the distance map and the volume map is analyzed to find regions more likely to contain nodules, the features of which can be extracted or otherwise highlighted.

Abstract: A CAD system pre-analyzes a medical image to automatically determine whether contrast agent was introduced into the patient before forming that image. In one embodiment, contrast agent detection is performed by comparing the voxel values in known blood-containing areas to voxel values of known water-containing areas, and if there is a substantial difference above a preferred threshold, then it is determined that this patient was indeed injected with the contrast agent. Upon finding that the patient was indeed injected with contrast agent, the CAD algorithm then automatically performs both a detection algorithm that uses the contrast agent and one that does not and notifies the clinician that both sets of results are available to look at. However, if it is determined that the patient was not injected with contrast agent, the CAD algorithm does not perform the algorithm that uses the contrast agent does not give the user the option to view any results from such algorithm.