Abstract: A method for segmenting a volume dataset is provided. During initialization a level set field within a volume dataset is initialized and an initial set of active voxels is determined in dependence upon the initialized level set field. In an iteration process the level set field for the set of active voxels is updated followed by updating of the set of active voxels. The iteration is continued until the number of active voxels is less than a predetermined threshold. Level set segmentation data are then determined in dependence upon the level set field and provided for, for example, graphical display or storage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for processing a volumetric dataset for providing close-up visualization of a subset therefrom. A volumetric dataset is processed based on a dual access gradient quantization data structure. The data structure is generated in a fast pre-processing stage and provides substantially immediate access to a quantized gradient using either an index or an arbitrary normalized vector. The method provides a clear, enlarged high-resolution image of a user selected region of interest at interactive rates and allows the user to freely move and visualize the region of interest within the volumetric dataset and with any orientation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for processing multi-dimensional signal data to determine frequency dependent features therefrom. The multi-dimensional signal data are transformed into space-frequency or time-space-frequency domain, providing second signal data. At predetermined locations of at least a portion of the one of space and time-space of the second signal data a dominant feature corresponding to a largest value of the second signal data is determined. This is followed by the determination of a wave-vector corresponding to the dominant feature at each of the predetermined locations. Finally, a dip map, a frequency map, and an amplitude map are generated using the wave-vectors.

Abstract: A method for transmitting image data sets via a communication network is provided. Image data are processed for dividing the image into a plurality of image sub regions and for determining for each of the plurality of the image sub regions a hash code in dependence upon pixel data of pixels located in the respective image sub region. The hash codes are transmitted together with location data of the respective image sub regions if the hash code exists in an associative dataset and the pixel data are transmitted together with location data of the respective image sub regions if the hash code does not exist in the associative dataset.

Abstract: A method for simultaneously interacting with a plurality of application programs is provided. Using a processor an application interaction program having a plurality of application programs associated therewith is executed. Interactive functionalities of the plurality of application programs are associated with respective interaction zones. An interactive functionality being a same for at least two application programs is associated with a single interaction zone. Display data indicative of a single user interface comprising the interaction zones are then generated. The interaction zones enable user interaction with the plurality of application programs. Using a graphical display connected to the processor the display data are displayed in a human comprehensible fashion.

Abstract: A method for transmitting image data sets is provided. At a first location of a computer system image difference data are determined by performing a differencing operation between corresponding pixels of a first image and second image. The first image and the second image are divided into sub regions. Sub region difference data are determined in dependence upon the sub regions and the image difference data. The sub region difference data are indicative of sub regions having same pixel values in the first and the second image and are indicative of sub regions having at least a different pixel value in the first and the second image. Image data in dependence upon the sub region difference data are transmitted to a second location of the computer system. The image data correspond to sub regions having at least a different pixel value in the first and the second image. At the second location the image data are replaced in the respective sub regions of the first image retrieved from storage at the second location.

Abstract: A method for volume ray casting is provided. For each pixel of a 2D image placed in a view plane a ray of sight is projected through a volume determined by a plurality of voxels of a volumetric dataset indicative of an object. A plurality of sampling points is determined along each ray of sight such that a distance between two consecutive sampling points is larger at a larger distance to the view plane. At each sampling point a color value and a transparency value is determined in dependence upon voxels in proximity of the sampling point and a lighting calculation, wherein for the lighting calculation a first lighting model and a second lighting model are used in dependence upon a distance of the sampling point to the view plane. For each ray of sight a final color value is determined by compositing along the ray the color values and the transparency values. The final color value of each ray corresponds to a pixel value of the 2D image.

Abstract: A method and system for accessing a data file is provided. At a server computer a request for accessing a data file of a plurality of data files stored in a database is received. The server computer is connected to the database via a first communication link and a second communication link. Metadata associated with the data file in the database are accessed via the first communication link using a first query protocol. In dependence upon the metadata the data file is located in the database. At least a portion of data stored in the data file is then accessed in the database via the second communication link using a second query protocol.

Abstract: A method and system for providing remote access to a state of an application is provided. The method comprises executing an application program at a server computer for performing an application associated therewith. At a client computer connected to the server computer via a communication network a remote access program is executed for providing remote access to a state of the performed application. At the client computer a client difference program having encoded data indicative of a change of a state of the application last received from the server computer is generated and transmitted to the server computer. At the server computer the client difference program is executed for determining an updated state of the application and a server difference program having encoded a difference between the updated state of the application and the state of the application last sent to the client computer is generated.

Abstract: A method for texture characterization is provided. Multi-dimensional spectrum data are determined by transforming multi-dimensional image data into Fourier domain. The multi-dimensional spectrum data are partitioned into a plurality of partitions, wherein each partition is associated with a predetermined set of orthogonal voice frequencies. The partitioned multi-dimensional spectrum data are then transformed into Stockwell domain resulting in discrete orthonormal Stockwell transform data. The discrete orthonormal Stockwell transform data are then processed to determine data associated with image texture, which are indicative of a feature of the object.

Abstract: A method for texture quantification is provided. Data indicative of a complex-valued local spatial frequency distribution in space-frequency domain are determined by processing a multi-dimensional image data set based on a Stockwell transform with a phase term corresponding to spatial locations of respective frequency components being expressed in terms of radial distance and angle of orientation. The complex-valued local spatial frequency distribution is indicative of a feature of the object. Data indicative of a low frequency energy distribution are determined by filtering the data indicative of a complex-valued local spatial frequency distribution using a band-pass filter having a predetermined low frequency energy bandwidth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for processing seismic data. Seismic data indicative of at least a time-dependent seismic trace are transformed into time-frequency domain using the S-transform. The transformed seismic data are processed for determining at predetermined time instances an instantaneous amplitude and a dominant instantaneous frequency. Based on a quotient of the instantaneous amplitude to the dominant instantaneous frequency seismic data indicative of a likelihood of a presence of hydrocarbons are then determined which are then graphically displayed. The method and system for processing seismic data provides a powerful tool for determining the likelihood of a presence of hydrocarbons based on a double peak hydrocarbon signature in the quotient of the instantaneous amplitude to the dominant instantaneous frequency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for filtering time-varying MR signal data prior to image reconstruction. A one-dimensional FT is applied to the time-varying MR signal data along each frequency-encode line of k space. The phase p of each complex pair (R,I) of the FT transformed data is calculated to create a phase profile for each frequency-encode line. This process is repeated for all time points of the time-varying MR signal data. The time course of each point within the phase profile is then transformed into Stockwell domain producing ST spectra. Frequency component magnitudes indicative of an artifact are determined and replaced with a predetermined frequency component magnitude. Each of the ST spectra is then collapsed into a one-dimensional function. New real and imaginary values (R?,I?) of the complex Fourier data are calculated based on the collapsed ST spectra which are transformed using one-dimensional inverse Fourier transformation for producing filtered time-varying MR signal data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for processing time series signal data or image signal data indicative of a characteristic of an object. Received signal data are transformed into second signal data within a Stockwell domain based upon a sparse approximation of a S-transform of the signal data. The second signal data are then processed within the Stockwell domain to extract features therefrom. The processing includes determination of local spectra at predetermined locations; determination of voices at predetermined frequencies; and filtering of the signal data using a filter function in dependence upon frequency and time or space. The signal processing method and system according to the invention enables signal processing based on the S-transform using a desktop computer or workstation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for visualizing a volumetric medical imaging data set indicative of at least a vessel being imaged using a contrast agent. A first and a second range of intensity values of voxels of the volumetric medical imaging dataset are determined. The first range of intensity values is indicative of a wall of the at least a vessel and the second range of intensity values is indicative of the contrast agent. For a following silhouette rendering process a silhouette decay value is determined such that the vessel walls and the contrast agent are simultaneously visible. The visualization of the volumetric medical imaging data set such that the vessel walls and the contrast agent are simultaneously visible substantially facilitates the diagnosis of a blockage in a vessel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for registering multi-dimensional image data. First and second multi-dimensional texture datasets are determined in dependence upon received first and second multi-dimensional image datasets, respectively. Initial transform data are then provided. The second multi-dimensional texture dataset is then transformed and interpolated using the transform data. Difference metric data are determined in dependence upon the first multi-dimensional texture dataset and the transformed second multi-dimensional texture dataset. Using an improvement process the transform data are adjusted. The transformation and adjustment of the transform data is iterated until a stopping criterion is satisfied. Use of texture data allows employment of a texture unit of a graphics processor for the transformation, the interpolation and the determination of the difference metric data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for processing a volumetric dataset for providing close-up visualization of a subset therefrom. A volumetric dataset is processed based on a dual access gradient quantization data structure. The data structure is generated in a fast pre-processing stage and provides substantially immediate access to a quantized gradient using either an index or an arbitrary normalized vector. The method provides a clear, enlarged high-resolution image of a user selected region of interest at interactive rates and allows the user to freely move and visualize the region of interest within the volumetric dataset and with any orientation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for visualizing ST data based on principal component analysis. ST data indicative of a plurality of local S spectra, each local S spectrum corresponding to an image point of an image of an object are received. In a first step principal component axes of each local S spectrum are determined. This step is followed by the determination of a collapsed local S spectrum by projecting a magnitude of the local S spectrum onto at least one of its principal component axes, thus reducing the dimensionality of the S spectrum. After determining a weight function capable of distinguishing frequency components within a frequency band a texture map for display is generated by calculating a scalar value from each principal component of the collapsed S spectrum using the weight function and assigning the scalar value to a corresponding position with respect to the image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for processing seismic data. Seismic data indicative of at least a time-dependent seismic trace are transformed into time-frequency domain using the S-transform. The transformed seismic data are processed for determining at predetermined time instances an instantaneous amplitude and a dominant instantaneous frequency. Based on a quotient of the instantaneous amplitude to the dominant instantaneous frequency seismic data indicative of a likelihood of a presence of hydrocarbons are then determined which are then graphically displayed. The method and system for processing seismic data provides a powerful tool for determining the likelihood of a presence of hydrocarbons based on a double peak hydrocarbon signature in the quotient of the instantaneous amplitude to the dominant instantaneous frequency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for processing multi-dimensional signal data to determine frequency dependent features therefrom. The multi-dimensional signal data are transformed into space-frequency or time-space-frequency domain, providing second signal data. At predetermined locations of at least a portion of the one of space and time-space of the second signal data a dominant feature corresponding to a largest value of the second signal data is determined. This is followed by the determination of a wave-vector corresponding to the dominant feature at each of the predetermined locations. Finally, a dip map, a frequency map, and an amplitude map are generated using the wave-vectors.