Patents by Inventor Stephen M. Pizer

Stephen M. Pizer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7200251
    Abstract: Methods and systems for modeling objects and object image data using medial atoms are disclosed. Objects and object image data can be modeled using medial atoms. Each medial atom includes at least two vectors having a common tail and extending towards an implied boundary of a model. The medial atoms may be aligned along one or more medial axes in the model. The model may include multiple sub-components, referred to as figures. The model and each of its figures may be represented in model-based and figure-based coordinates. The model may be automatically deformed into target image data using a hierarchy of geometric or probabilistic transformations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: The University of North Carolina
    Inventors: Sarang Joshi, Edward L. Chaney, Stephen M. Pizer, P. Thomas Fletcher, Andrew Thall
  • Patent number: 6690816
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for processing tubular objects in multi-dimensional images. The processing includes generating representations of tubular objects which enable subsequent analysis. Systems and methods for processing tubular objects in a multi-dimensional image include establishing a seed points in a multi-dimensional image, searching for an extremum point corresponding to a tubular object having a central curve of intensity extrema, and extracting a one-dimensional central track corresponding to the tubular object and extents corresponding to a plurality of cross-sections along the tubular object. A number of embodiments are presented which apply the systems and methods to a variety of imaging applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Inventors: Stephen R. Aylward, Elizabeth Bullitt, Stephen M. Pizer, Daniel Fritsch
  • Publication number: 20030156111
    Abstract: Methods and systems for modeling objects and object image data using medial atoms are disclosed. Objects and object image data can be modeled using medial atoms. Each medial atom includes at least two vectors having a common tail and extending towards an implied boundary of a model. The medial atoms may be aligned along one or more medial axes in the model. The model may include multiple sub-components, referred to as figures. The model and each of its figures may be represented in model-based and figure-based coordinates. The model may be automatically deformed into target image data using a hierarchy of geometric or probabilistic transformations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Inventors: Sarang Joshi, Edward L. Chaney, Stephen M. Pizer, P. Thomas Fletcher, Andrew Thall
  • Publication number: 20030053697
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for processing tubular objects in multi-dimensional images. The processing includes generating representations of tubular objects which enable subsequent analysis. Systems and methods for processing tubular objects in a multi-dimensional image include establishing a seed points in a multi-dimensional image, searching for an extremum point corresponding to a tubular object having a central curve of intensity extrema, and extracting a one-dimensional central track corresponding to the tubular object and extents corresponding to a plurality of cross-sections along the tubular object. A number of embodiments are presented which apply the systems and methods to a variety of imaging applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Stephen R. Aylward, Elizabeth Bullitt, Stephen M. Pizer, Daniel Fritsch
  • Patent number: 5926568
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for automatic image recognition of standard shapes which include a core-based deformable loci skeletal grid used to define and represent an object via a model template. The template includes deformable segments, the changes of which are measurable against the deformed model corresponding to an object in a subsequent image. Statistical correlation techniques optimize the match to further refine the shape of the subsequent image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignees: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Duke University
    Inventors: Edward L. Chaney, Daniel S. Fritsch, Stephen M. Pizer, Valen Johnson, Alyson G. Wilson
  • Patent number: 4607255
    Abstract: A three dimensional display utilizes a varifocal vibrating mirror which reflects the screen on a CRT. The varifocal mirror is vibrated at a rate synchronous with creation of frames on the point plotting CRT. A video source is utilized of the type having red, green and blue outputs utilized for normally creating color display. However, the coding is such that what would normally be interpreted as red, green and blue outputs of the video source are instead interpreted as x position, y position and intensity information for a CRT accepting x, y and i signals. A depth or z coordinate is implicitly encoded in the video source at the position within a single frame of the video source where the corresponding (x, y and i) values are stored. This position can be the relative position on a magnetic or optical disc, or position around a magnetic drum. In one embodiment of the invention a raster graphics system utilizing a frame buffer is utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1986
    Assignee: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Inventors: Henry Fuchs, Stephen M. Pizer