Abstract: Real-time scanning and display of images is synchronized for ultrasound imaging. The scanning rate requirements for obtaining a frame of ultrasound data are determined. The video rate for imaging is adjusted as a function of the scanning rate.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a border of a region of interest of an image, such as a medical image, are disclosed. Imaging data is acquired for generation of an image. A region of interest of the image is determined. A display value is allocated to a plurality of pixels, respectively, based on color or tissue information from the imaging data. If at least one pixel corresponds to a border of the region of interest, a border value is allocated to the at least one pixel substantially at the same time as when the display value is allocated. The image having the border of the region of interest is displayed.

Abstract: Display or pixel values are scan converted from ultrasound data on the fly. As each pixel is to receive display values, the display value is determined. Scan conversion is performed sequentially, with each new value being determined in synchronization with reading display values out to the display. Rather than storage in a raster buffer, scan converted display values are output to the display while other display values for a same image are being converted.

Abstract: Gray scale information is mapped to a display with increased dynamic range. Rather than mapping ultrasound data to equal color components, the mapping is offset. The offset may provide a deviation from gray, but the deviation of such a small increment may not be perceptible. Instead, the deviation provides different brightness, which is more easily perceived. The deviation allows for additional levels of gray, such as the 64 levels on a 6-bit display plus any deviation values (e.g., 128 levels for 64 equal color components and 64 with one of the color components offset by one increment). Higher dynamic range ultrasound data maps with less or no loss of dynamic range to a display with a lower true gray scale dynamic range. Spatial dithering may alternatively or additionally increase perception of the dynamic range.

Abstract: Display or pixel values are scan converted from ultrasound data on the fly. As each pixel is to receive display values, the display value is determined. Scan conversion is performed sequentially, with each new value being determined in synchronization with reading display values out to the display. Rather than storage in a raster buffer, scan converted display values are output to the display while other display values for a same image are being converted.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a border of a region of interest of an image, such as a medical image, are disclosed. Imaging data is acquired for generation of an image. A region of interest of the image is determined. A display value is allocated to a plurality of pixels, respectively, based on color or tissue information from the imaging data. If at least one pixel corresponds to a border of the region of interest, a border value is allocated to the at least one pixel substantially at the same time as when the display value is allocated. The image having the border of the region of interest is displayed.

Abstract: Video signals are controlled in an ultrasound imaging. The line synchronization and/or frame rate may be set for any desired purpose, such as to match an acoustic scan rate. The pixel clock rate is set based on the line synchronization or frame rate. Since the line synchronization timing may not be an integer multiple of the pixel clock rate, the pixel clock may be controlled to maintain a state for additional system clocks.

Abstract: Gray scale information is mapped to a display with increased dynamic range. Rather than mapping ultrasound data to equal color components, the mapping is offset. The offset may provide a deviation from gray, but the deviation of such a small increment may not be perceptible. Instead, the deviation provides different brightness, which is more easily perceived. The deviation allows for additional levels of gray, such as the 64 levels on a 6-bit display plus any deviation values (e.g., 128 levels for 64 equal color components and 64 with one of the color components offset by one increment). Higher dynamic range ultrasound data maps with less or no loss of dynamic range to a display with a lower true gray scale dynamic range. Spatial dithering may alternatively or additionally increase perception of the dynamic range.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for minimizing image artifacts, or the effect thereof, of electrical noise/interference caused by switch-mode power supplies of a diagnostic medical imaging system, such as a diagnostic medical ultrasound system. In one embodiment, one or more switch mode power supplies capable of being synchronized to an external clock signal are utilized to power the ultrasound system. The clock signal to the power supplies is provided by the system, generated, or otherwise derived from, the clock signal used by the imaging components, and phase-synchronized to the transmit and receive events of the imaging system. In this way, noise generated by the power supplies is synchronized with the imaging processes and, at least, will appear as a substantially constant artifact in the diagnostic images, allowing it to be readily ignored by a user or automatically removed therefrom.

Abstract: Real-time scanning and display of images is synchronized for ultrasound imaging. The scanning rate requirements for obtaining a frame of ultrasound data are determined. The video rate for imaging is adjusted as a function of the scanning rate.

Abstract: The location and orientation of a barcode block is determined by first producing an image of the document that excludes the barcode block and producing a second image wherein the spaces in the barcode block have been deleted thereby providing a solid rectangular block. The two images are subtracted to reject large background clutter while displaying with certainty the full image of the barcode block. Thereafter, down-sampling occurs to remove small clutter and other non-barcode objects while locating the centroid of each barcode block. The image containing the centroid is up-scaled and used to calculate the position of the barcode block in the original document for use by a barcode reader.