Patent ID: 6243485
Filing Date: 2001-06-05
Classification: G06T

Abstract:
A method of recognizing an irradiation field on a radiation image, in which an original image signal representing an original radiation image is obtained, the original radiation image having been recorded by use of an irradiation field stop and having an irradiation field thereon, and a process for recognizing the irradiation field is carried out, the irradiation field being determined in accordance with the original image signal, the method comprising the steps of:i) carrying out an image size reducing process on the original radiation image represented by the original image signal, a reduced image signal representing a reduced image being thereby obtained,ii) carrying out the process for recognizing the irradiation field, the process being carried out on said reduced image signal representing said reduced image, which has been obtained from said reducing process, a temporary irradiation field contour being thereby detected,iii) carrying out an enlarging process for enlarging said temporary irradiation field contour to a size corresponding to the size on the original radiation image before being subjected to said reducing process, an enlarged temporary irradiation field contour being thereby obtained,iv) evaluating a degree of conformity of said enlarged temporary irradiation field contour to the original radiation image by use of a predetermined evaluation function, andv) determining an irradiation field contour, which has the highest degree of conformity, in accordance with the results of said evaluation.