Patent ID: 6129278
Filing Date: 2000-10-10
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
A method for detecting the position of a cell represented in a pixel data image, comprising the steps of:(a) acquiring a pixel data image including a representation of said cell;(b) determining a pixels-per-cell nominal resolution of said pixel data image;(c) normalizing the resolution of said pixel data image by one of the following (i) reducing said nominal resolution to a pixels-per-cell target resolution having a selected value, and (ii) if said nominal resolution corresponds to said selected value, stabilizing said nominal resolution at said target resolution;(d) determining a gray level value for each of a plurality of successive pixels along a first axis, including cell coverage pixels intersected by cell edge crossings, each said cell coverage pixel having a gray level value representing the position of said cell edge crossing subject to an ambiguity as to the order along said first axis of complementary pixel portions of said cell coverage pixel respectively inside and outside the area of said cell in said pixel data image;(e) utilizing the order and magnitudes of a sequence of said gray level values for a group of successive pixels along said first axis (i) to resolve said ambiguity to determine, for each said cell coverage pixel, the order of its said complementary inside and outside portions along said first axis and (ii) to derive cell edge position data;(f) deriving cell position data for said cell using step (e) cell edge position data; and(g) utilizing said cell position data from step (f) to provide a virtual image of said cell.