Patent ID: 6215903
Filing Date: 2001-04-10
Classification: G06T

Abstract:
A method to be used with a coincidence scanner including a plurality of detector elements arranged adjacent a scanner area wherein, the scanner detects subatomic particles, the scanner also including a separate N bit counter for each element, each counter incremented for each detected particle, the counter counts together forming an uncompressed data stream including M bit data nibbles, each M bit data nibble, prior to acquisition, having an initial value, the method for compressing the uncompressed data stream and comprising the steps of, after data collection:(a) selecting M bit nibbles from the initial data stream;(b) for each M bit nibble:(i) identifying an acquired nibble value;(ii) comparing the acquired value to the initial value;(iii) where the acquired and initial values are different, (1) storing the acquired-nibble in an intermediate data stream and (2) indicating storage in a bit map; and(iv) where the acquired and initial values are the same, indicating no storage in the bit map.