Patent Publication Number: US-2015077430-A1

Title: Imaging uniformity system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the priority benefit, with regard to all common subject matter, of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/877,288, titled Image Acquisition, Replication and Comparison Methods using the Marking of Contour Tracing and Translucent Image Placement on Image Capturing Screen, of Previously Captured Images and Video for Mobile Applications and Phones and a Timeline Comparative Feature System and Method for Image Acquisition, Replication and Comparison, and filed on Sep. 13, 2013; this application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to the medical industry, more particularly to devices and methods for uniformly acquiring, replicating, sharing, and comparing still and motion images. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In the medical field, diagnostic imaging techniques have become a critical technology relied upon by doctors around the world. Many imaging technologies like Video EEGs, X-rays, CT scanning, mammography and magnetic resonance imaging have greatly increased the standard of care and capability of doctors by enabling them to view structures within the human body that were not previously viewable except through invasive means. 
     These previously developed non-invasive imaging techniques have been instrumental in improving clinical safety and patient outcomes. High cost, however, is a major limitation in the application of the previously developed non-invasive imaging technologies, restricting their use by doctors and facilities as well as the patients who can benefit from them. These previously developed non-invasive imaging techniques have contributed to the rising costs of healthcare and many have long term detrimental effects on patients due to the high levels of radiation used in connection with such techniques. 
     Further, these previously developed non-invasive imaging techniques are not useful in medical arts such as dermatology where external visual imaging and analysis are the main diagnostic techniques. Skin ailments such as melanoma, for example, are often characterized through a doctor&#39;s visual analysis of the patient&#39;s skin. A doctor treating melanoma is primarily concerned with the size, color, and shape of the melanoma at a given time as well as how the size and shape of the melanoma are changing over time. 
     The previously developed non-invasive imaging techniques further fail to provide useful information in the cosmetics industry where research scientists must visually study how make-up, creams such as wrinkle and cellulite treatments, and other products affect the appearance of subjects over a period of time or course of treatment using such cosmetic products. 
     Additionally these previously developed non-invasive imaging techniques fail to provide useful information for researchers involved in clinical trials who must visually study certain experimental topical therapeutics to determine the efficacy of such therapeutics on patients suffering from various skin aliments. The results of such visual studies are then used to support regulatory filings with the goal of having such therapeutics approved for sale to consumers. 
     Since external visual imaging in the medical arts is primarily concerned with how certain structures on the human body are changing over time, both still and motion photography have become vital tools for image acquisition and storage. Such still and motion photography allows doctors and clinical researchers to study images taken at one time with images taken at a later time to assess how a patient&#39;s condition is changing as a function of time. However, the use of still and motion photography in the medical arts presents a unique set of challenges. 
     A primary challenge inherent in the use of still and motion photography is a potential lack of consistency during the acquisition and analysis of images. For example, non-uniform lighting conditions may make image comparison between two different photographs or video difficult. Another challenge arises during studies when pre-defined image acquisition protocols depend on correct and consistent patient position or posture. Image analysis and comparison is made more difficult when even slight position changes of the camera with respect to the subject occur between two different images. 
     Another challenge involves the photographic equipment itself. Bulky cameras, video cameras and lighting setups are expensive and difficult for medical practitioners (who in most cases are not trained photographers) to use in doctor&#39;s offices and other healthcare settings. Such equipment setups are also difficult to deploy and use consistently at multiple investigator sites when clinical trials are being performed. Still other challenges involve the lack of efficient systems and methods to store, retrieve and analyze images for the purposes of patient care. 
     These problems are compounded when untrained patients are tasked with taking subsequent pictures of the relevant limb, wound, rash, or any other physical presentation on their person in a uniform manner that allows effective analysis and diagnosis. Patients also have been found to encounter extreme difficulty when attempting to capture, on video, an accurately reproduced movement of timing and position that allows effective analysis and diagnosis. 
     Solutions have been long sought but prior developments have not taught or suggested any complete solutions, and solutions to these problems have long eluded those skilled in the art. Thus there remains a considerable need for devices and methods enabling users to accurately acquire uniform images in accordance with a protocol allowing effective analysis and diagnosis. 
     SUMMARY 
     Contemplated embodiments of the imaging uniformity system can include methods and devices for acquiring an initial image based on a protocol; generating a protocol guide based on the initial image; displaying the protocol guide overlaying an actual image; and acquiring a subsequent image of the actual image, and the subsequent image being in alignment with the protocol guide. 
     The present disclosure includes contemplated steps of providing to the user, via a user interface, instructions in the form of a protocol guide for posing a subject according to a protocol, receiving, via an imaging apparatus, a first set of images and a second set of images taken in accordance with the protocol; storing, on a computer readable memory, the first set of images and the second set of images; providing for display, via the user interface, the first set of images and the second set of images of comparison purposes. 
     The present disclosure further includes the steps of providing to the user a translucent image and contour tracing of an initial image placed on the user interface of the imaging apparatus to enable the user to achieve similar positioning, orientation and placement of the relevant subject matter, in subsequent images of the patient. Additionally, a timeline comparative feature is disclosed enabling images within a protocol to be compared to one another, using a slider feature. 
     Accordingly it has been discovered that one or more embodiments described herein can provide research organizations, hospitals, universities, pharmaceutical companies, and medical device manufacturers a system to accurately acquire uniform images in accordance with a protocol allowing effective analysis and diagnosis. 
     Other contemplated embodiments can include objects, features, aspects, and advantages in addition to or in place of those mentioned above. These objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the embodiments will become more apparent from the following detailed description, along with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The imaging uniformity system is illustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawings which are meant to be exemplary and not limiting, in which like reference numerals are intended to refer to like components, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an exemplary distributed computer system according to an embodiment of the imaging uniformity system. 
         FIG. 2  is the image-capturing device of  FIG. 1  after an initial image capturing phase of operation. 
         FIG. 3  is the image-capturing device of  FIG. 1  after an image standardization phase of operation. 
         FIG. 4  is the image-capturing device of  FIG. 1  after a protocol guide generating phase of operation. 
         FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the image-capturing device of  FIG. 1  in a distance adjustment phase of operation. 
         FIG. 6  is an isometric view of the image-capturing device of  FIG. 1  in an aligned adjustment phase of operation. 
         FIG. 7  is an isometric view of the image-capturing device of  FIG. 1  in an image capture phase of operation. 
         FIG. 8  is an isometric view of the image-capturing device of  FIG. 1  in a moving image capture phase of operation. 
         FIG. 9  is a graphical depiction of an interface for a first embodiment of the imaging uniformity system. 
         FIG. 10  is a graphical depiction of an interface for a second embodiment of the imaging uniformity system. 
         FIG. 11  is an exemplary control flow for an embodiment of the imaging uniformity system. 
         FIG. 12  is an exemplary method of operation of the imaging uniformity system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration, embodiments in which the imaging uniformity system may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the imaging uniformity system. 
     The imaging uniformity system is described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the imaging uniformity system and numerous specific details are provided to give a thorough understanding of the imaging uniformity system; however, it will be apparent that the imaging uniformity system may be practiced without these specific details. 
     In order to avoid obscuring the imaging uniformity system, some well-known system configurations are not disclosed in detail. Likewise, the drawings showing embodiments of the system are semi-diagrammatic and not to scale and, particularly, some of the dimensions are for the clarity of presentation and are shown greatly exaggerated in the drawing FIGS. Generally, the imaging uniformity system can be operated in any orientation. 
     As used herein, the term system is defined as a device or method depending on the context in which it is used. The term image is generally used herein to describe a still image for descriptive clarity; however, the term image is intended to encompass a series of images as is found in a video or an image and changes thereto as is found in a compressed or encoded video. 
     The term protocol refers to a requirement for image acquisition. Example protocol can include: position of a patients body or body part with reference to an image capturing device such as posture, position, pose, angle, view; acquisition of an image according to a schedule such as day or time of day; lighting; subject; movement for video acquisition; acquisition of a secondary object like a pantone screen or a white piece of paper; the surface condition of a patient; or image-capturing device specifications like focal distance or shutter speed. These example protocols are not intended to be an exhaustive list. It is contemplated that these protocols can be used individually or in combination. It is further contemplated that other protocols not mentioned here can be implemented individually or in combination with the above listed example protocol. 
     The term parameter includes data about the image or the acquisition of the image. Example parameters can include time and date of acquisition, corrections for color balance of the image, aberrations between the image captured and the protocol, information about an image-capturing device, subject identification, user identification, provider, condition, or number of attempts by the user to capture the image within the required protocol. The term series as used herein refers to a group of images taken using a specific protocol. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , therein is shown an exemplary distributed computer system according to an embodiment of the imaging uniformity system  100 . The imaging uniformity system  100  can include elements of a distributed computing system  102  including servers  104 , routers  106 , and other telecommunications infrastructure. 
     The distributed computing system  102  can include the Internet, a wide area network, (WAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a local area network (LAN), a telephone network, cellular data network (e.g., 3G, 4G) and/or a combination of these and other networks (wired, wireless, public, private or otherwise). 
     The servers  104  can function both to process and store data for use on user devices  108  including laptops  110 , cellular phones  112 , and tablet computers  114 , and cameras  116 . It is contemplated that the servers  104  and the user devices  108  can individually comprise a central processing unit, memory, storage and input/output units and other constituent components configured to execute applications including software suitable for displaying user interfaces, the interfaces optionally being generated by a remote server, interfacing with the cloud network, and managing or performing capture, transmission, storage, analysis, display, or other processing of data and or images. 
     The servers  104  and the user devices  108  of the imaging uniformity system  100  can further include a web browser operative for, by way of example, retrieving web pages or other markup language streams, presenting those pages or streams, executing scripts, controls and other code on those pages or streams, accepting user input with respect to those pages or streams, and issuing HTTP requests with respect to those pages or streams. The web pages or other markup language can be in HAML, CSS, HTML, Ruby on Rails or other conventional forms, including embedded XML, scripts, controls, and so forth as adapted in accord with the teachings hereof. The user devices  108  and the servers  104  can be used individually or in combination to store and process information from the imaging uniformity system  100  in the form of protocol, parameters, images, protocol instructions and protocol guides. 
     The user devices  108  can also be image-capturing devices  118 , such as the cellular phone  112 , the camera  116 , the laptop  110 , or the tablet computer  114 . It is contemplated that the image-capturing device  118  can be any device suitable for acquiring images and communicating the images to the distributed computing system  102 . 
     The image-capturing devices  118  can be used to capture and display images  120  of a subject  122 . It is contemplated that the subject  122  can be a patient  124 , a user (not shown), an object  126 , pictorial representations such as photographs or drawings, images including DICOM images or X-ray images, and models. The object  126  is depicted as a pantone screen which can include many sample colors including black and white which can be used for color balance and lighting correction. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , therein is shown the image-capturing device  118  of  FIG. 1  after an initial image capturing phase of operation. The image-capturing device  118  can be the cellular phone  112  and is depicted displaying an initial image  202  acquired in accordance with a protocol  204 . 
     The initial image  202  is depicted here, and in the FIGS. that follow as a hand of the patient  124  of  FIG. 1 , for ease of descriptive only and the imaging uniformity system  100  of  FIG. 1  is not intended to be limited by this illustrative description. As an illustrative example, the initial image  202  can be taken of photographs, videos, drawings, DICOM images, X-ray images, models, or a combination thereof and can be used to generate the protocol guide of  FIG. 4  below. It is contemplated that the initial image  202  can be captured by a healthcare professional and then acquired by the imaging uniformity system  100  and stored on the distributed computing system  102  of  FIG. 1  either in the servers  104  of  FIG. 1  or on the user device  108  of  FIG. 1 . 
     It is further contemplated the protocol  204  can be defined in part by the initial image  202 , that is the alignment, position, movement, angle, view, lighting, and size of the patient  124  in relation to the image-capturing device  118 , when the initial image  202  was captured, can be incorporated in the protocol  204 . 
     The protocol  204  can also be a standard set of requirements that will be implemented for each single patient  124  within a broader study or practice. The initial image  202  can be taken in compliance with the protocol  204  determined before the initial image  202  is captured for portions of the protocol  204  the initial image  202  is not used to generate. 
     As an illustrative example, the protocol  204  can be provided by a physician after examining a patient&#39;s  124  condition and determining the proper protocol  204  in terms of position with reference to the image-capturing device  118 , and period between images for an individual patient  124 . Other contemplated methods of determining the protocol  204  can include determining a standard position with reference to the image-capturing device  118 , and period between images for multiple patients  124 , which can be helpful when comparing many series of images for multiple patients  124  in situations like clinical trials. 
     Other elements of the protocol  204  can include a schedule for taking subsequent images, taking of control images, and movement. The image-capturing device  118  can further depict parameters  206 . The parameters  206  can include metrics under which the initial image  202  was taken such as focal metrics, shutter metrics, lighting metrics, contrast metrics, and color metrics. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , therein is shown the image-capturing device  118  of  FIG. 1  after an image standardization phase of operation. The image-capturing device  118  is depicted having a control image  302  captured and displayed on a user interface of the image-capturing device  118 . 
     The control image  302  will have been taken in the same environment and with the same image-capturing device  118  used to capture the patient  124  in  FIG. 2 . The control image  302  can be captured before or after the initial image  202  of  FIG. 2  was taken. It has been discovered that capturing the control image  302  in the same environment as the initial image  202  enables an accurate measurement of the light and color metrics of the parameters  206  of  FIG. 2 . 
     The control image  302  can be taken of the object  126  and provide information about the environment and image-capturing device  118  used to capture the initial image  202  for analysis and color balance. The image  120  of  FIG. 1  can be color balanced by a processor located on the distributed computing system  102  of  FIG. 1  either in the servers  104  of  FIG. 1  or on the user device  108  of  FIG. 1 . The control image  206  can be used to correct the color, lighting, and other image aspects of the initial image  202  as well as a subsequent image (described in greater detail below) by taking the control image  302  in the same environment and immediately before or after the initial image  202  or a subsequent image, which is used to provide uniform and reproducible light parameters. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , therein is shown the image-capturing device  118  of  FIG. 1  after a protocol guide generating phase of operation. The image-capturing device  118  can be the cellular phone  112  having a protocol guide  402  displayed on a user interface  404  of the cellular phone  112 . It is contemplated the user interface  404  could include any type of screen, or visual interface. 
     The protocol guide  402  can include a translucent image  406 , a contour  408 , or a combination thereof. The contour  408  and the translucent image  406  are contemplated to act as a guide to a user for conforming to the protocol  204  of  FIG. 2  by indicating, in a graphical depiction, various aspects of the protocol such as the distance and position of a subject  122  of  FIG. 1  in relation to the image-capturing device  118 . 
     The protocol guide  402  can further include instructions  410 . The instructions  410  are contemplated to be communications to the user or the patient  124  of  FIG. 1  for conforming to the protocol  204 . Examples of the instructions  410  can be: “Please share videos of your son&#39;s next two seizures with me. Please be sure to mention what you think triggered his seizures.” The instructions  410  are depicted as written instructions but it is contemplated the instructions could include video or audio instructions  410 . 
     The instructions  410  are depicted as displayed on the user interface  404  along with the translucent image  406  and the contour  408  but without an actual image  502  of  FIG. 5  of the subject  122 . It is contemplated that the instructions  410  can be overlaid on the actual image  502  of the subject  122  or alternatively can be displayed on a review screen like those of  FIG. 9  or  10 . 
     The contour  408  is depicted as an outline of the hand from the initial image  202  of  FIG. 2  of the subject  122 . The contour  408  can be generated from the initial image  202  by pixel shade, color, or intensity comparison. 
     In other contemplated embodiments the contour  408  can be generated by subsequent images rather than the initial image  202  to maintain an up-to-date protocol guide  402  for the subject  122  even if the subject&#39;s outline changes over time. As an illustrative example, a user or healthcare professional might be presented with the option to select any of the images  120  of  FIG. 1  including the initial image  202 , or any of the subsequent images of  FIG. 7  below. Further it is contemplated that the contour  408  could include more than simply the outline of the subject  122  but could also include topographical details such as marks on the skin of the subject  122 . 
     In the present depiction of the contour  408  in  FIG. 4 , the contour  408  is shown slightly larger than the actual hand of the subject  122  in  FIG. 2  and is depicted bolder. The contour  408  can further be shaded a color that contrasts with the initial image  202  or any subsequent image for ease of use. It is contemplated that the contour  408  could change color during use based on the environment the contour  408  is superimposed on. 
     The contour  408  can be emphasized, highlighted, magnified, or accentuated differently from the rest of the initial image  202  or any subsequent image that it is superimposed on. The translucent image  406  can be created from the initial image  202  as a translucent reproduction or a semitransparent reproduction. 
     In the present illustrative example, the translucent image  406  is the hand of the subject  122 , while the contour  408  provides an indication of the outer edge of the hand of the subject  122 . The contour  408  can be displayed lighter or darker than the translucent image  406  of the initial image  202 . It is contemplated that the contour  452  or the translucent image  406  can be used to signal a match or alignment between the subsequent image and the protocol  204  by flashing, changing color, or other suitable means. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , therein is shown an isometric view of the image-capturing device  118  of  FIG. 1  in a distance adjustment phase of operation. The image-capturing device  118  can be the cellular phone  112  but can also be other image-capturing devices  118 . 
     The cellular phone  112  is shown having the protocol guide  402  displayed on the user interface  404 . The protocol guide  402  is depicted having the contour  408  as a darker bolded outline of the initial image  202  of  FIG. 2 . Within the contour  408 , the translucent image  406  can be reproduced. 
     The contour  408  and the translucent image  406  overlay an actual image  502  of the subject  122 . The actual image  502  will be used to describe the image of the subject  122  displayed on the user interface  404  before a subsequent image is saved. The subsequent image will be used to describe an image that is saved in the series of a protocol after the initial image  202 . 
     It is contemplated that the translucent image  406  and the contour  408  of the protocol guide  402  can be dynamically adjusted based on the lighting, color, background, or other parameters  206  of the actual image  502 . The dynamic adjustment of the translucent image  406  or the contour  408  can include making the translucent image  406  or contour  408  lighter or darker, more or less transparent, colored or highlighted a contrasting color, or even pulsating. 
     It is contemplated that the translucent image  406  and the contour  408  can be dynamically adjusted independent of each other. It has been discovered that dynamically adjusting the translucent image  406  or the contour  408  ensures that the protocol guide  402  will act as an overlay always allowing the actual image  502  of the subject  122  to appear on the user interface  404  without being obstructed by the protocol guide  402 . 
     The actual image  502  is depicted as misaligned and too far away from the image-capturing device  118  represented by the actual image  502  being misaligned with the contour  408  of the protocol guide  402  representing the positional protocol  204  of  FIG. 2 . The misaligned actual image  502  indicates that the subject  122  is not positioned properly relative to the image-capturing device  118 . 
     The misaligned actual image  502  could indicate that the image-capturing device  118  or the subject should be moved horizontally, vertically, rotated, angled, or posed in a different way so as to conform to the protocol  204 . The actual image  502  is further depicted as too small relative to the contour  408  of the protocol guide  402 . 
     When the actual image  502  is smaller than the contour  408  the image-capturing device  118  should be repositioned closer to the subject  122 . It is contemplated in some embodiments that the contour  408  would be slightly larger than the subject  122  to avoid obscuring the outline of the actual image  502  or that the contour  408  would be slightly transparent so that the outline of the actual image  502  can be seen through the contour  408 . 
     It has been discovered that projecting or overlaying the protocol guide  402  including the contour  408  or the translucent image  406  on the user interface  404  of the image-capturing device  118  enables the users to intuitively and accurately take an image of their relevant body part, symptom, or presentation with a high degree of compliance with the protocol  204  and providing a similar positioning, alignment, orientation and presentation to the initial image  202 . It has further been discovered that implementing the protocol guide  402  on the user interface  404  of a device allows a user or the subject  122  to progressively align their body part in compliance with the protocol  204 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , therein is shown an isometric view of the image-capturing device  118  of  FIG. 1  in an aligned adjustment phase of operation. The subject  122  is shown closer to the image-capturing device  118  than the subject  122  was in the previous  FIG. 5 . As a result, the actual image  502 , identified by the lighter tracing, is shown as nearly the same size as the contour  408  of the protocol guide  402  on the user interface  404  of the image-capturing device  118 . 
     Within the contour  408 , the translucent image  406  is shown allowing the actual image  502  to show through the protocol guide  402  for ease of alignment. Further, the actual image  502  is shown as misaligned with the contour  408  of the protocol guide  402  indicating a vertical or horizontal change between the image-capturing device  118  and the subject  122  is required to more closely conform with the protocol  204  of  FIG. 2 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , therein is shown an isometric view of the image-capturing device  118  of  FIG. 1  in an image capture phase of operation. The image-capturing device  118  is depicted having the actual image  502  aligned with the protocol guide  402  on the user interface  404 . 
     Specifically, the actual image  502  that depicts the hand of the subject  122  is shown within the contour  408  of the protocol guide  402 . In the present exemplary embodiment and for ease of description, the actual image  502  is shown slightly within the contour  408  signaling compliance with the protocol  204  of  FIG. 2 ; however, it is contemplated that the actual image  502  could overlap with the contour  408  in order to signal compliance with the contour  408  in other embodiments. 
     The actual image  502  is shown appearing through the translucent image  406  of the protocol guide  402  for ease of alignment with the protocol guide  402 . It is contemplated that the contour  408  or the translucent image  406  can be used to signal a match or alignment between the actual image  502  and the protocol guide  402  by flashing, changing color, or other suitable means. 
     Upon compliance between the actual image  502  and the protocol guide  402  is obtained by the user, the user can capture the actual image  502  as a subsequent image  702 . The subsequent image  702  will be compliant with the protocol  204  dictating position, posture, and pose, so long as the actual image  502  is in alignment with the protocol guide  402 . It is contemplated that the subsequent image  702  can be captured by the patient  124 , a user, or a healthcare professional and then acquired by the imaging uniformity system  100  of  FIG. 1  and stored on the distributed computing system  102  of  FIG. 1  either in the servers  104  of  FIG. 1  or on the user device  108  of  FIG. 1 . 
     It has been discovered that aligning the actual image  502  with the protocol guide  402  results in the ability to easily capture the subsequent image  702  that is compliant with the protocol  204  and when the subsequent image  702  is compliant with the protocol  204 , the subsequent image  702  and the initial image  202  of  FIG. 2  are readily comparable. It is contemplated that the user can capture the subsequent image  702  when the actual image  502  aligns with the protocol guide  402  or the image-capturing device  118  can automatically capture the subsequent image  702  when the actual image  502  aligns with the protocol guide  402 . 
     It is contemplated the subsequent image  702  can be used to further refine the protocol guide  402  if for example the subject  122  is changing size during the period of time the protocol  204  requires the subsequent images  702  to be taken such as during weight loss, and swelling or the reduction thereof. It is also contemplated that the protocol guide  402  based on the initial image  202  can continue to be used. 
     It is contemplated that before the subsequent image  702 , or after the subsequent image  702  is taken, the control image  302  of  FIG. 3  could be taken of the object  126  of  FIG. 1 . It is contemplated that the control image  302  could be taken in the same place with the same environmental factors, such as lighting, shadows, distance, image-capturing device  118 , singularly or in combination. 
     Capturing the control image  302  enables the imaging uniformity system  100  to adjust the subsequent image  702  for color, lighting, contrast, and other image characteristics providing a high degree of similarity between the subsequent image  702  and the initial image  202 . It has been discovered that adjusting the subsequent image  702  using the control image  302  provides a fast intuitive and accurate method of analysis and diagnosis. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , therein is shown an isometric view of the image-capturing device  118  of  FIG. 1  in a moving image capture phase of operation. The image-capturing device  118  is depicted displaying the protocol guide  402  on the user interface  404  having the actual image  502  of the subject  122  aligned with the contour  408  similar to that of  FIG. 7 . 
     In the present depiction, however, the protocol guide  402  includes a further attribute of movement  802 . The protocol guide  402  can provide a guide for the movement  802  of the subject  122  that is captured as the subsequent image  702  in the form of a video. 
     It is contemplated that the initial image  202  could also be in the form of a video and the contour  408  could be created from the initial image  202  similar to that of  FIG. 4  but would have the additional attribute of the movement  802 . The movement  802  of the contour  408  can be created in much the same way as the contour  408  of  FIG. 7 , that is for example, generated from the initial image  202  by pixel shade, color, or intensity comparison from each image in a video. 
     In the same way the subsequent image  702  of  FIG. 7  is contemplated to be taken together with the control image  302  of  FIG. 3 , the subsequent image  702  representing a video of  FIG. 8  is also contemplated to be captured along with a control image  302 . The control image  302  can be used by the imaging uniformity system  100  to correct the video for color, lighting, contrast, and other image characteristics providing a high degree of similarity between the subsequent image  702  representing a video and the initial image  202  representing a video. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , therein is shown a graphical depiction of an interface  902  for a first embodiment of the imaging uniformity system  100  of  FIG. 1 . The interface  902  is depicted having comparison panes  904 , a timeline  906 , and sliders  908 . 
     The comparison panes  904  can include the initial image  202  or any of the subsequent images  702  from a series taken within the protocol  204  of  FIG. 2  displayed on the user interface  404  of  FIG. 4 . The sliders  908  can be manipulated to change the images  120  of  FIG. 1  displayed within the comparison panes  904 , thus scrolling through the timeline  906 , by moving them along the timeline  906 . 
     The comparison panes  904  are shown without the protocol guide  402  of  FIG. 4  displayed therein, but only the initial image  202  or the subsequent images  702 . It has been discovered that taking the initial image  202  or the subsequent images  702  in accordance with the protocol  204  and aided by the protocol guide  402  provides the initial image  202  or the subsequent images  702  with similar in lighting, color, focus, and other image  120  characteristics for display in a way that greatly increases the ability of physicians to diagnose and analyze the patient  124  of  FIG. 1 . It is contemplated that the user will be able to zoom, filter, perform motion tracking or analysis, perform image segmentation, and perform other control or analysis functions on the image  120  on both of the comparison panes  904  identically and simultaneously by controlling only one of the comparison panes  904 . 
     It has been further discovered that implementing the comparison panes  904  providing either the initial image  202  or the subsequent images  702  side-by-side enables physicians to quickly identify differences or changes in the condition of the patient  124  over time. Enabling a physician to identify changes over time greatly increases the ability of physicians to identify patterns or trends and take meaningful corrective action or make meaningful predictions. 
     It is contemplated that the sliders  908  could interact intuitively enabling a user to quickly display before and after images  120  of the subject  122  of  FIG. 1 . For instance, if a left pane  910  of the comparison panes  904  shows one of the subsequent images  702  taken at a first time  912 , one of the subsequent images  702  or the initial image  202  depicted on the right pane  914  could be changed by moving the slider  908 , associated with the right pane  914 , along the timeline  906  displaying one of the subsequent images  702  taken at a second time  916  before or after the subsequent image  702  of the first time  912  displayed on the left pane  910 . 
     It is contemplated that the sliders  908  could be locked in a plus or minus one configuration or could move independently of each other. It is further contemplated that the first time  912  and the second time  916  could always be different meaning the sliders  908  would jump over each other to the next image  120 . 
     Further it is contemplated that the comparison panes  904  could operate as before or after panes. In this contemplated function one of the panes, such as the left pane  910  could always display either the initial image  202  or the subsequent images  702  of the first time  912  that is before any of the subsequent images  702  of the second time  916  displayed on the right pane  914 . 
     It is contemplated that when the comparison panes  904  operate as before or after panes, when the slider associated with the left pane  910  hits the slider associated with the right pane  914  the slider associated with the right pane  914  could be locked in place or could move ahead to the next subsequent image  702  in the series of the protocol  204 . Below the comparison panes  904 , information  918  about the images  120  displayed on the comparison panes  904  can be viewed. 
     The information  918  can include the date and time the image  120  was taken in accordance with the protocol  204 . Further the information  918  can include the position, pose, subject&#39;s  122  identity, previous diagnosis information, treatments or corrective actions taken after the image  120  was taken, along with any other information  918  that would be important to understanding the series of images  120  taken of the patient  124  and providing analyses and diagnoses. 
     It has been discovered that implementing the comparison panes  904  with the ability to easily display the information  918  and the images  120  from the first time  912  and the second time  916  allow a user to make diagnoses, assess healing or growth, assess beauty characteristics, or perform one or more analyses on the captured image data. This can also allow the user to view any combination of before and after images, provided that the images being compared were taken at different times. 
     The timeline  906  can further include time marks  920  or other indicators that one of the images  120  was taken at a date or time along the timeline  906 . As noted above, the images  120  displayed within the comparison panes  904  could include still images or video. 
     When the comparison panes  904  are used to display video, it is contemplated that the video on the left pane  910  will play at the same time as the video on the right pane  914 . It is contemplated that when the videos are played simultaneously on the comparison panes  904 , the movement captured in accordance with the protocol  204  will be synchronized. 
     That is, when the video taken at the first time  912  displayed in the left pane  910  depicts the subject  122  moving to the left then to the right, the video taken at the second time  916  displayed in the right pane  914  will depict the subject  122  moving to the left then to the right at the same time. It is contemplated that the user will be able to pause, slow the video down, fast forward, rewind, zoom, or preform other video control functions on the video displayed on both of the comparison panes  904  identically. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , therein is shown a graphical depiction of an interface  1002  for a second embodiment of the imaging uniformity system  100  of  FIG. 1 . The interface  1002  is depicted having comparison panes  1004 , and a timeline  1006 . 
     The comparison panes  1004  can include the initial image  202  or any of the subsequent images  702  from a series taken within the protocol  204  of  FIG. 2 . The timeline  1006  can be a vertical series of the images  120  of  FIG. 1  that depicts one of the images  120  within the comparison panes  1004  and other images  120  captured before and after the image  120  displayed in the comparison panes  1004  above and below the comparison panes  1004 , respectively. 
     The image  120  shown in the comparison panes  1004  is shown much larger for analysis and diagnosis purposes than the images  120  depicted above and below the comparison panes  1004 . When a user wishes to advance the image  120  shown in the comparison panes  1004 , the user can scroll through the timeline  1006  and display other images  120  of  FIG. 1  within the series by simply swiping the timeline  1006  associated with a left pane  1010  or right pane  1014  up or down. 
     It is contemplated that the timeline  1006  could be reduced or expanded providing more or fewer images  120  above and below the comparison panes  1004 . That is, the timeline  1006  could be eliminated completely leaving only the comparison panes  1004  left. A user would then simply swipe up, down, left, or right on the comparison panes  1004  to advance the image  120  displayed in the comparison panes  1004 . 
     The comparison panes  1004  are shown without the protocol guide  402  of  FIG. 4  displayed therein, but only the initial image  202  or the subsequent images  702 . It has been discovered that taking the initial image  202  or the subsequent images  702  in accordance with the protocol  204  and aided by the protocol guide  402  provides the initial image  202  or the subsequent images  702  with similar in lighting, color, focus, and other image  120  characteristics for display in a way that greatly increases the ability of physicians to diagnose and analyze the patient  124  of  FIG. 1 . It is contemplated that the user will be able to zoom, filter, perform motion tracking or analysis, perform image segmentation, and perform other control or analysis functions on the image  120  on both of the comparison panes  1004  identically and simultaneously by controlling only one of the comparison panes  1004 . 
     It has been further discovered that implementing the comparison panes  1004  providing either the initial image  202  or the subsequent images  702  side-by-side enables physicians to quickly identify differences or changes in the condition of the patient  124  over time. Enabling a physician to identify changes over time greatly increases the ability of physicians to identify patterns or trends and take meaningful corrective action or make meaningful predictions. 
     It is contemplated that the changing the images  120  displayed in the comparison panes  1004  could intuitively enable a user to quickly display before and after images  120  of the subject  122  of  FIG. 1 . For instance, if the left pane  1010  of the comparison panes  1004  shows one of the subsequent images  702  taken at a first time  1012 , one of the subsequent images  702  or the initial image  202  depicted on the right pane  1014  could be changed by swiping the timeline  1006 , associated with the right pane  1014 , up or down displaying one of the subsequent images  702  taken at a second time  1016  before or after the subsequent image  702  of the first time  1012  displayed on the left pane  1010 . 
     It is contemplated that the comparison panes  1004  could be locked in a plus or minus one configuration or could be changed independently of each other. It is further contemplated that the first time  1012  and the second time  1016  could always be different meaning the right pane  1014  and the left pane  1010  would not display the images  120  having the same first time  1012  or second time  1016  but instead would advance past to the next image  120  in the timeline  1006 . 
     Further it is contemplated that the comparison panes  1004  could operate as before or after panes. In this contemplated function one of the panes, such as the left pane  1010  could always display either the initial image  202  or the subsequent images  702  of the first time  1012  that is before any of the subsequent images  702  of the second time  1016  displayed on the right pane  1014 . 
     It is contemplated that when the comparison panes  1004  operate as before or after panes, the first time  1012  of the image  120  on the left pane  1010  will not be allowed to advance beyond the second time  1016  of the image  120  associated with the right pane  1014 . Instead, the image  120  on the right pane  1014  would need to be advanced first before the image  120  on the left pane  1010  would be allowed to advance or move ahead to the next subsequent image  702  in the series of the protocol  204 . 
     It is contemplated that either the left pane  1010  or the right pane  1014  might be operated as the before plane and the other pane operate as the after pane depending on the needs of the reviewer. Below the comparison panes  1004 , information  1018  about the images  120  displayed on the comparison panes  1004  can be viewed. 
     The information  1018  can include the date and time the image  120  was taken in accordance with the protocol  204 . Further the information  1018  can include the position, pose, subject&#39;s  122  identity, previous diagnosis information, treatments or corrective actions taken after the image  120  was taken, along with any other information  1018  that would be important to understanding the series of images  120  taken of the patient  124  and providing analyses and diagnoses. 
     It has been discovered that implementing the comparison panes  1004  with the ability to easily display the information  1018  and the images  120  from the first time  1012  and the second time  1016  allow a user to make diagnoses, assess healing or growth, assess beauty characteristics, or perform one or more analyses on the captured image data. This can also allow the user to view any combination of before and after images, provided that the images being compared were taken at different times. 
     As noted above, the images  120  displayed within the comparison panes  1004  could include still images or video. When the comparison panes  1004  are used to display video, it is contemplated that the video on the left pane  1010  will play at the same time as the video on the right pane  1014 . It is contemplated that when the videos are played simultaneously on the comparison panes  1004 , the movement captured in accordance with the protocol  204  will be synchronized. 
     That is, when the video taken at the first time  1012  displayed in the left pane  1010  depicts the subject  122  moving to the left then to the right, the video taken at the second time  1016  displayed in the right pane  1014  will depict the subject  122  moving to the left then to the right at the same time. It is contemplated that the user will be able to pause, slow the video down, fast forward, rewind, zoom, or perform other video control functions on the video displayed on both of the comparison panes  1004  identically. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 11 , therein is shown an exemplary control flow  1100  for an embodiment of the imaging uniformity system  100  of  FIG. 1 . In general, the routines executed to implement the embodiments of the imaging uniformity system  100 , may be part of an operating system or a specific application, component, program, module, object, or sequence of instructions. 
     The computer program of the imaging uniformity system  100  typically is comprised of a multitude of instructions that will be translated by the native computer into a machine-readable format and hence executable instructions. Also, programs are comprised of variables and data structures that either reside locally to the program or are found in memory or on storage devices. 
     In addition, various programs described hereinafter may be identified based upon the application for which they are implemented in a specific embodiment of the invention; however, it should be appreciated that any particular program nomenclature that follows is used merely for convenience, and thus the imaging uniformity system  100  should not be limited to use solely in any specific application identified or implied by such nomenclature. 
     Embodiments of the imaging uniformity system  100  may also be practiced in distributed computing environments in which tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices and data processing can be accomplished with both local and remote devices. 
     The following description includes the term module which is intended to include, but is not limited to, one or more computers configured to execute one or more software programs configured to perform one or more functions, operations or actions. It is contemplated that modules of the control flow  1100  could be deleted, combined, or rearranged without departing from the imaging uniformity system  100 . 
     The control flow  1100  is depicted having a protocol definition module  1102 . The protocol definition module  1102  includes the steps of defining the protocol  204  of  FIG. 2 . Coupled to the protocol definition module  1102  is an initial image capture module  1104  where the initial image  202  of  FIG. 2  is first acquired by the imaging uniformity system  100  according to the protocol  204  defined in the protocol definition module  1102  and stored in a memory storage on the distributed computing system  102  of  FIG. 1  either in the servers  104  of  FIG. 1  or on the user device  108  of  FIG. 1 . 
     It is contemplated that the protocol definition module  1102  and the initial image capture module  1104  could overlap in some cases where the protocol  204  is defined in part by the initial image  202 . Once the protocol  204  is defined in the protocol definition module  1102 , the protocol  204  is stored within the distributed computing system  102  either on the user device  108  or the servers  104 . 
     The initial image  202  can be stored on the distributed computing system  102  either in the servers  104  or on the user device  108 . Coupled to the initial image capture module  1104  is an initial control image module  1106 . The initial control image module  1106  includes acquiring the control image  302  of  FIG. 3  in the same environment and close in time to the initial image  202  captured in the initial image capture module  1104 . 
     It is contemplated that the initial control image module  1106  can be placed before the initial image capture module  1104  or after. The initial control image module  1106  can capture the control image  302  for color balancing the initial image  202 . The corrections made to the initial image  202  with the control image  302  can be stored on the distributed computing system  102  either in the servers  104  or on the user device  108  for later analysis and manual color balancing. 
     Coupled to the initial control image module  1106  is a contour creation module  1108 . In the contour creation module  1108  the contour  408  of  FIG. 4  can be created using the methods described above and stored on the distributed computing system  102  either in the servers  104  or on the user device  108 . The contour  408  can be generated in the contour creation module  1108  using either the initial image  202  before it is color balanced with the control image  302  or after. 
     It is contemplated that the contour creation module  1108  can be implemented before the initial control image module  1106  or after the initial control image module  1106 . Coupled to the contour creation module  1108  is a translucent image creation module  1110 . During the translucent image creation module  1110  the translucent image  406  of  FIG. 4  is created by reducing the opacity of the initial image  202  captured in the initial image capture module  1104 . 
     The translucent image  406  can be stored on the distributed computing system  102  either in the servers  104  or on the user device  108 . It is contemplated that the translucent image creation module  1110  can be implemented before, during, or after the contour creation module  1108 . It is further contemplated that the contour creation module  1108  and the translucent image creation module  1110  can be accomplished using processors on either the servers  104  or the user devices  108 . 
     The protocol guide  402  of  FIG. 4  including the translucent image  406  generated in the translucent image creation module  1110  along with contour  408  generated in the contour creation module  1108  can be generated on a processor in the distributed computing system  102 . The protocol guide  402  can be generated by processors either in the servers  104  or on the user device  108 . 
     Coupled to the translucent image creation module  1110  is a display protocol guide module  1112 . The display protocol guide module  1112  can be activated once the user is required to take one of the subsequent images  702  of  FIG. 7  according to the protocol  204 . 
     When a user is prompted to take one of the subsequent images  702  in accordance with the protocol  204 , the display protocol guide module  1112  will retrieve the contour  408  and the translucent image  406  stored on the distributed computing system  102  either in the servers  104  or on the user device  108  and display the contour  408  and the translucent image  406  on the user interface  404  of  FIG. 4  in the user device  108 . Coupled to the display protocol guide module  1112  is an acquire subsequent image module  1114 . During activation of the acquire subsequent image module  1114 , the protocol guide  402  will be displayed on the user device  108  along with the actual image  502  of  FIG. 5 . 
     It is contemplated that the protocol definition module  1102  can also display the actual image  502 . The acquire subsequent image module  1114  can be triggered by the user to save the subsequent image  702  when the user believes the actual image  502  is in accordance with the protocol  204  displayed by the protocol guide  402 . 
     The protocol guide  402  can be used to signal compliance with the protocol  204  by flashing the contour  408 , changing the contour&#39;s  408  color, or other suitable means. Alternatively, the subsequent image  702  could be acquired and stored automatically once the user aligns the actual image  502  with the protocol guide  402 . The subsequent image  702  is first acquired by the imaging uniformity system  100  according to the protocol  204  defined in the protocol definition module  1102  and stored in a memory storage on the distributed computing system  102  either in the servers  104  or on the user device  108 . 
     Coupled to the acquire subsequent image module  1114  is a subsequent control image module  1116 . During the subsequent control image module  1116  the user will be instructed to acquire the control image  302  for the subsequent image  702 . 
     The control image  302  for the subsequent image  702  will enable the subsequent image  702  to be color balanced. The subsequent image  702  can be color balanced using a processor in the distributed computing system  102 . The protocol guide  402  can be generated by processors either in the servers  104  or on the user device  108 . It is contemplated that the contour creation module  1108  and the translucent image creation module  1110  could be invoked again after the acquire subsequent image module  1114  module to prepare the contour  408  and the translucent image  406  based on the subsequent image  702 . 
     Once the subsequent image  702  is acquired the subsequent image  702  can be stored on the distributed computing system  102  either in the servers  104  or on the user device  108 . The acquire subsequent image module  1114  can be invoked along with the display protocol guide module  1112  and the subsequent control image module  1116  as required to form the series dictated by the protocol and described with respect to  FIGS. 9 and 10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 12 , therein is shown an exemplary method of operation  1200  of the imaging uniformity system  100  of  FIG. 1 . The method of operation  1200  includes a protocol selection module  1202 . The protocol selection module  1202  can allow a user to select the protocol  204  of  FIG. 2  to be viewed. 
     During the protocol selection module  1202 , a user may select one of the protocols  204  for a specific subject  122  corresponding to a predetermined set of poses or movements. It is contemplated that the protocol selection module  1202  can include various security features, such as requiring a username and password, to preserve the subject&#39;s  122  of  FIG. 1  confidentiality and comply with privacy laws. 
     For instance, doctors that have not been given permissions to view a subject&#39;s data, cannot access subject or image data associated with that subject  122 . Permissions can be based on roles, which can include doctor, health professionals, care team members, or subject. 
     It is contemplated that the imaging uniformity system  100  of  FIG. 1  can also include a database of clinicians which can be used to assign a particular physician to a particular subject  122  and the subject&#39;s  122  associated images  120 . In this way, it is possible for the physician or other care provider can share the images  120  with other health care providers such as peers or colleagues, for a consult. Physician data that can be associated can include name, address, phone, website, license number, degree and specialty. Specialties can include dermatology, emergency medicine, or oncology. 
     Once the protocol  204  is selected a series retrieval module  1204  will gather all the images  120  of  FIG. 1  within the selected protocol  204  for display on the user device  108 . Coupled to the series retrieval module  1204  is a comparison module  1206 . The comparison module  1206  can be used to present the images  120  within the comparison panes  904  of  FIG. 9  or  1004  of  FIG. 10  for analysis and diagnosis by a physician. 
     The comparison module  1206  can display the images  120  as still images or as video as described with regard to  FIGS. 9 and 10 . Once the images  120  are displayed on the user device  108  by the comparison module  1206  a timeline manipulation module  1208  may be invoked by a user to view different images  120  along the timeline  906  of  FIG. 9  or  1006  of  FIG. 10 . 
     Thus, it has been discovered that the imaging uniformity system furnishes important and heretofore unknown and unavailable solutions, capabilities, and functional aspects. 
     The resulting configurations are straightforward, cost-effective, uncomplicated, highly versatile, accurate, sensitive, and effective, and can be implemented by adapting known components for ready, efficient, and economical manufacturing, application, and utilization. 
     While the imaging uniformity system has been described in conjunction with a specific best mode, it is to be understood that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the preceding description. 
     Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations, which fall within the scope of the included claims. All matters set forth herein or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted in an illustrative and non-limiting sense.