Patent ID: 7881428

Claim:
A method of imaging a patient's breast with x-rays using a combined mammography and tomosynthesis x-ray system, said method comprising: acquiring (i) an x-ray mammogram image Mp and (ii) several projection tomosynthesis images Tp of a patient's breast in a selected time sequence; wherein the projection images Tp are acquired using an imaging x-ray beam directed at the patient's breast at respective different angles; generating auto exposure control (AEC) information by computer-processing x-ray data obtained in connection with at least one of said (i) mammogram image Mp and (ii) one or more of said projection images Tp, before acquiring the other of said (i) mammogram image Mp and (ii) one or more projection images Tp; and using the generated AEC information to control x-ray exposure in acquiring the other of said (i) mammogram image Mp and (ii) one or more projection images Tp.