US 11,704,809 B2
Methods, systems and computer program products for classifying image data for future mining and training
Eric L. Buckland, Hickory, NC (US); Micaela R. Mendlow, Jersey City, NJ (US); and Robert C. Williams, Durham, NC (US)
Assigned to Translational Imaging Innovations, Inc., Hickory, NC (US)
Filed by Translational Imaging Innovations, Inc., Hickory, NC (US)
Filed on Jan. 6, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/142,560.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/957,401, filed on Jan. 6, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0209758 A1, Jul. 8, 2021
Int. Cl. G06T 7/12 (2017.01); G06T 7/00 (2017.01); G06F 18/243 (2023.01)
CPC G06T 7/12 (2017.01) [G06F 18/243 (2023.01); G06T 7/0012 (2013.01); G06T 2207/10101 (2013.01); G06T 2207/20021 (2013.01); G06T 2207/30041 (2013.01); G06T 2207/30168 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for segmenting images, the method comprising:
tessellating an image obtained from one of an image database and an imaging system into a plurality of sectors;
classifying each of the plurality of sectors by applying one or more pre-defined labels to each of the plurality of sectors, wherein the pre-defined labels indicate at least one of an image quality metric (IQM) and a metric of structure;
assigning each of the plurality of classified sectors an Image Quality Classification (IQC); and
identifying anchor sectors among the plurality of classified sectors, wherein identifying comprises:
applying the assigned IQC to identify columns across the image as candidates for initial segmentation;
using the assigned IQC along each column to identify rows of maximum probability of containing segmentable images; and
identifying an array of high-probability sectors to become anchor cells for initiating segmentation;
applying filtering and edge detection to identify target boundaries;
applying contouring across contiguous sectors and using the assigned IQC as a guide to complete segmentation of an edge between any two identified anchor sectors; and
smoothing across segmented regions to increase parametric second-order continuity.