Importance

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Abstract

A medical diagnostic apparatus (A) generates medical diagnostic data which is reconstructed by an imager (B) into an electronic image representation. The electronic image representation includes an array of digital pixel values which represent a gray scale intensity of a man-readable image displayed on a video monitor (62). An image improving circuit (C) replaces each pixel value I(i,j) with an improved pixel value I'(i,j) defined as follows: I'(i,j)=G(i,j)[I(i,j)-I(i,j)]+I(i,j), where G(i,j) is a transfer function uniquely defined for each pixel and I is the mean of pixel values of neighboring pixels. The transfer function is based on a self-similarity value which is derived by comparing (i) a variation between the pixel value I(i,j) and pixel values in a first surrounding ring with (ii) a variation between the pixel value I(i,j) and pixel values in a second, larger surrounding ring. A zoom circuit (D) enlarges a selected portion of an improved image. Empty or unfilled pixel values I(inter) are interpolated from a combination of an average of neighboring pixel values I(avg) and a fractal value. The fractal value is a combination of a random number and a weighting factor R determined in accordance with the average self-similarity value of the neighboring filled pixels, i.e.: I(inter)=I(avg)+R.multidot.(random#).

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First Claim