Susan Manning Nelson

US Patent:

6381352, Apr 30, 2002

Filed:

Feb 2, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/252605

Inventors:

Susan R. Nelson - Panama City FL

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

G06K 900

US Classification:

382132, 128922

Abstract:

An image processing method improves contrast of relevant subject matter surrounded or partially bordered by a substantially homogeneous background. A first sub-image is defined that includes the relevant subject matter and a reduced amount of the substantially homogeneous background. A second sub-image is defined from the first sub-image that is substantially just the relevant subject matter. If any of the homogeneous background remains, a smoothing routine can be applied to the edges of the second sub-image. The second sub-image can then be re-scaled to a given dynamic range for improved contrast of the relevant subject matter.

US Patent:

6421469, Jul 16, 2002

Filed:

Feb 8, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/252246

Inventors:

Susan R. Nelson - Panama City FL
Susan M. Tuovila - Panama City FL
Cheryl M. Smith - Panama City FL

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

G06T 500

US Classification:

382274, 382260, 382199, 382132

Abstract:

Digital image data is manipulated for improved image visualization and analysis. A two-dimensional image includes relevant subject matter and a substantially homogeneous background that at least partially borders on the relevant subject matter. A first sub-image is defined from the two-dimensional image that includes the relevant subject matter and a reduced amount of the substantially homogeneous background. A second sub-image is defined from the first sub-image that substantially defines just the relevant subject matter. A plurality of image processing options are selected from a library of image processing options. The second sub-image is then processed in accordance with the image processing options to generate image output data. The image output data can be displayed for viewing and/or analysis.

US Patent:

6990239, Jan 24, 2006

Filed:

Jul 16, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/197669

Inventors:

Susan Nelson - Panama City FL, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

G06K 9/00
G06K 9/62

US Classification:

382224, 382103, 382132, 382228

Abstract:

A method is provided for the detection and classification of targets in a digital image of a structure having known characteristics. In general, windowed portions of the image are evaluated in context with the entire image and in terms of their location in the image. More specifically, a scoring scheme is used to identify relevant windows with the relevance of each window being evaluated in terms of location in the image and the known characteristics of the structure being imaged. Relevant windows satisfying a threshold criteria are grouped based on their relative location in the image. A group scoring scheme is applied to each group to identify and classify targets.

US Patent:

6999624, Feb 14, 2006

Filed:

Jul 12, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/196387

Inventors:

Susan Nelson - Panama City FL, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

G06K 9/00
G06K 9/62

US Classification:

382224, 382103, 382132, 382228

Abstract:

Classification of targets in a digital image is accomplished by evaluating windowed portions of the image. A weighted sum is formed for each overlapping windowed portion of an image using a feature set corresponding thereto, each window's feature set and weighted sum is normalized, and a context matrix is defined for each window. A normalized score is defined for each window. A threshold criteria is compared to a maximum score that is based on the context matrix and the normalized score associated with each window. Each window having its maximum score satisfy the threshold criteria is classified as a possible target window and assigned to a group based on location of the possible target window in the image and its maximum score. A group score is assigned to each group. Each group having its corresponding group score satisfying a group threshold criteria is classified as a target.

US Patent:

6999625, Feb 14, 2006

Filed:

Jul 12, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/196388

Inventors:

Susan Nelson - Panama City FL, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

G06K 9/00
G06K 9/62

US Classification:

382224, 382103, 382132, 382228

Abstract:

Detection and classification of targets in a digital image is accomplished by evaluating windowed portions of the image. A feature set is generated for each of a plurality of overlapping windowed portions, a weighted sum is formed for each portion based upon its feature set, and a context matrix is defined for each window. A score is formed from each context matrix and is normalized for each window. A threshold criteria is compared to a maximum score for each window. Each window having its maximum score satisfy the threshold criteria is classified as a possible target window and is assigned to a group based on location of the possible target window and its maximum score. A group score is formed for each group and compared to a group threshold criteria. Each group having its corresponding group score satisfying the group threshold criteria is classified as a target.

US Patent:

57872015, Jul 28, 1998

Filed:

Apr 9, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/629709

Inventors:

Susan R. Nelson - Panama City FL
Susan M. Tuovila - Panama City FL

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

G06K 962
G06K 936
G06K 946

US Classification:

382224

Abstract:

A method of identifying and classifying pre-detected target candidates in an image using pixel intensity and a fractalization process applied to the image. A raw analog image is digitized and normalized. The normalized pixel intensity content of the image is converted to fractal dimensions using a small and a large fractal box, sequentially. An array of special fractal features satisfying predetermined classification thresholds is prepared from the fractal dimensions for each box centered about each pre-detected target candidate in the image, thus classifying the detected objects as targets.

US Patent:

60524855, Apr 18, 2000

Filed:

Feb 3, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/794521

Inventors:

Susan R. Nelson - Panama City FL
Susan M. Tuovila - Panama City FL

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

G06K 962

US Classification:

382225

Abstract:

A method is presented for identifying clutter in an image such as a sonar age. A detection scheme identifies portions of the image having a signal-to-noise ratio greater than a given threshold. A classification scheme is then applied to each such portion to generate fractal feature values associated therewith in order to classify the portion as a target or non-target. For clutter identification, each portion is assigned to a group based on a distance from the position of each portion to another of the portions that is its nearest neighbor. A series of tests are then performed for each group using the fractal feature values associated with each portion in each group. A failure of any of the series of tests by a group identifies each portion associated with that group as clutter in the image.