SPECTRALLY RESOLVED X-RAY IMAGING

Abstract

An X-ray system for acquiring projection measurement data of an examination object comprises: an X-ray emitter arrangement having an X-ray radiation source to emit X-rays; and a photon-counting X-ray detector with at least one detection threshold for spectrally resolved detection of the X-rays. The at least one detection threshold is variable spatially and/or temporally in a same measurement.

Claims

1. An X-ray system for acquiring projection measurement data of an examination object, the X-ray system comprising: an X-ray emitter arrangement having an X-ray radiation source configured to emit X-rays; and a photon-counting X-ray detector with at least one detection threshold for spectrally resolved detection of the X-rays, the at least one detection threshold being variable at least one of spatially or temporally in a same measurement.

2. The X-ray system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the X-ray radiation source is configured to emit X-rays that are variable at least one of spatially or temporally spectrally in a same measurement.

3. The X-ray system as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least one of the at least one detection threshold is adaptable to the X-rays and variable at least one of spatially or temporally in the same measurement, and the X-rays are variable at least one of spatially or temporally spectrally in the same measurement.

4. The X-ray system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the X-ray radiation source has a pre-filter configured to divide the X-rays into at least two spatially separated X-ray beam sections with a different X-ray spectrum.

5. The X-ray system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the pre-filter is configured to distribute different regions of an X-ray spectrum of the X-rays to spatially defined angular regions of the photon-counting X-ray detector, and detection thresholds of the photon-counting X-ray detector have different values depending on the different regions of the X-ray spectrum in different angular regions.

6. The X-ray system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the pre-filter includes a first filter section with a first filter material and a second filter section with a second filter material, the second filter material being different from the first filter material.

7. The X-ray system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first filter material has gold and the second filter material has tin.

8. The X-ray system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the X-ray radiation source is configured to switch between different acceleration voltages under control of a control device, and the photon-counting X-ray detector has at least one temporally variable detection threshold and is configured to detect the X-rays in synchronization with activation of the X-ray radiation source, wherein the synchronization includes an adjustment of the temporally variable detection threshold to a value of the different acceleration voltages.

9. The X-ray system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the photon-counting X-ray detector is configured to read out and transmit only a portion of the at least one temporally variable detection threshold at a time, in synchronization with the switching of the X-ray radiation source and controlled by the control device.

10. The X-ray system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the photon-counting X-ray detector has at least one first sub-area with a first detection threshold and at least one second sub-area with a second detection threshold, which differs from the first detection threshold, wherein the at least one second sub-area is arranged spatially alternating with the at least one first sub-area.

11. The X-ray system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first sub-area and the second sub-area form a checkerboard pattern.

12. The X-ray system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the photon-counting X-ray detector is configured to exchange the first detection threshold of the at least one first sub-area and the second detection threshold of the at least one second sub-area at set time intervals.

13. A method for image reconstruction via an X-ray system as claimed in claim 1, the method comprising: generating and emitting the X-rays; detecting, via energy-resolved detection by the photon-counting X-ray detector, at least the X-rays passing through the examination object as projection measurement data; and reconstructing an image based on the projection measurement data.

14. A non-transitory computer program product having a computer program, which is loadable directly into a memory device of a control device of an X-ray system, the computer program having program sections for carrying out the method as claimed in claim 13 when the computer program is executed at the control device of the X-ray system.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing program sections that, when executed by a computing unit, cause the computing unit to carry out the method as claimed in claim 13.

16. The X-ray system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the X-ray radiation source has a pre-filter configured to divide the X-rays into at least two spatially separated X-ray beam sections with a different X-ray spectrum.

17. The X-ray system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the X-ray radiation source has a pre-filter configured to divide the X-rays into at least two spatially separated X-ray beam sections with a different X-ray spectrum.

18. The X-ray system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the pre-filter includes a first filter section with a first filter material and a second filter section with a second filter material, the second filter material being different from the first filter material.

19. The X-ray system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the X-ray radiation source is configured to switch between different acceleration voltages under control of a control device, and the photon-counting X-ray detector has at least one temporally variable detection threshold and is configured to detect the X-rays in synchronization with activation of the X-ray radiation source, wherein the synchronization includes an adjustment of the temporally variable detection threshold to value of the different acceleration voltages.

20. A method for image reconstruction via an X-ray system, the method comprising: detecting, via energy-resolved detection by a photon-counting X-ray detector, at least X-rays passing through an examination object as projection measurement data, wherein the photon-counting X-ray detector has a detection threshold for spectrally resolved detection of the X-rays, the detection threshold being variable at least one of spatially or temporally in a same measurement; and reconstructing an image based on the projection measurement data.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0073] The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the attached figures using exemplary embodiments. In the various figures, identical components are provided with identical reference characters. The figures are generally not to scale. In the drawing:

[0074] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of an X-ray system with a split filter according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,

[0075] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of an X-ray system with kV switching according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,

[0076] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of an X-ray detector of an X-ray system with spectral X-ray detection and ultra-high resolution, and

[0077] FIG. 4 shows a flow diagram illustrating the method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention for image reconstruction via an X-ray system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0078] FIG. 1 shows a computed tomography system 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention with a split filter 9.

[0079] The use of a split filter 9 enables the acquisition of spectrally resolved images using only one X-ray radiation source 3. The split filter 9 is divided in such a manner that it divides the X-ray beam fan of the X-ray beam of the X-ray radiation source 3 in the row direction.

[0080] Since a computed tomography system 1 represents the preferred embodiment of the X-ray system according to the present invention, the following explanations refer to a computed tomography system 1 without limiting the generality. The computed tomography system 1 here comprises an X-ray emitter arrangement having an X-ray radiation source 3, an X-ray detector 4 and a control device 5. The X-ray radiation source 3 and the X-ray detector 4 are connected to the control device 5. The X-ray radiation source 3 and the X-ray detector 4 are movable and arranged diametrically to each other on a circular path 6. They are therefore in a fixed positional relationship to each other, in which the X-ray detector 4 detects the radiation emitted by the X-ray radiation source 3, and thus form a first source-X-ray detector arrangement. A patient 2 is located in the center of the circular path 6 as the examination object. The X-ray radiation source 3 comprises an X-ray tube 7 and an aperture 8. The aperture 8 is arranged at a slight distance from the X-ray tube 7 on a side of the X-ray tube 7 facing the patient 2. It can be used to adjust an exit angle of the X-rays 10 emitted by the X-ray tube 7 during operation.

[0081] A pre-filter in the form of a split filter 9 is inserted between the X-ray tube 7 and the aperture 8. The pre-filter has two filter sections 9a, 9b with materials with different properties in terms of their X-ray absorption, for example gold and tin. A first filter section 9a, which is shown on the left-hand side in FIG. 1, has gold as the filter material in this specific exemplary embodiment and a second filter section 9b, which is shown on the right-hand side in FIG. 1, has tin as the filter material. The X-rays generated by the X-ray tube 7 are thus pre-filtered differently depending on the material and emerge from the X-ray radiation source 3 in the form of two different X-ray spectra. These are spatially separated along a dividing line 11 corresponding to the boundary between the materials of the split filter 9 into a low-energy and a high-energy spectrum. In addition, the X-rays 10 of the two spectra projected onto the X-ray detector 4 by the patient 2 are also spatially separated in different areas of the X-ray detector 4 and can thus be assigned to the respective emitted spectrum. The X-ray detector 4 has two different sub-areas 4a, 4b for this purpose, wherein the first sub-area 4a (shown on the left-hand side in FIG. 1) has detector fields with detection thresholds that are adapted to the detection of low-energy X-rays, and the second sub-area 4b (shown on the right in FIG. 1) has detector fields with detection thresholds that are adapted to the detection of high-energy X-rays. Alternatively, the split filter 9 can also be arranged rotated by 90 so that the dividing line 11 divides the different spectra virtually in the image plane. In the case of this alternative, the projection measurement data for both spectra for the areas of patient 2 to be imaged are acquired sequentially using the table feed. In the case of this alternative, the detector is also divided into different sub-areas 4a, 4b by a dividing line lying in the image plane.

[0082] During operation, the X-ray radiation source 3 and the X-ray detector 4 are rotated around the patient 2 on the circular path 6 to acquire projection measurement data. The acquired projection measurement data can then be transmitted to an evaluation unit located, for example, in the control device 5 and reconstructed there to form an image B of the patient 2 (see also step 4. III in FIG. 4). In order to acquire projection measurement data from other areas of the patient 2, the patient 2 can be moved relative to the computed tomography system 1, for example via a positionable patient table (not shown here), perpendicular to the plane of the circular path 6. In the case of so-called spiral CT, the acquisition is continuous with a likewise continuous table feed.

[0083] In the case of an X-ray detector 4 having 64 X-ray detector rows, rows 1 to 32 acquire the X-ray spectrum which has been filtered using the gold filter 9a, and rows 33 to 64 acquire the X-ray spectrum which has been filtered using the tin filter 9b. The acquisition of projection measurement data is preferably carried out in a spiral mode with a low pitch of, for example, 0.4, which enables independent image reconstruction in two volumes based on projection measurement data of the first 32 rows and the last 32 rows separately, wherein spectrally resolved images are generated. The detection thresholds of the individual sub-areas 4a, 4b of the X-ray detector 4, which are assigned to X-rays with different X-ray spectra, are adapted to the different X-ray spectra in the case of the arrangement shown in FIG. 1. For example, at a fixed tube voltage of 140 keV, detection thresholds of 20 keV and 35 keV are set up for the first 32 rows of the X-ray detector 4, i.e. the first sub-area 4a of the X-ray detector 4, which detects the low-energy X-rays that have been transmitted through the gold filter 9a, and correspondingly higher detection thresholds of 25 keV and 60 keV are set up for the last 32 rows of the X-ray detector 4, i.e. the second sub-area 4b of the X-ray detector 4, which detects the high-energy X-rays that have been transmitted through the tin filter 9b. Alternatively, the required data rate can also be halved by providing only a single detection threshold for each sub-area 4a, 4b of the X-ray detector 4. In this variant, a detection threshold of 20 keV would be used for the first 32 rows and a detection threshold of 50 keV would be used for the second 32 rows.

[0084] In contrast to the CT system shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 shows a computed tomography system 1 in which the acceleration voltage of the X-ray radiation source 3 is varied temporally, for example by being regulated by the control device 5 to alternate in steps between two values of 80 kV and 140 kV with a frequency of, for example, 1000 Hz or 500 Hz; this is also referred to as kV switching. In the case of a typical CT scan with 2000 projections per cycle, the tube voltage or acceleration voltage of the X-ray radiation source 3 is therefore switched every 2 to 4 projections.

[0085] The acceleration voltage therefore alternates quickly compared to the rotational movement of the X-ray detector 4 and the X-ray radiation source 3, which takes place on the circular path at a frequency of typically no more than approx. 4 Hz. The alternating acceleration voltage generates different X-ray spectra in the X-ray tube 7, in particular low-energy and high-energy X-ray spectra. These penetrate the patient 2 as X-rays 10 at the exit angle defined by the aperture 8. They also hit the energy-resolving X-ray detector 4. This energy-resolving X-ray detector therefore records measured values from X-ray projections of the patient that are generated using different X-ray spectra. Projection measurement data is thus acquired from different angular positions relative to the patient 2, which can be assigned temporally to the spectrum emitted by the X-ray tube 7 of the X-ray radiation source 3.

[0086] The recorded projection measurement data is then divided into its high-energy and low-energy projections for reconstruction and a separate reconstruction is carried out. The spectral separation of the projection measurement data is improved by the fact that the threshold values of the detection thresholds of the X-ray detector 4 are changed in synchronization with the change in the energy spectrum of the X-ray radiation source 3. The threshold values of the detection thresholds of the X-ray detector 4 therefore jump back and forth temporally between two settings. If the data transmission rate is to be reduced, only projection measurement data from a single detection threshold can be transmitted, wherein in phases of high voltage (for example 140 kV) a higher threshold with, for example, 55 keV is read out and in phases of low voltage (for example 80 kV) an energetically lower threshold with 20 keV is read out and transmitted to an evaluation unit or the control device 5.

[0087] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of an X-ray detector 4 of an X-ray system with spectral X-ray detection and ultra-high resolution. In the case of this variant, much smaller areas are used for the individual X-ray detector pixels or detector fields F11, . . . , Fnm of the X-ray detector 4 than is the case with conventional X-ray detectors. In the so-called S1 layout, the greater number of X-ray detector pixels per area, for example 2752 channels (channels correspond to columns) and 288 rows, allows an increased resolution to be achieved. However, for the reasons already mentioned, the data transmission is not designed for a correspondingly high data rate, so that the resolution is reduced, especially when moving images are recorded, by combining a total of four pixels from two neighboring rows. For example, in the so-called M4 layout, projection measurement data from only 1376 channels with only 144 rows is transmitted.

[0088] In the so-called UHR mode, the number of rows is reduced to 120 rows and, in the case of a scan of a moving heart, conventional projection measurement data from only one threshold of 20 keV is transmitted because the data transmission rate is limited by the hardware.

[0089] In order to enable the acquisition of spectrally resolved projection measurement data, two different detection thresholds E1, E2 with different threshold values are now defined depending on the position, as shown in FIG. 3, and the threshold values alternate in a checkerboard pattern across the channels (columns) and rows. For example, the detector fields left white in FIG. 3 are operated with a first detection threshold E1 with an energy of 20 keV and the hatched detector fields are operated with a detection threshold E2 with an energy of 50 keV. Spectrally separated images are then reconstructed separately on the basis of the projection measurement data of the detector fields of different field types or detector fields (white, hatched) with different detection thresholds E1, E2. Although the necessary interpolation of the gaps between the detector fields reduces the maximum possible sharpness and resolution of the images, the sampling however is uniform throughout the entire acquisition of the projection measurement data without a significant spatial and temporal offset and the resulting potential artifacts.

[0090] In order to generate high-resolution images, the assignment of the detection thresholds E1, E2 can be swapped between the fields of different field types (white, hatched) in successive projections or frames of one and the same measurement. In this case, the images are reconstructed as mixed images with full or maximum resolution without taking the detection thresholds E1, E2 into account.

[0091] FIG. 4 shows by way of an example a sequence of a method for image reconstruction according to an embodiment of the present invention as a flow diagram 400. In a first step 4. I of the method, X-rays RS1 with a first defined spectrum and X-rays RS2 with a second defined spectrum differing from the first defined spectrum are generated in a computed tomography system 1 preferably according to an embodiment of the present invention, as already described above. This means that the radiation RS1 has an energy distribution that differs from the radiation RS2.

[0092] This radiation RS1, RS2 penetrates at least partially through an examination object 2 and is detected as a projection of this examination object 2 by an X-ray detector 4 with temporal and/or spatial variation of the threshold values of the detection thresholds E1, E2 in the second step 4.II. The detection of the radiation RS1 with a first defined spectrum is carried out spatially and/or temporally separated from the detection of the radiation RS2 with a second defined spectrum. In contrast to previously used systems with spectral acquisition of X-rays, the detection thresholds E1, E2 of the X-ray detector 4 are adapted in temporal and/or spatial coordination to the respective X-ray spectrum of the radiation RS1, RS2 within one and the same scan. By adapting the detection thresholds E1, E2 to the respective X-ray spectrum of the radiation RS1, RS2, either an improved quality of the spectral images can be achieved or, by using a smaller number of adapted detection thresholds, the amount of data that is transmitted from the rotating X-ray detector 4 to the control device 5 via a slip ring can be reduced. Although the transmission of the projection measurement data P1, P2 from the co-moving X-ray detector 4 to the stationary control device 5 is time-critical and limited due to the properties of the slip ring, a spectrally resolved image of an examination object can be generated by reducing the number of thresholds despite the limitation of the data rate.

[0093] Accordingly, the projection measurement data P1 of the X-rays S1 are assigned to the first defined spectrum. The same method is used for the projection measurement data P2, which is assigned to the second defined spectrum.

[0094] During acquisition, the projection measurement data P1 and P2 may possibly be segmented further, namely into energy-resolved projection measurement data P11, P12, . . . , P1i, P21, P22, . . . , P2i, based on the energy distribution of the projection P1, P2. The projection measurement data P11, P12, . . . , P1i is assigned in this case to the first spectrum and the projection measurement data P21, P22, . . . , P2i is assigned to the second spectrum. The index i indicates the number of detection thresholds that are used to detect the X-rays with the respective different spectrum.

[0095] The projection measurement data P11 is also the data of the first spectrum from a defined energy range of the X-rays projected by the examination object 2, namely the energy range that is detected in a first bin of the energy-selective X-ray detector 4. The same applies analogously to the projection measurement data P2i, which is recorded in the ith bin and is assigned to the second spectrum. The bins of the X-ray detector 4 therefore each record data from a defined energy range of the projection. The limits of the energy ranges of the bins can be defined, for example by a control protocol or by an operator, and set with the aid of the control device 5. In particular, the limits of the energy ranges for acquiring projection measurement data of different spectra are adapted to the course of these spectra. As already described in detail, this process can include a temporal change of the energy ranges or a spatial variation of the energy ranges. Further steps of the acquisition are analogous to the methods already established in computed tomography.

[0096] The projection measurement data P1, P2 therefore contains information about the generating spectrum and about the energy distribution present in the projection. From this spectrally separated projection measurement data P1, P2, images can be generated in the third step 4. III for the individual energy ranges using known reconstruction algorithms. Depending on the requirements, these can then be mixed with each other in order to display certain materials or fabrics as highlighted as desired and to optimize them in terms of contrast and/or noise and/or contrast-to-noise ratio. Finally, the method according to an embodiment of the present invention provides an improved representation of the reconstructed image B due to the improved spectral separation.

[0097] Finally, it should be pointed out once again that the devices and methods described in detail above are merely exemplary embodiments which can be modified by the person skilled in the art in a wide variety of ways without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0098] Furthermore, the use of the indefinite articles a or an does not exclude the possibility that the features in question may be present more than once. Similarly, the term element does not exclude the possibility that the component in question comprises multiple interacting subcomponents, which may also be spatially distributed.

[0099] Irrespective of the grammatical gender of a particular term, persons with male, female or other gender identities are included.

[0100] It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers, and/or sections, should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example embodiments. As used herein, the term and/or, includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The phrase at least one of has the same meaning as and/or.

[0101] Spatially relative terms, such as beneath, below, lower, under, above, upper, and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as below, beneath, or under, other elements or features would then be oriented above the other elements or features. Thus, the example terms below and under may encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. In addition, when an element is referred to as being between two elements, the element may be the only element between the two elements, or one or more other intervening elements may be present.

[0102] Spatial and functional relationships between elements (for example, between modules) are described using various terms, including on, connected, engaged, interfaced, and coupled. Unless explicitly described as being direct, when a relationship between first and second elements is described in the disclosure, that relationship encompasses a direct relationship where no other intervening elements are present between the first and second elements, and also an indirect relationship where one or more intervening elements are present (either spatially or functionally) between the first and second elements. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being directly on, connected, engaged, interfaced, or coupled to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., between, versus directly between, adjacent, versus directly adjacent, etc.).

[0103] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms a, an, and the, are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the terms and/or and at least one of include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms comprises, comprising, includes, and/or including, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term and/or includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Expressions such as at least one of, when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list. Also, the term example is intended to refer to an example or illustration.

[0104] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.

[0105] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0106] It is noted that some example embodiments may be described with reference to acts and symbolic representations of operations (e.g., in the form of flow charts, flow diagrams, data flow diagrams, structure diagrams, block diagrams, etc.) that may be implemented in conjunction with units and/or devices discussed above. Although discussed in a particularly manner, a function or operation specified in a specific block may be performed differently from the flow specified in a flowchart, flow diagram, etc. For example, functions or operations illustrated as being performed serially in two consecutive blocks may actually be performed simultaneously, or in some cases be performed in reverse order. Although the flowcharts describe the operations as sequential processes, many of the operations may be performed in parallel, concurrently or simultaneously. In addition, the order of operations may be re-arranged. The processes may be terminated when their operations are completed, but may also have additional steps not included in the figure. The processes may correspond to methods, functions, procedures, subroutines, subprograms, etc.

[0107] Specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of describing example embodiments. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to only the embodiments set forth herein.

[0108] In addition, or alternative, to that discussed above, units and/or devices according to one or more example embodiments may be implemented using hardware, software, and/or a combination thereof. For example, hardware devices may be implemented using processing circuitry such as, but not limited to, a processor, Central Processing Unit (CPU), a controller, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a System-on-Chip (SoC), a programmable logic unit, a microprocessor, or any other device capable of responding to and executing instructions in a defined manner. Portions of the example embodiments and corresponding detailed description may be presented in terms of software, or algorithms and symbolic representations of operation on data bits within a computer memory. These descriptions and representations are the ones by which those of ordinary skill in the art effectively convey the substance of their work to others of ordinary skill in the art. An algorithm, as the term is used here, and as it is used generally, is conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of steps leading to a desired result. The steps are those requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take the form of optical, electrical, or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like.

[0109] It should be borne in mind that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise, or as is apparent from the discussion, terms such as processing or computing or calculating or determining of displaying or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device/hardware, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical, electronic quantities within the computer system's registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.

[0110] In this application, including the definitions below, the term module or the term controller may be replaced with the term circuit. The term module may refer to, be part of, or include processor hardware (shared, dedicated, or group) that executes code and memory hardware (shared, dedicated, or group) that stores code executed by the processor hardware.

[0111] The module may include one or more interface circuits. In some examples, the interface circuits may include wired or wireless interfaces that are connected to a local area network (LAN), the Internet, a wide area network (WAN), or combinations thereof. The functionality of any given module of the present disclosure may be distributed among multiple modules that are connected via interface circuits. For example, multiple modules may allow load balancing. In a further example, a server (also known as remote, or cloud) module may accomplish some functionality on behalf of a client module.

[0112] Software may include a computer program, program code, instructions, or some combination thereof, for independently or collectively instructing or configuring a hardware device to operate as desired. The computer program and/or program code may include program or computer-readable instructions, software components, software modules, data files, data structures, and/or the like, capable of being implemented by one or more hardware devices, such as one or more of the hardware devices mentioned above. Examples of program code include both machine code produced by a compiler and higher level program code that is executed using an interpreter.

[0113] For example, when a hardware device is a computer processing device (e.g., a processor, Central Processing Unit (CPU), a controller, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a microprocessor, etc.), the computer processing device may be configured to carry out program code by performing arithmetical, logical, and input/output operations, according to the program code. Once the program code is loaded into a computer processing device, the computer processing device may be programmed to perform the program code, thereby transforming the computer processing device into a special purpose computer processing device. In a more specific example, when the program code is loaded into a processor, the processor becomes programmed to perform the program code and operations corresponding thereto, thereby transforming the processor into a special purpose processor.

[0114] Software and/or data may be embodied permanently or temporarily in any type of machine, component, physical or virtual equipment, or computer storage medium or device, capable of providing instructions or data to, or being interpreted by, a hardware device. The software also may be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the software is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. In particular, for example, software and data may be stored by one or more computer readable recording mediums, including the tangible or non-transitory computer-readable storage media discussed herein.

[0115] Even further, any of the disclosed methods may be embodied in the form of a program or software. The program or software may be stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium and is adapted to perform any one of the aforementioned methods when run on a computer device (a device including a processor). Thus, the non-transitory, tangible computer readable medium, is adapted to store information and is adapted to interact with a data processing facility or computer device to execute the program of any of the above mentioned embodiments and/or to perform the method of any of the above mentioned embodiments.

[0116] Example embodiments may be described with reference to acts and symbolic representations of operations (e.g., in the form of flow charts, flow diagrams, data flow diagrams, structure diagrams, block diagrams, etc.) that may be implemented in conjunction with units and/or devices discussed in more detail below. Although discussed in a particularly manner, a function or operation specified in a specific block may be performed differently from the flow specified in a flowchart, flow diagram, etc. For example, functions or operations illustrated as being performed serially in two consecutive blocks may actually be performed simultaneously, or in some cases be performed in reverse order.

[0117] According to one or more example embodiments, computer processing devices may be described as including various functional units that perform various operations and/or functions to increase the clarity of the description. However, computer processing devices are not intended to be limited to these functional units. For example, in one or more example embodiments, the various operations and/or functions of the functional units may be performed by other ones of the functional units. Further, the computer processing devices may perform the operations and/or functions of the various functional units without sub-dividing the operations and/or functions of the computer processing units into these various functional units.

[0118] Units and/or devices according to one or more example embodiments may also include one or more storage devices. The one or more storage devices may be tangible or non-transitory computer-readable storage media, such as random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), a permanent mass storage device (such as a disk drive), solid state (e.g., NAND flash) device, and/or any other like data storage mechanism capable of storing and recording data. The one or more storage devices may be configured to store computer programs, program code, instructions, or some combination thereof, for one or more operating systems and/or for implementing the example embodiments described herein. The computer programs, program code, instructions, or some combination thereof, may also be loaded from a separate computer readable storage medium into the one or more storage devices and/or one or more computer processing devices using a drive mechanism. Such separate computer readable storage medium may include a Universal Serial Bus (USB) flash drive, a memory stick, a Blu-ray/DVD/CD-ROM drive, a memory card, and/or other like computer readable storage media. The computer programs, program code, instructions, or some combination thereof, may be loaded into the one or more storage devices and/or the one or more computer processing devices from a remote data storage device via a network interface, rather than via a local computer readable storage medium. Additionally, the computer programs, program code, instructions, or some combination thereof, may be loaded into the one or more storage devices and/or the one or more processors from a remote computing system that is configured to transfer and/or distribute the computer programs, program code, instructions, or some combination thereof, over a network. The remote computing system may transfer and/or distribute the computer programs, program code, instructions, or some combination thereof, via a wired interface, an air interface, and/or any other like medium.

[0119] The one or more hardware devices, the one or more storage devices, and/or the computer programs, program code, instructions, or some combination thereof, may be specially designed and constructed for the purposes of the example embodiments, or they may be known devices that are altered and/or modified for the purposes of example embodiments.

[0120] A hardware device, such as a computer processing device, may run an operating system (OS) and one or more software applications that run on the OS. The computer processing device also may access, store, manipulate, process, and create data in response to execution of the software. For simplicity, one or more example embodiments may be exemplified as a computer processing device or processor; however, one skilled in the art will appreciate that a hardware device may include multiple processing elements or processors and multiple types of processing elements or processors. For example, a hardware device may include multiple processors or a processor and a controller. In addition, other processing configurations are possible, such as parallel processors.

[0121] The computer programs include processor-executable instructions that are stored on at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium (memory). The computer programs may also include or rely on stored data. The computer programs may encompass a basic input/output system (BIOS) that interacts with hardware of the special purpose computer, device drivers that interact with particular devices of the special purpose computer, one or more operating systems, user applications, background services, background applications, etc. As such, the one or more processors may be configured to execute the processor executable instructions.

[0122] The computer programs may include: (i) descriptive text to be parsed, such as HTML (hypertext markup language) or XML (extensible markup language), (ii) assembly code, (iii) object code generated from source code by a compiler, (iv) source code for execution by an interpreter, (v) source code for compilation and execution by a just-in-time compiler, etc. As examples only, source code may be written using syntax from languages including C, C++, C#, Objective-C, Haskell, Go, SQL, R, Lisp, Java, Fortran, Perl, Pascal, Curl, OCaml, Javascript, HTML5, Ada, ASP (active server pages), PHP, Scala, Eiffel, Smalltalk, Erlang, Ruby, Flash, Visual Basic, Lua, and Python.

[0123] Further, at least one example embodiment relates to the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including electronically readable control information (processor executable instructions) stored thereon, configured in such that when the storage medium is used in a controller of a device, at least one embodiment of the method may be carried out.

[0124] The computer readable medium or storage medium may be a built-in medium installed inside a computer device main body or a removable medium arranged so that it can be separated from the computer device main body. The term computer-readable medium, as used herein, does not encompass transitory electrical or electromagnetic signals propagating through a medium (such as on a carrier wave); the term computer-readable medium is therefore considered tangible and non-transitory. Non-limiting examples of the non-transitory computer-readable medium include, but are not limited to, rewriteable non-volatile memory devices (including, for example flash memory devices, erasable programmable read-only memory devices, or a mask read-only memory devices); volatile memory devices (including, for example static random access memory devices or a dynamic random access memory devices); magnetic storage media (including, for example an analog or digital magnetic tape or a hard disk drive); and optical storage media (including, for example a CD, a DVD, or a Blu-ray Disc). Examples of the media with a built-in rewriteable non-volatile memory, include but are not limited to memory cards; and media with a built-in ROM, including but not limited to ROM cassettes; etc. Furthermore, various information regarding stored images, for example, property information, may be stored in any other form, or it may be provided in other ways.

[0125] The term code, as used above, may include software, firmware, and/or microcode, and may refer to programs, routines, functions, classes, data structures, and/or objects. Shared processor hardware encompasses a single microprocessor that executes some or all code from multiple modules. Group processor hardware encompasses a microprocessor that, in combination with additional microprocessors, executes some or all code from one or more modules. References to multiple microprocessors encompass multiple microprocessors on discrete dies, multiple microprocessors on a single die, multiple cores of a single microprocessor, multiple threads of a single microprocessor, or a combination of the above.

[0126] Shared memory hardware encompasses a single memory device that stores some or all code from multiple modules. Group memory hardware encompasses a memory device that, in combination with other memory devices, stores some or all code from one or more modules.

[0127] The term memory hardware is a subset of the term computer-readable medium. The term computer-readable medium, as used herein, does not encompass transitory electrical or electromagnetic signals propagating through a medium (such as on a carrier wave); the term computer-readable medium is therefore considered tangible and non-transitory. Non-limiting examples of the non-transitory computer-readable medium include, but are not limited to, rewriteable non-volatile memory devices (including, for example flash memory devices, erasable programmable read-only memory devices, or a mask read-only memory devices); volatile memory devices (including, for example static random access memory devices or a dynamic random access memory devices); magnetic storage media (including, for example an analog or digital magnetic tape or a hard disk drive); and optical storage media (including, for example a CD, a DVD, or a Blu-ray Disc). Examples of the media with a built-in rewriteable non-volatile memory, include but are not limited to memory cards; and media with a built-in ROM, including but not limited to ROM cassettes; etc. Furthermore, various information regarding stored images, for example, property information, may be stored in any other form, or it may be provided in other ways.

[0128] The apparatuses and methods described in this application may be partially or fully implemented by a special purpose computer created by configuring a general purpose computer to execute one or more particular functions embodied in computer programs. The functional blocks and flowchart elements described above serve as software specifications, which can be translated into the computer programs by the routine work of a skilled technician or programmer.

[0129] Although described with reference to specific examples and drawings, modifications, additions and substitutions of example embodiments may be variously made according to the description by those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the described techniques may be performed in an order different with that of the methods described, and/or components such as the described system, architecture, devices, circuit, and the like, may be connected or combined to be different from the above-described methods, or results may be appropriately achieved by other components or equivalents.

[0130] Although the present invention has been shown and described with respect to certain example embodiments, equivalents and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of the specification. The present invention includes all such equivalents and modifications and is limited only by the scope of the appended claims.