IMPRESS: A system for image processing procedure construction based on sample-figure presentation

As a method of dialog with users, earlier image processing systems used a combination of linear information and words, a number or a phrase for description. However, these systems were limited in providing actual detailed descriptions of the extraction of image border and border lines. Thus a new Image Processing Expert System, IMPRESS, is proposed in this paper. This system accepts sample figure presentations which include an automatic process for selecting a figure that most closely identifies the sample figure without reading a description of the processing purpose. In addition, this system can be realized by using actual cases of construction. This paper explains the basic concept of this system and the automatic construction method of the line pattern extraction procedure. The method is then applied to the problem of major outline extraction of chest X-ray images, and its effectiveness is shown.