Appeal No. 2003-2103 Page 7
Application No. 09/826,256
the gain correction factor and/or offset correction term from a previously picked up
image if the correction unit cannot derive a gain correction factor and/or offset
correction term from the electronic sub-image signals, for example because images
without dark or bright spots are presented, the crux of appellants’ argument is that
Bruijns does not correct the initial image signal based on correction values obtained
from an earlier x-ray exposure or calibration process and thus cannot correct for the
delayed emission of electric charges trapped in the matrix from the earlier x-ray
exposure. The examiner concedes that Bruijns does not perform corrections for the
purpose of taking delayed charges into consideration, but states that, nonetheless,
“Bruijns’ procedure would inherently correct from delayed charges since they would be
indistinguishable from dark current which Bruijns does correct for” (answer, page 5) and
appellants have not disputed this statement.
Given Bruijns’ disclosure of the use of stored values of gain correction factors
and offset correction terms obtained from a previously picked up image, Bruijns
certainly discloses an image sensor matrix for deriving an initial image (calibration)
signal from a predetermined calibrated x-ray exposure (the previously picked-up image)
and an initial image signal (the later picked-up image for which gain correction and/or
offset correction factors cannot be derived) and a correction unit for deriving a corrected
image signal from the later picked-up image signal including a memory unit 41 for
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