Question:

I'm working on an Delphi3 application where we want to add a feature that will have the property of whitening the teeth and only the teeth in the image. Any clue , I'm caugth.


Answer:

Here's something to try, but this is a little technical. Take a look at each pixel. From the RGB values define an intensity measured, I = (R+G+B)/3 and a saturation value.

One way to calculate saturation is as follows: min = MinIntValue([R, G, B]) max = MaxIntValue([R, G, B]) saturation = 255 * (max- min) / max

So any "bright white" in your picture will have a very high intensity, and a very low saturation. [Black, shades of gray and white have 0 saturation. "Pure" colors like Red = RGB(255,0,0) have saturation=255.]

You will need to set limits on intensity and saturation based on your images -- some sort of statistical analysis might be useful.

Once you define what limits for intensity and saturation define "teeth" in your image, then just boost the pixel value closer to white = RGB(255,255,255).

Are you expecting the program to recognize what part of the image ia teeth and what is non-teeth? That would be difficult.

Well... let's see... if he limits himself to dark skinned people whose teeth are not stained with tobacco and/or other materials, has them wear dark clothing, and has them pose in a coal cellar, I think I can handle it.

-- Wayne Herbert Manager, Computer Products Key Maps, Inc. 1411 West Alabama Houston, TX 77006

Vox: 713.522.7949 Fax: 713.521.3202

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