Stitching Together Images of Spongy Materials for Better Views
This patent describes a method for combining multiple 'slice' images of porous materials like sponges or rocks into one clear, complete picture by precisely identifying and using how they overlap.
Original patent title: “Methods and devices for enhancement of porous media images”
This patent describes a method for combining multiple 'slice' images of porous materials like sponges or rocks into one clear, complete picture by precisely identifying and using how they overlap. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This method helps create a single, clear image from many thin 'slice images' of a porous material. First, it identifies how these individual slices overlap, looking for an 'overlap pattern'. Next, it calculates the exact 'overlap distances' between these slices based on that pattern. Finally, using these calculated distances, it 'registers' or precisely aligns all the slices to form a single 'composite image'. For example, when scanning a piece of sandstone to see its internal structure, many thin images are taken. This method ensures these images are perfectly aligned to create one accurate 3D representation.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover image processing for materials that are not porous (e.g., a solid block of metal).
- Does not cover combining images if they are not individual 'slice images' (e.g., a single photograph or video stream).
- Does not cover image registration techniques that do not detect and use 'overlap patterns' and 'overlap distances'.
- Does not cover image enhancement methods that do not involve creating a 'composite image' from multiple slices.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The noveltynoveltyThe requirement that an invention be different from anything publicly known before its priority date.Read more → lies in specifically detecting 'overlap patterns' and then using these patterns to determine precise 'overlap distances' for registering slice images of porous media. This tailored approach helps accurately align complex, often irregular, internal structures that might be difficult to match with generic image registration methods.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Geological core samples for oil and gas exploration
Analysis of bone structure in medical imaging
Characterization of filter membranes
Microscopic imaging of catalytic converters
Studying soil samples for agricultural research
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Understanding the internal structure of porous materials is crucial in many fields. For instance, in geology, it helps predict how oil or water flows through rock. In materials science, it aids in designing better filters or catalysts. By creating clearer, more accurate composite images, this method allows scientists and engineers to analyze these complex structures more effectively, leading to improved designs and resource management.
Filed
August 29, 2023
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Companies specializing in advanced imaging software and hardware for scientific and industrial applications, such as those in the oil and gas industry (e.g., Schlumberger, Baker Hughes), materials science (e.g., Thermo Fisher Scientific), and medical imaging (e.g., Siemens Healthineers, GE Healthcare), would find this technology relevant. Research institutions and universities also actively develop and apply such image processing techniques for porous media analysis.
Market impact
This technology could improve the accuracy and efficiency of material characterization across several industries. By enabling more precise analysis of porous structures, it could lead to better design of industrial filters, more effective methods for oil and gas extraction, and enhanced understanding of biological tissues. This could reduce costs associated with material failure or inefficient processes, fostering innovation in product development and resource management.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This method helps create a single, clear image from many thin 'slice images' of a porous material. First, it identifies how these individual slices overlap, looking for an 'overlap pattern'. Next, it calculates the exact 'overlap distances' between these slices based on that pattern. Finally, using these calculated distances, it 'registers' or precisely aligns all the slices to form a single 'composite image'. For example, when scanning a piece of sandstone to see its internal structure, many thin images are taken. This method ensures these images are perfectly aligned to create one accurate 3D representation.
The clever bit
The novelty lies in specifically detecting 'overlap patterns' and then using these patterns to determine precise 'overlap distances' for registering slice images of porous media. This tailored approach helps accurately align complex, often irregular, internal structures that might be difficult to match with generic image registration methods.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover image processing for materials that are not porous (e.g., a solid block of metal).
- Does not cover combining images if they are not individual 'slice images' (e.g., a single photograph or video stream).
- Does not cover image registration techniques that do not detect and use 'overlap patterns' and 'overlap distances'.
- Does not cover image enhancement methods that do not involve creating a 'composite image' from multiple slices.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$19K – $61K
Midpoint $38K · 16.9 yr remaining · industry ×1.6
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
Concepts involved
Cite this patent
(2026). Stitching Together Images of Spongy Materials for Better Views (U.S. Patent No. 12,737,841). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12737841/methods-and-devices-for-enhancement-of-porous-media-images
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Stitching Together Images of Spongy Materials for Better Views cover?
This patent describes a method for combining multiple 'slice' images of porous materials like sponges or rocks into one clear, complete picture by precisely identifying and using how they overlap.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
Understanding the internal structure of porous materials is crucial in many fields. For instance, in geology, it helps predict how oil or water flows through rock. In materials science, it aids in designing better filters or catalysts. By creating clearer, more accurate composite images, this method allows scientists and engineers to analyze these complex structures more effectively, leading to improved designs and resource management.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover image processing for materials that are not porous (e.g., a solid block of metal).
Patent monitoring