Image Processing Notes
Image Processing Notes
Chapter 1
Image processing
Two applications:
In the first case, the output is an improved image. In the second case, output is the data for
transmission and analysis.
Low level: Primitive processes such as noise reduction, contrast enhancement, and image
sharpening. In low level image processing, both the input and outputs are images.
Mid level: tasks such as segmentation, description of those objects to reduce them to a form
suitable for computer processing and classification of individual objects. In mid level processing,
inputs are images but outputs are attributes extracted from those images(e.g edges, contours and
identity of individual objects.
Thus image processing encompasses processes whose inputs and outputs are images, processes
which extracts attributes from images and recognition of objects.
Energy is radiated from a source and is passed through the object whose image is required. The
radiations either pass or are reflected from the object. These radiations are detected by detector.
They are then processed and data is extracted from the image.
Diagram: EM spectrum
Approach:
Inject patient with radioactive isotope that emits gamma rays as it decays.
Images are produced from the emissions collected by gamma ray detectors.
Example: PET-Positron Emission Tomography: Positrons are emitted. When positron meets
electron, two gamma rays are given off. These are detected and image is created using
tomographic principles.
Cathode is heated- it emits electrons- it hits the nucleus- nucleus releases energy in the form of
x-rays. Penetrating power of x rays are controlled by voltage applied across anode. Number of x-
rays are controlled by current applied to filament in the cathode. Example of x-ray is in medical
field- chest x ray etc. other example is angiography.
Ultrasonic light itself is not visible. It hits fluorescent material- electrons are excited to higher
energy level. While coming to lower level back, it emits energy in the form of light.
Working- it illuminates the object with its radiations and receives it by antenna. Then it does
computer processing.
MRI- patient is placed in strong magnetic field. Radio waves are passed through him. Are
detected by array of detectors and processed by computers.
Other sources
Image acquisition:
Image enhancement:
To bring out details that is obscured or simply to highlight certain features of the image. For
example- to increase the contrast of the image because image looks better. Enhancement is
subjective area of image processing.
Image restoration
It deals with improving the appearance of the image. It is not subjective, it is objective.
It is used to remove the degradation of the image by using some techniques and formulations.-
uses techniques based on mathematical and probabilistic models.
It involves acquisition of color images using color sensors- other field is filling color in objects
with different intensities.
Wavelet transforms:
Wavelets are small waves of varying frequency and limited duration. They are used to represent
images with various degree of resolution (multiresolution). Some features of the image are not
visible with one resolution can be obtained using wavelets. Images are subdivided into smaller
regions.
Image compression
Techniques to reduce the storage required to save the image or the bandwidth required to
transmit it. Two types of methods- lossless and lossy. In lossless method, no data is lost in
lossy method, some data is permanently lost.
Morphological processing
It deals with extracting image components that are useful in representation and description of
image region shape. Input is the image and output is the extracted attributes.
Image segmentation
Partition of image into its constituent parts or objects. Level upto which subdivision is carried
depends upon problem being solved. Segmentation should be stopped when object of interest has
been isolated.
It follows the output of segmentation stage which is a raw pixel data. It is either boundary of
object or region inside of the object depending on the requirement of application.
Recognition
Knowledge base
It is the prior knowledge required about a problem domain. It may be as simple as detailing
regions of an image where information of interest is known to be located. There is continuous
interaction between processing modules and knowledge base. That is why arrows are double
sided.
Value of (x,y) is a positive scalar quantity. It must be non zero and finite, that is
0 < f(x,y) <
F(x,y) depends on two components: illumination and reflectance, i(x,y) and r(x,y)