IMAGE PROCESSING
Prashanthi Gajula
Sree Chaitanya Institute of Management and Computer Sciences, LMD Colony,
Thimmapor, Karimnagar 505001(A.P.)
Prashanthi.gajula@gmail.com
Mobile num: 9700558784
Abstract
In this paper, the basics of capturing an image,
image processing to modify and enhance the
images are discussed. There are many
applications for Image Processing like
surveillance, navigation, and robotics. Robotics
is a very interesting field and promises future
development so it is chosen as an example to
explain the various aspects involved in Image
Processing . The various techniques of Image
Processing are explained briefly and the
advantages and disadvantages are listed. There
are countless different routines that can be
used for variety of purposes. Most of these
routines are created for specific operations and
applications. However, certain fundamental
techniques such as convolution masks can be
applied to many classes of routines. We have
concentrated on these techniques, which enable
us to adapt, develop, and use other routines and
techniques for other applications. The advances
in technology have created tremendous
opportunities for visual system and image
processing. There is no doubt that the trend will
continue into the future.
Keywords
Image, ImageProcessing , Surveillance,
Robotics, Navigation, Convolution.
Introduction
Digital Image Processing is concerned with
acquiring and processing of an image. In simple
words an image is a representation of a real scene,
either in black and white or in color, and either in
print form or in a digital form i.e., technically a
image is a two-dimensional light intensity function.
In other words it is a data intensity values arranged
in a two-dimensional form like an array, the
required property of an image can be extracted
from processing an Image .Image is typically by
stochastic models. It is represented by AR model.
Degradation is represented by MA model. Other
form is orthogonal series expansion. Image
processing system is typically non-casual system.
Image processing is two dimensional signal
processing. Due to linearity Property, we can
operate on rows and columns separately. Image
processing is vastly being implemented by “Vision
Systems” in robotics. Robots are designed, and
meant to be controlled by a computer or similar
devices. While “Vision Systems” are most
sophisticated sensors used in Robotics. They relate
the function of a robot to its environment as all
other sensors do. “Vision Systems” may be used
for a variety of applications, including
manufacturing, navigation and surveillance.
Brief History
One of the first applications of image processing
techniques in the first category was in improving
digitized newspaper pictures sent by submarine
cable between London and Newyork . Introduction
of the Bartlane cable picture transmission system in
the early 1920’s reduced the time required to
transport a picture across the Atlantic from more
than a week. Some of the initial problems in
improving the visual quality of these early digital
pictures were related to the selection of printing
procedures and the distribution of brightness levels.
The printing method used to send the picture by
specialized printing equipment coded pictures
was abandoned towards the end of 1921 in favor of
a technique based on photographic reproduction
made from tapes perforated at the telegraph
receiving terminal whose improvements are
evident both in tonal quality and resolution. During
this period introduction of a system for developing
a film plate via light beams that were modulated by
the coded picture tape improved the reproduction
process considerably. Improvements on processing
methods for transmitted digital pictures continued
to be made during the next 35 years. However, it
took the combined advents of large scale digital
computers and space program to bring into focus
the potential of image processing concepts. Work
on using computer techniques for improving
images from a space probe began at the
Jetpropulsion Laboratory at Pasadena, California in Example:
1964 when pictures of the moon were transmitted Image
which were processed by computer to correct
various types of image distortion inherent in the
on-board television camera. From 1964 until the
present, the field of image processing has grown
vigorously. The second major area of application of
digital image processing techniques is in solving
problems dealing with machine perception. In this
case, interest focuses on procedures for extracting
from an image information in a form suitable for Image Restoration:
computer processing. Often, this information bears Improving the appearance of an image tend to be
little resemblance to visual features that human based on mathematical or probabilistic models of
beings use in interpreting the contents of an image. image degradation.
Examples of the type of information used in Example:
machine perception are Statistical moments,
Fourier transform coefficients, and multi
dimensional distance measures.
Index Terms
Image:
An image may be defined as a two-dimensional
function, f(x, y), where x and y are spatial (plane) Distorted Image Restorted
Image
coordinates, and the amplitude of ‘f’ at any pair of
coordinates (x, y) is called the intensity or gray
Color Image Processing:
level of the image at that point. When x, y and the
Gaining its importance because of the significant
amplitude values of f are all finite, discrete
increase in the use of digital images over the
quantities, we call the image a digital image. The
Internet.
field of digital image processing refers to
processing digital images by means of a digital
Wavelets:
computer. A digital image is composed of a finite
Foundation for representing images in various
number of elements, each of which has a particular
degrees of resolution. Used in image data
location and value. These elements are referred to
compression and pyramidal representation (images
as picture elements, image elements, pels, and
are subdivided successively into smaller regions)
pixels. Pixel is the term most widely used to denote
the elements of a digital image Compression:
Reducing the storage requires to save an image or
the bandwidth required to transmit it. Ex. JPEG
(Joint Photographic Experts Group) image
compression standard. Other areas of image
processing technology include:
o 3-D Imaging
o Multimedia
o In Camera Image Processing

Image Processing Inside the Digital

Image Processing:
Image processing is a subclass of signal processing
concerned specifically with pictures. Improve
image quality for human perception and / or
computer interpretation. Image Enhancement. To
bring out detail is obscured, or simply to highlight
certain features of interest in an image.
Camera:
"You press the button. We do the rest" takes on
new meaning when you consider that the moment
you press the button of a digital camera, several
things happen almost instantaneously to produce
bright colorful images. When you snap a picture
with a digital camera, sophisticated digital image
processing takes place inside the camera.
1. Light is captured on an image sensor with pixels
coated in red, green and blue patterns. The sensor
captures the light and interpolates the scene into
full color.
2. Smart algorithms in the camera "firmware"
respond to the scene data and sharpen the image.
3. The system automatically corrects color, adjusts
for exposure and implements automatic noise
reduction.
4. Finally, the camera compresses the image into Image Segmentation:
the JPEG format. Computer tries to separate objects separate objects
3D Imaging from the image background from the image
background. It is one of the most difficult tasks in
The world about us is three-dimensional, yet
DIP. A rugged segmentation procedure brings the
photography shows us the world in two
process a long way toward successful solution of
dimensions.Three-dimensional imaging attempts to
an image problem Output of the segmentation stage
retain the three-dimensional nature of the world.
is raw pixel data, constituting either the boundary
Scientists are working on cameras and applications
of a region or all the points in the region itself.
that collect and apply the full geometry of world.
They blend computer graphics and photography so
objects can be viewed from any vantage and still
have the detail and richness of photographs. While
our methods initially are intended for e-commerce,
at some point, the technology will be available to
consumers.

Analysis:
The following is the overall view and analysis of
Image Processing.
Image Processing Techniques:
Key Research Areas: Image Processing techniques are used to enhance,
o Photography improve, or otherwise alter an image and to prepare
o Software it for image analysis. Usually, during image
o Computer Graphics processing information is not extracted from the
o Displays image. The intention is to remove faults, trivial
Recent Achievements: information, or information that may be important,
Developed with a system that collects images of an but not useful, and to improve the image. Image
object and builds a computer graphic model that processing is divided into many sub processes,
can be viewed from any point. The system including histogram Analysis, Thresholding,
eliminates much of the time and expense in Masking, Edge Detection, Segmentation, and
constructing 3D objects of high quality. Objects others.
now are photo-realistic since the data comes
directly from photograph.
Morphological processing:
Tools for extracting image components that are
useful in the representation and description of
shape.
 Thresholding:
Stages In Image Processing: Thresholding is the process of dividing an image
into different portions by picking a certain grayness
A problem level as a threshold, comparing each pixel value
A solution with the threshold, and then assigning the pixel to
Image the different portions, depending on whether the
Acquisition Recognition
pixel’s grayness level is below the threshold or
and
above the threshold value. Thresholding can be
Interpretation
performed either at a single level or at multiple
Knowledge nn levels, in which the image is processed by dividing
Base it into ”layers”, each with a selected threshold.
Various techniques are available to choose an
appropriate threshold ranging from simple routines
Representatio for binary images to sophisticated techniques for
Preprocessin complicated images.
Segmentatio n and
g Connectivity:
n Description
Sometimes we need to decide whether neighboring
pixels are somehow “connected” or related to each
other. Connectivity establishes whether they have
the same property, such as being of the same
region, coming from the same object, having a
similar texture, etc. To establish the connectivity of
neighboring pixels, we first have to decide upon a
1. Image Acquisition: connectivity path.
An image is captured by a sensor (such as a Noise Reduction:
monochrome or color TV camera) and digitized. If Like other signal processing mediums, Vision
the output of the camera or sensor is not already in Systems contains noises. Some noises are
digital form, an analog-to digital converter digitizes systematic and come from dirty lenses, faulty
it. electronic components, bad memory chips and low
2. Recognition And Interpretation: resolution. Others are random and are caused by
Recognition is the process that assigns a label to an environmental effects or bad lighting. The net
object based on the information provided by its effect is a corrupted image that needs to be
descriptors. preprocessed to reduce or eliminate the noise. In
Interpretation is assigning meaning to an ensemble addition, sometimes images are not of good
of recognized objects. quality, due to both hardware and software
3. Segmentation: inadequacies; thus, they have to be enhanced and
Segmentation is the generic name for a number of improved before other analysis can be performed
different techniques that divide the image into on them.
segments of its constituents. The purpose of Convolution Masks:
segmentation is to separate the information A mask may be used for many different purposes,
contained in the image into smaller entities that can including filtering operations and noise reduction.
be used for other purposes Noise and Edges produces higher frequencies in
4. Representation And Description: the spectrum of a signal. It is possible to create
Representation and Description transforms raw masks that behave like a low pass filter, such that
data into a form suitable for the Recognition higher frequencies of an image are attenuated while
processing. the lower frequencies are not changed very much.
There by the noise is reduced.

5. Knowledge Base: Edge Detection:

A problem domain detailing the regions of an Edge Detection is a general name for a class of
image where the information of interest is routines and techniques that operate on an image
known to be located is known as knowledge base. and results in a line drawing of the image. The
It helps to limit the search. lines represented changes in values such as cross
sections of planes, intersections of planes, textures,
lines, and colors, as well as differences in shading
and textures. Some techniques are mathematically
oriented, some are heuristic, and some are
descriptive. All generally operate on the
differences between the gray levels of pixels or
groups of pixels through masks or thresholds. The
final result is a line drawing or similar
representation that requires much less memory to
be stored, is much simpler to be processed, and
saves in computation and storage costs. Edge
detection is also necessary in subsequent process,
such as segmentation and object recognition.
Image Data Compression:
Electronic images contain large amounts of
information and thus require data transmission
lines with large bandwidth capacity. The
requirements for the temporal and spatial resolution
of an image, the number of images per second, and
the number of gray levels are determined by the
required quality of the image. Recent data
transmission and storage techniques have
significantly improved image transmission
capabilities, including transmission over the
Internet.
Real-Time Image Processing:
In many of the techniques considered so far, the
image is digitized and stored before processing. In
other situations, although the image is not stored,
the processing routines require long computational
times before they are finished. This means that, in
general, there is a long lapse between the time and
image is taken and the time a result obtained. This
may be acceptable in situations in which the
decisions do not affect the process. However, in
other situations, there is a need for real-time
processing such that the results are available in real
time or in a short enough time to be considered real
time. Two different approaches are considered for
real time processing. One is to design dedicated
hardware such that the processing is fast
enough to occur in real time. The other is to try to
increase the efficiency of both the software and the
hardware and thereby reduce processing and
computational requirements.
Modeling:
A key goal for the system designers was for overall
image quality to closely match that of current
35mm systems. Developers used predictive system
modeling to meet image quality targets for the
system. Image quality modeling was key in
selecting the new film and print format sizes and in
evaluating proposed features, such a pseudo zoom.
Ultimately, specifications for such elements as film
design, camera exposure control and component
positioning tolerances were developed with the aid
of system performance models. For hybrid and
digital imaging products, modeling is used to
predict the performance the entire system,
including elements such as optics, image sensors,
scanners, image processing operations, printers,
emissive displays, capture and display media and
human visual responses. In a digital camera, for
example, modification of only one component --
such as the lens, sensor, or color filter array -- can
significantly impact image quality.
Image Simulation:
Image simulation is used to generate actual images
based on system models. Scientists use advanced
imaging software to emulate the characteristics of
film or digital systems. They manipulate tone scale,
color, sharpness and grain to generate the kind of
picture quality that a proposed system would
deliver. The images generated are then used in
studies in which people choose which pictures they
find most pleasing. Scientists work on simulating
traditional and digital imaging systems, as well as
hybrid systems that combine both technologies.
Drawing on an extensive library of fully
characterized images, these scientists are able to
save considerable time and effort in the process.
Simulating new color films and paper emulsions
has replaced time-consuming, expensive physical
experiments in chemical laboratories. In digital
imaging, simulations can eliminate the need for
elaborate "breadboard" hardware needed to
produce experimental images.
Image communications:
Image communications is what makes digital
imaging much more than a mere replacement for
film-based technology. Advances in information
networking allow applications to seamlessly
integrate multimedia into every form of
communication.
 How to Manage and Use All That
Data
The digitization of the imaging industry brings new
technical challenges and opportunities.The vision
of helping people and businesses tell their stories
more effectively through imaging, once viewed as
revolutionary in the imaging industry, is now taken
for granted.
 Making Digital Imaging Easy Is Not
So Easy
As camcorders, digital still cameras, and PDAs
converge — and as more powerful editing and
organization tools are developed — we will enter a
new age of personal imaging in which anyone
could produce multimedia content that rivals the
quality of today's movies and television programs.
Achieving this grand vision will be neither quick
nor easy. Today, image communication specialists
are creating the infrastructure that could one-day
support this vision, as well as the technologies that
will make that possible. These efforts should give a
sustainable, competitive edge in the new age of
imaging. Increasingly we are discovering that
XML offers a common framework that can solve
many of the problems that arise from e-commerce,
privacy of records, and multiple data formats. Here
we want to present some of the applications of
Image Processing in some fields where it is applied
like Robotics, Medical field and common uses…
Applications:
There is a wide range of applications of the digital
image processing, few f them are
1. Computer vision
2. Face detection
3. Feature detection
4. Lane departure warning system
5. Non-photorealistic rendering
6. Medical image processing
7. Microscope image processing
8. Morphological image processing
Robotics:
Image Processing is vastly being implemented in
Vision Systems in Robotics. Robots capture the
real time images using cameras and process them
to fulfill the desired action. A simple application in
robotics using Vision Systems is a robot hand-eye
coordination system. Consider that the robot’s task
is to move an object from one point to another
point.
Here the robots are fixed with cameras to view the
object, which is to be moved. The hand of the robot
and the object that is to be captured are observed
by the cameras, which are fixed to the robot in
position, this real time image is processed by the
image processing techniques to get the actual
distance between the hand and the object. Here the
base wheel of the robot’s hand is rotated through
an angle, which is proportional to the actual
distance between hand and the object. Here a point
in the target is obtained by using the Edge
Detection Technique. The operation to be
performed is controlled by the micro-controller,
which is connected to the ports of the fingers of the
robot’s hand. Using the software programs the
operations to be performed are assigned keys from
the keyboard. By pressing the relative key on the
keyboard the hand moves appropriately. Here the
usage of sensors/cameras and Edge Detection
technique are related to Image Processing and
Vision Systems. By this technique the complexity
of using manual sensors is minimized to a great
extent and thereby sophistication is increased.
Hence image processing is used here in the study
of robotics.
Medical imaging
Medical imaging refers to the techniques and
processes used to create images of the human body
(or parts thereof) for clinical purposes (medical
procedures seeking to reveal, diagnose or examine
disease) or medical science (including the study of
normal anatomy and physiology). As a discipline
and in its widest sense, it is part of biological
imaging and incorporates radiology (in the wider
sense), adiological sciences, endoscopy,(medical)
thermography, medical photography and
microscopy (e.g. for human pathological
investigations).Measurement and recording
techniques which are not primarily designed to
produce images, such as
electroencephalography(EEG) and
magnetoencephalography (MEG) and others, but
which produce data susceptible to be represented as
maps (i.e. containing positional information), can
be seen as forms of medical imaging.
Electron microscopy
The electron microscope is a microscope that can
magnify very small details with high resolving
power due to the use of electrons as the source of
illumination, magnifying at levels up to 2,000,000
times. Electron microscopy is employed in
anatomic pathology to identify organelles within
the cells. Its usefulness has been greatly reduced by
immune histochemistry but it is still irreplaceable
for the diagnosis of kidney disease, identification
of immotile cilia syndrome and many other tasks
Fluoroscopy
Fluoroscopy produces real-time images of internal
structures of the body in a similar fashion to
radiography, but employs a constant input of x
rays, at a lower dose rate. Contrast media, such as
barium, iodine, and air are used to visualize
internal organs as they work. Fluoroscopy is also
used in image-guided procedures when constant
feedback during a procedure is required. An image
receptor is required to convert the radiation into an
image after it has passed through the area of
interest. Early on this was a fluorescing screen, can be used to guide drainage and biopsy
which gave way to an Image Amplifier (IA) which procedures. Doppler capabilities on modern
was a large vacuum tube that had the receiving end scanners allow the blood flow in arteries and veins
coated with cesium iodide, and a mirror at the to be assessed.
opposite end. Eventually the mirror was replaced
with a TV camera.
Nuclear medicine
Images from gamma cameras are used in nuclear
medicine to detect regions of biological activity
that are often associated with diseases. A short
lived isotope, such as 123I is administered to the
patient. These isotopes are more readily absorbed
by biologically active regions of the body, such as
tumors or fracture points in bones.

Baby scan MRI scan of knee

Projection radiography
Radiographs, more commonly known as x-rays, are
often used to determine the type and extent of a
fracture as well as for detecting pathological
changes in the lungs. With the use of radio-opaque
contrast media, such as barium, they can also be
used to visualize the structure of the stomach and Thyroid
intestines - this can help diagnose ulcers or certain Animal Tracking
types of colon cancer. In order to collect spatial information about an
Ultrasound animal's movement by means of digital image
Medical ultrasonography uses high frequency processing techniques the information has to be
collected sequentially. This can be achieved by
broadband sound waves in the megahertz range
analyzing subsequent image frames of a digitized
that are reflected by tissue to varying degrees to video. By means of extracting the X- and Y-
produce (up to 3D) images. This is often used to coordinates representing the position of a mouse
visualize the fetus in pregnant women. Other for each individual image frame, the path can be
important uses include imaging the abdominal measured. Ideally, time as an additional
organs, heart, male genitalia, and the veins of the information, should be included. If the images are
leg. While it may provide less anatomical detail captured and analyzed at a constant framerate or,
alternatively, the exact time for each coordinate
than techniques such as CT or MRI, it has several
pair is extracted simultaneously, valuable
advantages which make it ideal in numerous information like speed, stops, etc. can be calculated
situations, in particular that it studies the function from the data. Talking about timelines, it has to be
of moving structures in realtime, emits no ionizing noted that depending upon the framerate (time
radiation, and contains speckle that can be used in resolution) the total pathlength may vary to a great
elastography. It is very safe to use and does not extend.
appear to cause any adverse effects, Although
information on this is not well Documented. It is
also relatively inexpensive and quick to perform.
Ultrasound scanners can be taken to critically ill
patients in intensive care units, avoiding the danger
caused while moving the patient to the radiology
department. The real time moving image obtained
Advantages:
1. In medicine by using the Image Processing
techniques the sophistication has increased. This
lead to technological advancement.
2. Vision Systems are flexible, inexpensive,
powerful tools that can be used with ease.
3. In Space Exploration the robots play vital role
which in turn use the image processing techniques.
4. Image Processing is used for Astronomical
Observations.
5.Also used in Remote Sensing, Geological
Surveys for detecting mineral resources etc.
6. Also used for character recognizing techniques,
inspection for abnormalities in industries.
Disadvantages:
1. A Person needs knowledge in many fields to
develop an application / or part of an application
using image processing.
2. Calculations and computations are difficult and
complicated so needs an expert in the field related.
Hence it’s unsuitable and unbeneficial to ordinary
programmers with mediocre knowledge.
Conclusion:
It’s a critical study, which plays a vital role in
modern world as it is involved with advanced use
of science and technology. The advances in
technology have created tremendous opportunities
for Vision System and Image Processing. There is
no doubt that the trend will continue into the future.
From the above discussion we can conclude that
this field has Relatively more advantages than
disadvantages and hence is very useful in varied
branches.
References:
1. Introduction To Robotics, Analysis, Systems,
Applications - Saeed B. Niku
2. Introduction To Digital Image Processing –
Anil K.Jain
3. Digital Mage Processing - Rafael C. Gonzalez
And Richard E. Woods, AddisonWesley 1993.
4. Digital Image Processing by Engr. Syed
Muhammad Munavvar Hussain.