Remote Sensing Digital Image

Processing
Chapter 1
Introduction to digital image and display or
visualization

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 1.1. Introduction to digital image and display /visualization
✓In the modern digital age, images play a crucial role in
communication, data analysis, entertainment, and various other
fields.
✓Understanding digital images and their visualization is fundamental
to fields like computer science, engineering, medicine, art, and
many others.
✓Digital image and display/visualization refers to the
representation, manipulation, and presentation of images using
digital technology.
✓This field encompasses various disciplines, including computer
science,
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✓It involves capturing, processing, storing, transmitting, and
displaying images using computers and other digital devices.
✓Visualization techniques aid in understanding and interpreting data
represented in image form.
✓Digital image display in remote sensing involves the visualization
of data captured by remote sensing platforms such as satellites,
aircraft, drones, or ground-based sensors.
✓Remote sensing images provide valuable information about the
Earth's surface, atmosphere, and other phenomena.
✓Effective display techniques are essential for interpreting these
images and extracting useful insights.
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❑ Image Display Techniques

1. False Color Composites: False color composites are created by assigning different
spectral bands to the red, green, and blue channels of an image display.

✓ This technique enhances the visibility of specific features, such as vegetation, water
bodies, and urban areas.

2. True Color Display: True color display reproduces the natural colors of the Earth's
surface by assigning the red, green, and blue bands to their respective color channels.

✓ True color images are useful for visual interpretation and comparison with ground-
based observations.

3. Image Stretching: Image stretching adjusts the display contrast and brightness to
enhance the visibility of features within the image.

✓ Techniques such as histogram equalization and contrast stretching are commonly used
to improve image clarity.
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4. Image Fusion: Image fusion combines information from multiple sensors
or spectral bands to create composite images with enhanced spatial or
spectral resolution.

✓Fusion techniques include pan-sharpening, which combines high-

resolution panchromatic images with lower-resolution multispectral
images.

5. Image Annotation: Image annotation involves adding labels, symbols, or

scale bars to remote-sensing images to provide context and facilitate
interpretation.

✓Annotations can include geographic coordinates, land cover

classifications, and other relevant information.

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• Digital image visualization refers to the process of displaying and
interpreting digital images captured by remote sensing platforms
such as satellites, aircraft, drones, or ground-based sensors.

• Visualization techniques help analysts and researchers extract

meaningful information from remote sensing data, aiding in tasks
such as land cover classification, environmental monitoring,
agriculture, urban planning, land management, and natural resource
management.

• Effective visualization techniques help researchers, scientists, and

decision-makers gain insights into landscape dynamics, ecosystem
health, and environmental changes
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 Digital Image Display and Visualization
Display Devices Visualization Techniques
✓ Digital images are visualized on • Visualization involves presenting
display devices such as computer digital images in a meaningful and
monitors, televisions, projectors, and comprehensible manner.
mobile devices. • Techniques include image
✓ These devices use different enhancement (adjusting brightness,
technologies (LCD, OLED, LED) to and contrast), segmentation
produce images with varying levels of (dividing the image into regions),
color accuracy, contrast, and feature extraction (identifying
resolution. specific patterns or objects), and 3-D
visualization (creating depth
perception).

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 1.2. What is a digital image?
✓A digital image is a numerical representation of a two-dimensional
visual pattern.
✓It consists of a grid of pixels, where each pixel stores information
about color, intensity, and other attributes.
✓Digital images are typically produced/acquired by digital cameras,
scanners, or computer-generated graphics.
✓Digital images are stored and processed electronically, allowing for
manipulation, analysis, and display using computers and digital
devices.
✓Digital images are widely used in fields like photography, medicine
(MRI, CT scans), remote sensing, astronomy, and digital art.
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✓Digital images are widely used in various fields, including
photography, graphic design, digital art, medical imaging, remote
sensing, scientific research, and entertainment.

✓They can be captured using digital cameras, or scanners, or

generated computationally, and they can be manipulated, processed,
and transmitted electronically, making them versatile and accessible
across different platforms and devices.
✓Examples of digital images are digital photographs, satellite images,
radiological images (x-rays, mammograms), binary images, fax images,
engineering drawings Computer graphics, and CAD drawings.

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• Digital Images are electronic snapshots taken of a scene or scanned from
documents, such as photographs, manuscripts, printed texts, and
artwork.

• The digital image is sampled and mapped as a grid of dots or picture

elements (pixels).

• Each pixel is assigned a tonal value (black, white, shades of gray or

color), which is represented in binary code (zeros and ones).

• The binary digits ("bits") for each pixel are stored in a sequence by a
computer and often reduced to a mathematical representation
(compressed).

• The bits are then interpreted and read by the computer to produce an
analog version for display or printing.
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• The image types we will consider are
1) binary, 2) gray-scale, 3) color, and 4) multispectral.
▪ Let's explore each type of image:
1. Binary Images:
• Definition: Binary images are the simplest type of digital images, composed of
pixels that can only take on two values: typically, black and white, or 0 and 1.
• A binary image is referred to as a 1-bit image because it takes only 1 binary digit
to represent each pixel.

• Representation: Each pixel in a binary image is represented by a single bit,

making it a 1-bit image.

• Applications: Binary images are commonly used in applications such as

document scanning and processing, binary image analysis, and image
segmentation tasks.
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2. Gray-Scale Images

• Definition: Gray-scale images consist of pixels that can take on a

range of gray shades between black and white.

• Representation: Each pixel in a gray-scale image is represented by

multiple bits, typically 8 bits per pixel (1 byte), allowing for 256

levels of gray.

• Applications: Gray-scale images are widely used in medical

imaging, photography, digital art, and image processing algorithms

such as edge detection and histogram equalization.

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3. Color Images
• Definition: Color images contain pixels that represent colors
across the visible spectrum, typically using the RGB (Red, Green,
Blue) color model.
• Representation: Each pixel in a color image is composed of
multiple color channels, typically 3 channels (RGB), with each
channel represented by 8 bits (1 byte), resulting in 24 bits per
pixel (3 bytes).

• Applications: Color images are used in digital photography,

graphic design, web design, digital printing, and multimedia
presentations.
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4. Multispectral Images:
• Definition: Multispectral images contain data captured across multiple discrete
spectral bands beyond the visible spectrum, including infrared and ultraviolet
bands.
• Representation: Each pixel in a multispectral image is represented by values
across multiple spectral bands, typically using 8, 16, or 32 bits per band.

• Applications: Multispectral images are utilized in remote sensing, agriculture,

environmental monitoring, geology, and land cover classification tasks,
allowing for analysis beyond what is visible to the human eye.
• These types of images vary in complexity and are used in diverse fields for
different purposes.
• Understanding the characteristics and applications of each type is crucial for
effective image processing, analysis, and interpretation.
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 1.3. Structure of a Digital Image
• A digital image comprises pixels arranged in rows and columns
forming a grid known as a raster.

• Each pixel contains numerical data representing color and intensity

values.

• The structure may vary based on image format and resolution.

• Common image formats include JPEG, PNG, TIFF, and BMP.

• The structure of a digital image refers to how the image is

composed, organized, and represented digitally.

• Digital images are comprised of discrete elements called pixels,

which
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collectively form the visual
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• Here's an overview of the structure of a digital image:
1. Pixels:
• Pixels, short for "picture elements," are the smallest units of a
digital image.
• Each pixel represents a single point in the image and contains
numerical data that defines its color and intensity.
• The arrangement of pixels forms a grid, with rows and columns
covering the entire image area.

Pixel Values: As shown in this bitonal image,

each pixel is assigned a tonal value, in this
example 0 for black and 1 for white.
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2. Resolution
• Image resolution refers to the number of pixels in the image, typically
expressed as width x height.
• Higher resolution images contain more pixels and therefore offer greater
detail and clarity.
• Resolution is often measured in pixels per inch (PPI) or dots per inch
(DPI), which determines the image's quality when printed or displayed.
• Resolution in the context of digital images refers to the level of detail
and clarity present in the image.
• It is typically defined by the number of pixels (picture elements) in the
image, both horizontally and vertically.
• Resolution is a fundamental aspect of digital imaging and affects the
quality and sharpness of an image.
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3. Color Representation
• Digital images can represent colors using different color models,
such as RGB (Red, Green, Blue), CMYK (Cyan, Magenta,
Yellow, Black), or grayscale.
• In the RGB color model, each pixel's color is defined by three
primary colors (red, green, and blue) and their respective
intensity levels.
• Grayscale images use varying shades of gray to represent the
intensity of light in each pixel, ranging from black (minimum
intensity) to white (maximum intensity).

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4. Bit Depth
• Bit depth refers to the number of bits used to represent the color of
each pixel in the image.
• Common bit depths include 8-bit (256 colors), 16-bit (65,536
colors), and 24-bit (16.7 million colors).
• Higher bit depth allows for a more accurate representation of
colors and smoother gradients but results in larger file sizes.
• It directly influences the range and precision of colors that can be
represented in the image.
• Bit depth is a critical parameter in digital imaging and is typically
expressed as the number of bits per pixel (bpp).
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• Common Bit Depths
1. 1-bit (2 colors)

✓Each pixel is represented by a single bit, allowing for two colors (usually
black and white or 0 and 1).

✓Commonly used for binary images, such as line art or simple diagrams.

2. 8-bit (256 colors)

✓Each pixel is represented by 8 bits, providing 256 levels of color intensity for
each of the primary colors (red, green, blue).

✓This is known as 8-bit color or 24-bit color (8 bits for each color channel).

✓Widely used for grayscale images and indexed color images, where a palette
of 256 colors is used to represent the image.
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3. 16-bit (65,536 colors):

✓Each pixel is represented by 16 bits, allowing for 65,536 distinct colors.

✓Commonly used in applications where higher color precision is required,

such as medical imaging and scientific visualization.

4. 24-bit (16.7 million colors):

✓Each pixel is represented by 24 bits, enabling 16.7 million different

colors.

✓This is known as true color or 24-bit color.

✓Commonly used in digital photography, graphic design, and multimedia

applications.
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5. 32-bit (16.7 million colors + transparency):

✓ Similar to 24-bit color, but with an additional 8-bit alpha channel for transparency

information.

✓ This is known as a 32-bit RGBA (Red, Green, Blue, Alpha) color.

✓ Used in applications where transparency effects are required, such as image

overlays and graphic design.

5. Metadata:
• Digital images often contain metadata, which includes information about the
image such as the camera settings used to capture it, location, date and time, and
copyright information.
• Metadata provides valuable context and additional details about the image,
which can be useful for organizing, searching, and managing image collections.
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6. File Formats:
• Digital images are stored in various file formats, each with its own
specifications and compression methods.
✓Common image file formats include JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, and BMP,
each offering different levels of compression, quality, and compatibility
with software and devices.
✓Understanding the structure of a digital image is essential for effectively
capturing, processing, storing, and sharing images in various applications,
including photography, graphic design, digital art, medical imaging, and
scientific research.
✓By understanding how pixels, resolution, color representation, bit depth,
metadata, and file formats interact, users can optimize image quality,
compatibility, and usability across different platforms and devices.
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 1.4. Digital image display
1.4.1. Monochromatic display
✓A monochromatic display is capable of showing images in shades of a
single color, typically grayscale.
✓Monochromatic displays are widely used in medical imaging, industrial
applications, and scientific visualization where color is not essential for
interpretation.
✓A monochromatic display is a type of display device capable of showing
images in shades of a single color, typically grayscale.
✓In contrast to color displays, which can render images in full color by
mixing different intensities of red, green, and blue (RGB), monochromatic
displays are limited to displaying shades of a single color, usually varying
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✓Monochromatic displays represent images using shades of gray,
where each pixel's intensity level determines its brightness.
✓The intensity levels typically range from 0 (black) to 255 (white) in
an 8-bit grayscale system, providing 256 shades of gray.

✓The variation in intensity levels allows for the depiction of subtle

differences in brightness and contrast within the image.

✓Monochromatic displays find applications in various fields where

color reproduction is not essential or where grayscale images
suffice.
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✓Medical Imaging: Monochromatic displays are widely used in
medical imaging modalities such as X-ray, MRI, CT scans, and
ultrasound. They enable healthcare professionals to visualize
anatomical structures, lesions, and abnormalities with high contrast
and detail.

✓Industrial Applications: Monochromatic displays are used in

industrial settings for tasks such as quality control, inspection, and
monitoring of manufacturing processes.

✓Scientific Visualization: Monochromatic displays are employed in

scientific research for data analysis, visualization of scientific
datasets, and microscopy imaging.
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1.4.2. Tristimulus color model theory (RGB, IHS, YMC)
• Red-Green-Blue (RGB) space: RGB is an additive color model
where colors are represented by varying intensities of red, green,
and blue.
• By combining different intensities of these primary colors, a wide
range of colors can be produced.
• RGB is commonly used in digital displays and imaging devices.
• Intensity-Hue-Saturation (IHS)space: IHS represents colors
based on three components: intensity, hue, and saturation.
• Intensity determines brightness, hue defines the color shade, and
saturation represents the purity of the color.
• IHS is useful in image processing and color analysis tasks.
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• Yellow-Magenta-Cyan (YMC) space: YMC is a subtractive
color model used in color printing.
• It involves mixing yellow, magenta, and cyan pigments to
produce a variety of colors.
• YMC matches the RGB model and is commonly used in color
printing processes.

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1.4.3. Pseudo-color display
✓Pseudo-color display involves mapping grayscale images to false
color palettes for visualization purposes.
✓It enhances image contrast and aids in highlighting specific features
or information within the image.
✓Pseudo-color techniques are used in medical imaging, remote
sensing, and scientific visualization.

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 1.5. Digital Image Terminology and Radiometric Resolution

• Understanding digital image terminology and radiometric resolution is

essential for effectively working with digital images, particularly in fields
like remote sensing, medical imaging, and computer vision.
• Here's an overview of the key concepts:
• Pixel: Short for picture element, a pixel is the smallest unit of a digital
image, representing a single point in the image grid.
• A pixel, short for "picture element," is the smallest unit of a digital
image.
• The resolution of an image refers to the number of pixels it contains,
typically expressed as width x height (e.g., 1920 x 1080 pixels).

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• Brightness value: The brightness value of a pixel indicates its
intensity or luminance level.

• It determines the perceived brightness of the pixel in the image.

• The brightness value of a pixel refers to its intensity or luminance

level.

• It determines the perceived brightness of the pixel within the

image.
• Brightness values are often represented using numerical scales,
such as 8-bit (0-255) or 16-bit (0-65535) values.

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• Radiometric resolution refers to the ability of a digital imaging
system to distinguish between different levels of brightness or
intensity.

• It is determined by the number of bits used to represent pixel

values in the image.

• Higher radiometric resolution allows for a more detailed

representation of the brightness variations within an image.

• Common radiometric resolutions include 8-bit (256 levels), 16-bit

(65,536 levels), and 32-bit (4.3 billion levels).

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• Densitometer: A densitometer is a device used to measure
the optical density of photographic or printed images.
• It quantifies the darkness or opacity of an image.
• Digital Image Formats:
• Digital images are stored in various file formats, each with its
own characteristics and compression methods.
• Common image formats including JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIFF,
and BMP.
• Image formats determine how image data is organized and
stored on disk, affecting factors such as file size,
compression,
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• Color Depth:
• Color depth refers to the number of bits used to represent the color of
each pixel in an image.
• Common color depths include 8-bit (256 colors), 24-bit (16.7 million
colors), and 32-bit (16.7 million colors with an alpha channel for
transparency).
• Higher color depth allows for a more accurate representation of
colors but results in larger file sizes.
• Understanding these concepts is crucial for effectively capturing,
processing, analyzing, and interpreting digital images in various
applications.
• Radiometric resolution, in particular, plays a significant role in
determining the level of detail and accuracy achievable in digital
imaging
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 1.6. Digital image data format

✓Digital image data formats determine how image data is organized and
stored in memory or on disk.
✓Different formats offer various advantages and are suited for specific
applications.
✓Here are descriptions of several common digital image data formats:
1.6.1. Band Interleaved by Pixel Format
• In Band Interleaved by Pixel (BIP) format, bands of a multi-band image
are stored interleaved by pixel.
• Each pixel contains all bands' information, making it efficient for certain
processing tasks but may pose challenges for accessing specific bands.

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✓In the Band Interleaved by Pixel (BIP) format, data from different
bands of a multi-band image are interleaved at the pixel level.
✓This means that the pixel values for all bands are stored together
before moving to the next pixel.
✓BIP format facilitates rapid access to individual pixels across all
bands but may be less efficient for processing tasks that involve
accessing data from a single band.

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• 1.6.2. Band Interleaved by Line format
✓In Band Interleaved by Line (BIL) format, bands of a multi-band
image are stored interleaved by line.
✓Each line contains data from one band, making it efficient for
accessing specific bands but less efficient for processing tasks that
require accessing multiple bands simultaneously.
✓In the Band Interleaved by Line (BIL) format, data from different
bands of a multi-band image are interleaved at the line level.
✓This means that each line contains data from all bands before
moving to the next line.
✓BIL format facilitates rapid access to data from specific bands but
may be less efficient for tasks that involve accessing pixel data
across all bands simultaneously.
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1.6.3. Band Sequential Format (BSQ)
✓In Band Sequential (BSQ) format, each band of a multi-band image
is stored separately.
✓It is simple and efficient for accessing specific bands but may be
less efficient for certain processing tasks due to the need to access
multiple files.
✓In the Band Sequential (BSQ) format, data from different bands of
a multi-band image are stored sequentially.
✓This means that all the data for one band is stored together before
moving to the next band.
✓BSQ format is simple and efficient for accessing data from specific
bands but may be less efficient for tasks that involve accessing
pixel data across multiple bands simultaneously.
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1.6.4. Run-length Encoding Format
✓Run-length Encoding (RLE) format is a lossless compression
technique used to reduce the storage space required for images.
✓It works by encoding consecutive pixels of the same value as a
single value and count pair.
✓RLE is efficient for compressing images with long runs of identical
values.
✓Understanding these concepts is fundamental for working with
digital images, from acquisition and processing to analysis and
interpretation.

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✓ Run-length encoding (RLE) is a compression technique used to reduce the storage
space required for images.
✓ In RLE format, consecutive pixels with the same value are encoded as a single
value and a count of the number of consecutive pixels.
✓ RLE format is particularly effective for images with large areas of uniform color
or repetitive patterns.
✓ Each of these digital image data formats has its advantages and disadvantages, and
the choice of format depends on factors such as the application requirements, data
storage considerations, and processing efficiency.
✓ Understanding these formats is essential for efficient manipulation, processing,
and analysis of digital images in various fields such as remote sensing, medical
imaging, and computer vision.

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 Thanks
for your
attention!
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