19ECE454 Image Processing

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Digital Image
• An image may be defined as a two-dimensional function, f(x, y),
where x and y are spatial (plane) coordinates, and the amplitude
of f at any pair of coordinates (x, y) is called the intensity or gray
level of the image at that point.
• When x, y, and the amplitude values of f are all finite, discrete
quantities, we call the image a digital image.
• The field of digital image processing refers to processing digital
images by means of a digital computer.

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• A digital image is composed of a finite number of elements, each
of which has a particular location and value.
• These elements are referred to as picture elements, image
elements, pels, and pixels.

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No clear-cut boundaries - from
Image processing at one end to computer vision at
the other.
• Low-level processes - image preprocessing to reduce noise,
contrast enhancement, and image sharpening-both its inputs and
outputs are images.
• Mid-level processing on images involves tasks such as
segmentation & description of those objects to reduce them to a
form suitable for computer processing, and classification of
individual objects. - inputs generally are images, but its outputs
are attributes extracted from those images (e.g., edges, contours,
and the identity of individual objects).
• Finally, higher-level processing involves “making sense” of an
ensemble of recognized objects, as in image analysis, and,at the
far end of the continuum, performing the cognitive functions
normally associated with vision.
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Vision is the most advanced of our senses-
important role in human perception.
• However, unlike humans, who are limited to the visual band of the
electromagnetic (EM) spectrum, imaging machines cover
almost the entire EM spectrum, ranging from gamma to radio
waves.
• They can operate on images generated by sources that humans
are not accustomed to associating with images.
• Image processing encompasses a wide and varied field of
applications

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• The simplest ways to develop a basic understanding of the extent of image
processing applications is to categorize images according to their source.
• The principal energy source for images in use today is the electromagnetic
energy spectrum.

• Other important sources of energy include acoustic, ultrasonic, and

electronic (in the form of electron beams used in electron microscopy).
• Synthetic images, used for modeling and visualization, are generated by
computer.

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Various area that Use Digital Image Processing

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Gamma Ray Imaging
• Major Uses of Gamma Ray Imaging
• Nuclear Medicine
• Astronomical Observations
• Gamma Ray Imaging in Nuclear Medicine
• Process:
• Injection of radioactive isotope
• Emission of gamma rays during decay
• Images are produced from the emissions
detected by gamma ray detectors
• Example:
• Bone Scan: Used to locate bone pathologies like infections or
tumors

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 Gamma Ray Imaging-Positron Emission
Tomography (PET)
• Principle:
• Similar to X-ray tomography
• Use of radioactive isotope emitting positrons
• Annihilation of positrons with electrons
producing gamma rays
• Detection and creation of tomographic images
• Example:
• 3-D Image Sequence: Shows tumors in the brain and lung

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Gamma Ray Imaging in Astronomy
• Cygnus Loop:
• Result of a star explosion
in the constellation of
Cygnus about 15,000
years ago
• Superheated stationary
gas cloud glowing in
various colors
• Natural radiation

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• Gamma Ray Imaging in Nuclear
Reactors
• Gamma Radiation Detection:
• Image of gamma radiation from a valve in a nuclear reactor
• Area of strong radiation visible in the
lower left side of the image

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 X-ray Imaging
• X-rays are among the oldest sources of EM radiation used for imaging.
• Common uses: Medical diagnostics, industry, and astronomy.
• Generation of X-rays
• X-rays are generated using an X-ray tube (vacuum tube with cathode
and anode).
• Cathode is heated, releasing free electrons.
• Electrons flow to the positively charged anode.
• Energy is released as X-ray radiation when electrons strike a nucleus.
• Control:
• Voltage across the anode controls energy (penetrating power).
• Current applied to the cathode filament controls the number of X-rays.

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 Medical X-ray Imaging
• Chest X-ray:
• Patient placed between X-ray source and X-ray sensitive film.
• X-rays pass through the patient, modifying intensity by absorption.
• Resulting energy develops the film.
• Digital Radiography:
• Digitizing X-ray films.
• X-rays fall directly onto devices converting X-rays to light.
• Light signal captured by a light-sensitive digitizing system.

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 Angiography – area under contrast
enhancement radiography
• Procedure:
• Used to obtain images of blood vessels (angiograms).
• Catheter inserted into an artery or vein.
• X-ray contrast medium injected through the catheter.
• Enhances contrast of blood vessels.

• Example:
• Aortic Angiogram: High contrast of large vessel and kidneys.

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 Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT)
• Principle:
• High resolution and 3-D capabilities.
• Each image is a "slice" taken perpendicularly through the patient.
• Numerous slices are generated as patient is moved in longitudinal direction -
create a 3-D rendition.

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 Industrial X-ray Imaging
• Applications:
• Involves higher energy X-ray
• Examine circuit boards for manufacturing flaws.
• Useful for parts penetrable by X-rays (CAT-e.g., plastic assemblies, solid-
propellant rocket motors).

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Imaging in Ultraviolet Band
• Lithography
• industrial inspection
• Microscopy
• Lasers
• biological imaging
• astronomy

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Fluorescence Microscopy
• Introduction:
• UV light is used in Fluorescence Microscopy
• One of the fastest growing areas of microscopy.
• Discovered in the mid-19th century with the mineral fluorspar.
• Process:
• Ultraviolet light collides with an electron in a fluorescent material.
• Electron is elevated to a higher energy level.
• Electron relaxes and emits light in the visible (red) light region.
• Function: Fluorescence microscope
• Uses excitation light to irradiate a specimen.
• Separates weaker fluorescent light from brighter excitation light.
• Only emission light reaches the detector, creating high contrast images.

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• Applications of Fluorescence Microscopy
• Primary Fluorescence: Natural form of materials.
• Secondary Fluorescence: Treated with chemicals
capable of fluorescing.
• Examples:
• Normal Corn: Infected Corn: Corn Infected by Smut

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• Ultraviolet Imaging in Astronomy
• Cygnus Loop:
• Imaged in the high-energy region of the ultraviolet band.
• Image: (Cygnus Loop in Ultraviolet Band)

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Imaging in the Visible and Infrared Bands

• Visual band: Most familiar and widely used for various applications.
• Infrared band: Often used in conjunction with visual imaging.
Applications:
• Light microscopy
• Astronomy
• remote sensing
• Industry
• law enforcement.

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• Light Microscopy
• Examples of images obtained with a light microscope.
• Applications: Pharmaceuticals, microinspection, materials
characterization.
• Image: (Examples of Light Microscopy Images)

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• Remote Sensing
• Use of visual and infrared bands in remote sensing.
• LANDSAT Satellite:
• Thematic bands for monitoring environmental conditions.
• Table: (Thematic Bands in LANDSAT Satellite)

• Example:
• Images of Washington D.C. in different spectral bands.

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Weather Observation
• Use of multispectral imaging for weather prediction.
• Example:
• Image of a hurricane taken by National Oceanographic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) satellite – (sensors in the visible and
infrared bands).
• Image: (Hurricane Image)

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Infrared Imaging
• Nighttime Lights of the World dataset:
• Global inventory of human settlements.
• Generated by NOAA DMSP satellite.
(Defense Meteorological Satellite Program)
• The infrared imaging system operates
in the band 10.0 to 13.4 micro meter - capability to
observe faint sources of visible near infrared emissions
present on the Earth’s surface,
including cities,towns, villages, gas flares, and fires.

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 Industrial Inspection – Visual Spectrum
• Automated visual inspection of manufactured goods.
• Examples:
• Controller board for a CD-ROM drive (missing parts).
• Pill container (missing pills).
• Bottles (fill level).
• Clear-plastic part (air pockets).
• Cereal batch (color and anomalies).
• Intraocular implant (lens deformations).
• Images: (Examples of Industrial Inspection)

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• Law Enforcement
• Applications:
• Fingerprint processing.
• Automated counting and tracking of
paper currency.
• Automated license plate reading.
• Images: (Examples of Law Enforcement
Applications)

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 Imaging in the Microwave Band
• Dominant application: Radar*
• Unique feature: Ability to collect data over any region at any time, regardless of weather or lighting
conditions.
• Features of Imaging Radar
• Can penetrate clouds, vegetation, ice, and dry sand under certain conditions.
• Often the only way to explore inaccessible regions of the Earth's surface.
• Works like a flash camera, providing its own illumination (microwave pulses).
• Uses an antenna and digital computer processing instead of a camera lens.
• Captures only the microwave energy reflected back to the radar antenna.
*Radar stands for Radio Detection and Ranging - uses radio waves for detection and localization

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Example of Spaceborne Radar Imaging
• Image Description:
• Spaceborne radar image of a mountainous area in southeast Tibet.
• Location: About 90 km east of Lhasa.
• Features: Wide valley of the Lhasa River, Tibetan farmers, yak herders, village of
Menba.
• Elevation: Mountains up to 5800 m (19,000 ft), valley floors at 4300 m (14,000 ft).
• Clarity and detail of the image, unencumbered by clouds or other atmospheric
conditions that normally interfere with images in the visual band.

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 Imaging in the Radio Band
• Major applications: Medicine and astronomy.
• Comparison to gamma ray imaging.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Process:
• Patient placed in a powerful magnet.
• Radio waves passed through the body in short pulses.
• Tissues emit responding pulses of radio waves.
• Computer determines the location and strength of signals.
• Produces a two-dimensional picture of a section of the patient.
• Capability:
• MRI can produce pictures in any plane.
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• Radio Astronomy
• Example:
• Image of the Crab Pulsar in the radio band.
• Comparison with images of the same region in other bands.

• Note: Each image provides a different view of the Pulsar.

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Imaging Beyond Electromagnetic Waves
• Imaging modalities outside the electromagnetic spectrum:
• Acoustic imaging
• Electron microscopy
• Synthetic (computer-generated) imaging

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Acoustic Imaging

• Applications of Acoustic Imaging

Geological Exploration:
• Uses low-frequency sound waves (hundreds of Hz).
• Applied in land and marine seismic imaging for resource exploration.
• Industry and Medicine:
• High-frequency ultrasound imaging (millions of Hz).
• Used for non-destructive testing and medical diagnostics.

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Land-Based Seismic Imaging

• Imaging with Vibration Techniques

Setup:
• Large truck and steel plate.
• Vibrates ground with controlled frequencies.
• Purpose:
• Generate sound waves to map subsurface geology.

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Marine Seismic Imaging

Energy Source:
• Two air guns pressurized (~2000 psi) and alternately fired.
• Signal Capture:
• Hydrophones placed in:
• Towed cables
• Ocean bottom
• Vertical buoys.
• Process:
• Ship movement + returning sound waves = 3D subsurface map.

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Interpretation of Seismic Data

• Understanding Seismic Images

• Bright spots indicate changes in subsurface density.

• Common targets:
• Hydrocarbon traps (oil/gas).
• Challenges:
• Faults above target layers can distort the images.

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Ultrasound Imaging in Medicine

• Applications:
• Obstetrics: Imaging unborn babies to determine health and sex.
• Process:
• Ultrasound system transmits high-frequency sound pulses (1 to 5 MHz) into the
body.
• Sound waves hit tissue boundaries and are reflected back to the probe.
• Reflected waves are picked up by the probe and relayed to the computer.
• Machine calculates distances using the speed of sound in tissue and echo return
time.
• System displays distances and intensities of echoes, forming a 2D image.

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•.

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Electron Microscopy

• Introduction:
• Uses a focused beam of electrons instead of light.
• Higher resolution than light microscopy.
• Process:
• Stream of electrons produced by an electron source.
• Electrons accelerated toward the specimen using a positive electrical potential.
• Stream confined and focused into a thin, monochromatic beam.
• Beam focused onto the sample using a magnetic lens.
• Interactions inside the sample affect the electron beam.
• Interactions detected and transformed into an image.

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Applications of Electron Microscopy
• Fields:
• Material science
• Biology
• Nanotechnology

• Examples:
• Detailed images of cellular structures.
• Analysis of material properties at the nanoscale.

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Electron Microscopy and Computer-
Generated Imaging
• Overview of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron
microscopy (SEM), and computer-generated imaging.
• Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)
• Process:
• Works like a slide projector.
• Shines a beam of electrons through a specimen.
• Transmitted beam projected onto a phosphor screen.
• Interaction with phosphor produces a viewable image.

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• Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
• Process:
• Scans the electron beam and records interactions at each location.
• Produces one dot on a phosphor screen.
• Complete image formed by raster scan, similar to a TV camera.
• Suitable for bulky samples, while TEM requires thin samples.

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• Capabilities of Electron Microscopes
• Magnification:
• Light microscopy limited to ~1000x magnification.
• Electron microscopes can achieve 10,000x magnification or more.
• Applications:
• Material science
• Biology
• Nanotechnology

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Computer-Generated Imaging
• Fractals:
• Iterative reproduction of a basic pattern according to mathematical rules.
• Example: Tiling a square into smaller squares.

• 3-D Modeling:
• Intersection between image processing and
computer graphics.
• Basis for 3-D visualization systems
(e.g., flight simulators).

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Applications of Computer-Generated Imaging

• Fields:
• Medical training
• Criminal forensics
• Special effects

• Examples:
• 3-D models for various perspectives and applications.

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