Image Processing and Computer Vision Unit 1
Image Processing and Computer Vision Unit 1
I. Basics of CVIP:
Computer Vision and Image Processing (CVIP) is a field that focuses on the development of algorithms
and techniques to extract meaningful information from digital images or video. It combines elements
from various disciplines, such as computer science, mat
mathematics,
hematics, and engineering, to enable computers
to interpret and understand visual data. CVIP plays a crucial role in various applications, including
autonomous vehicles, medical imaging, surveillance systems, and augmented reality.
1. Early Years:
In the early years, CVIP
P primarily focused on low
low-level
level image processing tasks, such as image
enhancement, noise reduction, and edge detection. Researchers developed basic techniques like the
Sobel operator and the Hough transform to analyze and extract features from images.
2. Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs): RNNs are another type of neural network that have found
applications in CVIP, particularly in sequence-based tasks like video analysis or optical character
recognition. RNNs are designed to capture sequential dependencies by using feedback connections,
making them suitable for tasks where temporal information is crucial.
3. Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs): GANs are a class of neural networks that consist of two
components: a generator and a discriminator. GANs have gained popularity in CVIP for tasks like image
synthesis, style transfer, and image-to-image translation. By pitting the generator against the
discriminator in a competitive setting, GANs can generate highly realistic and visually appealing images.
4. Transformer Models: Originally introduced for natural language processing tasks, transformer models
have also made significant contributions to CVIP. Transformer-based architectures, such as the Vision
Transformer (ViT), have demonstrated remarkable performance in image classification and achieved
competitive results with CNNs. Transformers excel in capturing long-range dependencies, making them
well-suited for tasks involving global image understanding.
I. Image Filtering:
Image filtering is a fundamental technique in image processing that involves modifying the pixels of an
image based on a specific filter or kernel. Filtering operations can be applied to achieve various
objectives, such as noise reduction, edge enhancement, and image smoothing. Some commonly used
image filters include:
1. Gaussian Filter: The Gaussian filter is a popular choice for image smoothing or blurring. It applies a
weighted average to each pixel in the image, with the weights determined by a Gaussian distribution.
2. Median Filter: The median filter is effective in removing salt-and-pepper noise from an image. It
replaces each pixel with the median value of its neighboring pixels, thereby reducing the impact of
outliers.
3. Sobel Filter: The Sobel filter is used for edge detection in an image. It calculates the gradient
magnitude of each pixel by convolving the image with two separate kernels in the x and y directions.
4. Laplacian Filter: The Laplacian filter is used for edge enhancement. It highlights regions of rapid
intensity change in an image by enhancing the second-order derivatives.
1. Grayscale Representation: In the grayscale representation, each pixel in the image is represented by
a single intensity value, typically ranging from 0 (black) to 255 (white). Grayscale representations are
often used in simpler image processing tasks where color information is not required.
2. RGB Representation: The RGB representation represents an image using three color channels: red,
green, and blue. Each pixel is represented by three intensity values, indicating the contribution of each
color channel. RGB representations are widely used in computer vision tasks that require color
information.
3. Histogram Representation: The histogram representation provides a statistical summary of the pixel
intensity distribution in an image. It presents the frequency of occurrence for each intensity value,
allowing analysis of image contrast, brightness, and overall distribution.
1. Mean: The mean of an image represents the average intensity value across all pixels. It provides
information about the overall brightness of the image.
2. Variance: The variance measures the spread or distribution of intensity values in an image. It indicates
the amount of contrast or texture present in the image.
3. Skewness: Skewness measures the asymmetry of the intensity distribution. A positive skewness
indicates a longer tail on the right side of the distribution, while a negative skewness indicates a longer
tail on the left side.
4. Kurtosis: Kurtosis measures the "peakedness" or "flatness" of the intensity distribution. It provides
information about the presence of outliers or the concentration of intensity values around the mean.
Recognition methodology refers to the approaches and techniques used in image recognition tasks, such
as object recognition, face recognition, or pattern recognition. It involves the following key steps:
1. Preprocessing: Image data is prepared for recognition by applying techniques like resizing,
normalization, and noise removal.
2. Feature Extraction: Discriminative features are identified and extracted from the image, such as
intensity gradients, color histograms, texture descriptors, or deep learning representations.
4. Post-processing: Refinement techniques are applied to improve the classification results by filtering,
smoothing, or decision fusion.
5. Evaluation and Validation: The performance of the recognition methodology is assessed using
metrics like accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score, comparing the results against ground truth or
known labels.
6. Deployment and Integration: The methodology is deployed and integrated into real-world
applications, ensuring scalability, efficiency, and integration with existing systems.
7. Continuous Improvement: Recognition methodologies are continuously updated and refined as new
algorithms, techniques, and datasets become available, leading to improved performance and accuracy.
I. Conditioning:
Conditioning in image processing refers to the process of preparing an image for further analysis or
processing. It involves applying various techniques to enhance image quality, reduce noise, correct
distortions, and adjust image properties. Conditioning aims to improve the image's visual appearance
and make it suitable for subsequent operations such as feature extraction or recognition.
II. Labeling:
Labeling in image processing involves assigning unique identifiers or labels to individual objects or
regions within an image. It is commonly used in tasks like object detection, segmentation, or tracking.
Labels help differentiate and track specific areas of interest, enabling further analysis or manipulation of
those regions.
III. Grouping:
Grouping, also known as clustering, is a technique in image processing that involves grouping similar
pixels or objects together based on certain criteria. It aims to identify coherent structures or regions
within an image. Grouping can be based on properties such as color similarity, intensity values, texture
patterns, or spatial proximity. It is often used in tasks like image segmentation or object recognition to
organize and distinguish different parts of an image.
IV. Extracting:
Extracting in image processing refers to the process of isolating specific features or information from an
image. It involves identifying and extracting relevant regions or elements of interest. Extraction
techniques can be based on various characteristics, such as shape, texture, color, or motion. Extracting
enables the extraction of meaningful information from images, which can be used for further analysis,
classification, or recognition tasks.
V. Matching:
Matching in image processing involves comparing two or more images or patterns to determine their
similarity or correspondence. It aims to find similarities or matches between features, objects, or
I. Introduction:
Morphological image processing is a branch of image processing that focuses on the analysis and
manipulation of the shape and structure of objects within an image. It is based on mathematical
morphology, which uses set theory and lattice theory concepts to define operations on images.
Morphological operations are particularly useful in tasks like noise removal, edge detection, object
segmentation, and feature extraction.
II. Dilation:
Dilation is a morphological operation that expands or thickens the boundaries of objects in an image. It
involves scanning the image with a structuring element, which is a small pattern or shape, and for each
pixel, if any part of the structuring element overlaps with the object, the corresponding pixel in the
output image is set to the foreground or object value. Dilation helps in filling small gaps or holes in
objects, enlarging object boundaries, and enhancing object connectivity.
III. Erosion:
Erosion is the counterpart to dilation in morphological image processing. It shrinks or erodes the
boundaries of objects in an image. Similar to dilation, erosion also uses a structuring element and scans
the image. If all the pixels within the structuring element overlap with the object, the corresponding
pixel in the output image is set to the foreground or object value. Erosion helps in removing small object
details, separating connected objects, and smoothing object boundaries.
IV. Opening:
Opening is a combination of erosion followed by dilation. It helps in removing small objects and noise
while preserving the overall shape and structure of larger objects. Opening is achieved by applying
erosion first, which removes small details, and then applying dilation to restore the original size of
remaining objects. Opening is useful in tasks like noise removal, background subtraction, and object
separation.
V. Closing:
Closing is the reverse of opening and is achieved by applying dilation followed by erosion. It helps in
closing small gaps and filling holes in objects while maintaining the overall shape and structure. Closing
is performed by applying dilation first to close small gaps and then applying erosion to restore the
Hit-or-Miss Transformation:
The hit-or-miss transformation is a morphological operation used for shape matching or pattern
recognition in binary images. It aims to identify specific patterns or shapes within an image. The
operation requires two structuring elements: one for matching the foreground or object shape and
another for matching the background or complement of the object shape.
The hit-or-miss transformation works by scanning the image with both structuring elements. For each
pixel, if the foreground structuring element perfectly matches the foreground pixels and the background
structuring element perfectly matches the background pixels, the corresponding pixel in the output
image is set to the foreground value. Otherwise, it is set to the background value.
The hit-or-miss transformation effectively identifies pixels in the image where both the foreground and
background structuring elements match, indicating the presence of the desired pattern or shape. It is
particularly useful for detecting shapes with specific configurations or arrangements.
1. Template Matching: The hit-or-miss transformation can be used to match a specific template or
pattern within an image, enabling tasks like object detection or character recognition.
2. Shape Analysis: It can be utilized to extract and analyze specific shapes or structures in an image,
aiding in tasks like object segmentation or boundary extraction.
3. Feature Detection: By matching predefined patterns, the hit-or-miss transformation can help in
detecting distinctive features or regions of interest in an image.
4. Quality Control: It can be employed in quality control processes to identify defects or anomalies
based on predefined patterns or shapes.
The hit-or-miss transformation is a powerful tool in morphological image processing that allows for
precise shape matching and pattern recognition. By utilizing the foreground and background structuring
elements, it enables the detection and extraction of specific shapes or patterns in binary images..
1. Gray-Scale Dilation:
Gray-scale dilation is an extension of binary dilation to gray-scale images. Instead of setting the output
pixel to the foreground value, the maximum value within the structuring element is assigned. Gray-scale
dilation helps in expanding and thickening regions of higher intensity, enhancing the brightness and size
of objects in the image.
3. Gray-Scale Opening:
Gray-scale opening is a combination of gray-scale erosion followed by gray-scale dilation. It helps in
removing small objects and noise while preserving the overall shape and structure of larger objects,
similar to binary opening.
4. Gray-Scale Closing:
Gray-scale closing is a combination of gray-scale dilation followed by gray-scale erosion. It helps in
closing small gaps and filling holes in objects while maintaining the overall shape and structure, similar
to binary closing.
1. Thinning:
Thinning is a morphological operation in image processing that aims to reduce the width of foreground
objects in a binary image while preserving their overall connectivity and shape. It is achieved by
iteratively removing boundary pixels of objects until they are reduced to single-pixel-wide lines. Thinning
helps in extracting the skeleton or medial axis of objects, which can be useful in applications such as
shape analysis, pattern recognition, and character recognition.
2. Thickening:
Thickening, also known as dilation or fattening, is the opposite of thinning. It is a morphological
operation that expands the boundaries of foreground objects in a binary image while maintaining their
overall shape and connectivity. Thickening is achieved by iteratively adding pixels to the object
boundaries until they reach the desired thickness. It can be useful in tasks such as object enhancement,
boundary refinement, and image synthesis.
3. Region Growing:
Region growing is a technique used in image segmentation, particularly for gray-scale images. It starts
with a seed pixel or region and grows the region by adding neighboring pixels that satisfy certain
similarity criteria. The criteria can be based on intensity values, color, texture, or other image features.
Region growing continues until no more pixels can be added, forming distinct regions or segments in the
image. It is commonly used in medical imaging, object detection, and feature extraction.
4. Region Shrinking:
Region shrinking, also known as region erosion, is the reverse of region growing. It is a process in image
segmentation where regions or segments are iteratively reduced by removing boundary pixels that do
not meet certain similarity criteria. Region shrinking aims to refine the boundaries of regions, making
them more precise and compact. It can be employed to separate overlapping objects, remove noise or
outliers, and improve segmentation results.