Echography using correlation techniques: choice of coding signal

Theoretical studies made in the early 1980's suggest that ultrasonic imaging using correlation technique can overcome some of the drawbacks of classical pulse echography. Indeed by transmitting a continuous coded signal and then compressing it into a short, high resolution pulse at the receiver the total signal to noise ratio (SNR) is improved. The target location is determined by cross correlation of the emitted and the received signal. The band compression allows, by increasing SNR, the retrieval of echo signals buried in the receiver noise. Thus in medical-type echography, where the signal attenuation at fixed depth is proportional to the frequency, the SNR improvement allows the use of higher frequency signals and leads to improved resolution. We report here the results of comparative experimental studies of simple echo B type images as obtained by the classical pulse echo and correlation techniques. Because the optimisation of the coded signal plays a crucial role in the performance of the correlation technique we will also present a comparative study of the performances of the most common codes (m-sequences and complementary series). In particular we shall emphasise the following points: the relative importance of the central lobe as compared to the side lobes of the correlation function, which is directly related to the dynamic of the imaging system, the width of the correlation peak which is directly related to the axial resolution of the system, the facility of the realisation. The merit of B-mode images obtained with the coded signals will be discussed showing that as far as signal modulation is used the best results are obtained with periodic m-sequences     

Modelling the effects of input correlation in iterative software

This paper deals with the dependability evaluation of software programs of an iterative nature. In this work we define a model that is able to account for both dependencies between input values of successive iterations and the effects of sequences of consecutive software failures on the reliability of the controlled system. Differently from previously proposed models, some effort is devoted to address the problem of how to get accurate estimates for the basic parameters. A model is thus proposed that, requiring the designers or users to provide information usually obtainable by experimental techniques, e.g. testing, is more useful and more generally applicable. A thorough analysis is then performed to highlight the effects of the different parameters on the dependability attributes. This analysis allows us to appreciate which effects (and their extent) have variations of both correlation between successive inputs and different structural characteristics of the software at hand. Moreover, the robustness of the model against imprecise assessments of the starting parameters is also shown.     

Optical error-correction coding encoder and decoder: design considerations

Novel all-optical parallel implementations of encoder and decoder systems for error detection and correction with linear codes are proposed. The key components are optical vector-matrix multipliers and optical lookup tables. Evaluation is made of the overall system throughput and the hardware requirement with a case of a simple (7, 4) Hamming error-detection coding for a two-dimensional picture of 1000 × 1000 pixels with near-future ferroelectric liquid-crystal devices, which results in a best throughput of approximately 5.6 × 10(10) pixels/s and a size of 1 cm × 1 cm with a combination of time-and space-division techniques.     

On image gradients in digital image correlation

In digital image correlation (DIC), the unknown displacement field is typically identified by minimizing the linearized form of the brightness conservation equation, while the minimization scheme also involves a linearization, yielding a two‐step linearization with four implicit assumptions. These assumptions become apparent by minimizing the non‐linear brightness conservation equation in a consistent mathematical setting, yielding a one‐step linearization allowing a thorough study of the DIC tangent operator. Through this analysis, eight different image gradient operators are defined, and the impact of these alternative image gradients on the accuracy, efficiency, and initial guess robustness is discussed on the basis of a number of academic examples and representative test cases. The main conclusion is that for most cases, the image gradient most common in literature is recommended, except for cases with: (1) large rotations; (2) initial guess instabilities; and (3) costly iterations due to other reasons (e.g., integrated DIC), where a large deformation corrected mixed gradient is recommended instead. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Visibility threshold of compressed stereoscopic image: effects of asymmetrical coding

Abstract

Existing perceptual researches on stereoscopic image mainly focus on proving the effectiveness of binocular suppression theory in reducing bandwidth during asymmetrical coding. However, they care little about the threshold below which the phenomena exist. To determine the threshold as visible in the asymmetrical stereoscopic image coding, the relationship between visibility threshold and coding parameter or objective quality under practical viewing conditions is investigated in this paper. Perceptual experiments are designed by using the paired comparison methods. Experimental results show that the visible threshold is dependent on stereoscopic image content, coding parameter and objective quality of the left (dominant) view in asymmetrical stereoscopic image coding. Furthermore, we model the visible threshold as a linear function of the quantisation parameter of the left (dominant) view for asymmetrical coding. Then based on the model, we build a looking-up table for practical coding. The concise linear model can serve as an upper bound for controlling perceived quality of asymmetrical coding.     

三维医学图像优化压缩算法

针对 CT 三维医学图像特点,将三维医学数据分块,通过平滑处理和边界交迭减小分块失真,将 SPIHT 算法与 SPECK 算法结合,帧内采用 SPIHT 算法,帧间利用 SPECK 编码算法,组合算法提高了压缩效率,优于单一的算法。     

Genetic coding of image on synthetic peptides

The main objective of this study is to extend the potentialities of bio‐computing and the tools of molecular genetics to storage, indexing, and digital image processing. The first approach is to carry out the direct coding of the digital image, with the four RNA bases A, G, C, and U. Secondly, we study the possibilities of information rearrangement in image content, from the RNA concept, by a specific preprocessing. The illustration of the potential of this process is carried out with a presegmented image. Finally, the advantages and the difficulties of the direct use of bioengineering in digital imagery will be evoked. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 15, 168–171, 2005     

Low-complexity low-memory energy-efficient image coding for wireless image sensor networks

Wireless image sensor networks are capable of sensing, processing and transmitting the image in hard-to-access regions without expensive network infrastructure and will have great contribution in Internet of Things. These networks are resource constraint systems with limited memory, energy, processing speed and bandwidth. Low computational energy and communication energy will improve the lifetime of these resource-limited networks. In this paper, an energy-efficient low-memory and low-bitrate image coding is designed exclusively for low-power camera-equipped sensor node. The performance of the proposed image coder is analysed in terms of bitrate, image quality, memory size and energy consumption. Experiments are carried out with Atmel ATmega128 processor. The experimental results show that this system consumes only 0.23% of energy consumed by true Discrete Cosine Transform-based Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) standard and offers reasonable image quality suitable for visual perception at low bitrate. This system requires only 19% of memory required by standard JPEG.     

Semiautomated analytical image correlation

Machine vision refers to computer programs consisting of a collection of pattern recognition and digital image processing algorithms (Fabel, G. Motion Control 2000, 53-54). A version of machine vision has been applied to correlating digital images generated by optical microscopy and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). By suitable application of image processing algorithms, semiautomated correlation between optical and secondary ion images is possible. For correlation of minor constituents evident in secondary ion images but invisible in optical images, correlation is performed by reference to the relative position of minor to major constituents. Precise coordinates of features apparent in one analytical image can be translated into the corresponding coordinates of an analytical image obtained by a different method. In principle, this capability yields a semiautomated system to combine complementary features of disparate imaging methods, such as secondary ion and optical microscopy.     

Adaptive fractal image coding in subband domain

Abstract

In this paper, we propose and evaluate a method for fractal image coding in the subband domain. The subband decomposition scheme acts as a classifier, which can efficiently reduce encoding time. The proposed fractal image coding scheme is an adaptive one. The adaptability is based on the variance of each subband. At each subband, the scheme adaptively sets the map block size that should be encoded. In addition, the domain blocks are adaptively restricted to the neighborhood of their respective range block. Simulation results show that good picture quality of the coded image is obtained at 0.370 bpp. It also indicates that such an adaptive scheme makes a better trade‐off between the required bit rate and picture quality than a fixed size one. Moreover, the adaptive shceme can save a large amount of time.     

Digital watermarking based on fractal image coding

Abstract

With advances in computer network and multimedia technology, digital media are rapidly proliferating, and thus the issue of copyright protection for electronic publishing is receiving great attention. To achieve the goal of copyright protection, the digital watermarks are used to identify the owner of a certain image, so as to prevent illegal copying. Digital watermarking is the technique that embeds an invisible signal including owner identification and copy control information into multimedia data such as audio, video, and images. A new digital watermark approach based on fractal image coding is proposed in this paper. We present a way to use the fractal code as a means of embedding a watermark into image. The proposed approach has been shown to be resistant to general attacks, like StirMark. Moreover, someone who owns the decryption key can simply extract the digital watermark from the watermarked image without resorting to the original image.     

带噪图像的多阈值零树编码方法

零树编码利用一固定量化阈值对系数进行扫描,而多阈值零树编码将小波分解后各子带的最大系数作为该子带的扫描阈值,将扫描阈值大于量化阈值的子带作为重要子带,反之作为次要子带。只在重要子带中判断其是否存在重要系数。针对含有高斯白噪声的图像,引入混合降噪模型对各子带的扫描阈值进行修正,有效地提高了编码图像质量和编码效率。     

Optical implementation of N-wavelet coding for pattern classification

A novel method, N-wavelet coding, for pattern detection and classification based on wavelet transform and coding theory is introduced. With this detection and classification technique it is possible to reduce the false-alarm rate while maintaining a constant probability of detection and noise level. A set of periodic continuous waveforms comprising six classes that span a cross-correlation coefficient between 0.68 and 0.99 is used to evaluate the N-wavelet coding technique. It is found that when the length N of the N-wavelet coding is increased it is possible to decrease the false-alarm rate while maintaining a constant probability of detection.     

一种利用离散余弦变换频谱图和小波变换图像编码的语音编码算法

语音、图像编码技术是现代数字通信的核心技术,通常是分开进行的,提出了一种利用二维DCT频谱图和小波变换图像编码的语音编码算法.深入分析了算法实现的关键技术——语音信号的二维DCT频谱图,仿真实现了该编码算法,对一段语音的处理结果表明,小波分解系数置零率为83.1941％,压缩后保存能量92.0867％,合成语音达到“优...     

Optical efficiency of image sensor pixels

The ability to reproduce a high-quality image depends strongly on the image sensor light sensitivity. This sensitivity depends, in turn, on the materials, the circuitry, and the optical properties of the pixel. We calculate the optical efficiency of a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor pixel by using a geometrical-optics phase-space approach. We compare the theoretical predictions with measurements made by using a CMOS digital pixel sensor, and we find them to be in agreement within 3%. Finally, we show how to use these optical efficiency calculations to trade off image sensor pixel sensitivity and functionality as CMOS process technology scales.     

Optical image recognition of three-dimensional objects

A three-dimensional (3-D) optical image-recognition technique is proposed and studied. The proposed technique is based on two-pupil optical heterodyne scanning and is capable of performing 3-D image recognition. A hologram of the 3-D reference object is first created and then is used to modulate spatially one of the pupils of the optical system; the other pupil is a point source. A 3-D target object to be recognized is then scanned in two dimensions by optical beams modulated by the two pupils. The result of the two-dimensional scan pattern effectively displays the correlation of the holographic information of the 3-D reference object and that of the 3-D target object. A strong correlation peak results if the two pieces of the holographic information are matched. We analyze the proposed technique and thereby lay a theoretical foundation for optical implementations of the idea. Finally, computer simulations are performed to verify the proposed idea.     

Optical influence of ship wakes

The optical variations observed within ship wakes are largely due to the generation of copious amounts of air bubbles in the upper ocean, a fraction of which accumulate as foam at the surface, where they release scavenged surfactants. Field experiments were conducted to test previous theoretical predictions of the variations in optical properties that result from bubble injection in the surface ocean. Variations in remote-sensing reflectance and size distribution of bubbles within the ship-wake zone were determined in three different optical water types: the clear equatorial Pacific Ocean, moderately turbid coastal waters, and very turbid coastal waters, the latter two of which were offshore of New Jersey. Bubbles introduced by moving vessels increased the backscattering in all cases, which in turn enhanced the reflectance over the entire visible and infrared wave bands. The elevated reflectance had different spectral characteristics in the three locations. The color of ship wakes appears greener in the open ocean, whereas little change in color was observed in near-coastal turbid waters, consistent with predictions. Colorless themselves, bubbles increase the reflected radiance and change the color of the ocean in a way that depends on the spectral backscattering and absorption of the undisturbed background waters. For remote observation from aircraft or satellite, the foam and added surfactants further enhance the reflectance to a degree dependent on the illumination and the viewing geometry.     

Optical correlation based on the fractional Fourier transform

Some properties of optical correlation based on the fractional Fourier transform are analyzed. For a particular set of fractional orders, a filter is obtained that becomes insensitive to scale variations of the object. An optical configuration is also proposed to carry out the fractional correlation in a flexible way, and some experimental results are shown.     

Accidental release of toxic chemicals: influence of the main input parameters on consequence calculation

In the present paper the accidental release of toxic chemicals has been taken into consideration, and a sensitivity analysis study of the corresponding consequences calculation has been carried out. Four different toxic chemicals have been chosen for the simulations, and the effect of the variability of the main input parameters on the extension of the impact areas has been assessed. The results show that the influence of these parameters depends on the physical properties of the released substance and that not always the widely known rules of thumb, such as the positive influence of the wind velocity on gas dispersion, apply. In particular, the boiling temperature of the chemical has revealed to be the main parameter affecting the type of dependence of the impact distances on the input variables.     

Generalized quantization as an effective image coding method

Several methods of generalized image quantization, being an ?-network reduction with the use of visual perception limits, are discussed. The corresponding digital image transformations provide an effective image coding with the following image transmission through communication channels and its storage in the database.