711
in Appen-
future.
Image P ocessing
The aims of image processing within the field of photo-interpre
tation are /6/, /7/:
ation" of
mmetry
- Transformation of the geometry of the existing image
(geometric transformation)
- Improvement of the "recognizability" of the image content, above
tion
all improvement of the recognizability of details
and accentuation of image parts
(structural image transformation).
n methods
introduc-
The essential thing is to process the image in such a manner that its
evaluation performed by a human being or a technical system, is facil
itated if not only made possible by it. Although the special interest
is presently concentrated on digital image processing, phototechnical
image processing should not be neglected too much.
ms neces-
tation
single
ns as to
d by the
e data
tion.
Automated Photo-Interpretation
The ability of the human being to recognize forms and the meaning of
these forms, is the basis of nearly all methods of photo-interpreta
tion commonly in use. The aim of nowadays research is to develop
technical systems which are able (as is the biological system human
being) to recognize and process the content of a photographic image
automated
of which
recording. But the distance to be covered to reach this aim is still
far /8/. The present state of research is approximately marked by the
concept automated character recognition or pattern recognition. It
implies that a character (or pattern) is "recognized" by a technical
system. Here, recognition comprises, as a rule, only the recognition
er of areas
we do not
/5/. In
etween the
r parameters
cation of
influence
ce the
undamental
at a still
of forms as mentioned in par. and a classification of the single
characters apperceived. When digitizing the image, scanning can be
performed either serially (i.e. one after another, e.g. line for line,
in any sequence...) or parallelly. In case of parallel scanning, each
scanning element is provided with a light-sensitive component such as
a photo diode. These two methods of scanning (serial and parallel)
indicate at the same time the two directions of instrument develop
ment /6/. In the Federal Republic of Germany, the Research Institute
for Information Processing and Pattern Recognition at the university
of Karlsruhe has performed numerous tests with an aerial photograph
scanning system working in series. The Physiological Institute at the
recorded
appercep-
e of an
Free University of Berlin has developed a system by means of which
the parallel scanning (or interrogation) method is realized. The
neurophysiological research results available so far show that here
an electronic analogue model of the retina and the visual system has
been developed and realized by technical means. It seems that in the
evidently
considered
:ation.
an impor*-
etation
ted here
hitherto
ormation
near future the development of the available technical systems can be
considerably intensified as yet, thereby possibly proceeding from a
model of the brain and an approximation equation for the mode of
behaviour /9/, /10/. Some modest results on this subject are also
expected from the experimental work mentioned in par. 2. The test on
integral interpretation proves, e.g. which and how much information
a certain group of interpreters can derive from the aerial photograph.
If we also examine from which image gestalten has been started and
which correlations have been used, then we approximately know the