This interactive course is based on hypertext (HTML) and VisiQuest. The purpose of the course is to give users a hands-on approach to Image Processing through an extensive number of experiments. This course can be used as a self study guide or for any type of training format.
Overview | Course Objective | About the DIP Course | Setting up Your Environment | Acknowledgements
We hope that with this new type of technology a wide range of users of different backgrounds can be introduced to "image engineering".
The DIP course has the following objectives:
Transfer the theory and practice required to process and visualize digital information.
Expose students to state-of-the-art technology through a hands-on approach to Digital Image Processing.
Present VisiQuest as a software integration and development environment that emphasizes information processing and exploration.
Apply VisiQuest as a common language platform for collaboration, software development, demonstration, technology transfer and training/education.
Provide new teaching and learning tools to motivate the user community to collaborate utilizing both synchronous and asynchronous exchanges of resources and knowledge.
The course has a collection of fully illustrated lessons on the topics of Image Representation, Manipulation, Point Operations (Single, and Dual operands), Discrete Fourier Transform, Linear Operations, Image Restoration, Wavelets, Non-linear Operations, and Pattern Classification. The DIP course has two formats, the first presents concepts in Image Processing and is fully illustrated. This first format requires any network browser. The second format is interactive, besides the network browser, it requires the VisiQuest system.
VisiQuest is an integrated development environment (IDE). This software platform provides data exploration, visualization and a visual programming environment for quick prototyping and system integration. It promotes portability and is a cost effective method for the rapid prototyping of scientific solutions in domains such as image processing. VisiQuest runs on multiple platforms.
The first release of the DIP course was on December 1994. Since then many users have taken the course via the Internet and others have ftp the DIP course and installed in their systems. Also, several hands-on courses were given by the authors in several sites such us Spain, Brazil, Argentina and USA. Because of its success, we have decided to keep improving and releasing it frequently.
As problems become more complex, more variables need to be considered. Multivariable models give us a closer approximation to reality. In modern problem solving there is a need to process large data sets, multidimensional and/or time varying data. Solutions demand computer intensive operations, for example applications that require modeling, simulation, animation and algorithms to extract information from the data. Finally, problem solving requires the collaboration among interdisciplinary teams.
The field of Digital Image Processing (DIP) has seen a significant increase in the level of interest from other disciplines. DIP is continuously enhanced by other areas such as neural nets, wavelet theory, mathematical morphology, data compression and recognition, and artificial intelligence. With the dramatic drop in the cost of digital systems and the equally dramatic increase in the level of performance, the application of DIP in other disciplines is unavoidable. Digital Image Processing plays a crucial role in the areas of remote sensing, medical imaging, scientific visualization, telecommunications, robotics, biology, and environmental engineering among others.
Digital Image Processing takes the tremendous advances in technology and combines them with the powerful human ability to visualize and interpret data, offering creative solutions to complex problems. Image processing expands the unique human ability to visualize and interpret data; scientists worldwide have recognized that DIP is an essential tool for education, research and technology.
Software growth thrives on real-time user enhancement, on-line training, permanent feedback from its broad spectrum of users, and, consequently, rapid advances in telecommunications, networking and computer architecture.
Creative curricula promotes collaborative applied research, innovation in resource sharing and a highly skilled industrialized workforce. Digital Image Processing with VisiQuest plans to be part of this particular curricula reform.
This course has been developed thanks to the continuous support of many individuals and institutions. To all of them our sincere appreciation for their encouragement, enthusiasm and financial support.
University of New Mexico, USA UNM
Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Brazil UNICAMP
Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Brazil CNPq
Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo, Brazil FAPESP
ISTEC industrial members: Motorola Inc., Nortel Networks, Fluke Co., Infocast LLC, Morgan Kaufmann Publishers, Veribest Inc., Microsoft, Invenio, AccuSoft Corporation, Synopsis
BSP Group for useful discussions and suggestions