Real-time image processing and display in object size detection based on VC++

Real-time detection for object size has now become a hot topic in the testing field and image processing is the core algorithm. This paper focuses on the processing and display of the collected dynamic images to achieve a real-time image pro- cessing for the moving objects. Firstly, the median filtering, gain calibration, image segmentation, image binarization, cor- ner detection and edge fitting are employed to process the images of the moving objects to make the image close to the real object. Then, the processed images are simultaneously displayed on a real-time basis to make it easier to analyze, understand and identify them, and thus it reduces the computation complexity. Finally, human-computer interaction （HCI）-friendly in- terface based on VC ＋＋ is designed to accomplish the digital logic transform, image processing and real-time display of the objects. The experiment shows that the proposed algorithm and software design have better real-time performance and accu- racy which can meet the industrial needs.

A Flexible DSP-Based Network forReal-Time Image-Processing

This paper proposed a general purpose real-time image processing system based on a flexible DSP-based Network, which is implemented by a high bandwidth communication channel, links. The links is realized using FPGA and provides a bandwidth of 12. 8 Gbit/s. Using the links, The topologic of multi-DSP system can be changed online to meet the variabilities of the parallel algorithm of image processing. The system can be assembled with utmost tens of boards and maintain the high communication speed. Analysis of the system adaptivity to image processing is testified followed by actual results. Key words real-time image processing - multi-DSP - flexible - scalable - FPGA - links CLC number TP 303 Foundation item: Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (60135020)Biography: MAO Hai-cen(1973-), male, Ph.D. candidate, research direction: artificial intelligence, expert system, pattern recognition and image processing

New multi-DSP parallel computing architecture for real-time image processing

The flexibility of traditional image processing system is limited because those system are designed for specific applications. In this paper, a new TMS320C64x-based multi-DSP parallel computing architecture is presented. It has many promising characteristics such as powerful computing capability, broad I/O bandwidth, topology flexibility, and expansibility. The parallel system performance is evaluated by practical experiment.

High performance reconfigurable hardware system for real-time image processing

A novel reconfigurable hardware system which uses both muhi-DSP and FPGA to attain high performance and real-time image processing are presented. The system structure and working principle of mainly processing multi-BSP board, extended multi-DSP board are analysed. The outstanding advantage is that the communication among different board components of this system is supported by high speed link ports ＆ serial ports for increasing the system performance and computational power. Then the implementation of embedded real-time operating systems （RTOS） by us is discussed in detail. In this system, we adopt two kinds of parallel structures controlled by RTOS for parallel processing of algorithms. The experimental results show that exploitive period of the system is short, and maintenance convenient. Thus it is suitable for real-time image processing and can get satisfactory effect of image recognition.

An FPGA-based real-time image processing system

This paper analyzes the current difficulties encountered in on-line inspection systems of strip surface quality, specifically relating to problems with real-time processing of huge amounts of data. To address this need, this paper describes an FPGA-based high-speed image processing module with both hardware and software aspects. Improving these two aspects together will help the system achieve real-time processing of massive image data, and simplifies the architecture of the strip surface quality on-line inspection system.

Stream-computing of High Accuracy On-board Real-time Cloud Detection for High Resolution Optical Satellite Imagery

This paper focuses on the time efficiency for machine vision and intelligent photogrammetry, especially high accuracy on-board real-time cloud detection method. With the development of technology, the data acquisition ability is growing continuously and the volume of raw data is increasing explosively. Meanwhile, because of the higher requirement of data accuracy, the computation load is also becoming heavier. This situation makes time efficiency extremely important. Moreover, the cloud cover rate of optical satellite imagery is up to approximately 50%, which is seriously restricting the applications of on-board intelligent photogrammetry services. To meet the on-board cloud detection requirements and offer valid input data to subsequent processing, this paper presents a stream-computing of high accuracy on-board real-time cloud detection solution which follows the “bottom-up” understanding strategy of machine vision and uses multiple embedded GPU with significant potential to be applied on-board. Without external memory, the data parallel pipeline system based on multiple processing modules of this solution could afford the “stream-in, processing, stream-out” real-time stream computing. In experiments, images of GF-2 satellite are used to validate the accuracy and performance of this approach, and the experimental results show that this solution could not only bring up cloud detection accuracy, but also match the on-board real-time processing requirements.

Application of TMS320C80 in Image Processing

To study the application of TMS320C80 in image processing, an image processing system was designed based on this device, and the task of real time image processing was well accomplished on the hardware platform. TMS320C80 architecture's high degree of on chip integration and software flexibility will make it widely used in image processing that requires high processing speeds.

Heterogeneity induced strain localization in block-in-matrix-soils subjected to uniaxial loading using real-time CT scanning

Block-in-matrix-soils(bimsoils)are geological mixtures that have distinct structures consisting of relatively strong rock blocks and weak matrix soils.It is still a challenge to evaluate the mechanical behaviors of bimsoils because of the heterogeneity,chaotic structure,and lithological variability.As a result,only very limited laboratory studies have been reported on the evolution of their internal deformation.In this study,the deformation evolution of bimsoils under uniaxial loading is investigated using real-time X-ray computed tomography(CT)and image correlation algorithm(with a rock block percentage(RBP)of 40%).Three parameters,i.e.heterogeneity coefficient(K),correlation coefficient(CC),and standard deviation(STD)of displacement fields,are proposed to quantify the heterogeneity of the motion of the rock blocks and the progressive deformation of the bimsoils.Experimental results show that the rock blocks in bimsoils are prone to forming clusters with increasing loading,and the sliding surface goes around only one side of a cluster.Based on the movement of the rock blocks recorded by STD and CC,the progressive deformation of the bimsoils is quantitatively divided into three stages:initialization of the rotation of rock blocks,formation of rock block clusters,and formation of a shear band by rock blocks with significant rotation.Moreover,the experimental results demonstrate that the meso-motion of rock blocks controls the macroscopic mechanical properties of the samples.

Image processing algorithm acceleration using reconfigurable macro processor model

The concept and advantage of reconfigurable technology is introduced. A kind of processor architecture of re configurable macro processor (RMP) model based on FPGA array and DSP is put forward and has been implemented. Two image algorithms are developed: template-based automatic target recognition and zone labeling. One is estimating for motion direction in the infrared image background, another is line picking-up algorithm based on image zone labeling and phase grouping technique. It is a kind of 'hardware' function that can be called by the DSP in high-level algorithm. It is also a kind of hardware algorithm of the DSP. The results of experiments show the reconfigurable computing technology based on RMP is an ideal accelerating means to deal with the high-speed image processing tasks. High real time performance is obtained in our two applications on RMP.

A Practical Study of Intelligent Image-Based Mobile Robot for Tracking Colored Objects

Object tracking is one of the major tasks for mobile robots in many real-world applications.Also,artificial intelligence and automatic control techniques play an important role in enhancing the performance of mobile robot navigation.In contrast to previous simulation studies,this paper presents a new intelligent mobile robot for accomplishing multi-tasks by tracking red-green-blue(RGB)colored objects in a real experimental field.Moreover,a practical smart controller is developed based on adaptive fuzzy logic and custom proportional-integral-derivative(PID)schemes to achieve accurate tracking results,considering robot command delay and tolerance errors.The design of developed controllers implies some motion rules to mimic the knowledge of experienced operators.Twelve scenarios of three colored object combinations have been successfully tested and evaluated by using the developed controlled image-based robot tracker.Classical PID control failed to handle some tracking scenarios in this study.The proposed adaptive fuzzy PID control achieved the best accurate results with the minimum average final error of 13.8 cm to reach the colored targets,while our designed custom PID control is efficient in saving both average time and traveling distance of 6.6 s and 14.3 cm,respectively.These promising results demonstrate the feasibility of applying our developed image-based robotic system in a colored object-tracking environment to reduce human workloads.

A machine vision approach to seam tracking in real-time in PAW of large-diameter stainless steel tube

Manual monitoring and seam tracking through watching weld pool images in real-time, by naked eyes or by industrial TV, are experience-depended, subjective, labor intensive, and sometimes biased. So it is necessary to realize the automation of computer-aided seam tracking. A PAW (plasma arc welding) seam tracking system was developed, which senses the molten pool and the seam in one frame by a vision sensor, and then detects the seam deviation to adjust the work piece motion adaptively to the seam position sensed by vision sensor. A novel molten pool area image-processing algorithm based on machine vision was proposed. The algorithm processes each image at the speed of 20 frames/second in real-time to extract three feature variables to get the seam deviation. It is proved experimentally that the algorithm is very fast and effective. Issues related to the algorithm are also discussed.

Simulation and Implementation of Real-Time Vision-Based Control System for 2-DoF Robotic Arm Using PID with Hardware-in-the-Loop

Microsoft Kinect sensor has shown the research community that it's more than just an interactive gaming device, due to its multi-functional abilities and high reliability. In this work, online HIL (Hardware-in-the-Loop) experimental data are used to apply human motion imitation to a 2-degree of freedom Lego Mind storm NXT robotic arm. A model simulation of the dc motor used in this experiment is also present in this paper. The acquired input data from the Kinect sensor are processed in a closed loop PID controller with feedback from motors encoders. The applied algorithms solve the overlapping input problem, conducting a simultaneous control of both shoulder and elbow joints, and solving the overlapping input problem as well. The work in this paper is presented as a prototype to assure the applicability of the algorithms, for further development.

Multiple-Object Tracking Using Histogram Stamp Extraction in CCTV Environments

Object tracking,an important technology in the field of image processing and computer vision,is used to continuously track a specific object or person in an image.This technology may be effective in identifying the same person within one image,but it has limitations in handling multiple images owing to the difficulty in identifying whether the object appearing in other images is the same.When tracking the same object using two or more images,there must be a way to determine that objects existing in different images are the same object.Therefore,this paper attempts to determine the same object present in different images using color information among the unique information of the object.Thus,this study proposes a multiple-object-tracking method using histogram stamp extraction in closed-circuit television applications.The proposed method determines the presence or absence of a target object in an image by comparing the similarity between the image containing the target object and other images.To this end,a unique color value of the target object is extracted based on its color distribution in the image using three methods:mean,mode,and interquartile range.The Top-N accuracy method is used to analyze the accuracy of each method,and the results show that the mean method had an accuracy of 93.5%(Top-2).Furthermore,the positive prediction value experimental results show that the accuracy of the mean method was 65.7%.As a result of the analysis,it is possible to detect and track the same object present in different images using the unique color of the object.Through the results,it is possible to track the same object that can minimize manpower without using personal information when detecting objects in different images.In the last response speed experiment,it was shown that when the mean was used,the color extraction of the object was possible in real time with 0.016954 s.Through this,it is possible to detect and track the same object in real time when using the proposed method.

Robust image processing algorithm for computational resource limited smart apple sunburn sensing system

Heat and light stress causes sunburn to the maturing apple fruits and results in crop production and quality losses.Typically,when the fruit surface temperature(FST)rises above critical limits for a prolonged duration,the fruit may suffer several physiological disorders including sunburn.To manage apple sunburn,monitoring FST is critical and our group at Washington State University is developing a noncontact smart sensing system that integrates thermal infrared and visible imaging sensors for real time FST monitoring.Pertinent system needs to perform in-field imagery data analysis onboard a single board computer with processing unit that has limited computational resources.Therefore,key objective of this study was to develop a novel image processing algorithm optimized to use available resources of a single board computer.Algorithm logic flow includes color space transformation,k-means++classification and morphological operators prior to fruit segmentation and FST estimation.The developed algorithm demonstrated the segmentation accuracy of 57.78%(missing error=12.09%and segmentation error=0.13%).This aided successful apple FST estimation that was 10–18C warmer than ambient air temperature.Moreover,algorithm reduced the imagery data processing time cost of the smart sensing systemfrom 87 s to 44 s using image compression approach.

FY-4 Meteorological Satellite

FY-4 is the second generation of Chinese geostationary satellite for quantitative remote sensing meteorological application. The detection efficiency, spectral bands, spatial and time resolution have been greatly improved with respect to those of first generation, as well as the radiometric calibration and sensitivity. The combination of multichannel detection and vertical sounding was first realized on FY-4, because both the Advanced Geostationary Radiation Imager(AGRI) and Geostationary Interferometric Infrared Sounder(GIIRS) are on the same spacecraft. The main performance of the payloads including AGRI, GIIRS and Lightning Mapping Imager, and the spacecraft bus are presented, the performance being equivalent to the level of the third generation meteorological satellites in Europe and USA. The acquiring methods of remote sensing data including multichannel and high precision quantitative observing, imaging collection of the ground and cloud, vertical observation of atmospheric temperature and moisture, lightning imaging observation and space environment detection are shown. Several innovative technologies including high accuracy rotation angle detection and scanning control, high precision calibration, micro vibration suppression, unified reference of platform and payload and on-orbit measurement, real-time image navigation and registration on-orbit were applied in FY-4.

A vision tracking system of robot CO_2 short transfer welding

This paper expounds the necessity of applying real-time control in vision sensing and tracking system of welding robot and analyses the difficulty of welding image processing. Through experiments, a practical robot CO2 arc adaptive feedback tracking system is established. According to the analysing of current and voltage signals between welding torch and base metal, the image freezing time for TMS-32020 processor is determined, and the defect of dark image and serious splashes in CO, welding image are avoided. Thus welding image becomes clear, and digitalization of video signal is stability. Then, with adaptive threshold control the welding image binaryzation, 3×3 mean level filtration and 3×3 weighting mean level filtration in welding seam are processed.Furthermore, the deviation between the centre of welding torch and the seam welded is found out, even though there are much spatter in the welding image.At last, the end effector of the robot is controlled and a welding torch is carried to track the seam welded during arc welding.

fMRI-BCI:a Review

Functional magnetic resonance imaging （fMRI） is a new tool for brain-computer interface （BCI）. This paper presents an overview to fMRI-BCI. Our attention is mainly put on the methods of signal acquisition, signal preprocessing, and signal analysis of basic fMRI-BCI structure. The available softwares and the applications of fMRI-BCI are briefly introduced. At last, we suggest focusing on some technologies to make fMRI-BCI more perfect.

Heterogeneous parallel computing accelerated iterative subpixel digital image correlation

Parallel computing techniques have been introduced into digital image correlation(DIC) in recent years and leads to a surge in computation speed. The graphics processing unit(GPU)-based parallel computing demonstrated a surprising effect on accelerating the iterative subpixel DIC, compared with CPU-based parallel computing. In this paper, the performances of the two kinds of parallel computing techniques are compared for the previously proposed path-independent DIC method, in which the initial guess for the inverse compositional Gauss-Newton(IC-GN) algorithm at each point of interest(POI) is estimated through the fast Fourier transform-based cross-correlation(FFT-CC) algorithm. Based on the performance evaluation, a heterogeneous parallel computing(HPC) model is proposed with hybrid mode of parallelisms in order to combine the computing power of GPU and multicore CPU. A scheme of trial computation test is developed to optimize the configuration of the HPC model on a specific computer. The proposed HPC model shows excellent performance on a middle-end desktop computer for real-time subpixel DIC with high resolution of more than 10000 POIs per frame.