The Technology and Applications of digital image

processing are constantly changing and being redefined.

M. Karthikeyan1, K.Vijaya Lakshmi2
1
Asst.Professor, 2III-CS-‘C’, Department of Computer Science, M.G.R.College, Hosur

ABSTRACT
Digital image processing involves modifying and enhancing images by applying various filtering and
enhancement techniques to achieve better visual clarity and perform detailed image analysis. This technology
has applications in fields such as measurement, computer-aided design, physics, and three-dimensional
simulation. Image processing takes images as input, processes them, and generates modified outputs either for
improved human perception or to extract useful information. The applications of digital image processing are
vast and its scope continues to expand. Beyond improving and encoding images, digital image processing
enables the extraction of valuable information and allows users to save it in various formats. It leverages digital
computers to process digital images through algorithms. As a specialized area within digital signal processing,
digital image processing offers several advantages over analog image processing. It typically treats all images
as two-dimensional signals, applying specific signal processing techniques to analyze and enhance them
effective

INTRODUCTION
An image is an object or visual which one sees. It is a 2-dimensional function of a 3-dimensional world that
surrounds us. Basically, images are 2-D light intensity function f(x, y) where x and y are spatial or plane co-
ordinates and the amplitude at any co-ordinates pair (x, y) is defined as the intensity or gray level of the image at
that point. If x, y and the intensity values are all finite and discrete, then the image is known as a digital image.
The digital image is composed of a finite number of elements which has a particular location and value. These
elements are called picture elements or pixels or pels. The most common term for the components of a digital
image is "pixel." Images play the single most significant function in human perception, which is not surprising
given that vision is the most developed of our senses. Contrary to humans, who are constrained to the visual
spectrum of the Imaging devices almost completely cover the full electromagnetic spectrum, from gamma to
radio waves. They are able to work with visuals produced by sources that people aren't used to connecting with
images. These consist of computer-generated pictures, electron microscopy and ultrasound.
Image processing involves following three steps.
1. Image acquisition: Acquisition can be made via image capturing tools like an optical scanner or with digital
photos.

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2. Image enhancement: Once the image is acquired, it must be processed. Image enhancement includes
cropping, enhancing, restoring, and removing glare or other elements. For example, image enhancement reduces
signal distortion and clarifies fuzzy or poor-quality images.
3. Image extraction: Extraction involves extracting individual image components, thus, producing a result where
the output can be an altered image. The process is necessary when an image has a specific shape and requires a
description or representation. The image is partitioned into separate areas and labeled with relevant information.
It can also create a report based on the image analysis.

Basic principles of image processing begin with the observation that electromagnetic waves are oriented in a
horizontal plane. A single light pixel can be converted into a single image by combining those pixels. These
pixels represent different regions of the image. This information helps the computer detect objects and
determine the appropriate resolution. Some of the applications of image processing include video processing.
Because videos are composed of a sequence of separate images, motion detection is a vital video processing
component. Image processing is essential in many fields, from photography to satellite photographs. This
technology improves subjective image quality and aims to make subsequent image recognition and analysis
easier. Depending on the application, image processing can change image resolutions and aspect ratios and
remove artifacts from a picture. Over the years, image processing has become one of the most rapidly growing
technologies within engineering and even the computer science sector.
Two types of image processing – 1. Analogue Image Processing: Generally, analogue image processing is used
for hard copies like photographs and printouts. Image analysts use various facets of interpretation while using
these visual techniques.
2. Digital image processing: Digital image processing methods help in manipulating and analysing digital
images. In addition to improving and encoding images, digital image processing allows users to extract useful
information and save them in various formats. This article primarily discusses digital image processing
techniques and various phases.
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ADVANTAGES OF DIGITAL IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM
1. Enhanced Image Quality – One of the primary advantages of digital image processing is the ability to enhance
the quality of images. With the use of algorithms, digital images can be sharpened, brightened, or colour
corrected to produce a clearer and more visually appealing picture.
2. Improved Medical Diagnosis – Digital image processing is also used in the field of medicine to improve the
accuracy of diagnosis. For example, medical images like X-rays and MRIs can be processed to highlight areas
of interest or to differentiate between healthy and diseased tissues.
3. Increased Efficiency – Digital image processing systems can process images much faster than manual
methods. This can help save time and resources in industries like manufacturing, where inspection and quality
control processes are crucial.
4. Enhanced Security – Digital image processing systems are also used for security and surveillance purposes.
For example, facial recognition algorithms can be used to identify people or to detect unusual activity in public
spaces.
5. Creative Applications – Lastly, digital image processing can be used in creative applications like graphic
design, video editing, and virtual reality. By manipulating digital images, artists and designers can create new
and unique visual experiences.

APPLICATIONS OF DIGITAL IMAGE PROCESSING

To develop a basic understanding of the breadth and length of the applications, the image processing
applications are categorized according to their sources. The principal source of energy for images is the
electromagnetic energy spectrum. It also includes acoustic, ultrasonic, electronic etc. Synthetic images used for
modeling and visualization are generated in computer. The most common applications of digital image
processing are
1. Gamma-ray Imaging – Imaging based on gamma rays are mostly for nuclear medicine, astronomical
observations. Gamma Rays Used in Medicine - Any living thing can be killed by gamma rays. It is employed as

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a benefit in the medical area, particularly oncology. To combat cancer, Cancer patients are treated with these
beams. In a procedure known as radiation, high doses of gamma rays are administered to eliminate the
malignant cells. A concentrated gamma ray beam is utilized in this procedure to destroy the DNA of malignant
cells. These intense rays ionize the water within the malignant cell, resulting in the production of H and OH free
radicals. The extremely reactive free radicals interact with one another and damage the cell's DNA. The
radiation oncologist's main goal is to direct the radiation beam as closely as possible to the malignancy in order
to minimize adverse effects. They are used to treat cancers by sending a high-energy photon directly to the
intended tumour, sparing the surrounding tissues from damage. Patients with cancer and tumours receive
intensive care. Sanitizing medicinal apparatus. Gamma rays can easily penetrate the packaging of medical
equipment and destroy biological tissues, including bacteria and viruses. Sterilization of objects by gamma
radiation - Radiation of surgical and food supplies: Radiation is privileged method for eliminating
microorganisms (fungi, bacteria, virus, etc.). As a result, several applications radiation exists for sterilization of
items. For instance, today’s disposable syringe and other medical-surgical equipment are radio-sterilized by
specialized Industrialists. Similar to this, irradiating food items improves food safety by sterilizing spices and
getting rid of salmonella in shrimp and frog legs. Food ionization is another name for this technique. Using
gamma to treat artefacts helps to get rid of any germs, or larvae living inside of them, preventing deterioration.
This method is applied to the conservation and restoration of artistic artefacts as well as to ethnology and
archaeology. It may be used with a variety of materials, including leather, stone, and wood.
2. X-ray Imaging – X-ray imaging is used mainly for medical diagnostics and industrial imaging. It is also used
for astronomical applications. X-rays are created when extremely energetic electrons contact an anode and
release energy in the form of photons, as we described previously. When these photons travel through materials,
they are partially absorbed. The level of absorption varies depending on the kind of substance or material.
Behind the region of interest is a cassette that contains a light-resistant material and an intensifying fluorescent
screen. The cassette is left behind when X-rays flow through the body through soft tissues like organs and
muscles because these tissues cannot absorb the radiation. Big doses of radiation are administered to the patient,
making the film appear black where they are present. In the body, rigid structures like bones allow X-rays to
enter.
3. Ultraviolet Imaging – It is used for lithography, industrial inspection, microscopy, lasers, biological imaging
and astronomical observations. A type of electromagnetic radiation called ultraviolet (UV) radiation is emitted
by the sun and artificial sources like welding torches and tanning beds. The emission (sending out) of energy
from any source is referred to as radiation. Radiation comes in a variety of forms, from very high-energy (high-
frequency) radiation like x and gamma rays to very low-energy (low-frequency) radiation like radio waves. The
middle of this spectrum is where UV rays fall. They have more energy than light that can be seen, but less than
x-rays. The quantity and nature of UV radiation that a person is exposed to from a tanning bed (or booth) varies
on the particular lamps used in the bed, the length of time a person spends in the bed, and the number of times a
person uses the bed. The majority of current UV tanning beds release UVA radiation, with the remainder being
UVB rays. UV light therapy, or phototherapy, is used to treat some skin conditions like psoriasis. A medication

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called psoralen is first administered as part of the PUVA therapy. The medication accumulates in the skin,
increasing its UV sensitivity. After that, UVA radiation is used to treat the patient. Utilizing UVB alone is a
different therapy approach.
4. Wide applications include
a. Remote Sensing
b. Light microscopy
c. Astronomy
d. Weather observation and prediction
e. Visual inspection of manufactured goods
f. Traffic monitoring and surveillance
g. License plate character recognition
h. Currency recognition
i. Finger-print and face recognition
j. Radar imaging to explore inaccessible regions of the Earth’s surface.
k. Mineral and oil exploration
l. Ultrasound imaging of foetus
The application fields of digital image processing are shown in table 1.

Analytics and recommendations – Digital image processing requires computers to convert images into digital
form using the digital conversion method and then process it. It is about subjecting various numerical depictions
of images to a series of operations to obtain the desired result. This may include image compression, digital
enhancement, or automated classification of targets. Digital images are comprised of pixels, which have discrete
numeric representations of intensity. They are fed into the image processing system using spatial coordinates.
They must be stored in a format compatible with digital computers to use digital images.

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Unlike traditional analogue cameras, digital cameras do not have pixels in the same colour. The computer can
recognize the differences between the colours by looking at their hue, saturation, and brightness. It then
processes that data using a process called gray scaling. In a nutshell, gray scaling turn RGB pixels into one
value. As a result, the amount of data in a pixel decreases, and the image becomes more compressed and easier
to view. Cost targets often limit the technology that is used to process digital images. Thus, engineers must
develop excellent and efficient algorithms while minimizing the number of resources consumed. While all
digital image processing applications begin with illumination, it is crucial to understand that if the lighting is
poor, the software will not be able to recover the lost information. That's why it is best to use a professional for
these applications. A good assembly language programmer should be able to handle high-performance digital
image processing applications. Images are captured in a two-dimensional space, so a digital image processing
system will be able to analyze that data. The system will then analyze it using different algorithms to generate
output images.

CONCLUSION
This research paper begins by analyzing the current state of digital image processing technology and its major
areas of application. It then explores the trends shaping the development of this technology. Presently, digital
image processing has achieved remarkable progress across various sectors, such as networks and mobile
devices, underscoring its growing relevance to everyday life. The technology not only provides enhanced and
more efficient performance for basic tasks but also enables the implementation of advanced methods that are
beyond the capabilities of analog processing. This dual capability highlights the transformative potential of
digital image processing in both practical and innovative applications.

REFERENCES
1. https://www.mdpi.com
2. https://www.researchgate.net
3. https://www.engpaper.net
4. https://www.atlantis-press.com
5. https://jivp-eurasipjournals.springeropen.com

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