Digital Imaging and Processing

Digital Imaging and Processing is a discipline within computer science that focuses on the use of algorithms to manipulate, analyze, and enhance digital images. This field covers the entire pipeline from image acquisition—capturing scenes with sensors like cameras or scanners—to their representation as pixel-based data structures and subsequent algorithmic modification. Common processing tasks include improving image quality through filtering and restoration, compressing data for efficient storage and transmission, and extracting meaningful information for machine perception. As a fundamental component of computer graphics and visualization, it provides the tools to alter and interpret visual data from the real world, serving as a critical foundation for applications ranging from medical diagnostics and satellite imagery to computer vision and digital photography.

1. Fundamentals of Digital Imaging
   1. Introduction to Digital Imaging
      1. Definition and Scope of Digital Image Processing
      2. Applications and Importance
      3. Digital vs Analog Imaging
      4. Historical Development
   2. The Digital Image
      1. Definition of a Digital Image
      2. Image as a Function
      3. Continuous vs Discrete Images
      4. Pixels and Voxels
         1. Pixel Definition and Properties
         2. Pixel Intensity Values
         3. Voxel Concept in 3D Imaging
         4. Pixel Neighborhoods
      5. Image Dimensions and Resolution
         1. Spatial Resolution
         2. Temporal Resolution
         3. Spectral Resolution
         4. Radiometric Resolution
         5. Aspect Ratio
         6. Image Size and Storage Requirements
      6. Dynamic Range and Bit Depth
         1. Bit Depth Fundamentals
         2. Color Depth
         3. Dynamic Range in Imaging
         4. Effects of Bit Depth on Image Quality
         5. Quantization Levels
   3. Image Acquisition Systems
      1. Imaging Sensors
         1. CCD Sensors
            1. Structure and Operation
            2. Charge Transfer Mechanism
            3. Advantages and Limitations
         2. CMOS Sensors
            1. Structure and Operation
            2. Active Pixel Sensors
            3. Advantages and Limitations
         3. Comparison of CCD and CMOS Sensors
         4. Other Sensor Types
            1. Photodiodes
            2. Photomultiplier Tubes
      2. The Imaging Process
         1. Electromagnetic Spectrum
         2. Illumination and Scene Energy
            1. Light Sources
            2. Natural vs Artificial Illumination
            3. Interaction of Light with Objects
            4. Reflection and Absorption
         3. Image Formation Systems
            1. Human Visual System Overview
            2. Camera Optics and Lenses
            3. Lens Types and Properties
            4. Depth of Field
            5. Image Formation Principles
            6. Geometric Considerations
      3. Sampling and Quantization
         1. Spatial Sampling
            1. Sampling Theorem
            2. Nyquist Frequency
            3. Aliasing and its Effects
            4. Anti-aliasing Techniques
         2. Amplitude Quantization
            1. Quantization Process
            2. Uniform vs Non-uniform Quantization
            3. Quantization Error
            4. Gray Level Representation
            5. False Contouring
   4. Image Representation and Storage
      1. Coordinate Systems
         1. Image Coordinate Systems
         2. Pixel Addressing Schemes
         3. Origin Conventions
      2. Data Structures for Images
         1. 2D Arrays for Grayscale Images
         2. 3D Arrays for Color Images
         3. Multi-dimensional Arrays
         4. Memory Organization
      3. Image File Formats
         1. Raster vs Vector Formats
         2. Compression in File Formats
         3. Metadata Storage
         4. Format Selection Criteria
      4. Pixel Relationships
         1. Neighbors of a Pixel
            1. 4-Connectivity
            2. 8-Connectivity
            3. m-Connectivity
         2. Adjacency and Connectivity
            1. Path Connectivity
            2. Connected Components
         3. Distance Measures
            1. Euclidean Distance
            2. City-Block Distance
            3. Chessboard Distance
            4. Geodesic Distance