Reg.
# :
20NF
COMPUTER VISION (P18PECS033)
(Only above code to be shaded in the Answer
book #)
Bharath Institute of Higher Education & Research,
Chennai – 73
Ph.D, dept, May / June - 2024
(P18PECS033 – COMPUTER VISION)
Time: 3 Hrs Maximum:
100 Marks
(10 x 2
= 20)
Part A
Answer All Questions
1. Describe the concept of binary image analysis.
2. What is the purpose of image pre-processing in image analysis?
3. What is the purpose of edge detection in image analysis?
4. Describe the difference between gradient-based and non-gradient-
Based edge detection methods.
5. Describe the difference between thresholding and region-based
Segmentation methods.
6. What is morphological filtering used for in segmentation?
7. Describe the difference between shape and histogram-based feature
Extraction methods.
8. What is the purpose of feature extraction in image analysis?
9. What is the purpose of clustering in pattern analysis?
10. Describe the concept of dimensionality reduction in pattern
analysis.
1
1. Binary Image Analysis
Binary image analysis involves processing images where
each pixel is either black (0) or white (1). It is used to
simplify the analysis of objects by isolating shapes or
features within an image. Example: In a document
scanning application, a binary image might represent
text or lines as black, and the background as white,
allowing for easier text recognition.
2. Purpose of Image Pre-processing
Image pre-processing improves the quality and
effectiveness of image analysis by removing noise,
enhancing contrast, or normalizing lighting. This step
helps the algorithm focus on relevant features and
reduces computational complexity. Example: In facial
recognition, pre-processing may involve resizing,
denoising, or adjusting brightness before feature
extraction.
3. Purpose of Edge Detection
Edge detection identifies boundaries between different
regions in an image. It highlights areas where there is a
significant change in intensity, which is crucial for
identifying object shapes or structures. Example: In
medical imaging, edge detection can highlight the
boundaries of tumors for further analysis.
4. Gradient-based vs Non-gradient-based Edge Detection
Gradient-based methods (like the Sobel operator)
calculate the rate of change in intensity, detecting
2
edges based on intensity changes in different directions.
Non-gradient-based methods (like the Laplacian of
Gaussian) rely on second-order derivatives and focus on
detecting areas of rapid intensity change, often ignoring
direction. Example: The Sobel operator detects
horizontal and vertical edges, while the Laplacian
detects areas with sharp intensity transitions regardless
of direction.
5. Thresholding vs Region-based Segmentation
Thresholding divides an image into regions based on
pixel intensity values (e.g., setting a value below which
pixels are considered background). Region-based
segmentation groups pixels that share similar properties
(e.g., color, texture) into regions. Example: Thresholding
might isolate a specific object based on its brightness,
while region-based segmentation could separate objects
with similar color or texture.
6. Morphological Filtering in Segmentation
Morphological filtering is used to process shapes in
binary images by modifying structures based on
operations like dilation, erosion, opening, and closing. It
helps in removing noise, closing gaps, and separating
connected objects. Example: In medical imaging, it
might help separate two touching cells by "eroding" the
image and then "dilating" it to highlight individual cells.
7. Shape vs Histogram-based Feature Extraction
Shape-based feature extraction involves analyzing the
geometric properties of objects, such as area, perimeter,
or circularity. Histogram-based feature extraction
focuses on the distribution of pixel intensities,
3
representing texture and color patterns. Example:
Shape-based methods might be used to detect a car's
outline, while histogram-based methods might describe
the color distribution of a landscape.
8. Purpose of Feature Extraction
Feature extraction reduces the dimensionality of data
while retaining essential information, making it easier to
classify or analyze images. It transforms raw data into a
set of quantifiable features. Example: In facial
recognition, key features such as the distance between
eyes or the shape of the nose are extracted to identify a
person.
9. Purpose of Clustering in Pattern Analysis
Clustering groups similar data points into clusters based
on shared characteristics. It helps in identifying
patterns, such as grouping images of the same object
type or identifying anomalous patterns. Example: In
customer segmentation, clustering groups individuals
with similar buying behaviors.
10.Dimensionality Reduction in Pattern Analysis
Dimensionality reduction reduces the number of
features or variables in a dataset while retaining most of
the important information. This simplifies models,
speeds up computation, and prevents overfitting.
Example: Principal Component Analysis (PCA) can reduce
the dimensions of an image dataset by finding the most
important features that describe the variation in the
data.
4
Part B (5 x 6 = 30)
Answer either (a) or (b) from each question
11. (a) ) What is binary image analysis, and how is it useful in image
processing? (OR
(b) Discuss the importance of image pre-processing in improving the
Quality of images for further analysis.
12. (a) Explain the Hough Transform and its application in edge detection.
(OR)
(b) What is corner detection, and how is it different from edge
Detection?
13 (a) How does the Fourier Transform aid in image segmentation?
( OR)
(b) ) Explain the role of morphological filtering in image
Segmentation
5
14. (a) ) How can texture features be extracted from an image, and what
role
do they play in image classification? (OR)
(b) Discuss the concept of feature vectors and how they are used in
Pattern recognition.
15. (a) Describe the K-Means clustering algorithm and its application in
pattern analysis.
(OR)
(b) What is Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and how is it used in
dimensionality
11. (a) Binary Image Analysis and Its Usefulness in Image
Processing
Binary image analysis refers to the process of analyzing images
where each pixel is either black (0) or white (1). It simplifies the
image by reducing it to two levels of intensity, making it easier
to identify and process specific features, such as objects,
shapes, or boundaries.
Usefulness in Image Processing:
Object Detection: Binary images highlight important
features, making object detection more efficient by
focusing on relevant regions.
Noise Reduction: By using binary thresholds, noise can be
removed from the image, enhancing clarity.
Shape Analysis: It enables easier analysis of geometric
properties of shapes, such as area, perimeter, and
circularity, which are useful in applications like character
recognition or medical imaging (e.g., identifying tumors).
Example: In document scanning, converting the image to
binary format allows the algorithm to focus on the text
(black) and background (white), making it easier to
recognize characters.
6
11. (b) Importance of Image Pre-processing in Improving the
Quality of Images for Further Analysis
Image pre-processing enhances the quality of an image, making
it more suitable for subsequent analysis steps. Pre-processing
can involve a range of techniques, including noise reduction,
contrast adjustment, and normalization of lighting conditions.
This step ensures that the image is in an optimal condition for
feature extraction, object detection, or classification.
Importance:
Noise Removal: Reduces unwanted noise (e.g., random
variations in pixel values) to prevent errors in analysis.
Contrast Enhancement: Enhances the contrast of an
image, making key features more distinguishable.
Normalization: Ensures that the image is standardized in
terms of scale, resolution, and lighting, which helps
improve the consistency of results.
Example: In facial recognition systems, pre-processing
may involve resizing faces, removing background noise, or
adjusting brightness, which leads to better feature
extraction and recognition accuracy.
12. (a) Hough Transform and Its Application in Edge Detection
The Hough Transform is a technique used to detect lines,
curves, and other shapes in an image by transforming the image
from Cartesian coordinates to Hough space. This transformation
helps identify geometric features such as straight lines, circles,
and other shapes.
Application in Edge Detection:
Line Detection: In edge detection, the Hough Transform is
often used to detect straight lines by converting the edge
image to a parameter space, where each edge point maps
to a sinusoidal curve. The intersection of these curves
indicates the presence of a line in the image.
Example: In a road detection system, the Hough
Transform can be used to detect lane markings, which are
typically represented as straight lines in the image.
12. (b) Corner Detection vs. Edge Detection
Corner detection identifies points in an image where two edges
meet, forming a sharp angle (corner). It detects points that have
high variation in intensity in multiple directions. Edge detection,
on the other hand, detects the boundaries between regions of
different intensity, where there is a significant change in pixel
values.
Differences:
7
Edge Detection: Focuses on detecting boundaries between
regions of differing intensities. It works well for detecting
the outlines of objects.
Corner Detection: Identifies specific points where there is
a significant change in intensity along multiple directions,
such as intersections or sharp turns.
Example: In object tracking, corner detection can be used
to track the movement of specific points on an object,
while edge detection is used to identify the object's
boundaries.
13. (a) Fourier Transform and Its Role in Image Segmentation
The Fourier Transform converts an image from the spatial
domain to the frequency domain, allowing the analysis of the
image in terms of its frequency components (such as low and
high frequencies). This is useful in segmentation because it
enables the filtering of specific frequency components that
correspond to certain features in the image.
Role in Image Segmentation:
Frequency Filtering: By removing high-frequency noise or
low-frequency background, the Fourier Transform helps
isolate important features in the image.
Edge Detection: High-frequency components often
correspond to edges, while low-frequency components
correspond to smooth regions. Segmenting these
components helps in isolating objects or regions of
interest.
Example: In medical imaging, Fourier Transform can help
filter out noise or artifacts and enhance the boundaries of
organs or tumors for better segmentation.
13. (b) Role of Morphological Filtering in Image Segmentation
Morphological filtering is a technique used in image
segmentation that involves applying morphological operations
like dilation, erosion, opening, and closing to modify the
structure of objects in a binary image. These operations help
refine the segmentation by enhancing certain features or
removing noise.
Role in Segmentation:
Noise Removal: Morphological operations like erosion
remove small unwanted features or noise.
Object Separation: Dilation can help separate objects that
are close together, ensuring that distinct objects are
correctly segmented.
8
Example: In analyzing cell images, morphological filtering
can help separate touching cells by performing dilation
and erosion operations to clearly define the boundaries of
each cell.
14. (a) Texture Features Extraction and Its Role in Image
Classification
Texture feature extraction involves quantifying the patterns of
pixel intensity in an image. These patterns can describe the
roughness, smoothness, or regularity of surfaces. Texture
features are important because they provide critical information
about the surface properties of objects in the image.
Methods of Texture Feature Extraction:
Statistical Methods: Use measures like contrast,
homogeneity, and entropy derived from the Gray-Level
Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM).
Transform Methods: Fourier Transform or Wavelet
Transform can be used to capture frequency-based
texture features.
Role in Classification:
Discrimination: Texture features help differentiate
between objects with similar colors but different textures,
such as identifying fabric patterns in clothing or
classifying different terrains in satellite imagery.
Example: In remote sensing, texture features can be used
to classify different land cover types, like forests, water
bodies, or urban areas.
14. (b) Feature Vectors and Their Role in Pattern Recognition
A feature vector is a numerical representation of an image or
pattern in a lower-dimensional space, where each dimension
corresponds to a specific feature. Feature vectors are used to
describe objects or patterns in a compact form that can be
compared or classified by machine learning algorithms.
Role in Pattern Recognition:
Classification: Feature vectors serve as input to
classification algorithms, such as Support Vector
Machines (SVMs) or k-Nearest Neighbors (k-NN), to
categorize images or patterns based on their features.
Example: In handwriting recognition, a feature vector
representing the shape and structure of a character can
be used to classify the character as "A," "B," or "C."
15. (a) K-Means Clustering Algorithm and Its Application in
Pattern Analysis
9
K-Means clustering is an unsupervised machine learning
algorithm used to partition data into k clusters, based on the
similarity of data points. It works by iterating between assigning
data points to the nearest cluster center and updating the
cluster centers based on the mean of the assigned points.
Application in Pattern Analysis:
Segmentation: K-Means is often used for image
segmentation by grouping pixels into clusters based on
their color, texture, or intensity.
Example: In a satellite image, K-Means can cluster
different regions based on color to differentiate between
water, land, and vegetation.
15. (b) Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Its Use in
Dimensionality Reduction
PCA is a technique used for dimensionality reduction by
transforming data into a new coordinate system, where the
greatest variances are captured in the first few components.
This reduces the number of features while retaining most of the
information.
Role in Dimensionality Reduction:
Data Compression: PCA reduces the number of dimensions
required to represent the data, simplifying models and
reducing computational costs.
Feature Selection: By selecting the principal components,
irrelevant or redundant features are discarded.
Example: In facial recognition, PCA can reduce the number
of features used to represent a face, making the
recognition process more efficient without losing critical
information.
10
Part C (5 x 10 = 50)
Answer Five questions out of Seven
16. Discuss the concept of image pre-processing in image analysis. How do
techniques like noise reduction, contrast enhancement, and normalization
contribute to improving image quality for further analysis?
17. Compare and contrast the edge detection algorithms: Sobel, Canny, and
Prewitt. Discuss their working principles, advantages, limitations, and
typical use cases?
18. Explain the Hough Transform technique. How does it work for
detecting straight lines and circles in images? Discuss its advantages and
potential applications.?
19. Discuss the process of image segmentation. What are the different
techniques used in segmentation, and how do they contribute to the division
of an image into meaningful regions or objects?
20. Discuss the role of feature vectors in pattern recognition. How do
feature vectors facilitate the classification process, and what are the key
distance/similarity measures used in comparing feature vectors?
21. Explain the K-Means clustering algorithm. How does it work, and what
are its advantages and limitations? Discuss its use in image segmentation.
22.Discuss the role of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) in
dimensionality reduction. How does PCA work, and how is it used to
simplify high-dimensional data for pattern recognition tasks?
11
16. Image Pre-processing in Image Analysis
Image pre-processing is a crucial step in the image analysis pipeline, as it
enhances the quality of an image to ensure accurate and efficient analysis in
later stages. The raw images collected from sensors or cameras often contain
noise, poor contrast, or inconsistent illumination. Pre-processing techniques
aim to rectify these issues to make features more distinguishable and
analysis more robust.
One of the key techniques is noise reduction, which removes unwanted
pixel variations caused by sensor errors or environmental interference.
Common methods include Gaussian blur and median filtering. For example,
in medical imaging, reducing noise helps in the clearer visualization of
tissues and anomalies like tumors.
Contrast enhancement improves the visibility of features by stretching or
modifying the intensity range of an image. Techniques like histogram
equalization adjust the brightness and contrast, making dark or low-contrast
areas more visible. This is particularly useful in satellite imagery where
terrain details must be enhanced.
Normalization adjusts images to a common scale and intensity range,
helping to ensure consistency across datasets. This is essential in machine
learning-based image classification, where inputs must be standardized to
achieve accurate predictions.
Collectively, these techniques significantly improve image quality and
ensure that subsequent operations like segmentation, feature extraction, and
classification yield more reliable results.
17. Comparison of Sobel, Canny, and Prewitt Edge Detection
Algorithms
Edge detection is fundamental in image processing, helping identify
boundaries within an image. Among the most widely used algorithms are
Sobel, Canny, and Prewitt, each with distinct methodologies.
The Sobel operator uses two convolution masks (horizontal and vertical) to
compute the gradient magnitude of intensity. It emphasizes edges in vertical
12
and horizontal directions and is relatively simple and fast. However, it can
be sensitive to noise and may miss diagonal edges.
The Prewitt operator is similar to Sobel but uses a different kernel that
gives equal weight to all pixels. It is simpler computationally but less
accurate in detecting edge strength. It's mainly used for educational
purposes or in systems where computational efficiency is prioritized.
The Canny edge detector is more sophisticated. It involves several steps:
noise reduction using Gaussian blur, gradient calculation, non-maximum
suppression, and hysteresis thresholding. It yields precise and thin edges,
making it ideal for applications like object recognition. However, Canny is
computationally intensive and may require fine-tuning of parameters.
Example use cases:
Sobel and Prewitt are often used in real-time applications like
barcode scanning.
Canny is preferred in medical imaging and autonomous vehicles,
where high accuracy is essential.
18. Hough Transform Technique for Detecting Lines and Circles
The Hough Transform is a powerful technique used to detect geometric
shapes, particularly lines and circles, in images. It works by transforming
points in the Cartesian image space into a parameter space. In this space,
shapes become points of intersection, making them easier to detect.
For line detection, each edge point in the image votes for all possible lines
passing through it. These votes are accumulated in a 2D accumulator array,
and peaks in the array indicate likely lines.
For circle detection, the algorithm extends into a 3D parameter space
(center x, center y, radius). Each point on the image votes for potential circle
parameters that could fit it.
Advantages of the Hough Transform include robustness to noise and the
ability to detect partially visible shapes. However, it can be computationally
expensive, especially for detecting circles.
Applications include:
Lane detection in autonomous driving,
Detection of circular objects in quality control,
Identifying bone outlines in medical X-ray images.
13
19. Image Segmentation Techniques
Image segmentation is the process of partitioning an image into meaningful
regions that correspond to different objects or parts of objects. The goal is to
simplify image representation and make analysis more effective.
Segmentation techniques include:
Thresholding: Divides pixels based on intensity values. It is simple
and effective for bimodal images (e.g., separating text from
background).
Region-based methods: Group neighboring pixels with similar
properties. Region growing starts from seed points and expands.
Edge-based methods: Detect object boundaries by identifying
discontinuities in intensity.
Clustering-based methods: Algorithms like K-Means group pixels
into clusters.
Watershed algorithm: Treats the image as a topographic surface
and identifies basins and ridges to separate objects.
Deep learning-based methods: Use neural networks like U-Net for
semantic segmentation in complex scenarios.
Each method contributes uniquely depending on the image type. For
instance, watershed is excellent in separating touching cells in biomedical
images, while thresholding is suitable for document segmentation.
20. Role of Feature Vectors in Pattern Recognition
Feature vectors play a central role in pattern recognition by numerically
representing important characteristics of an object or image. Each vector
contains values for features such as shape, texture, color, or intensity.
In classification, these vectors are used as input to machine learning models
that learn to differentiate between patterns. For example, a handwritten digit
image can be represented by a vector of pixel values or extracted features
like strokes and angles.
To compare feature vectors, distance/similarity measures are used:
Euclidean distance: Measures straight-line distance; ideal for
simple numeric features.
14
Manhattan distance: Measures distance along axes; robust to
outliers.
Cosine similarity: Measures angle between vectors; good for
text/image data.
Mahalanobis distance: Considers correlations between features;
useful in high-dimensional data.
Example: In facial recognition, feature vectors may represent distances
between facial landmarks. These vectors are then compared using similarity
measures to identify individuals.
21. K-Means Clustering Algorithm and Its Application in Image
Segmentation
K-Means is an unsupervised clustering algorithm that partitions data into k
clusters by minimizing the variance within each cluster. It operates
iteratively by:
1. Selecting k initial centroids.
2. Assigning each data point to the nearest centroid.
3. Updating centroids based on current assignments.
4. Repeating until convergence.
Advantages:
Simple to implement and efficient for large datasets.
Works well when clusters are spherical and equally sized.
Limitations:
Requires the number of clusters (k) in advance.
Sensitive to initial centroid selection and outliers.
Poor performance with non-spherical or overlapping clusters.
In image segmentation, K-Means is used to cluster pixels based on features
like color, intensity, or texture. For example, in medical imaging, it can
segment different tissues based on intensity levels in an MRI scan.
22. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) for Dimensionality Reduction
PCA is a statistical method used to reduce the dimensionality of large
datasets while preserving as much variability as possible. It transforms the
original correlated variables into a set of uncorrelated variables called
principal components.
How PCA Works:
1. Standardize the data.
15
2. Compute the covariance matrix.
3. Calculate eigenvalues and eigenvectors.
4. Select the top k eigenvectors (principal components).
5. Project the original data onto this new subspace.
Benefits:
Reduces computation time and memory usage.
Helps prevent overfitting in machine learning models.
Enhances data visualization by reducing to 2D or 3D.
Application: In face recognition, PCA (also known as Eigenfaces) reduces
thousands of pixel values into a few principal components that capture
essential facial features.
By simplifying high-dimensional data, PCA makes pattern recognition more
manageable and often more accurate, especially when dealing with noisy or
redundant features.
*******
16
