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What Is Image Acquisition in Image Processing?

Eugene P.
Eugene P.

Image acquisition in image processing can be broadly defined as the action of retrieving an image from some source, usually a hardware-based source, so it can be passed through whatever processes need to occur afterward. Performing image acquisition in image processing is always the first step in the workflow sequence because, without an image, no processing is possible. The image that is acquired is completely unprocessed and is the result of whatever hardware was used to generate it, which can be very important in some fields to have a consistent baseline from which to work. One of the ultimate goals of this process is to have a source of input that operates within such controlled and measured guidelines that the same image can, if necessary, be nearly perfectly reproduced under the same conditions so anomalous factors are easier to locate and eliminate.

Depending on the field of work, a major factor involved in image acquisition in image processing sometimes is the initial setup and long-term maintenance of the hardware used to capture the images. The actual hardware device can be anything from a desktop scanner to a massive optical telescope. If the hardware is not properly configured and aligned, then visual artifacts can be produced that can complicate the image processing. Improperly setup hardware also may provide images that are of such low quality that they cannot be salvaged even with extensive processing. All of these elements are vital to certain areas, such as comparative image processing, which looks for specific differences between image sets.

There are satellites that use 3D image acquisition techniques in order to build models of different surfaces.
There are satellites that use 3D image acquisition techniques in order to build models of different surfaces.

One of the forms of image acquisition in image processing is known as real-time image acquisition. This usually involves retrieving images from a source that is automatically capturing images. Real-time image acquisition creates a stream of files that can be automatically processed, queued for later work, or stitched into a single media format. One common technology that is used with real-time image processing is known as background image acquisition, which describes both software and hardware that can quickly preserve the images flooding into a system.

There are some advanced methods of image acquisition in image processing that actually use customized hardware. Three-dimensional (3D) image acquisition is one of these methods. This can require the use of two or more cameras that have been aligned at precisely describes points around a target, forming a sequence of images that can be aligned to create a 3D or stereoscopic scene, or to measure distances. Some satellites use 3D image acquisition techniques to build accurate models of different surfaces.

Discussion Comments

anasking1299

What is youtube copyright II claim ?

Ana1234
One of the things I'm hoping to do at some point is to buy and set up a camera that can take images for 3D movies.

It's actually not as expensive as you might think and 3D is still definitely the way of the future. 3D TVs are starting to come down in price and they are really amazing to sit and watch at home. I'd say even better than watching it in the theater.

I basically just want to be able to use it to make home movies. I think it would be so cool to be able to show your kids and grandkids themselves in 3D one day.

indigomoth
@KoiwiGal - One of the things that I've always found amazing is that NASA goes through so much trouble in their image acquisition, like getting the images through telescopes and so forth and then having to stitch them together and change them so that we can see what the different kinds of radiation look like.

And yet, they allow most of the images to go out on a public domain license, which means basically anyone can use them for any purpose. It's pretty cool and noble of them.

KoiwiGal
Image acquisition can also apply to the act of getting an image from somewhere online, something which a lot of people do wrong.

Most of the time it's not OK to go and get a photograph or another kind of image off the internet and just use it yourself. Most images have terms attached to them and only a few have terms which mean that you can use the image without asking permission, or paying a fee.

I often see people just taking photos from online without paying or asking permission and never even acknowledging where the original came from. It's not a good idea because it's unethical, but also because Google makes it so easy to find photos these days that you may be found out and even sued.

So make sure you research the best way to get images before you start taking them from where ever you see them.

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    • There are satellites that use 3D image acquisition techniques in order to build models of different surfaces.
      By: Giuseppe Blasioli
      There are satellites that use 3D image acquisition techniques in order to build models of different surfaces.