- Email: [email protected]
Computer processing of remotely sensed images: an introduction. 2nd Edition
Computers & Geosciences 27 (2001) 251
Book Review Computer processing of remotely sensed images: an introduction, 2nd Edition Paul M. Mather. Wiley, Chichester, 1999, 292pp., US$ 65.00 (Includes CD with image processing software for Windows), ISBN 0-471-98550-3. Throughout this well written book Professor Mather has emphasized the application of standard algorithms to the processing of remotely sensed information. The content is covered in eight chapters. The basic principles of remote sensing and an overview of present and past sensor systems are clearly presented in the first and second chapters, respectively. In the third chapter, the reader is taken through an interesting survey of existing computer software and hardware in the field of image processing. Beginners will certainly find this information useful in widening their knowledge base. The topics covered in Chapter 4, sensor calibration and radiometric and topographic corrections, will help the reader get a rapid comprehension of the mechanisms involved in various satellite sensing methods. Chapters 5–7 are mainly concerned with the basics of image processing techniques, such as filters, enhancement methods and image transformations. Certain sections of these chapters are intended to complement more detailed information on remote sensing given in textbooks such as Elachi (1987), Campbell (1996), and Richards (1993). An extensive survey of classification methods, artificial neural networks, fuzzy classifiers, and spectral unmixing methods in image classification is presented in Chapter 8. In the later chapters, Professor Mather makes general use of algorithms (both old and new) with an emphasis on execution of computer programs. The author has done a commendable job in presenting verbal and graphical explanations of mathematical concepts, which will be particularly helpful to readers who do not have a strong mathematical background. Those seeking a general background in computer methods and their applications to the geosciences will find the treatment at an appropriate level. Some self-assessment questions at the end of each chapter provide good food for thought. Most importantly, this book is supplied with the userfriendly Mather’s Image Processing System (MIPS) software for Windows (on a CD included with the book). The MIPS display program, 38 stand-alone computer programs for image classification, and more than 20 test image sets will certainly satisfy the needs of the intended audience. Appendices describe the MIPS software, stand-alone programs, MIPS installation PII: S 0 0 9 8 - 3 0 0 4 ( 0 0 ) 0 0 0 9 2 - 3
procedure, and image data sets. Also included on the CD is an HTML file containing a categorized list of links to remote-sensing-related web sites. Although this book is well written, let me note a couple of minor shortcomings. An odd omission is the general absence of references to the work of Centre de Morphologie Mathematique on the numerous original mophologybased algorithms and scale-space theories for quantitative treatment of digital images. Yet another lies in ignoring the works based on using multi-fractal formalism to quantify spatio-temporal heterogeneities, an important modern innovation in the modeling of geospatial phenomena. In spite of these gaps, as a whole, this is a well-organized book that brings the reader up-to-date on progress in the fields of computer applications in remote sensing, GIS, oceanography and physical geography. In summary, this book will be useful to both the welleducated lay reader as well as to the remote-sensing specialist. It is an important addition to the remote sensing literature and a valuable resource for all those involved in computer-assisted mapping and monitoring of various geoscientific phenomena from remotely sensed data. The publishers have done a good job of printing and have used a good quality cover. This book, together with the included MIPS software, will be an appropriate addition to any institutional or private library, not least because of the affordable price tag. The author has succeeded in conveying the importance of computer processing of remotely sensed images, and this book will be indispensable for undergraduate and graduate students of remote sensing, GIS, oceanography, geology, physical geography and ecology. References Campbell, J.B., 1996. Introduction to Remote Sensing, 2nd Edition. The Guilford Press, New York, 622pp. Elachi, C., 1987. Introduction to the Physics and Techniques of Remote Sensing. Wiley, New York, 413pp. Richards, J.A., 1993. Remote Sensing Digital Image Analysis: An Introduction, 2nd Edition. Springer, New York, 340pp.
B.S. Daya Sagar Centre for Remote Imaging, Sensing, Processing (CRISP), Faculty of Science, The National University of Singapore, Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119260, Singapore E-mail addresses: [email protected], [email protected]
Book Review Computer processing of remotely sensed images: an introduction, 2nd Edition Paul M. Mather. Wiley, Chichester, 1999, 292pp., US$ 65.00 (Includes CD with image processing software for Windows), ISBN 0-471-98550-3. Throughout this well written book Professor Mather has emphasized the application of standard algorithms to the processing of remotely sensed information. The content is covered in eight chapters. The basic principles of remote sensing and an overview of present and past sensor systems are clearly presented in the first and second chapters, respectively. In the third chapter, the reader is taken through an interesting survey of existing computer software and hardware in the field of image processing. Beginners will certainly find this information useful in widening their knowledge base. The topics covered in Chapter 4, sensor calibration and radiometric and topographic corrections, will help the reader get a rapid comprehension of the mechanisms involved in various satellite sensing methods. Chapters 5–7 are mainly concerned with the basics of image processing techniques, such as filters, enhancement methods and image transformations. Certain sections of these chapters are intended to complement more detailed information on remote sensing given in textbooks such as Elachi (1987), Campbell (1996), and Richards (1993). An extensive survey of classification methods, artificial neural networks, fuzzy classifiers, and spectral unmixing methods in image classification is presented in Chapter 8. In the later chapters, Professor Mather makes general use of algorithms (both old and new) with an emphasis on execution of computer programs. The author has done a commendable job in presenting verbal and graphical explanations of mathematical concepts, which will be particularly helpful to readers who do not have a strong mathematical background. Those seeking a general background in computer methods and their applications to the geosciences will find the treatment at an appropriate level. Some self-assessment questions at the end of each chapter provide good food for thought. Most importantly, this book is supplied with the userfriendly Mather’s Image Processing System (MIPS) software for Windows (on a CD included with the book). The MIPS display program, 38 stand-alone computer programs for image classification, and more than 20 test image sets will certainly satisfy the needs of the intended audience. Appendices describe the MIPS software, stand-alone programs, MIPS installation PII: S 0 0 9 8 - 3 0 0 4 ( 0 0 ) 0 0 0 9 2 - 3
procedure, and image data sets. Also included on the CD is an HTML file containing a categorized list of links to remote-sensing-related web sites. Although this book is well written, let me note a couple of minor shortcomings. An odd omission is the general absence of references to the work of Centre de Morphologie Mathematique on the numerous original mophologybased algorithms and scale-space theories for quantitative treatment of digital images. Yet another lies in ignoring the works based on using multi-fractal formalism to quantify spatio-temporal heterogeneities, an important modern innovation in the modeling of geospatial phenomena. In spite of these gaps, as a whole, this is a well-organized book that brings the reader up-to-date on progress in the fields of computer applications in remote sensing, GIS, oceanography and physical geography. In summary, this book will be useful to both the welleducated lay reader as well as to the remote-sensing specialist. It is an important addition to the remote sensing literature and a valuable resource for all those involved in computer-assisted mapping and monitoring of various geoscientific phenomena from remotely sensed data. The publishers have done a good job of printing and have used a good quality cover. This book, together with the included MIPS software, will be an appropriate addition to any institutional or private library, not least because of the affordable price tag. The author has succeeded in conveying the importance of computer processing of remotely sensed images, and this book will be indispensable for undergraduate and graduate students of remote sensing, GIS, oceanography, geology, physical geography and ecology. References Campbell, J.B., 1996. Introduction to Remote Sensing, 2nd Edition. The Guilford Press, New York, 622pp. Elachi, C., 1987. Introduction to the Physics and Techniques of Remote Sensing. Wiley, New York, 413pp. Richards, J.A., 1993. Remote Sensing Digital Image Analysis: An Introduction, 2nd Edition. Springer, New York, 340pp.
B.S. Daya Sagar Centre for Remote Imaging, Sensing, Processing (CRISP), Faculty of Science, The National University of Singapore, Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119260, Singapore E-mail addresses: [email protected], [email protected]