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Robot sensors: volume 1 — vision
Art and science of remote digital imaging Jensen, J R ‘Introductory digital image processing: a remote sensing perspective’ PrenticeHall, Englewood Clf@, NJ, USA (1986) 01.30 pp 392
The author introduces this book as ‘reviewing the art and science of applying digital image processing techniques to remotely sensed imagery for the purpose of extracting useful earth resource information’. It is pleasant to discover that this is exactly what the book does. The book is primarily an introductory overview of the requirements and well established methods of systems for processing remotely sensed data. Topics are covered methodically from acquisition and display, through transformation and classification to change detection and interface to geographic information systems. Although the book is far from complete in detail, this is understandable for an introduction to such a wide topic. All important issues are raised and the information included is presented clearly and consistently. The options available for processing remotely sensed images are tackled from a practical viewpoint. Good examples and plentiful illustrations with full captions are included, helping to make the book highly readable. The two appendices contribute to the overall impression gained by the reader of a complete presentation. The first of these appendices provides listings of image processing software for statistical information extraction, while the second gives addresses of suppliers of currently available commercial and public software systems. Concerning the latter, the specifications of the software systems, which are presented earlier in the book, will no doubt date easily. The overall US flavour to the book is enhanced by limiting the information to those from the USA. Of the relevant hardware and software mentioned, the only non-US contribution comes
~014 no 4 november 1986
Advances in robot vision sensors Pugh, A (ed.) ‘Robot sensors: volume 1 vision’ IFS (Publications) /Springer- Verlag, Berlin, FRG (1985) f34.00, $48.00, PP 275
A representative selection of recent (to October 1985) advances in robot vision systems are covered in this book, which lives up to its title and aims. Many of the papers were contributions to conferences organized by IFS (Conferences) Ltd. The book will be of interest to industrial and postgraduate academic researchers as well as to engineers contemplating installing vision systems as an aid to their manufacturing processes. Professor Pugh, in the opening review paper, states that much of the progress in robotics and manufacturing technology hinges on the development of vision sensors specifically designed for the harsh environment of the shop floor. He says that there is an urgent need for the development of such sensors, a need which the equipment designed for television use has not been able to meet. His review is welcome in that it sets the industrial context for the remainder of the book and its companion volume dealing with non-vision sensors for robots. While the emphasis given to vision sensors in this two-volume publication points to their importance with respect to non-visual techniques such as touch, strain, ultrasonic and proximity devices. I feel that the two from the Spot satellite, which gets good coverage. The techniques presented for image interpretation are, in the terminology of the author, fundamental. These cover statistical pattern recognition techniques based on tone and colour. This is appropriate for an introductory book and the methods are presented clearly in sufficient mathematical detail for the reader to obtain a good grasp of the techniques. However, neither the problems to be expected when interpreting such data nor the solutions currently being proposed or researched will be found in the book.
volumes could have been brought under one cover. This would have served to indicate that vision may not always provide the most effective solution to a given robot sensing requirement. The other contribution to the review section is L J Pinson’s paper which gives a comprehensive and informative description of the physical principles of imaging sensors. A detailed and critical comparative review of the practical aspects of vision and/or the other sensors included in this publication would have given the reader a much more cohesive overview of the subject; this aspect is only partially addressed by the review papers. The reader is left about important wondering comparative criteria such as cost of the method, speed of operation and processing time. ease of adapting a given method to a particular industrial requirement and ease of setting up a given system (e.g. can it be mounted at the end of a moving robot arm?). A comparative table of the various techniques would have been useful. The lack of any index also detracts from the value of this publication as a reference work. considerations These are also important if the book is to be considered as introductory reading for time-conscious industrial and manufacturing managers. The remaining 17 papers are
This is a book primarily for people with some knowledge of and interest in remote sensing and some background in basis statistics. It will provide an understanding of the basic issues behind image processing systems for remote sensing and put those issues into perspective. Consequently, it is likely to find its place either as an undergraduate reference book or as a worthwhile addition to the bookshelf of a specialist who requires a broad outlook on the subject. Systems
Anita Tailor Designers Scient$k. Camberlq, UK
219
Pugh (continued) grouped under the headings of special vision, fibre optic and laser sensors, and structured light/scene illumination. The term ‘special vision’ seems a rather arbitrary one; in fact, this section is mainly concerned with the semiconductor-based use of cameras. These include the cost conscious RAM-based sensor from Hull University, UK, and two applications using the CCD-based GE TN2200 camera; one of the latter, from Honeywell, integrates both vision and range functions, and the other, from Bell Laboratories and RCA, looks at the precise assembly of loudspeakers. Fibre optic sensors can provide some interesting solutions to sensor requirements. An example is the work at the University of Nottingham,
UK, where the tibre optic bundle is divided into two sections looking, respectively, at the plan and side views of the object of interest. Range finding, position measurement and determination of component orientation are important applications of laser techniques and are represented by contributions from the USA, Canada and the UK. These techniques trade costeffectiveness for precision. The contribution from Coventry Polytechnic, UK, made me wonder whether the component being manufactured could not be designed at the outset so as to reduce the complexity of the vision system. A credit to the book is the inclusion of the, by now, classic work on structured light, namely the Consight system, at the General Motors Laboratories, USA. The important work started at Oxford, UK, on laser guided robot arc welding has also been included. There are also two
review papers on the use of structured light techniques. The contributions give the impression of having been carefully prepared and checked - I saw only one minor spelling mistake! The line drawings are reproduced neatly although the type of paper on which the book is printed does not lend itself well to the reproduction of the photographs, some of which look rather spotty. The hardback binding could also be improved for library use. Despite my criticisms, this book fills a market gap by providing a good selection of vision techniques under one cover. I would therefore recommend it for the libraries of research groups and colleges, although its price makes it less attractive as a personal copy. E M ~c~~rf Queen
Mary College, London, UK
Announcing a maior special issue from Co~~u~e~~A~~e~ Design November 1986
Guest Editor: Manfred Ward Sperry CCX-~OEY~;O~, USA The technology of VLSI circuit design is revolutionizing the design and performance of computer systems. Designs and concepts once thought too large or expensive to be feasible can now be implemented with increasingly powerful integrated chipsThis special issue details new research and explores pa~icular aspects of the technology in depth.
Contents: Hierarchical timing verification system - Modelling and simulation of
integrated circuits. FSL: a fast structured logic design methodology for high speed GaAs digital integrated circuits a PPL integrated circuit design methodology Automated design of MOS circuits and layout Wirability expert system. l
To purchase your copy contact Geraldine Hills, Bu~e~o~h Scientific Ltd., PO Box 63, Westbury House, Bury Street, Guildford, Surrey GU2 5BH, UK. Telephone 0483 31261 Telex 859556 SCITEC G
The author introduces this book as ‘reviewing the art and science of applying digital image processing techniques to remotely sensed imagery for the purpose of extracting useful earth resource information’. It is pleasant to discover that this is exactly what the book does. The book is primarily an introductory overview of the requirements and well established methods of systems for processing remotely sensed data. Topics are covered methodically from acquisition and display, through transformation and classification to change detection and interface to geographic information systems. Although the book is far from complete in detail, this is understandable for an introduction to such a wide topic. All important issues are raised and the information included is presented clearly and consistently. The options available for processing remotely sensed images are tackled from a practical viewpoint. Good examples and plentiful illustrations with full captions are included, helping to make the book highly readable. The two appendices contribute to the overall impression gained by the reader of a complete presentation. The first of these appendices provides listings of image processing software for statistical information extraction, while the second gives addresses of suppliers of currently available commercial and public software systems. Concerning the latter, the specifications of the software systems, which are presented earlier in the book, will no doubt date easily. The overall US flavour to the book is enhanced by limiting the information to those from the USA. Of the relevant hardware and software mentioned, the only non-US contribution comes
~014 no 4 november 1986
Advances in robot vision sensors Pugh, A (ed.) ‘Robot sensors: volume 1 vision’ IFS (Publications) /Springer- Verlag, Berlin, FRG (1985) f34.00, $48.00, PP 275
A representative selection of recent (to October 1985) advances in robot vision systems are covered in this book, which lives up to its title and aims. Many of the papers were contributions to conferences organized by IFS (Conferences) Ltd. The book will be of interest to industrial and postgraduate academic researchers as well as to engineers contemplating installing vision systems as an aid to their manufacturing processes. Professor Pugh, in the opening review paper, states that much of the progress in robotics and manufacturing technology hinges on the development of vision sensors specifically designed for the harsh environment of the shop floor. He says that there is an urgent need for the development of such sensors, a need which the equipment designed for television use has not been able to meet. His review is welcome in that it sets the industrial context for the remainder of the book and its companion volume dealing with non-vision sensors for robots. While the emphasis given to vision sensors in this two-volume publication points to their importance with respect to non-visual techniques such as touch, strain, ultrasonic and proximity devices. I feel that the two from the Spot satellite, which gets good coverage. The techniques presented for image interpretation are, in the terminology of the author, fundamental. These cover statistical pattern recognition techniques based on tone and colour. This is appropriate for an introductory book and the methods are presented clearly in sufficient mathematical detail for the reader to obtain a good grasp of the techniques. However, neither the problems to be expected when interpreting such data nor the solutions currently being proposed or researched will be found in the book.
volumes could have been brought under one cover. This would have served to indicate that vision may not always provide the most effective solution to a given robot sensing requirement. The other contribution to the review section is L J Pinson’s paper which gives a comprehensive and informative description of the physical principles of imaging sensors. A detailed and critical comparative review of the practical aspects of vision and/or the other sensors included in this publication would have given the reader a much more cohesive overview of the subject; this aspect is only partially addressed by the review papers. The reader is left about important wondering comparative criteria such as cost of the method, speed of operation and processing time. ease of adapting a given method to a particular industrial requirement and ease of setting up a given system (e.g. can it be mounted at the end of a moving robot arm?). A comparative table of the various techniques would have been useful. The lack of any index also detracts from the value of this publication as a reference work. considerations These are also important if the book is to be considered as introductory reading for time-conscious industrial and manufacturing managers. The remaining 17 papers are
This is a book primarily for people with some knowledge of and interest in remote sensing and some background in basis statistics. It will provide an understanding of the basic issues behind image processing systems for remote sensing and put those issues into perspective. Consequently, it is likely to find its place either as an undergraduate reference book or as a worthwhile addition to the bookshelf of a specialist who requires a broad outlook on the subject. Systems
Anita Tailor Designers Scient$k. Camberlq, UK
219
Pugh (continued) grouped under the headings of special vision, fibre optic and laser sensors, and structured light/scene illumination. The term ‘special vision’ seems a rather arbitrary one; in fact, this section is mainly concerned with the semiconductor-based use of cameras. These include the cost conscious RAM-based sensor from Hull University, UK, and two applications using the CCD-based GE TN2200 camera; one of the latter, from Honeywell, integrates both vision and range functions, and the other, from Bell Laboratories and RCA, looks at the precise assembly of loudspeakers. Fibre optic sensors can provide some interesting solutions to sensor requirements. An example is the work at the University of Nottingham,
UK, where the tibre optic bundle is divided into two sections looking, respectively, at the plan and side views of the object of interest. Range finding, position measurement and determination of component orientation are important applications of laser techniques and are represented by contributions from the USA, Canada and the UK. These techniques trade costeffectiveness for precision. The contribution from Coventry Polytechnic, UK, made me wonder whether the component being manufactured could not be designed at the outset so as to reduce the complexity of the vision system. A credit to the book is the inclusion of the, by now, classic work on structured light, namely the Consight system, at the General Motors Laboratories, USA. The important work started at Oxford, UK, on laser guided robot arc welding has also been included. There are also two
review papers on the use of structured light techniques. The contributions give the impression of having been carefully prepared and checked - I saw only one minor spelling mistake! The line drawings are reproduced neatly although the type of paper on which the book is printed does not lend itself well to the reproduction of the photographs, some of which look rather spotty. The hardback binding could also be improved for library use. Despite my criticisms, this book fills a market gap by providing a good selection of vision techniques under one cover. I would therefore recommend it for the libraries of research groups and colleges, although its price makes it less attractive as a personal copy. E M ~c~~rf Queen
Mary College, London, UK
Announcing a maior special issue from Co~~u~e~~A~~e~ Design November 1986
Guest Editor: Manfred Ward Sperry CCX-~OEY~;O~, USA The technology of VLSI circuit design is revolutionizing the design and performance of computer systems. Designs and concepts once thought too large or expensive to be feasible can now be implemented with increasingly powerful integrated chipsThis special issue details new research and explores pa~icular aspects of the technology in depth.
Contents: Hierarchical timing verification system - Modelling and simulation of
integrated circuits. FSL: a fast structured logic design methodology for high speed GaAs digital integrated circuits a PPL integrated circuit design methodology Automated design of MOS circuits and layout Wirability expert system. l
To purchase your copy contact Geraldine Hills, Bu~e~o~h Scientific Ltd., PO Box 63, Westbury House, Bury Street, Guildford, Surrey GU2 5BH, UK. Telephone 0483 31261 Telex 859556 SCITEC G