Tuning CLD Maps

The Coherence Length Diagram and the related maps have been shown to represent a useful tool for image analysis. Setting threshold parameters is one of the most important issues when dealing with such applications, as they affect both the computability, which is outlined by the support map, and the appearance of the coherence length diagram itself and of defect maps. A coupled optimization analysis, returning a range for the basic (saturation) threshold, and a histogram based method, yielding suitable values for a desired map appearance, are proposed for an effective control of the analysis process.Comment: Keywords: coherence length, image analysis, 2D textures; texture functions; defect localisation; directional defect pattern; optimization; histogra

Retinex filtering of foggy images: generation of a bulk set with selection and ranking

In this paper we are proposing the use of GIMP Retinex, a filter of the GNU Image Manipulation Program, for enhancing foggy images. This filter involves adjusting four different parameters to find the output image which has to be preferred according to some specific purposes. Aiming to obtain a processing, which is able of choosing automatically the best image from a given set, we are proposing a method for the generation a bulk set of GIMP Retinex filtered images and a preliminary approach for selecting and ranking them.Comment: Keywords: GIMP Retinex, GIMP, Image processing, Bulk generation of images, Bulk manipulation of image

CLD-shaped Brushstrokes in Non-Photorealistic Rendering

Rendering techniques based on a random grid can be improved by adapting brushstrokes to the shape of different areas of the original picture. In this paper, the concept of Coherence Length Diagram is applied to determine the adaptive brushstrokes, in order to simulate an impressionist painting. Some examples are provided to instance the proposed algorithm.Comment: Keywords: Image processing, Non-photorealistic processing, Image-based rendering Coherence Length Diagra

Astronomical image processing based on fractional calculus: the AstroFracTool

The implementation of fractional differential calculations can give new possibilities for image processing tools, in particular for those that are devoted to astronomical images analysis. As discussed in arxiv:0910.2381, the fractional differentiation is able to enhance the quality of images, with interesting effects in edge detection and image restoration. Here, we propose the AstroFracTool, developed to provide a simple yet powerful enhancement tool-set for astronomical images. This tool works evaluating the fractional gradient of an image map. It can help produce an output image useful for further research and scientific purposes, such as the detection of faint objects and galaxy structures, or, in the case of planetary studies, the enhancement of surface details.Comment: Keywords: Fractional calculation, image processing, astronom

The GIMP Retinex Filter Applied to the Fabric Fault Detection

In this paper we are proposing the use of a Retinex filter, the GIMP Retinex, for improving the methods for fabric fault detection based on image processing. Since the Retinex filtering is simulating the human vision, it can act in the processing of the images as the trained staff of textile industry is acting in the visual inspection of fabrics on off-line stations. Here some examples are proposed. These examples show that an image preprocessing based on a Retinex filter can help any further analysis aimed to detect the presence of defects

Using Geographic Information Systems to Increment the Knowledge of Cultural Landscapes

To increment the knowledge of a cultural landscape, the use of Information and Communication Technologies is becoming fundamental. By means of these technologies we can improve the study of areas having ancient or modern cultural evidences, by superimposing data from some territorial information systems on satellite surveys. In particular, we will analyse Geographic Information Systems (GIS), freely available on the World Wide Web. A well-known example is Google Earth, which is offering the possibility of virtual tours to the users of the Web. Moreover, besides being of support for archaeological and other research studies, GIS can be helpful in creating some systems for the management of archaeological and cultural patrimony and for incrementing the revenues from touris

Recurrence Plots of Geolocated Time Series from Satellite Maps of NOAA STAR Vegetation Health Index

Several information services, such as the NOAA Center for Satellite Applications and Research, produces and distributes maps elaborated from satellite images, which display data about vegetation indices. Using the time-series concerning some specific geographical positions, which we can obtain from the available maps, several analyses are possible. Here we propose the use of recurrence plots. We will show examples based on the data corresponding to six small areas, geolocated in Italy, of the NOAA STAR Vegetation Health Index (VHI). It is an index used for monitoring and forecasting the status of vegetation. The recurrence plots we obtained could be helpful for discriminating different situations

Evaluation of GIMP Retinex Filtering of Images by Means of the Shen++ Max Shannon Entropy Finder

Retinex filters are used for processing and enhancing images, obtaining very good results when the images have a degraded contrast, such as those recording foggy or nighttime scenes. Among the several existing Retinex filters, one freely available on the web is that provided by GIMP, the GNU Image Manipulation Program. This software has some parameters that can be adjusted to optimize the output image. Here we investigate a criterion for the optimization of filtering parameters, based on the maximization of image entropy, evaluated using the Shannon formalism. For this task a software, the Shen++ Max Shannon Entropy Finder, is proposed. The software is working on a bulk set of images generated after processing the original image with several different values of the filtering parameters, giving the filtered images having the largest and the smallest Shannon entropy

Analysis of a Play by Means of CHAPLIN, the Characters and Places Interaction Network Software

Recently, we have developed a software able of gathering information on social networks from written texts. This software, the CHAracters and PLaces Interaction Network (CHAPLIN) tool, is implemented in Visual Basic. By means of it, characters and places of a literary work can be extracted from a list of raw words. The software interface helps users to select their names out of this list. Setting some parameters, CHAPLIN creates a network where nodes represent characters/places and edges give their interactions. Nodes and edges are labelled by performances. In this paper, we propose to use CHAPLIN for the analysis a William Shakespeare’s play, the famous “Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark”. Performances of characters in the play as a whole and in each act of it are given by graphs