8. Electronics and Digital Computing Techniques for Images and Image Processing

Images are signals produced by the imaging devices and can be digitized and processed by using the modern digital computers. Image processing is a subject that deals with the various mathematical and computing techniques/algorithms and the devices that can be used for improvement of image quality, processing of images and analysis. Image processing has a wide variety of applications in day-to-day activities and has gained popularity commercially and also in academic. In this paper, an introduction to the importance of images and imaging devices and their history and applications before the advent of digital computers and digital camera are provided in brief. The advantages of digital computers for digital image processing, uses and applications of image processing and the common image processing operations/techniques that are in use and practice are mentioned. Finally, the future scope and the research work that can be carried out in this area are highlighted for the prospective academicians, industrialists, and researchers, for the welfare of the society and mankind.