Estimating the motion of an underwater robot from a monocular image sequence

When underwater vehicles perform navigation close to the ocean floor, computer vision techniques can be applied to obtain quite accurate motion estimates. The most crucial step in the vision-based estimation of the vehicle motion consists on detecting matchings between image pairs. Here we propose the extensive use of texture analysis as a tool to ameliorate the correspondence problem in underwater images. Once a robust set of correspondences has been found, the three-dimensional motion of the vehicle can be computed with respect to the bed of the sea. Finally, motion estimates allow the construction of a map that could aid to the navigation of the robot

Surface registration from range image fusion

The registration of full 3-D models is an important task in computer vision. Range finders only reconstruct a partial view of the object. Many authors have proposed several techniques to register 3D surfaces from multiple views in which there are basically two aspects to consider. First, poor registration in which some sort of correspondences are established. Second, accurate registration in order to obtain a better solution. A survey of the most common techniques is presented and includes experimental results of some of them

Unsupervised active regions for multiresolution image segmentation

An unsupervised approach to image segmentation which fuses region and boundary information is presented. The proposed approach takes advantage of the combined use of 3 different strategies: the guidance of seed placement, the control of decision criterion, and the boundary refinement. The new algorithm uses the boundary information to initialize a set of active regions which compete for the pixels in order to segment the whole image. The method is implemented on a multiresolution representation which ensures noise robustness as well as computation efficiency. The accuracy of the segmentation results has been proven through an objective comparative evaluation of the method

Improving Clustering Algorithms for Image Segmentation using Contour and Region Information

In image segmentation, clustering algorithms are very popular because they are intuitive and, some of them, easy to implement. For instance, the k-means is one of the most used in the literature, and many authors successfully compare their new proposal with the results achieved by the k-means. However, it is well known that clustering image segmentation has many problems. For instance, the number of regions of the image has to be known a priori, as well as different initial seed placement (initial clusters) could produce different segmentation results. Most of these algorithms could be slightly improved by considering the coordinates of the image as features in the clustering process (to take spatial region information into account). In this paper we propose a significant improvement of clustering algorithms for image segmentation. The method is qualitatively and quantitative evaluated over a set of synthetic and real images, and compared with classical clustering approaches. Results demonstrate the validity of this new approach

Omnidirectional Depth Computation from a Single Image

Omnidirectional cameras offer a much wider field of view than the perspective ones and alleviate the problems due to occlusions. However, both types of cameras suffer from the lack of depth perception. A practical method for obtaining depth in computer vision is to project a known structured light pattern on the scene avoiding the problems and costs involved by stereo vision. This paper is focused on the idea of combining omnidirectional vision and structured light with the aim to provide 3D information about the scene. The resulting sensor is formed by a single catadioptric camera and an omnidirectional light projector. It is also discussed how this sensor can be used in robot navigation applications

Plane-to-plane positioning from image-based visual servoing and structured light

In this paper we face the problem of positioning a camera attached to the end-effector of a robotic manipulator so that it gets parallel to a planar object. Such problem has been treated for a long time in visual servoing. Our approach is based on linking to the camera several laser pointers so that its configuration is aimed to produce a suitable set of visual features. The aim of using structured light is not only for easing the image processing and to allow low-textured objects to be treated, but also for producing a control scheme with nice properties like decoupling, stability, well conditioning and good camera trajectory

Colour image of the thorax and abdomen

This is an image taken from Anatomy tv, an interactive resource for teaching and learning in anatomy and physiology which the University Library subscribes to. This image may not be changed, but you may take a copy and present it with other materials and resources you are using so long as they are password protected for access by members of the University only. "All products and all images within the products are protected by copyright. The products and images can only be used for private educational purposes, unless a specific license is purchased for any other usage. For any commercial usage of the images, please contact Primal Pictures Limited. The products allow members of the University of Southampton to ‘copy and paste’ all of the text as well as the images in the 3D-model window and all of the slides. These can then be pasted into nearly any other word-processing or graphics program, including Powerpoint. These resources can be made available to members of the University of Southampton via a password-protected service. This again is designed solely as a service for private educational uses. Like any publisher, Primal Pictures protects itself against copyright infringement. Please do contact Debra Morris in the University Library before using these resources to ensure that conditions are respected. ©Primal Pictures Limited 2007

Internet for Image Searching

"Internet for Image Searching" is a free online tutorial to help staff and students in universities and colleges to find digital images for their learning and teaching. The emphasis of the tutorial is on finding copyright cleared images which are available free; facilitating quick, hassle-free access to a vast range of online photographs and other visual resources. "This tutorial is an excellent resource for anyone needing to know more about where and how to find images online. The fact that it concentrates on copyright cleared images will make it even more valuable for busy learning and teaching professionals, researchers and students alike. It will also serve to inspire confidence in those needing to use images from the web in their work." (Sharon Waller of the Higher Education Academy).

CV workshop - Projecting a professional image

Slides and activity sheets to accompany a set of practical workshop activities which help participants identify some of their individual skills, as the basis for a future coursework to produce a CV

Intute tutorial on image searching

Would you like to learn how to use the Internet to find copyright cleared images for your work, quickly and efficiently?

Análisis de la viabilidad de Bogotá como sede principal para el Mundial de Fútbol 2026

El pasado Mundial de Fútbol Categoría Sub-20 fue una gran oportunidad que tuvo Colombia para seguir mostrándose a nivel internacional y para mejorar su imagen negativa de ser un país violento. Debido al éxito de este evento, y que estuvo a la altura de los de su tipo, ya que también superó en record de asistencia a los que se habían realizado anteriormente (FIFA.COM, 2011), y sumado a las declaraciones del presidente de la FIFA: "Colombia está preparada para la gran Copa Mundial de FIFA, pero de momento deberá esperar hasta el año 2026, porque las sedes de los años 2014 (Brasil), 2018 (Rusia) y 2022 (Qatar) ya están asignadas" (Semana, 2011); este trabajo pretende analizar con base en los principales indicadores (infraestructuras, movilidad, vías, ciudades, seguridad), si Bogotá podría ser sede principal del mundial de fútbol del 2026. Para lograr el objetivo se tomaron como referencia los diferentes mundiales anteriormente realizados. Se hizo un análisis comparativo entre Johannesburgo (sede principal del Mundial realizado en Suráfrica en el 2010) y Bogotá, en 5 factores que permiten visualizar las fortalezas y debilidades de la capital colombiana para poder ser sede principal de un Mundial. Se presentan conclusiones.

Bogotá Chirriadísima

Bogotá Chirriadísima nace al identificar la gran oportunidad que tienen los souvenirs como una propuesta alternativa dentro del sector artesanal; la falta de innovación y el crecimiento del turismo en la ciudad, han creado el campo de acción para los productos que ofrecen un concepto 100% Bogotano. Estos productos a parte de cumplir su función de recordar gratos momentos de la experiencias vividas, son un medio para trasmitir una imagen histórica de los atractivos turísticos de la ciudad como de los lugares poco visitados que aun guardan su magia natural. Buscamos ofrecer productos funcionales y diferentes a los convencionales, con la idea de que en diferentes actividades hagan parte de la vida del turista. Al contar con mercado turístico en crecimiento, siendo Bogotá la ciudad mas visitada del país, se determino el tamaño de mercado por más de 55 mil millones de pesos; sin embargo por las condiciones de inicio del proyecto nos enfocaremos en una pequeña parte del segmento. Para desarrollar el proyecto se requiere de una inversión inicial de 28,3 millones de pesos, con el objetivo de lograr para el primer año la venta de 5.510 unidades que representen ingresos por más de 160 millones de pesos, para el segundo año se incrementa la producción a 9.743 unidades con ingresos por mas de 288 millones de pesos, lo que equivale a un incremento del 72% con respecto al año anterior. Finalmente para el año 3, se prevé un incremento en las ventas del 84% con ingresos por más de 532 millones correspondientes a 17.503 unidades El flujo del proyecto para el periodo de tres años, arroja una TIR o rentabilidad anual promedio de 124,39% lo cual determina que es un proyecto viable y de bajo riesgo, en cuanto al Valor Presente Neto, el proyecto arroja 102 millones adicionales, es decir que es mas rentable invertir los recursos en este proyecto que en uno que rente al 20% anual, finalmente, como la suma de las utilidades del primer y segundo año es superior a la inversión inicial, se determina que el Periodo de Recuperación de la Inversión se da en el segundo año.

JISC Digital media internet for image searching

This webpage provides links to image banks and sources of photos which are usable for educational purposes.