Intelligent Image Processing in Prolog

After a slow and somewhat tentative beginning, machine vision systems are now finding widespread use in industry. So far, there have been four clearly discernible phases in their development, based upon the types of images processed and how that processing is performed: (1) Binary (two level) images, processing in software (2) Grey-scale images, processing in software (3) Binary or grey-scale images processed in fast, special-purpose hardware (4) Coloured/multi-spectral images Third-generation vision systems are now commonplace, although a large number of binary and software-based grey-scale processing systems are still being sold. At the moment, colour image processing is commercially much less significant than the other three and this situation may well remain for some time, since many industrial artifacts are nearly monochrome and the use of colour increases the cost of the equipment significantly. A great deal of colour image processing is a straightforward extension of standard grey-scale methods. Industrial applications of machine vision systems can also be sub divided, this time into two main areas, which have largely retained distinct identities: (i) Automated Visual Inspection (A VI) (ii) Robot Vision (RV) This book is about a fifth generation of industrial vision systems, in which this distinction, based on applications, is blurred and the processing is marked by being much smarter (i. e. more "intelligent") than in the other four generations.

Klappentext

This book integrates two technologies that have hitherto been almost disparate, namely Image Processing (IP) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) through the implementation of a fifth generation of industrial vision systems. To date there is no other published work which merges image processing ideas into either of the two main AI languages, Lisp and Prolog. Image processing specialists and Prolog enthusiasts will particularly enjoy reading this book.

Inhalt

1. Vision and Intelligence.- 2. Fundamentals of Prolog+.- 3. Operating Environment.- 4. Extending the Language.- 5. Analysing Vector Representations of Images.- 6. Robot and Lighting Control.- 7. Further Applications.- 8. Advanced Inspection Techniques.- 9. Multi-Processing and Other Ideas for the Future.- Appendix I. VCS Command Repertoire.- Appendix II. Library Predicates.- Appendix III. Very Simple Prolog+.- Appendix IV. An Alternative Implementation.- References and Further Reading.