Imaging Systems

Definition

An imaging system extracts additional data/information from an image. It measures and reads out the data about a specific facet of an image. It can also increase the pattern recognition ability, by enlarging a specific detail of an image.

A sample imaging system includes:

monochrome video camera or digital camera (converts light into electrical signal),
frame grabber or capture boards or digitizing boards (analog to digital converter optimized for capturing video signals)
computer (the heart of imaging system which runs the image analysis program; capture boards are plugged into it)
image analysis program (controls the operation of capture boards, it is a means of providing direct data from image; enhances images through menus of functions; generates and controls output)

The basic parameters of imaging systems include object field of view, working distance, object resolution, sensor size and depth of field.

Types

The types of imaging systems are:

Digital imaging system
Infrared imaging system
Document imaging stem
Laser imaging system
Optical imaging system
Ultrasonic imaging system
Acoustic imaging system
Medical imaging system
Thermal imaging system
Video imaging system

Features

The features of an imaging system are:

Effective tool for providing easy access for records originally stored in paper form
Reduces business operating costs
Enhances customer service
Enhances application software
Space saving
Improves productivity
Labor reduction

Applications

Imaging systems are useful to governmental agencies for accessing records and their retrieval, to integrate paper documents with computer based data, automate the work flow. Document imaging systems are ideal for companies to solve paper storage and retrieval problems by converting newly generated documents into efficient digital PDF formats. Imaging systems are used in biomedical, television, broadcasting, defense, industrial, aerospace, robotics, and homeland security applications. Imaging systems are also used in research fields such as calcium ratio systems, time lapse imaging systems.