problem for many applications and so film is still the primary medium

for reconnaissance. Electronic imagery (TV, radar, etc.) is used for

those applications that require faster interpretation. These images

can be viewed, like film, by people trained to interpret the

particular images. Because of the electronic nature of the images,

electronic hardware and computers are used for manipulation of the

images.

 Machine Vision

 For very high speed retrieval and interpretation, machines must be

designed around the specific tasks. Machine interpretation is also

necessary when a human is not available. Unmanned robots work in

hazardous areas and perform many jobs more efficiently without the

encumbrance of human intervention. However, to function and carry out

their assigned job, the robots must have information about their

surroundings. The ability to interpret imagery from self-contained

sensors is necessary for the proper function of a robot. This image

interpretation includes guidance, obstacle avoidance, target

recognition, tracking, and closed loop control of robot action. For

robot action without human intervention, machine intelligence must

have the ability to make decisions based on scene content. Computer

image processing and recognition refer to techniques that have evolved

in this field in which the computer receives and uses visual

information.

 Image processing techniques prepare or preserve an image for

 viewing. This includes enhancement, restoration, and reconstruction.

 Image enhancement techniques are designed to improve image quality for

 human viewing. For example, correction of a geometrically distorted