Digital Image and Sound Processing - Immagini (2008/2009)

Learning outcomes

The class gives the basic theoretical fundamentals and some methods for the generation and processing of sound and images, which are fundamental for the design of multimedia systems.
Sound processing is important for designing multimedia systems. The auditory channel is always open and able to discriminate or integrate acoustic events. Vice versa, the visual system is suited for detecting and organizing spatial information. This gives importance to audio-visual communication in contemporary computer science.
The Sound module aims at presenting the main techniques for analyzing, processing, and synthesizing sounds by computer are presented.
The Image module aims at presenting the main techniques for the analysis of images devoted to the improvement of their quality, restoration, and information (feature) extraction.
The course gives the tools and fundamental techniques for understanding and manipulating sounds and images for the purpose of creating interfaces, compressing and transmitting information, analyzing scenes, etc..

Image module

* Image acquisition process: mathematical models, sampling and quatization.
* Image transforms: Fourier.
* Filtering: histogram, noise modeling and reduction, low-pass, band-pass, high-pass filters, optimal filters, nonlinear filters.
* Estraction and characterization of countours.
* Estraction and characterization of regions.

The course is provided in two periods (1st and 2nd) of the Laurea in Informatica Multimediale (ex Tecnologie dell'Informazione: Multimedia).
In the first period, monodimensional signals will be described (sound signals), and, in the 2nd period, image processing is the main topic.
Overall, the course is organised in 64 hours of theory and 24 hours of laboratory activities (10 credits overall). Each single module consists of 32 hours of theory and 12 hours of lab activities. Lab activities consist of practice and problem solving using MATLAB/Octave.

A written test for each module, where questions aim at verifying the understanding of theoretical concepts and the mastering of the mathematical and computer tools.
Students that are exceptionally motivated can develop a project and defend it, after negotiation with the teacher, with an additional short oral interview.