Effect of image enhancement on the search and detection task in the urban terrain

Nicole Devitt; Steve Moyer; Susan Young

doi:10.1117/12.667999

15 May 2006 Effect of image enhancement on the search and detection task in the urban terrain

Nicole Devitt, Steve Moyer, Susan Young

Proceedings Volume 6207, Infrared Imaging Systems: Design, Analysis, Modeling, and Testing XVII; 62070D (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.667999
Event: Defense and Security Symposium, 2006, Orlando (Kissimmee), Florida, United States

Abstract

This research investigated the effects of using medical imaging enhancement techniques to increase the detectability of targets in the urban terrain. Targets in the urban environment present human observers different challenges than targets located in the traditional, open field, search environment. In the traditional environment, targets typically were military vehicles in a natural background. In the urban environment, targets were humans against a man-made background. The U.S. Army Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD) and the U. S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) explored three image processing techniques: contrast enhancement, edge enhancement, and a multiscale edge domain process referred to as "mountain-view". For the mountain-view presentation, high-contrast edges were enhanced. Human perception experiments were conducted with non-enhanced real imagery collected from an Urban Operations training center. These human perception experiments establish a baseline response. Processing the imagery using the previously mentioned techniques then allowed human perception experiments to be conducted. The performance parameters used for comparison were probability of detection, and time required to detect a target. This research provided a methodology of evaluating and quantifying human performance differences in target acquisition based on image processing techniques in the urban environment.

Citation Download Citation

Nicole Devitt, Steve Moyer, and Susan Young "Effect of image enhancement on the search and detection task in the urban terrain", Proc. SPIE 6207, Infrared Imaging Systems: Design, Analysis, Modeling, and Testing XVII, 62070D (15 May 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.667999

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available