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Accessing world class image processing knowledge

The world class image processing knowledge at Imperial College London is available to your organisation through Imperial Consultants. Our experts can advice on implementing an algorithm, develop quality code, provide specialist advice and run bespoke on-site courses or drop-in sessions.

The Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering has many internationally renowned researchers in communications and signal processing. Academics such as Professor Maria Petrou not only have experience in the cutting edge of image processing research, they also have experience in working with companies to implement their algorithms. As Maria explains: “There are very few experts in pure image processing anymore – many now focus on the computer vision side like augmented reality or robotic navigation - but companies still need solutions to basic image processing problems. Working as a consultant means that my research receives valuable feedback from being used in real-world situations and I’m able to help companies improve their processes.”

• Remote sensing
• Industrial inspection and quality assurance
• Biochemical applications
• Objective assessment of image quality, colour and texture

Our experts have experience working with companies from the manufacturing industry, a big user of image processing in their quality assurance checks. The high volume of products being produced each second often rules out human checks and an automated system can increase a production line’s efficiency enormously by using a bespoke algorithm to analyse images of every item. This method can be used for many quality checks, from the position of a cherry on a cake to the identification of cracks in tiles and the assessment of colour fidelity.

Mixed pixel classification is another common problem in image processing that can be solved with the right expertise and algorithms. The subject of an image often has features that can’t be resolved by the pixels on the camera. Remote sensing is a good example, with the features of the landscape often smaller than the pixel resolution. This results in a single pixel containing different features such as concrete and grass, reducing the effectiveness of the image. Such pixels are called ‘mixed-pixels’ and with the right algorithm can be resolved.

Mixed pixel classification has applications in many areas other than remote sensing such as the biochemical industry. Imperial experts can help implement mixed pixel classification in your organisation.

Imperial researchers are experts in photometric stereo. The technique of photometric stereo takes multiple images of an object from the same direction but with lighting at different angles each time. This allows the 3D reconstruction of the surface of the object and researchers at Imperial College London, in collaboration with the University of West England, are using it to reconstruct human faces in 3D. The techniques being developed at the College have many potential applications including surveillance, crime prevention and industrial inspection.

If you’d like to talk to us about harnessing the image processing expertise at Imperial Consultants for your organisation, please give us a call on +44 (0)207 594 6565 or email consultants@imperial.ac.uk.