Electronic images

This report is the-state-of-the-art study of electronic images and image database systems. It is based on the international literature. First of all, the basic concepts of electronic images are given. The input devices (scanners and cameras) for different types of images are reviewed. Image storage, especially optical disks, is studied. Image computing including digital image processing, computer graphics, image pattern recognition and computer vision, visualization, and virtual realities are shortly covered. Image transmission facilities as well as image output devices are studied. Image retrieval methods together with hypertext and hypermedia systems are presented. Finally, some examples of image database systems are given. In Appendixes online databases referring to audiovisual materials, meteorological online databases containing radar and satellite images, online databases of crimes and criminals containing pictorial information, some examples of databases with statistics, tables, and charts as well as online databases in chemistry and in physics containing graphical information are listed. Furthermore, a list of CD-ROM databases containing graphics or/and images is given together with some pictures showing examples of image database systems.