SHAPE ANALYSIS AND CLASSIFICATION: THEORY AND PRACTICE
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by
Luciano
da Fontoura Costa
CRC Press Book Series on Image
Processing -
***An Updated Table of Contents is Available!***
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1. Introduction 2. Basic Mathematical Concepts 3. Shape Acquisition and Processing 7. Multiscale Shape Characterization 8. Shape Recognition & Classification 9. Epilogue: Future Trends in Shape Analysis and Classification Bibliography
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One of the most important, though relatively
less acclaimed, effects of computer technology advances in the current century
has been the maturing of shape analysis as a practical and useful theoretical
and applied area. Since so many properties of objects in our world are strongly
determined by geometric properties, the applications of shape analysis extend
over almost every applied scientific and technological area, from the smallest
to the largest spatial scales. For instance, the strength of composites is
directly related to the shape of its constituent crystal grains, the shape
of biological entities provide an immensely important clue about the interactions
between themselves and with the environment. The relationship is no less
dramatic at larger scales, where the properties of a wing design or a mechanical
piece are almost completely defined by their respective geometry. Indeed,
when properly and carefully applied shape analysis provide an exceedingly
rich potential for applications in the most diverse areas, from material
sciences to biology and neuroscience.
Despite the particularly relevant role of shape analysis and its multiple applications as a modern applied area, just a few related books are to be found in the specialized bibliography. Yet, while the more specific texts are too technical, specific and/or advanced, more general books in computer vision do not cover the area in a comprehensive and up to dated fashion, being of difficult access to non-experts interested in the specific issues of shape characterization and classification. The present book has been primarily conceived as an introductory textbook in these areas. Indeed, in spite of its introductory nature, it presents in an integrated and conceptual fashion many of the most advanced and powerful shape analysis techniques, including multiscale approaches, numeric tools for morphometric characterization, as well as a comprehensive review of the main approaches for shape classification. It has been prepared with special attention in order to allow effective implementation and application of the presented material.
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