Pattern Recognition and Image Processing in Physics, (Proceedings of Scottish Universities Summer School in Physics)

The Scottish Universities Summer School in Physics has been held every year since 1960. The purpose of the school is to contribute to the dissemination of advanced knowledge and the formation of contacts among scientists from different countries. The lecturers at the school are all international experts in their subject. Their brief is to present an up-to-date survey of current research in their own field in the form of a coherent series of lectures at a level suitable for students who are normally in their second or third postgraduate year. With more and more sophisticated computers and computer software proving itself invaluable with its advanced pattern recognition capabilities in such areas as defence and environmental and industrial control, this edited volume discusses various systems that have emerged in recent years and their potential and actual applications. Necessary computer architecture and software tools are explained. Image processing and analysis are discussed, paying particular attention to shape and motion analysis and image enhancement. Neural networks play a vital role and are discussed in some detail. Specific applications of this technology are concentrated on in the final section of this work, notably earth observations and geological study.