Image Quality Concepts

We present several concepts useful in the specification, evaluation, and control of image quality for digital capture. We start by introducing the terminology and application of image quality models. The value of these models, however, lies in the ability to connect them to characteristics of images or imaging systems. Translating image quality into technology selection and design can be done when we have a physical understanding of design and performance. We describe methods for the objective measurement of several key imaging characteristics. They are then related to current practice by reference to several established imaging performance standards. These system-based methods are often complemented by applying human vision models. Vision models are also part a larger set of techniques collectively known as Image Quality Assessment (IQA). IQA is based on extracting measures directly from digital images, particularly useful for processing paths which adapt to image content. Keywords: image quality; imaging performance; imaging standards; MTF; noise-power spectrum; image quality assessment; IQA; JND

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