Special issue on video and imaging systems for critical engineering applications [SI 1096

Abstract

A recent change in the global economy, experiencing an unparalleled integration of science and technology, i.e., smart watches, smartphones and other electronic gadgets, has dramatically changed the way we connect with the world around us. Various challenges and issues brought by this integration for mobile and video lie ahead, and many research questions remain to be answered. For instance, the complex nature of mobile and video imaging need radical version to the swift changes in our society, economy, environment, and technological revolution; there is an utmost need to address and propose dynamic and innovative solutions to problems which tend to be either complex or static or rapidly evolving with a large number of unknowns. Furthermore, the battle against the severe disease such as cancer, tuberculosis, high blood pressure and ECG, fight against the terror, exploration and management of the natural resources in remote area using remote sensing, underground and tunnel inspection, other and environmental monitoring are some of the areas that need to be addressed with urgency. In addition, the complication of involved imaging scenarios, and demanding design parameters, i.e., signal to noise ratio, high speed specification, high contrast and spatial resolution, complex background, harsh environment, requires the growth of multifunctional, scalable imaging suit of sensors, solutions driven by novelty, operating on diverse detection and imaging principles. Moreover, artificial neural network when combined with pattern recognition techniques, such as classification, feature selection, clustering, text analysis, image and color representation of video and image processing promise the solution of challenging technical problems, below the umbrella of complex video and imaging situations of stimulating technical problems, with applications in medical video and image processing, aerospace, radars and defense system, and other security appliances. Witnessing all these mobile breakthroughs, therefore, we believe that it is important to investigate the current advances and future trends in the mobile image and video processing.