Curvature Scale Space Representation: Theory, Applications, and Mpeg-7 Standardization

MPEG-7 is the first international standard which contains a number of key techniques from Computer Vision and Image Processing. The Curvature Scale Space technique was selected as a contour shape descriptor for MPEG-7 after substantial and comprehensive testing, which demonstrated the superior performance of the CSS-based descriptor. Curvature Scale Space Representation: Theory, Applications, and MPEG-7 Standardization is based on key publications on the CSS technique, as well as its multiple applications and generalizations. The goal was to ensure that the reader will have access to the most fundamental results concerning the CSS method in one volume. These results have been categorized into a number of chapters to reflect their focus as well as content. The book also includes a chapter on the development of the CSS technique within MPEG standardization, including details of the MPEG-7 testing and evaluation processes which led to the selection of the CSS shape descriptor for the standard. The book can be used as a supplementary textbook by any university or institution offering courses in computer and information science.

Farzin Mokhtarian is a Senior Lecturer at the Centre for Vision, Speech, and Signal Processing at the University of Surrey, Guildford, UK. He received his degrees from the Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. He worked for Schlumberger-Doll Research Lab, Ridgefield, CT, and NTT Basic Research Labs, Tokyo. He is well known for his research in the areas of 2-D and 3-D shape representation and analysis.Miroslaw Bober is Principal Scientist at the Visual Information Laboratory of Mitsubishi Electric ITE B.V., Guildford, UK. He received his M.Sc. in electrical engineering from University of Mining and Metallurgy, Cracow, Poland and then M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Surrey, UK. He has been chairing the work of the MPEG-7 Standard, Visual part. His scientific interests include motion analysis, video coding, multimedia signal processing, and pattern recognition.