PHD POSITIONS ON "Image/Video Enhancement for Embedded Devices"

Two PhD positions/studentships to study advanced algorithms for  image/video 
enhancement for embedded devices (e.g., single-sensor  imaging) are available as 
special track of the 3-year PhD program  (Dottorato in Informatica) at the 
University of Catania (Italy) c/o  the Image Processing Lab 
(http://iplab.dmi.unict.it).

The studentships are sponsored by STMicroelectronics - AST (Advanced  System 
Technology) Imaging Catania Lab

Detailed topics
The research program aims at the development of new algorithms and  methods for 
the processing of digital images acquired by single-sensor  imaging devices. 
Cameras make use of an electronic sensor (Charge  Coupled Device/Complementary 
Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) to acquire the  spatial variations in light intensity 
and then use image processing  algorithms to reconstruct a color picture from 
the data provided by  the sensor. Acquisition of color images requires the 
presence of  different sensors for different color channels.
Manufacturers reduce the cost and complexity by placing a color filter  array 
(CFA) on top of a single image sensor, which is basically a  monochromatic 
device, to acquire color information of the true visual  scene. Typical imaging 
pipelines implemented in single-sensor cameras  are usually designed to find a 
trade-off between sub-optimal solutions  (devoted to solve imaging acquisition) 
and technological problems  (e.g., color balancing, thermal noise, etc.) in a 
context of limited  hardware resources.
  In this project, novel algorithms will be designed by making use of 
innovative solutions able to outperform traditional image generation  pipelines. 
In particular, we plan to investigate about algorithms and  methods occurring at 
all stages of the whole pipeline. More  specifically, we claim that there is 
space for optimization and  innovation related to specific processing into CFA 
domain  (demosaicing, zooming, enhancement, denoising, compression, 
stabilization). In addition one of the main objectives of the project  is the 
integration of the classic pipeline with innovative methods for  scene 
recognition and understianding. Ultimate goal of the project is  the realization 
of a new concept of digital camera, able to output an  image more closely 
resembling the scene perceived by the user  investigating about techniques of 
the whole classic imaging pipeline.

* Application Information *

The successful candidate will have a strong computational background,
including familiarity with the basics of either multimedia processing  or 
(preferably) computer vision.  The official call of the Doctoral  School in 
Computer Science (Dottorato in Informatica) with application  details (Deadline: 
15 November 2010) is available at the page:

http://unict.ugmanager.it/

We strongly encourage a preliminary expression of interest in the
project. Please contact Prof. Sebastiano Battiato  ([log in to unmask]), 
attaching a CV in pdf format, or a link to an  online CV.


-- 
__________________________________________
Sebastiano Battiato, Ph.D.

Università di Catania
Dipartimento di Matematica ed Informatica

IPLAB@CT: www.dmi.unict.it/~iplab
Home: www.dmi.unict.it/~battiato

Tel. +39 095 7383051
Fax. +39 095 330094

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