DEAR MR.(Sanitized)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B04747A000100070033-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 21, 2000
• Sequence Number: 33
• Publication Date: October 4, 1960
• Content Type: LETTER

25X1A
viipt
25X1A
Approved For Release 2
Nair
4 October 1960
Ref. No. 8/77/60
25X1A ,v)Arvi
Dear
Under seperate cover you will receive 40 copies of a publication
entitled "Image Enhancement Program". This covers my talk of August
30th, before the Joint Chiefs Committee.
Enclosed are eight copies of a summary of the document for your
report.
25X1A
Declass Review, NIMA/DoD
Approved For Release 2001/07/30 : CIA-RDP78604747A000100070033-8
Approved For Release 2001/07/30: CIA-RDP781304747A0001A9070033-8
Summary of Image Enhancement Program
The process of surveillance and photographic interpretation is funda-
mentally one of communication. The information or message, consists
of the shape, size, texture, and interrelationships of the objects that
have been photographed. The "channel" or transmission medium is pro-
vided by the selective reflection of light from the objects, their trans-
mission to the camera and to the photographic emulsion upon which they
are recorded. The received message is, of course, the processed emulsion,
suitably printed or otherwise displayed. There are many types of "noise"
or disturbances which render this communication system non-ideal. Light
values vary greatly over the scene being recorded, and the photographic
process cannot be optimized for all of them. Frequently the objects of
interest are of a contrast ratio and size such that the photographic process
is strained to its limiting resolution, Intervening haze or atmospheric turbu-
lence may disturb the scene itself even before it reaches the camera. All
of these disturbances make the process of photographic interpretation a
very difficult one indeed.
A most remarkable feature of this communication system is that frequently
_there is information recorded on the photographic emulsion which the inter-
voter is unable to ascertain. It is the retrieval of this information that
firms the subject of the program. The detection of useful information which
is recorded on a photograph, but is otherwise undiecernable, and its pre-
sentation to the photographic interpreter, ere parts of the image enhance-
Approved For Release 2001/07/30 : CIA-RDP78604747A000100070033-8
Approved For Release 2001/07/30 : CIA-RDP781304747A00049p070033-8
Noe'
-2-
ment process. Presented here is a technical discussion of the underlying
principles of image enhancement together with a concrete example of means
of means for implementing them. The scope of the techniques that may be '
brought to bear on image enhancement is vastly greater than that which has
been applied to date.
25X1A
The is proceeding toward a development
of an image enhancement instrument in the following steps:
1. Detailed Study
2. Design and Construction of Feasibility Model
3. Design and Construction of Operational Instrument
The techniques to be embodied in the Instrument include area scan
filtering, electrical frequency filtering, non-linear signal processing,
automatic gain (contrast) control, automatic brightness control and a line
drawing function.
Approved For Release 2001/07/30 : CIA-RDP78604747A000100070033-8