Vision Systems Group
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CIPA

Computer Vision, Image Processing & Analysis

Advanced needs driven image segmentation, associated quantitative analysis (specifically mathematical morphology, colour-texture analysis) and machine and deep learning research with applications in computer/machine vision and medical imaging (specifically computer aided detection and diagnosis focusing on translational research). This is done within an engineering framework focusing on the automatic extraction of key image features with a view to quantitative analysis, classification and/or tracking of key information within an image or sequence of images.

Professor Paul F Whelan is a Full Professor and holds a Personal Chair (Computer Vision) at Dublin City University.

This web site brings together the related works of Professor Paul F Whelan, who has worked in computer vision research for over 30 years both in industry and academia. Over time it is my intention to build up a range of resources relating to traditional and deep learning based Computer Vision, Image Processing & Analysis (or CIPA) and computer vision based machine and deep learning research and related teaching, and what I hope to be useful links and digressions.

Technology Background

Computer vision is the science and technology of machines that see (i.e. a machine is able to extract information from an image that is necessary to solve some task).

After a 5 years in industry (Industrial and Scientific Imaging (ISI) Ltd., Limerick, Video Tek, New Jersey (USA),Westinghouse Electric Systems & Logistics (WESL) Ltd., Shannon) I formed the Vision Systems Group (VSG) (1990), as a forum to co-ordinate and support the promotion of computer and machine vision research in Dublin City University (DCU). In 1999 I expanded our industrial work and developed the  Medical Imaging and Visualization Laboratory as a focus for medical imaging research within DCU. The Vision Systems Group currently consists of a core team working on computer vision (specifically image segmentation), medical imaging (specifically computer aided detection / diagnosis) and their associated visualization projects. The VSG was a founding member of Irish Pattern Recognition and Classification Society (IPRCS).

VSG was a founding member RINCE - an Irish national research institute focussed on innovation in engineering(a €10.4 million HEA-PRTLI I initiative). It was also founding member of the NBIP - National Biophotonics & Imaging Platform (a €30 million HEA-PRTLI IV initiative). It is a member of the DOCTRID (Daughters of Charity – Technology, Research into Disability) Research Institute (RI) and a host institution for the Marie Curie ASSISTID EU COFUND focusing on research is into Assistive Technologies for people with Autism and Intellectual Disabilities.

My digital and non-digital computer vision research programmes relate to issues involved in the acquisition (custom sensor design), processing, quantitative analysis, classification (machine and deep learning), visualization and systems engineering (integration) for a wide range of computer vision applications. Specifically his research focuses on the issues involved in the automation or semi automation of image feature segmentation, machine learning and its associated quantitative analysis and classification, at both a micro and macro level. This work is grounded in the need to develop reliable and robust working solutions to real problems.

Research

I focus on advanced needs driven image segmentation, and associated quantitative analysis (specifically mathematical morphology, colour-texture analysis) research with applications in computer/machine vision and medical imaging (specifically computer aided detection and diagnosis focusing on translational research). This is done within an engineering framework focusing on the automatic extraction of key image features with a view to quantitative analysis, classification/learning and/or tracking of key information within an image or sequence of images.

Theoretical Focus: Image segmentation, and its associated quantitative analysis (specifically mathematical morphology and colour-texture analysis) and classification.

Application Focus: Computer Vision projects (including industrial vision, hyperspectral image analysis, deep learning based computer vision,modelling and removal of distortions in images, computer aided detection of reproductive cycle and pregnancy of bovines, and the calibration of non-conventional camera configurations); Biomedical Image Analysis Projects (specificallydeveloping diagnostic computer vision tools for translational research focusing on ever earlier stages of the disease manifestation i.e. from surface to organ to cell and sub cell imaging).

Funding Support from: EU Fifth Framework Programme IST: Accompanying Measures; Motorola; Hewlett-Packard; Amdahl; Agilent-Ireland; Technology Systems International Ltd.; Tegral; Forbairt; European Commission: Framework IV; EOLAS/British Council; DCU Research Committee; DCU Educational Trust; RINCE; Irish Cancer Society; Mater Hospital; National Rehabilitation Board; Private Donors; Albert College Junior and Senior Fellowships; Health Research Board; Irish Research Council for Science; Engineering and Technology (IRCSET); NBIP; Enterprise Ireland (C+, Tech Dev, POC, ARGS); Irish Higher Education Authority (PRTLI I, IV, V); Wellcome Trust; Temple Street Children's Hospital; Industrial partners, Science Foundation Ireland (PI & RFP), and Marie-Curie FP7.

I have hosted visiting international researchers from: NIT Karnataka (India); Universidad de Deusto (Spain); ENSEEIHT (France); Robotiker (Spain); University of Vigo (Spain); University of Western Ontario (Canada); Transilvania University (Romania); University of Tuzla (Bosnia and Herzegovina); Fachhochschule (FH) Mannheim (Mannheim University Of Applied Sciences, Germany); Ecole Nationale Superieure des Techniques Industrielles et des Mines d'ALES (France); Cardiff University (Wales).

Selected Project Profiles

Computer Vision

CAD (Computer Aided Diagnosis) for Ultrasound Analysis of the Carotid Artery

Industrial / Machine Vision

See Machine Vision: Proverbs, Opinions and Folklore for a summary of some of the common issues in developing industrial vision systems.

Innovation and Enterprise

As an engineer I am keen to get ideas from the Lab into the marketplace. some of our recent successes are listed below.