Image processing activities in RACE projects: an overview : Intelligent image processing for communications

Image Processing (IP) activities within the European Union RACE (Research in Advanced Communications in Europe) Programme are primarily oriented towards image coding which can be duly considered as the most striking success of IP yet. But other IP-related areas essential to the deployment of advanced communications are equally well covered such as image generation, manipulation, segmentation, interpretation and modelling. Intelligent IP techniques, which can range from a simple signal-adaptive filter to a complete scene analysis prior to model-based coding, are increasingly being introduced and their potential recognised. Within the emerging ACTS (Advanced Communications Technology and Services) Programme, they will become common place and contribute to achieving high-quality, flexible and ubiquitous communications evolving towards full virtual presence services.