Theory of Picture Digitization,

In the authors research on biomedical pattern recognition and analysis, using the FIDAC flying-spot scanning picture-digitizing instrument and the FIDACSYS, SYNTAXSYS, and BUGSYS computer-programming systems, it has become evident that before sophisticated interpretation and analysis of the digitized picture could be meaningfully carried out, many questions had to be answered concerning the exact mathematical relationship between the original picture and the digitized picture. These questions, which are of a general nature, also arise in other scientific and industrial fields where picture digitization is required. The purpose of the paper is to present the foundations of a theory of picture digitization which can form a mathematical basis from which the answers to such questions can be approached. Author