re:Digital vs Analog - Part 1

[P3D Gabriel Jacob <jacob@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Larry Berlin writes

>I think that the real solution would be to capture multiple images with
>existing digital devices and synthesize the in-between resolution based on
>the multiple samplings of an existing scene. Multiple captures of
>instantaneous information would have far more content than any single
>capture (3D has more content than 2D) and be much faster than any multiple
>pass system that can only be used with unmoving subjects. Theoretically 
>this could be done automatically in *real time* and further filtered or
>enhanced by hand after the initial capture. 
>
>This would involve special software but could theoretically provide images
>1000x the resolution of film. I'm just puzzled by why this hasn't already
>been done with digital cameras. I think the basic process is already used
>for various image enhancement applications. The apparent lack of movement
>in this direction  would be of more concern to me than the *digital
>company's* brainwashing potential for getting people to accept a lower
>resolution device in place of film. We know digital has the potential so
>let's go for it now, why all this *mucking about in hyperspace* (a quote
>from Douglas Adam's *Hitchhiker's Guide to the Universe*, which seems to
>apply here. : -)

Excellent points Larry. This is exactly was is being done by a group at the
Ames Research Center. Here is an excerpt from there web page.

>>Beginning in late 1991, the Bayes group at Ames Research Center began a
project to develop the theory and practice of multiple image data
combination. Multiple images taken from similar locations and under similar
lighting conditions contain similar - but not identical - information. 
Slight differences in instrument orientation and position produce
mismatches between the pixel grids of different images. These mismatches
ensure that any point on the ground is sampled differently in each image.
The surface modeling project is designed to exploit these differences to
build a super resolved composite image that uses all the information from
the separate images.<<

They have some dramatic pictures showing examples of the improvement of the
pics using the above technique on their web page. So thus as otherwise 
reported here a long time ago regarding digital resolution, software or
computer processing power does help in increasing apparent resolution of
CCD's. I find it amusing that everybody remarks how poor digital is 
compared to film yet ignore that fact alot of fields are going precisely
that route. In astronomy CCD's are being used to greater extent than film.
I think it might have even supplanted it. Not sure of the exact reasons
thou and am pretty sure the astronomers on this group can explain the
advantages and why.

Anyways here is the link to above page.
http://fi-www.arc.nasa.gov/ic/projects/bayes-group/group/super-res/

Gabriel


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