Image capture and processing embedded systems development

Image Capture & Processing Systems Development
Systems using imaging technologies are increasing rapidly, covering fields ranging from industrial process control, medical diagnostics and treatment, automotive safety systems and military object identification. Using a variety of light and energy sources, they typically involve processing large amounts of data in real-time with a very high demand for precision.

Tactiq's software, electronics and user interface expertise for image acquisition and processing is based on more than twenty years experience of systems ranging from gamma ray imaging for Nuclear Medicine and PET to visible and near visible light systems for medical, industrial and automotive systems. This expertise means we design high performance systems which are cost effective, reliable and flexible to meet current and future product needs. This track record of success also demonstrates our ability to take on leading-edge applications and develop new, ground breaking solutions.

Design Considerations
Image acquisition and processing always involves high processing requirements due to the amount of data involved. It is key to understand the system requirements and develop architectures and algorithms that meet those requirements at a reasonable cost. High throughput can be met at reasonable cost using intelligent buffering strategies and the appropriate selection of microprocessor, DSP or FPGA based processing for the application. Storage and bandwidth requirements can be minimised using lossy or lossless image compression depending on the application needs.

Example technical challenges and solutions
The challenge was to substantially reduce system cost for a medical image acquisition and processing system without compromising performance. Tactiq moved from a custom hardware solution using multiple DSPs, to a PC based approach developing adaptive algorithms that delivered high performance while minimising the processing requirement. Intelligent system and software design allowed the reuse of the existing application software with little or no porting required. The efficiency of the algorithms allowed the use of low cost standard PCs giving a competitive advantage and long term upgradeability.

Tactiq played a major role developing the electronics, software and user interface for a ground breaking device to screen for glaucoma. Tactiq developed the system using a mix of off-the-shelf and bespoke electronics to meet cost targets. The sophisticated software stimulates the eye with images, records the resultant pupil reaction in real-time and runs complex algorithms to assess the damage to the retina.

In developing a prototype imaging device to test the efficacy of pupil size measurements to screen for optical disorders, Tactiq leveraged off-the-shelf electronics and previously developed software to create a compact, standalone unit to met or exceed the technical and project constraints. Our innovative user interface design ensured intuitive ease of use, delighting clinical reviewers and minimising training.

Developing a nuclear medicine acquisition system that interfaced to a wide range of gamma cameras and different image processing systems required a system design that recognised and handled the differences between the hardware platforms and the needs of different processing stations. A combination of a software design that encapsulated and abstracted common interfaces, a flexible hardware design and a powerful rule based system description and configuration language was developed. The design allowed separate subsystems and interfaces to be developed, simulated and tested independently to minimise total costs. The resulting platform supported the total range of systems with common software.

For more information or to discuss how we may be able to support you, please contact us.

We support the Healthcare, Automotive, Industrial and Defence markets.

Specific skill areas

Visible light, real-time moving images.

Medical imaging (Nuclear Medicine, PET/CT, MRI) including synchronised motion control

Near visible light imaging systems

Camera technologies including CMOS, CCD and MLI

Visible light medical systems including Pupillometry and endoscopy

Video streaming technologies including MPE4

User Interfaces to display multiple real time images, reference images and record management.

Nuclear Medicine Imaging

Automotive imaging applications

Endoscopy image processing

Ophthalmology imaging