The complexity of graphics hardware is currently undergoing a major change with the introduction of geometry engines on relatively inexpensive single chip ASICs which now contain the complete graphics rendering pipeline in full custom hardware. While the highest performance in measured in frames per second is theultimate criteria for judging these chips, the focus is now starting to shift towards new features and different rendering techniques and pipelines. This dissertation introduces new hardware architectures for more realistic surface rendering of three dimensional objects and the rendering of volumetric datasets. Surface rendering is dealt with in the first part of the dissertation where the architectures for displacement map rendering in hardware are proposed. This work represents the first to appear in scientific literature on displacement map hardware rendering. Where possible these architectures propose components that integrate into currently available pipelines and make use of existing units in those pipelines. Displacement map rendering in hardware is a desired feature currently under development by most graphics hardware vendors. The first architecture is scan-line based and works just before rasterization and the second adaptively retessellates a triangle mesh using additional hardware on either side of the geometry transformation stage in the graphics pipeline. The VIZARDII architecture and several hardware based performance improvements for any ray casting architecture are presented in the second part titled Volume Rendering. VIZARDII is an interactve programmable hardware acelerator for Volume Rendering implemented on a PCI Card. The main pipeline is implemented on a Xilinx FPGA allowing new features to be added relatively quickly. A memory interface is presented and discussed with its final implementation appearing in the VIZARDII system. Novel architectures for ray queuing and sorting, sub-cube based space leaping are also presented which improve the performance of ray casting based hardware architectures. Antialiasing that occurs when ray casting volume data is also discussed and possible solutions are presented using multiresolutionvolume datasets.

The emerging information technologies have enabled new human patterns ranging from physiological interactions to psychological interactions. Perhaps the best example is the rapid ‘evolution’ of our thumbs from simply holding to controlling mobile devices in just a few years recently. Taking the medical field as an example, the fast-growing technologies such as pill cameras, implantable devices, robotic surgeries, and virtual reality training methods will change the way we live and work. Human Algorithms aim to model human forms, interactions, and dynamics in this new context. Human Algorithms are engineering methods that are beyond theories. They intend to push the envelopes of multi-physics, sensing, and virtual technologies to the limit. They have become more comprehensive and inexpensive for use in real-world designs: inside monitors, connected to networks, and under the patient’s skin. This book aims to reflect the state of the art of Human Algorithms. It is a survey of innovative ideas for readers who may be new to this field. The targeted groups include college students, researchers, engineers, designers, scientists, managers, and healthcare professionals. The 11 chapters are divided into three parts: Human Dynamics, Virtual Humans, and Human Forms. Part I: Human Dynamics. In the first chapter “Implantable Computing,” Warwick and Gasson present an overview of the latest developments in the field of Brain to Computer Interfacing. They describe human experimentation in which neural implants have linked the human nervous system bi-directionally with technological devices and the Internet. In the chapter “Brainwave-Based Imagery Analysis,” Cowell et al.

More useful techniques, tips, and tricks for harnessing the power of the new generation of powerful GPUs.

The Handbook of Medical Image Processing and Analysis is a comprehensive compilation of concepts and techniques used for processing and analyzing medical images after they have been generated or digitized. The Handbook is organized into six sections that relate to the main functions: enhancement, segmentation, quantification, registration, visualization, and compression, storage and communication.The second edition is extensively revised and updated throughout, reflecting new technology and research, and includes new chapters on: higher order statistics for tissue segmentation; tumor growth modeling in oncological image analysis; analysis of cell nuclear features in fluorescence microscopy images; imaging and communication in medical and public health informatics; and dynamic mammogram retrieval from web-based image libraries.For those looking to explore advanced concepts and access essential information, this second edition of Handbook of Medical Image Processing and Analysis is an invaluable resource. It remains the most complete single volume reference for biomedical engineers, researchers, professionals and those working in medical imaging and medical image processing.Dr. Isaac N. Bankman is the supervisor of a group that specializes on imaging, laser and sensor systems, modeling, algorithms and testing at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. He received his BSc degree in Electrical Engineering from Bogazici University, Turkey, in 1977, the MSc degree in Electronics from University of Wales, Britain, in 1979, and a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the Israel Institute of Technology, Israel, in 1985. He is a member of SPIE. - Includes contributions from internationally renowned authors from leading institutions - NEW! 35 of 56 chapters have been revised and updated. Additionally, five new chapters have been added on important topics incluling Nonlinear 3D Boundary Detection, Adaptive Algorithms for Cancer Cytological Diagnosis, Dynamic Mammogram Retrieval from Web-Based Image Libraries, Imaging and Communication in Health Informatics and Tumor Growth Modeling in Oncological Image Analysis. - Provides a complete collection of algorithms in computer processing of medical images - Contains over 60 pages of stunning, four-color images