HyPerCept - Color and Quality in higher dimensions

Supporting NTNU in Gjøvik's strategy of strengthening a few excellent research groups, the project builds on the internationally renowned research at the Norwegian Colour and Visual Computing Laboratory, and broadens its scope into new application areas of huge societal importance, such as universal design, 3D multimedia, health technology, and information security. As indicated by its title, HyPerCept - Colour and quality in higher dimensions, the core concepts of the project are colour and quality, both complex perceptual attributes that are currently not fully understood, which we will investigate in dimensions beyond what is common, both concerning the attributes themselves and their domain of application. Four independent yet strongly related sub-programmes have been defined. The first concerns fundamental research on the human visual system, and its application to optimizing image quality for the healthy and the visually impaired, given technological constraints. The second focuses on image quality for selected applications, specifically health technology (radiography), biometry, secure printing, and art/cultural heritage. The third sub-programme is targeted at the colour imaging industry, aiming not only to develop metrics and methods to evaluate image quality, but also to improve the quality of algorithms and devices such as cameras and displays. In the last part we focus on extending the image quality concept to the third spatial dimension, and also including the temporal dimension, in particular a very timely analysis of visual fatigue induced by 3D video. An extensive list of highly competent and relevant partners from Norway and abroad contributes significantly to the success of the project, e.g. through an extensive mobility programme.

In line with the HyPerCept objectives we have indeed succeeded in developing new knowledge and methodologies in a broad range of research areas within the field of colour imaging, and thus significantly strengthened the position of the Norwegian Colour and Visual Computing Laboratory, nationally and internationally. We have for instance developed and evaluated new image quality metrics, and identified new ways of using such metrics for improving the quality of images for different applications, such as projection displays, biometrics, cultural heritage, and medical imaging. Building on the new knowledge and increased competence in these areas, we have secured funding from national and European sources for several new large research projects, particularly within the areas of medical imaging and cultural heritage imaging. 9 PhD students affiliated with HyPerCept have so far defended their PhD theses and are now working in relevant positions nationally and internationally.

Supporting Gjøvik University College's strategy of strengthening a few excellent research groups, the present project proposal builds on the internationally renowned research at the Norwegian Colour and Visual Computing Laboratory, and broadens its scope into new application areas of huge societal importance, such as universal design, 3d multimedia, health technology, and information security. As indicated by its title, HyPerCept - Color and quality in higher dimensions, the core concepts of the project are color and quality, both complex perceptual attributes that are currently not fully understood, which we will investigate in dimensions beyond what is common, both concerning the attributes themselves and their domain of application. Four independent yet strongly related sub-programmes have been defined. The first concerns fundamental research on the human visual system, and its application to optimizing image quality for the healthy and the visually impaired, given technological constraints. The seco nd focuses on image quality for selected applications, specifically health technology (radiography), biometry, secure printing, and art/cultural heritage. The third sub-programme is targeted at the color imaging industry, aiming not only to develop metric s and methods to evaluate image quality, but also to improve the quality of algorithms and devices such as cameras and displays. In the last part we focus on extending the image quality concept to the third spatial dimension, and also including the tempor al dimension, in particular a very timely analysis of visual fatigue induced by 3D video. With a total budget of 33.8 MNOK of which we receive almost 18 MNOK from the RCN, the project will support the education of 7 PhD candidates, several man-years of e xperienced researchers, equipment and travel, as well as visiting scientists from an extensive list of project partners from Norway and abroad.