The basic geometrical considerations of microdensitometer optics and a comparison of two major techniques utilized in present instruments are described. These techniques are the "moving sample" method where readings are made on the optical axis of the system, and the "moving image" method in which the sample is scanned electronically or optically. The problems of programming microdensitometer operations for automatic data reduction systems will be discussed.

During the past few years the potentiality of high resolution mass spectrometry for the determination of the structure of the organic molecules has been recognized and is presently a fast expanding field. One of the major problems is that of data acquisition since from a molecule of average complexity (i.e. mass 500) a few hundred ions are formed, the mass of which has to be determined with an accuracy of 1:105 to 1:106 to permit assignment of the elemental composition of each ion. Both the quality as well as the quantity of these data (one or two dozen of spectra can easily be recorded per day) requires the use of highly automated data reduction equipment that produces the data in computer compatible form or is operated on-line. A motor driven comparator-densitometer is used to take optical density readings every 0.5 or 1.0 microns and to record them on an incremental magnetic tape. Conversion first into line positions and relative intensities and then into chemically meaningful information is done using an IBM 7094 computer.

The words "comparator" and "computer" are so general, and have so many uses, that they require limits for the purposes of this paper. Both these kinds of equipment will be defined only in terms of the characteristics that enable us to put them together profitably.

An equipment is described which will automatically locate and then read off data points from CRT traces recorded transversely on 35 mm film. Up to 512 data points may be taken from each trace and the output, presented in binary form on 8 level paper tape is a measurement of the vertical distance of each point from a known base line. It has a print out accuracy of 1 part in 127, and an average sampling rate of 85 points per second.

We in the Electronic Systems Division are pleased to co-sponsor this seminar with SPIE. Though this is our first co-sponsorship, we have been well acquainted with the work of your society since it was founded eleven years ago.

A Computer program RAW has been developed which permits a user to dynamically control the process of digitizing certain kinds of filmed images. A brief general rationale for film reading is followed by descriptions of the digitizing equipment and the program. Some conclusions are deduced. The paper concludes with a few brief guesses about the future of such activities.

The intent of "An Integrated Film Reading and Display System" is to provide an overview of system characteristics of the Waveform Display/Analyzer and a survey of current application activity. It is the author's considered opinion that, if properly developed, this basic technology offers the opportunity for man to communicate with host machinery in a natural fashion. To wit, in terms of the patterns which evolution has equipped him to observe, evaluate, and respond to his environment.

A Data Center was established by the Air Force Systems Command at Holloman AFB, for reduction of ABRES test data. Data flow is managed by the Mission Team concept. Latest automated film reading equipment is used in film digitizing. Data analysis is provided and a data reduction report is furnished. Although a mass-volume of data is handled, flexibility to respond to changes and new projects is retained.

Color presents at least another dimension, in addition to position and intensity, available for the recording and monitoring of data. The advent of on-line computers, together with processor controlled color displays, has begun to ease the problem of achieving the necessary control over color to permit its effective use in the real time monitoring and interpretation of data and processing operations. Examples are cited on the use of color displays in the investigation of such problem areas as statistical pattern recognition; multichannel data filtering, and the representation of electromagnetic field structures representing the solution of systems of differential equations. Applications of color displays in the generation of line-type graphic and symbolic structures are also given, together with comments on the use of color in the presentation of low precision alpha-numerica data.

The three dimensional impression of the real world is obtained from a variety of clues such as eye accomodation (change of focal length of eye), shading, motion of object, parallactic displacement of the views of the eyes and relative size of known objects. The computer controlled stereo optical display generation system that I will describe in this paper utilizes parallactic displacement of the two views presented to the eyes to give a subjective three dimensional impression of a displayed object.

As computer usage grows more sophisticated and is extended into more areas of modern technology, it is often useful, or necessary, to present the results in pictorial form, including motion sequences. A short review of what is available for photographic applications is given along with a discussion of some general methods of graphical data processing in use at this time.

The bulk of this paper will deal with PEPR a device under development at MIT for rapid pro-cessing of bubble-chamber film.

The system which I am going to de-cribe has the capability of reading visual material of all kinds - opaque, transparent, two dimensional and three dimensional. It reads in a random access mode, a mode of particular importance in a reading system associated with present day computers. The reason for developing such a system are many:

In the last half century, pictorial and graphical materials have become increasingly valuable as research tools and diagnostic aids in biology and medicine. Impetus for automation in handling such materials as chromosome spreads, roentgenograms, electrocardiograms, blood smears, Papanicolau smears, and isotope scans has been especially strong. Although each of these sources has special qualities of its own, there are strong similarities in data acquisition and analysis. It is now generally acknowledged that biology and medicine can benefit from the emerging disciplines of image processing and artificial intelligence.

This paper describes an automatic system for classifying and delineating terrain features in aerial photography. Recognition algorithms are based upon sharing the burden of image shape detection between a special film scanner and a general-purpose computer. Classification is based upon "common sense" characteristics of terrain categories, implemented by local shape recognition and binary decision criteria. Procedures are described and system implications discussed.

Several years ago the Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory realized that, in order to carry on significant research in pattern recognition, a facility for scanning and digitizing spatial images was required. This facility would provide a mechanism for converting spatial images to numerical form thus permitting evaluation of various techniques for automatic recognition of images utilizing general purpose digital computer programs. Thus, one of our first objectives was to develop a facility for easy transformation of images into digital form.

For more than a year and a half, we have been working with on-line computer techniques in the area of editing and reduction of radar missile data. The work has been challenging, stimulating, rewarding and occasionally frustrating. Consistent with the objectives of this meeting, we shall not discuss computer coding techniques; rather, we shall focus on the prerequisites of a successful on-line techniques effort and on the procedures to implement such an effort. The talk ends with some specific cautions and suggestions that may be helpful to others planning to do on-line techniques work.

The transcript of the discussion has been edited in the interest of clarity and brevity. Every attempt was made to preserve the style of each speaker and the spontaneity of the discussion. The opinions expressed are those of the speakers as interpreted where necessary by the chairman, who apologizes for any errors that might have occurred in this process. The speakers have not had the opportunity to proofread the edited transcript.