Shape and shape disruption have significant influence to the human target acquisition mechanism. A special testing method (the so called `photo-simulation') was developed in the eighties to present a set of image slides of camouflaged and not camouflaged objects in preferably natural backgrounds to military personnel to quantify differences in object camouflage effectiveness. Statistically significant results were achieved, however, the high test requirements limited its practical use. The project is motivated by an urgent need for a camouflage evaluation system based on computer vision with a fast response so that the user in a field test can be supported to further improve his camouflage skills. Hence, the photo simulation method cannot be regarded as obsolete, it can be used to compare the results of the camouflage evaluation system with the results of human perception. With an human-in-the-loop computer based camouflage assessment system, processing should be sped up by some orders of magnitude, could be automated for field tests and would yield several additional features. To overcome the problem of quantifying e.g. texture similarity of different camouflage nets to blend into the natural background, an image processing/visualization method was pursued by the Austrian Ministry of Defense. Now the same image-sets can be used for the human photo-simulation as well as for segmentation/classification by the camouflage assessment tool. Today a modified Euclid-distance measurement for visual images is being used while similarity of shapes (gestalt) to a selected region can be visualized. Feature selection is being done by training a neural network with the results of the human perception data. A cost effective prototype of a camouflage assessment tool based on standard hardware can be presented. Its promising performance gives hope to get beyond subjective camouflage experts stimuli. In the next project phase also thermal images shall be handled with the camouflage assessment tool.
展开▼
