Real-time imaging

Real-time imaging systems are a special class that underlies important application domains that include industrial, medical and military. The main characteristic of a real-time imaging system is the need for deadline satisfaction. Admittedly, this definition is very broad and vague. The case can be made that every system is real-time. In a "hard" real-time imaging system even one missed deadline can lead to disaster. In a "firm" real-time imaging systems can tolerate a few missed deadlines. In many imaging systems, for example, a common deadline is that the screen be updated at least 30 times per second. Finally, in "soft" real-time imaging systems, missed deadlines manifest as performance degradation. For instance, the image processing used in an animated cartoon system. Most entertainment systems tend to fall into the category of soft real-time imaging. Real-time imaging systems typically process a stream of digital images, analyze the images and then control some part of the system based on the results of the analysis. Real-time imaging systems comprise a wide range such as robotics, industrial inspection, high-definition television, advanced simulators, computer-aided manufacturing and intelligent vehicles.