Abstract
M.Sc.
Image Processing/Computer Vision and Computer Networks (in particular Intranets) may seem to have very little in common if one only looks at these fields of study superficially. In this dissertation we will look at some fundamentals and characteristics of Image Processing and examine them to see where the problem areas lie, focusing on the problem of computational requirements. We will also examine the fundamental characteristics of Computer Networks and Distributed Processing, looking for areas where we can potentially find a synergy with computational problems inherent in Computer Vision/Image Processing. To accomplish the goals stated above, the dissertation is divided into three parts. The first part examines Computer Vision and Image Processing and is followed by a section examining Distributed Computing models and Computer Networks. The final part is dedicated to suggesting a model to solve the problem of computational load associated with Image Processing. The aim of the model is to take advantage of and use the latent processing power available in an Intranet environment by distributing the processing among the machines on the network. The model is also intended to be flexible and to minimize the network load incurred by distributing the processing. In order to do so, the model is split into units that deliver specialized functionality in order to keep the components small and also to incur the minimum load on a specific machine.