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Image Classification Techniques Explained

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
37 views23 pages

Image Classification Techniques Explained

Uploaded by

Abadi Berhane
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

1

Image classification
• Image classification: is the process by which pixels
which have similar spectral characteristics and which are
consequently assumed to belong to the same class are
identified and assigned a unique colour.
•Digital image classification is the process of assigning
pixels to classes.
• For the first part of the classification process, the
computer system must be trained to recognize patterns
in the data.
• Training is the process of defining the criteria by which
these patterns are recognized.

2
Image classification

Objective: Convert
image data into
thematic data

3
Land cover map
Classified
Ikonos image
April 2000
Enschede

Applications ????

4
Image space
A digital image is a 2D-array of pixels.
The value of a pixel - the DN - is in the
case of 8 bits recording in the range 0 to
255. A DN corresponds to the energy
reflected or emitted from a ground
resolution cell.

The spatial distribution of the DNs defines


the image or image space.
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Image space

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Feature space
A graph that shows the feature vectors is
called a feature space, or ‘feature space
plot’ or ‘scatter plot’.

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Multi-dimensional feature space

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Scatter plot

9
10
•There are two ways to classify pixels into different
categories:
 unsupervised classification
 supervised classification
•Unsupervised classification: it is a technique that
groups the pixels into clusters based upon the
distribution of the digital numbers in the image.
• The classes that result from unsupervised
classification are spectral classes. Because they are
based solely on the natural grouping in the image
values.

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Supervised classification
Supervised classification is the process of
using samples of known identity to classify
pixels of unknown identity.

Supervised classification is the procedure


most often used for quantitative analysis of
remote sensing image data.
• Supervised classification: initially the operator
outlines sample or training areas for each surface class
(from ancillary data or Ground truth).
•These are used to provide the classification program
with typical examples of each kind of class.
• Computer then generates statistical parameters from
the training areas and compares the digital numbers of
every pixel in the image with these statistical
parameters.
• If the DNs for a pixel fall within a known training
area, then the pixel is assumed to belong to the same
surface class as the training area.

13
Image classification process
• Classification Steps
[Link] is always a good reference to first perform an
unsupervised classification.
• This gives a general impression of the classes
involved.
2. Define Training Areas
3. Run Supervised Classification
4. Additional Classification by Editing
5. Accuracy Assessment

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• Supervised Classification Algorithms
i. Minimum Distance to Mean Classifier: every pixel is
assigned a class based on its distance from the mean of
each class.
• Also called spectral distance classifier.

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 ii.
Parallelepiped (box) Classifier: the data file values
of the candidate pixel are compared to upper and
lower limits. These limits can be either:
 the minimum and maximum data file values of each band
in the signature,
 the mean of each band, plus and minus a number of
standard deviations, or
 any limits that you specify, based on your knowledge of the
data and signatures.

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iii. Maximum Likelihood Classifier: assumes a
normal distribution for the training areas.
• Also called the Bayesian classifier.
• Probability contours are created around each
training area and a pixel assigned to a class
depending upon the value of the probability
contours that encompass it.
• The maximum likelihood classifier is generally
considered to be the most powerful but is also
considered the most computer intensive.

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Maximum Likelihood Classifier

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• False color Landsat-TM

• Classified Landsat-TM

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Accuracy assessment
• Accuracy assessment is a general term for
comparing the classification to geographical
data that are assumed to be true.
•From the accuracy assessment cell array, two
kinds of reports can be derived:
The error matrix simply compares the reference points
to the classified points in a cxc matrix, where c is the
number of classes.
The accuracy report calculates statistics of the
percentages of accuracy, based upon the results of the
error matrix.
Once the sampling has been carried out, an error matrix can be established
Other terms for this table are confusion matrix or contingency matrix.
21
Accuracy assessment
Error of omission: refers to those pixels
which are wrongly classified to other classes.

Error of commission: refers to those pixels


which are classified with other classes.

Overall accuracy: refers to the total number


of pixels which are correctly classified.
Calculate: 1. the over all accuracy
2. the error of omission of forest
3. the error of commission of

water bodies

Common questions

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The parallelepiped classifier can be limited by its reliance on predefined upper and lower limits, which may not accurately represent the variability within a class. This can lead to misclassification if the spectral data does not fit neatly within these bounds. Moreover, this method lacks the ability to account for the varying probability distributions of pixel data as seen in more complex algorithms like the maximum likelihood classifier .

Choosing and defining training areas for supervised image classification require considerations of the representativeness of the samples for each surface class. This involves using ancillary data or ground truth to outline areas that exhibit typical spectral characteristics of the classes. The process ensures that the statistical parameters generated are accurate and representative for the classification system to make informed assignments of unknown pixels .

The maximum likelihood classifier is generally regarded as the most powerful classification algorithm due to its assumption of normal distribution for training areas and use of probability contours to assign classes. However, it is also considered the most computationally intensive, requiring more resources than simpler algorithms such as the minimum distance to mean classifier or the parallelepiped classifier .

Digital numbers (DN) represent the energy reflected or emitted from ground resolution cells, ranging from 0 to 255 for 8-bit recordings. These values affect representation by defining the pixel's spectral characteristics, which are crucial for classifying and analyzing remote sensing images. The spatial distribution of DNs determines image features, impacting classification accuracy based on the fidelity of DNs to real-world spectral signatures .

Accuracy assessment serves to compare the classification results to geographical data assumed to be true. It is performed using an error matrix, which compares reference points to classified points in a matrix format. This matrix helps derive statistics on classification accuracy, including errors of omission and commission, and overall classification accuracy .

In supervised classification, refining classification outcomes can involve additional classification by editing, such as adjusting training area boundaries, recalibrating classifiers, modifying decision rules, or incorporating ancillary information. These methods respond to initial inaccuracies or errors by fine-tuning the classification criteria based on observed deficiencies in initial results .

Errors of omission occur when pixels that belong to a certain class are wrongly excluded, leading to underrepresentation of that class. Errors of commission occur when pixels are incorrectly included in a class, resulting in overrepresentation. These errors affect the accuracy of thematic maps by introducing systematic biases that can lead to incorrect interpretations of the land cover .

The feature space in remote sensing image classification is a multi-dimensional graph that represents feature vectors or scatter plots. It is used to visually and analytically represent the relationships among different spectral characteristics of pixels, aiding in the clustering of similar pixels into classes based on their characteristics .

The primary objective of digital image classification in remote sensing is to convert raw image data into thematic data, such as land cover maps. This transformation process involves assigning pixels to classes based on their spectral characteristics, which allows for the interpretation of the land surface depicted in the imagery .

Supervised classification differs from unsupervised classification as it uses samples of known identity to classify pixels of unknown identity. The initial steps involved in supervised classification include defining training areas, which serve as examples for each surface class, running the supervised classification algorithm, additional classification by editing, and performing an accuracy assessment .

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