07171 Summary – Visual Computing – Convergence of Computer Graphics and Computer Vision

Abstract

Due to the importance of visual information for humans, visual computing
is at the very core of the technologies enabling the modern information
society. New and emerging technologies such as multimedia, digital
television, telecommunication and telepresence, or virtual reality further
indicate the
tremendous potential of visual interaction with computers in the years to
come.
Typical for the field is the coincidence of very large data sets with the
demand for fast, if possible interactive, user-adapted high quality visual
display of the results. Furthermore, the user should be able to interact with
the environment in a natural and intuitive way.

In order to address the challenges mentioned above, a new and more integrated
scientific view of Visual Computing is required that unifies the previously
separate ''visual'' disciplines of computer graphics and computer vision.
Computer graphics is traditionally concerned with generating visual
interfaces
of computers and applications to the user. Computer vision focuses on
enabling
computers to understand and interpret visual information from static
images and
video sequences.