New technique for the visualization of high dynamic range infrared images

Abstract

We propose a new dynamic range compression technique for infrared (IR) imaging systems that enhances details visibility and allows the control and adjustment of the image appearance by setting a number of tunable parameters. This technique adopts a bilateral filter to extract a details component and a coarse component. The two components are processed independently and then recombined to obtain the output-enhanced image that fits the display dynamic range. The contribution made is threefold. We propose a new technique for the visualization of high dynamic range (HDR) images that is specifically tailored to IR images. We show the effectiveness of the method by analyzing experimental IR images that represent typical area surveillance and object recognition applications. Last, we quantitatively assess the performance of the proposed technique, comparing the quality of the enhanced image with that obtained through two well-established visualization methods

Adaptive image enhancement based on clustering of wavelet coefficients for infrared sea surveillance systems

“…It outperforms histogram equalization, Fattal's method [10], and retinex algorithm [11] in the subjective tests. In [12], bilateral filter is used for the dynamic range compression of IR HDR images and the proposed algorithm is compared with histogram equalization and retinex algorithms [11]. An adaptive contrast IR enhancement method is proposed in [13] which uses a quantitative model and adaptive plateau histogram equalization.…”

Adaptive enhancement of sea surface targets in infrared high dynamic range image

“…Balanced contrast limited adaptive histogram equalization and contrast enhancement techniques are used together for an improved visualization of the IR images [11] . A bilateral filter [12] is also used for the dynamic range compression of the IR HDR images. After a comparative analysis of the different techniques for sea surface scene, it is observed that the bilateral filtering provides somewhat better results in the tests among the compared methods.…”

Dynamic range compression and detail enhancement algorithm for infrared image

“…Moreover, multiscale decomposition of the original image avoids introducing halo artifacts. Based on those advantages, Branchitta et al described a new idea for HDR compression and detail enhancement of an infrared image [19]. This method separates the original image into a base component and a detail component by BF, through which the two parts are either compressed or expanded independently.…”