Infrared Image Contrast Enhancement via Radiometric Luminance Scaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing methods for IR images struggle to balance high spatial resolution with high dynamic resolution while preserving radiometric information, leading to loss of absolute signal levels or temperature data.
Innovation Solution
A method involving digital image filtration to increase contrast, conversion to a radiometric colour image, and scaling of the luminance component to combine high spatial and dynamic resolution, allowing for visualization of radiated or reflected energy as a colour scale that corresponds to absolute temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If contrast-increasing filtration is applied to IR images, then spatial resolution and detail visibility are improved, but radiometric information and absolute temperature data are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The image processing is segmented into two independent parallel paths: one path applies contrast-increasing filtration to enhance spatial details, while the other path preserves the original radiometric data for accurate temperature measurement. The final image combines both processed and original data, allowing simultaneous visualization of enhanced spatial resolution and preserved radiometric information.
Solution Approach 2:
A luminance component acts as an intermediary between the contrast-enhanced image and the radiometric color image. The luminance component from the contrast-enhanced image is overlaid onto the radiometric color image, allowing spatial details to be visible while the underlying color information preserves absolute temperature data.
2Illumination intensity
If classic histogram equalisation or other contrast enhancement methods are used, then spatial contrast is increased, but absolute signal level information is no longer preserved
Solution Approach 1:
The solution moves from a single-dimension approach (applying contrast enhancement directly to the grayscale image) to a multi-dimensional approach by working in the color space. The radiometric color image provides one dimension with preserved absolute signal levels, while the luminance component adds another dimension with enhanced spatial contrast, effectively combining both requirements in different dimensional spaces.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for image processing comprising filtration and conversion to a radiometric color image based on an original image. The method gives the processed image high spatial resolution combined with high dynamic resolution. The original image is made available in digital format. Contrast-increasing filtration is performed on the original digital image. The original digital image is converted into a radiometric pseudocolor image based on a chosen color range in which each color corresponds to an absolute measured, radiated or reflected quantity of energy within a certain wavelength band and where the images are represented in a format containing a luminance component. The filtered contrast-increased original image is scaled in terms of the luminance component in the radiometric color image. The luminance component in the radiometric color image is replaced with the scaled, filtered contrast-increased luminance component of the original image.