Pseudo Coloring Single-Channel Images via Multi-Histogram Equalization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for pseudo coloring single-channel images, such as histogram equalization, often result in loss of information due to reduced color depth, limiting the ability to enhance image contrast and remove noise effectively.

Innovation Solution

The method transforms a single-channel image into a multi-channel image by performing multiple histogram equalizations, each channel representing a component of a color model, allowing for higher color depth and reduced information loss, enabling enhanced contrast and noise reduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If histogram equalization is applied to a single-channel image, then image contrast is enhanced, but information is lost due to reduced color depth

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage contrastVSAvoidcolor depth

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the single intensity channel into multiple channels (e.g., luminance and chrominance components) and applies different histogram equalization strategies to each segment. This allows contrast enhancement in the luminance channel while preserving color information in the chrominance channels, thereby resolving the contradiction between contrast enhancement and information loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the single-channel image into a multi-channel image by introducing additional dimensions (color channels). This dimensional expansion allows the system to enhance contrast in one channel without compromising the information content in other channels, thus maintaining both high contrast and high color depth simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If pseudo coloring with direct mapping is applied, then color presentation is simplified, but color depth is reduced to 255 colors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepseudo coloring applicationVSAvoidcolor depth

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the color mapping process into multiple independent channels, each capable of maintaining full color depth. Instead of applying a single direct mapping that reduces all pixels to 255 colors, the system applies separate processing to multiple channels, preserving the full range of color information while still providing simplified pseudo-color presentation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite color representation by combining multiple channels with different color characteristics. This composite approach allows the system to maintain high color depth by preserving information across multiple channels while still achieving the simplified visual presentation desired in pseudo-coloring applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS10430932B2Method and an arrangement for pseudo coloring of a digital image

Publication Date: 2019.10.01 AXIS

AI summary

A method for pseudo coloring of a digital single-channel image is disclosed. The method comprises acquiring a single-channel image having an intensity distribution, forming a first channel of a multi-channel image by performing a first histogram equalization of the intensity distribution, forming a second channel of the multi-channel image by performing a second, different, histogram equalization of the intensity distribution, wherein the first channel and the second channel of the multi-channel image represent different components of a color model. An arrangement for providing a pseudo coloring of a digital single-channel image is also disclosed, and a monitoring thermal camera system comprising such an arrangement.