A Histogram Modification Framework and Its Application for Image Contrast Enhancement

A general framework based on histogram equalization for image contrast enhancement is presented. In this framework, contrast enhancement is posed as an optimization problem that minimizes a cost function. Histogram equalization is an effective technique for contrast enhancement. However, a conventio...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:IEEE transactions on image processing 2009-09, Vol.18 (9), p.1921-1935
Main Authors: Arici, T., Dikbas, S., Altunbasak, Y.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Cost function
Design optimization
Detection, estimation, filtering, equalization, prediction
Digital photography
Dynamic range
Equalization
Exact sciences and technology
Exact solutions
Histogram equalization
histogram modification
Histograms
Image contrast
Image processing
image/video quality enhancement
Information, signal and communications theory
Noise level
Noise robustness
Optimization
Pixel
Robustness
Signal and communications theory
Signal processing
Signal, noise
Telecommunications and information theory
Visual
White noise
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Summary:A general framework based on histogram equalization for image contrast enhancement is presented. In this framework, contrast enhancement is posed as an optimization problem that minimizes a cost function. Histogram equalization is an effective technique for contrast enhancement. However, a conventional histogram equalization (HE) usually results in excessive contrast enhancement, which in turn gives the processed image an unnatural look and creates visual artifacts. By introducing specifically designed penalty terms, the level of contrast enhancement can be adjusted; noise robustness, white/black stretching and mean-brightness preservation may easily be incorporated into the optimization. Analytic solutions for some of the important criteria are presented. Finally, a low-complexity algorithm for contrast enhancement is presented, and its performance is demonstrated against a recently proposed method.
ISSN:1057-7149
1941-0042
DOI:10.1109/TIP.2009.2021548