Image enhancement using pattern-selective color image fusion

Abstract

This paper introduces a method for extending the effective dynamic range and depth of focus of a sensor through pattern-selective color image fusion. Pattern-selective fusion methods provide a mechanism for combining multiple monochromatic source images through identifying salient features in the source images at multiple scales and orientations, and combining those features into a single fused image result. In this paper the pattern-selective fusion method is generalized into a framework that is equally applicable to monochrome, color and multi-spectral imagery. This proposed fusion framework is then used to combine a set of color source images, taken from a sensor with varying aperture and focus settings, into a single fused image result that has improved dynamic range and depth-of-field over any of the other frames in the input sequence. Experimental results show the performance of the dynamic range and depth-of-field extension on imagery taken from consumer-grade video camera equipment.