Adaptive background equalization and image processing applications for laser line scan data
Andrew J. Nevis · Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE · 1999
A background equalization algorithm was developed in 1996 to enhance fluctuating high/low signal strength regions found in laser line scan data. This algorithm was very effective in enhancing low contrast objects obscured in low signal strength regions, and was developed to enhance data for quick and easy inspection of objects within the imagery. The background equalization algorithm is based on a least squares error estimate of the image background, including object pixels. The adaptive background equalization algorithm has modified the background equalization algorithm to exclude object pixels for a more accurate estimate of the image background. This is accomplished by integrating a background mask into the background equalization routine that separates object pixels from background pixels. In addition to using the background mask for improved image enhancement, the background mask can also be used for object detection of discernible objects that stick out from the image background. The adaptive background equalization algorithm and its applications are discussed in this paper.