Open Access
30 June 2022 Enhancing infrared color reproducibility through multispectral image processing using RGB and three infrared channels
Motoshi Sobue, Hiroshi Otake, Hironari Takehara, Makito Haruta, Hiroyuki Tashiro, Kiyotaka Sasagawa, Jun Ohta
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Various techniques for image color reproducibility under low-light conditions have been proposed, such as high sensitivity, a combination of visible (VIS) and infrared (IR) light, and coloring monochromatic images. However, when the illuminance falls below a certain level, color images cannot be obtained without prior color information. Previously, the exclusive use of IR without VIS illumination was proposed to achieve a pseudocolor image (basic IR color). It improved visibility compared with conventional monochrome images. However, there are cases, depending on the objects, when basic IR light cannot reproduce the correct color. An image processing method for enhancing color reproducibility is proposed, particularly for objects that are not suitable for the basic IR color (enhanced IR color). Moreover, we developed an algorithm to combine the advantages of both VIS and IR colors by utilizing signals of six wavelengths: three wavelengths each of VIS and IR. The proposed method includes an automatic transition between the optimal combination of VIS and IR colors when the illumination level changes, thus providing images with superior color reproducibility under various illumination levels compared with basic IR color.

CC BY: © The Authors. Published by SPIE under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Unported License. Distribution or reproduction of this work in whole or in part requires full attribution of the original publication, including its DOI.
Motoshi Sobue, Hiroshi Otake, Hironari Takehara, Makito Haruta, Hiroyuki Tashiro, Kiyotaka Sasagawa, and Jun Ohta "Enhancing infrared color reproducibility through multispectral image processing using RGB and three infrared channels," Optical Engineering 61(6), 063107 (30 June 2022). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.OE.61.6.063107
Received: 2 February 2022; Accepted: 17 June 2022; Published: 30 June 2022
Advertisement
Advertisement
KEYWORDS
Infrared imaging

Image processing

Image enhancement

Infrared radiation

Cameras

Multispectral imaging

Infrared cameras

Back to Top