Blue channel and fusion for sandstorm image enhancement

Abstract

Due to the scattering and absorption of light by sandstorm particles, images taken in sandstorm environments have low contrast, color distortion and other degradation problems, which seriously affect outdoor computer vision systems. In this paper, we propose a novel method to enhance images captured in sandstorm weather conditions. First, the method builds on the blending of two images that are directly derived from the original degraded image. Second, we use multilayer decomposition technology to enhance image details and use a blue channel and white balancing technology to restore image contrast and chromaticity. Third, we associate weight maps to improve image edge contrast. Finally, the Laplacian pyramid fusion method is used to obtain the fusion results of the sandstorm-free color correction image. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method can effectively restore the fade characteristics of sandstorm-degraded images and improve the clarity of the images. Experimental results via subjective and objective evaluations demonstrate that the proposed method can significantly improve images captured during sandstorm weather conditions, and the results are better than other methods.