Improved single image dehazing using dark channel prior

Abstract

An improved single image dehazing method based on dark channel prior and wavelet transform is proposed. This proposed method employs wavelet transform and guided filter instead of the soft matting procedure to estimate and refine the depth map of haze images. Moreover, a contrast enhancement method based on just noticeable difference (JND) and quadratic function is adopted to enhance the contrast for the dehazed image, since the scene radiance is usually not as bright as the atmospheric light, and the dehazed image looks dim. The experimental results show that the proposed approach can effectively enhance the haze image and is well suitable for implementing on the surveillance and obstacle detection systems.