Infrared image detail enhancement approach based on improved joint bilateral filter

In this paper, we proposed a new infrared image detail enhancement approach. This approach could not only achieve the goal of enhancing the digital detail, but also make the processed image much closer to the real situation. Inspired by the joint-bilateral filter, two adjacent images were utilized to calculate the kernel functions in order to distinguish the detail information from the raw image. We also designed a new kernel function to modify the joint-bilateral filter and to eliminate the gradient reversal artifacts caused by the non-linear filtering. The new kernel is based on an adaptive emerge coefficient to realize the detail layer determination. The detail information was modified by the adaptive emerge coefficient along with two key parameters to realize the detail enhancement. Finally, we combined the processed detail layer with the base layer and rearrange the high dynamic image into monitor-suited low dynamic range to achieve better visual effect. Numerical calculation showed that this new technology has the best value compare to the previous research in detail enhancement. Figures and data flowcharts were demonstrated in the paper.