Computer Image Manipulation for Restoration and Enhancement

Abstract

This paper briefly outlines a few ideas involved in the use of the versatility of high speed digital computers for natural photographic quality image restoration and enhancement. The subject of image digitization is briefly mentioned followed by three models for image restoration. The linear shift invariant (isoplanatic) model relies on a rich body of knowledge in the form of two dimensional linear systems theory. While the linear isoplanatic model is useful for a variety of degradating phenomena, the linear anisoplanatic and nonlinear models often provide further insight into specialized phenomena. Image restoration may often be followed by enhancement techniques which focus on image manipulations for presentation purposes. The psychophysics of vision play a major role in the development of this aspect as do heuristic techniques which tend to focus on known but often unexplainable human viewing responses. Examples from certain nonlinear enhancement processes are presented.