Mitigating Sensor Saturation through Image Processing Techniques

ABSTRACT: Sensor saturation and the resultant loss of information is a problem that plagues both infrared and electro-optical sensors. Saturation often leads to blooming or dilation of the saturated region, destroying data in surrounding regions. A means for enhancing imagery through post processing to minimize the effects of blooming and maximize the value of remaining image content is proposed. Also proposed is a control method to actively control both IR and EO cameras to maximize the dynamic range of the sensors and capture more information from the scene. BENEFIT: The proposed mitigation techniques will result in algorithms which will maximize image content under conditions including but not limited to saturation. These methods will first be targeted toward post processing software but will later be targeted at real-time applications. These methods will be packaged such that they may be embedded directly into the sensors or as a separate control and processing unit.