• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers P
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• v.62 no.2
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• pp.90-94
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• 2013

In this paper, we propose a new algorithm to improve the contrast ratio, to preserve information of bright regions and to maintain the color of backlight image that appears with a great relative contrast. Backlight images of the natural environment have characteristics for difference of local brightness; the overall image contrast improvement is not easy. To improve the contrast of the backlight images, MSR (Multi-Scale Retinex) algorithm using the existing multi-scale Gaussian filter is applied. However, existing multi-scale Gaussian filter involves color distortion and information loss of bright regions due to excessive contrast enhancement and noise because of the brightness improvement of dark regions. Moreover, it also increases computational complexity due to the use of multi-scale Gaussian filter. In order to solve these problems, a linear MSR is performed that reduces the amount of computation from the HSV color space preventing the color distortion and information loss due to excessive contrast enhancement. It can also remove the noise of the dark regions which is occurred due to the improved contrast through edge preserving filter. Through experimental evaluation of the average color difference comparison of CIELAB color space and the visual assessment, we have confirmed excellent performance of the proposed algorithm compared to conventional MSR algorithm.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.58 no.4
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• pp.321-327
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• 2015

Objective : To determine whether the use of contrast enhancement (especially its extent) predicts malignant brain edema after intra-arterial thrombectomy (IAT) in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Methods : We reviewed the records of patients with acute ischemic stroke who underwent IAT for occlusion of the internal carotid artery or the middle cerebral artery between January 2012 and March 2015. To estimate the extent of contrast enhancement (CE), we used the contrast enhancement area ratio (CEAR)-i.e., the ratio of the CE to the area of the hemisphere, as noted on immediate non-enhanced brain computed tomography (NECT) post-IAT. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the CEAR values being either greater than or less than 0.2. Results : A total of 39 patients were included. Contrast enhancement was found in 26 patients (66.7%). In this subgroup, the CEAR was greater than 0.2 in 7 patients (18%) and less than 0.2 in the other 19 patients (48.7%). On univariate analysis, both CEAR ${\geq}0.2$ and the presence of subarachnoid hemorrhage were significantly associated with progression to malignant brain edema (p<0.001 and p=0.004), but on multivariate analysis, only CEAR ${\geq}0.2$ showed a statistically significant association (p=0.019). In the group with CEAR ${\geq}0.2$, the time to malignant brain edema was shorter (p=0.039) than in the group with CEAR <0.2. Clinical functional outcomes, based on the modified Rankin scale, were also significantly worse in patients with CEAR ${\geq}0.2$ (p=0.003) Conclusion : The extent of contrast enhancement as noted on NECT scans obtained immediately after IAT could be predictive of malignant brain edema and a poor clinical outcome.

• The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.1117-1124
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• 2018

Contrast enhancement plays an important role in various computer vision systems, since their usability can be improved with visibility enhancement of the images affected by weather and lighting conditions. This paper introduces a histogram modification algorithm that reflects the properties of original images in order to eliminate the saturation effect and washed-out of image details due to the over-enhancement. Our method modifies the original histogram so that an additive term fill histogram pits and the gamma correction suppresses histogram spikes. The parameters for the additive term and gamma correction are adjusted automatically according to statistical properties of the images. Experimental results for various low contrast and hazy images demonstrate that the proposed contrast enhancement improves visibility and reduces haze components effectively, while preserving the characteristics of original images, than the conventional methods.

• IEIE Transactions on Smart Processing and Computing
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.52-58
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• 2014

Exact histogram specification (EHS) transforms the histogram of an input image into the specified histogram. In the conventional EHS techniques, the pixels are first sorted according to their graylevels, and the pixels that have the same graylevel are further differentiated according to the local average of the pixel values and the edge strength. The strictly ordered pixels are then mapped to the desired histogram. However, since the conventional sorting method is inherently dependent on the initial graylevel-based sorting, the contrast enhancement capability of the conventional EHS algorithms is restricted. We propose a modified EHS algorithm considering the just noticeable difference. In the proposed algorithm, the edge pixels are pre-processed such that the output edge pixels obtained by the modified EHS can result in the local contrast enhancement. Moreover, we introduce a new sorting method for the pixels that have the same graylevel. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm provides better image enhancement performance compared to the conventional EHS algorithms.

• Proceedings of the IEEK Conference
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• 2004.08c
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• pp.867-871
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• 2004

In this paper, a new analytic approach for shape preserving contrast enhancement is presented. Contrast enhancement is achieved by means of segmental histogram stretching modification which preserves the given image shape, not distorting the original shape. After global stretching, the image is partitioned into several level-sets according to threshold condition. The image information of each level-set is represented as typical value based on grouped differential values. The basic property is modified into common local schemes, thereby introducing the enhanced effect through extreme discrimination between subsets. The scheme is based on stretching the histogram of subsets in which the intensity gray levels between connected pixels are approximately same In spite of histogram widening, stretched by local image information, it neither creates nor destroys the original image, thereby preserving image shape and enhancing the contrast. By designing local histogram stretching operations, we can preserve the original shape of level-sets of the image, and also enhance the global intensity. Thus it can hold the main properties of both global and local image schemes, which leads to versatile applications in the field of digital epigraphy.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2004.11c
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• pp.175-177
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• 2004

The current JPEG-2000 standard is a wavelet based scheme because wavelet transform have some advantages compare to DCT transform. In compressed images, there are some image degradation factors like contrast distortion by Quantization process. This factor is very important to HVS (Human Visual System). Therefore, In this paper, we propose a new algorithm for contrast enhancement using the properties of wavelet coefficients. This algorithm is processed in the wavelet domain and so it can be applied efficiently to JPEG-2000.

• 한국정보디스플레이학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2006.08a
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• pp.1483-1486
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• 2006

We describe the contrast enhancement of images using an APL(Average Picture Level) in an AC-PDP. A CEC(Contrast Enhancement Curve) determined by the APL was applied to enhance the contrast of images depending on the dominant gray levels. The most effective advantage of the proposed method is that it is easier to adjust the dynamic ranges to be enhanced with good quality and implement in a hardware system. The simulation result shows that the proposed method enhanced the contrast of given images significantly and kept the original brightness except the specific area of them compared to the HE(Histogram Equalization).

• The KIPS Transactions:PartB
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• v.16B no.4
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• pp.263-270
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• 2009

Histogram Equalization (HE) is a very popular technique for enhancing the contrast of an image. HE stretches the dynamic range of an image using the cumulative distribution function of a given input image, therefore improving its contrast. However, HE has a well-known problem : when HE is applied for the contrast enhancement, there is a significant change in brightness. To resolve this problem, we propose An Adaptive Contrast Enhancement Algorithm using Subhistogram Area-Ratioed Histogram Redistribution, a new method that helps reduce excessive contrast enhancement. This proposed algorithm redistributes the dynamic range of an input image using its mean luminance value and the ratio of sub-histogram area. Experimental results show that by this redistribution, the significant change in brightness is reduced effectively and the output image is able to preserve the naturalness of an original image even if it has a poor histogram distribution.

• Proceedings of the IEEK Conference
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• 1999.11a
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• pp.521-524
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• 1999

In spite of advances in image resolution and film contrast, check screen/film mammography remains one of diagnostic imaging modality where the image interpretation is very difficult. For the enhancement of film mammography, in this paper, dyadic wavelet transform is introduced. An unsharp masking technique is proposed and performed in wavelet domain. In addition, simple nonlinear enhancement and a denosing stage that preserves edges using wavelet shrinkage are computed into this technique. In this paper. we propose a new method for the gain setting of nonlinear enhancement and show result and comparison.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.575-584
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• 2021

The aim of this study was to achieve optimal portal phase while reducing contrast medium by applying weight-based dose protocol compared to standard fixed dose protocol to performing of pediatric abdominal CT examination. Discovery 750HD (General Electric Medical Systems, Milwaukee, USA) was used, and a total of 167 children consisting of 85 men and 82 women under the age of 18 were studied. The group in which the 300 mgI/ml(Xenetix, Guerbet, France) contrast medium was fixedly injected at twice body weight and the group injected with physiological saline while gradually decreasing the injection amount by 10% while applying the weight-based protocol were distinguished. Also, the CT number and SNR of abdominal organs were compared and evaluated while changing the scan delay time. Subjective image quality of enhancement and beam-hardening artifacts of around the heart was assessed with five-point criterion. The group adapted weight-based protocol with 20% reduction in contrast medium was most similar in contrast enhancement in the group with fixed injection at twice body weight. Furthermore, the group with a delay time of 20% had the highest contrast enhancement effect, and the difference in CT attenuation coefficient from the group scanned immediately after injection of the contrast media. Therefore, the appropriate delay time after injection of the contrast agent increased the contrast enhancement of the parenchymal organ. In addition, the weight-based injection protocol with normal saline reduced artifacts around the heart, and the effect of contrast enhancement could be maintained. In conclusion, it is possible to reduce dosage of contrast media through the application of weight-based injection protocols and appropriate latency, and to characterize optimal portal phase imaging on pediatric abdominal CT.