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Nonlinear local-pixel-shifting color constancy algorithm

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Abstract

Most color constancy algorithms implement a color correction process that performs globally for the entire input pixel image. This process leads to a saturation problem and overcorrected images, especially in overexposed regions, thereby resulting in contrast inconsistency and incorrect true-color image objects. Each pixel in an input image should have a different correction range value. Pixels with high probability to be saturated or overcorrected should not be treated similarly as pixels with low probability. Thus, this study proposes a new color correction algorithm that aims to reduce the effects of the saturation phenomenon and overcorrected color images while enhancing the image contrast. To achieve this objective, the proposed algorithm consists of two main processes, namely, color correction and contrast enhancement. A shifting process is nonlinearly applied to each pixel in a 2D two-channel CIELAB color space. Each pixel has a different corrected rate depending on the adaptive limit value and the reference point. Subsequently, the global and local contrast corrections are executed on the L channel to enhance the image contrast. Qualitative and quantitative results on 653 outdoor; 818 indoor; and 1394 underwater images show that the proposed algorithm outperforms several state-of-the-art algorithms in producing enhanced color constancy and contrast. The proposed algorithm also reduces noise effects and improves the details of an image without creating unnatural and inaccurate color constancy.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments and suggestions toward the improvement of this paper. The authors would also like to thank the Ministry of Higher Education of Malaysia for providing financial support under the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme for the study titled “Formulation of a Robust Framework of Image Enhancement for Non-uniform Illumination and Low-Contrast Images.”

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Imaging and Intelligent Systems Research Team (ISRT), School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300, Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia

    Wan Muhammad Syahrir Bin Wan Hussin, Mohd Naim Mohd Jain Noordin & Nor Ashidi Mat Isa

  2. Faculty of Computer Systems & Software Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Lebuhraya Tun Razak, 26300, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

    Wan Muhammad Syahrir Bin Wan Hussin

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  1. Wan Muhammad Syahrir Bin Wan Hussin
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  2. Mohd Naim Mohd Jain Noordin
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Correspondence to Nor Ashidi Mat Isa.

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Appendix 1

Appendix 1

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Resultant images of Mountain, Catching fish, Polar bears, Lake, and Releasing turtles after applying the proposed algorithm, SACC, DIRS-CLASH, PDSCC, GE1, GE2, GGW, and SG algorithms

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Resultant images of Library, Grass, Flower pot, Fence, and Snow after applying the proposed algorithm, SACC, DIRS-CLASH, PDSCC, GE1, GE2, GGW, and SG algorithms

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Fig. 14
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Resultant images of Bar, Laughing, Christmas tree, Toys, and Baby after applying the proposed algorithm, SACC, DIRS-CLASH, PDSCC, GE1, GE2, GGW, and SG algorithms

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Fig. 15
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Resultant images of Door, Walking, Fruits, Smiling, and Guy after applying the proposed algorithm, SACC, DIRS-CLASH, PDSCC, GE1, GE2, GGW, and SG algorithms

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Fig. 16
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Resultant images of Swimming fish, Holding breath, Underwater sand, Diving, and Striped fish after applying the proposed algorithm, SACC, DIRS-CLASH, PDSCC, GE1, GE2, GGW, and SG algorithms

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Fig. 17
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Resultant images of Coral branch, Fishes, Blue fish, Artificial reef, and A fish after applying the proposed algorithm, SACC, DIRS-CLASH, PDSCC, GE1, GE2, GGW, and SG

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Hussin, W.M.S.B.W., Noordin, M.N.M.J. & Isa, N.A.M. Nonlinear local-pixel-shifting color constancy algorithm. Multimed Tools Appl 78, 10401–10448 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11042-018-6566-4

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