Single Image Haze Removal Using Single Pixel Approach Based on Dark Channel Prior with Fast Filtering

Abstract

We propose a fast image-dehazing method that uses a pixelwise dark channel prior (PDCP). We argue that the neighbor minimum filter in the dark channel prior (DCP) is not crucial in image dehazing. We prove this assertion in experiments that compare dehazed images and histograms of dark channel images obtained using PDCP and DCP. To refine the transmission map in the Koschmieder model of the degradation of a hazy image, we use a fast guided filter to replace the soft matting (SM) used in DCP, because SM is the main reason for the slowness of DCP. The proposed algorithm is faster than existing methods, but achieves similar dehazing. This new method is useful for applications that require fast dehazing.