Blind Deconvolution Algorithm Research Articles

A New Fast Iterative Blind Deconvolution Algorithm

Successful blind image deconvolution algorithms require the exact estimation of the Point Spread Function size, PSF. In the absence of any priori information about the imagery system and the true image, this estimation is normally done by trial and error experimentation, until an acceptable restored image quality is obtained. This paper, presents an exact estimation of the PSF size, which yields the optimum restored image quality for both noisy and noiseless images. It is based on evaluating the detail energy of the wave packet decomposition of the blurred image. The minimum detail energies occur at the optimum PSF size. Having accurately estimated the PSF, the paper also proposes a fast double updating algorithm for improving the quality of the restored image. This is achieved by the least squares minimization of a system of linear equations that minimizes some error functions derived from the blurred image. Moreover, a technique is also proposed to improve the sharpness of the deconvolved images, by constrained maximization of some of the detail wavelet packet energies. Simulation results of several examples have verified that the proposed technique manages to yield a sharper image with higher PSNR than classical approaches.

Single-Channel Blind Estimation of Arterial Input Function and Tissue Impulse Response in DCE-MRI

Multipass dynamic MRI and pharmacokinetic modeling are used to estimate perfusion parameters of leaky capillaries. Curve fitting and nonblind deconvolution are the established methods to derive the perfusion estimates from the observed arterial input function (AIF) and tissue tracer concentration function. These nonblind methods are sensitive to errors in the AIF, measured in some nearby artery or estimated by multichannel blind deconvolution. Here, a single-channel blind deconvolution algorithm is presented, which only uses a single tissue tracer concentration function to estimate the corresponding AIF and tissue impulse response function. That way, many errors affecting these functions are reduced. The validity of the algorithm is supported by simulations and tests on real data from mouse. The corresponding nonblind and multichannel methods are also presented.

Bayesian frequency-domain blind deconvolution of ground-penetrating radar data

Enhancing the resolution and accuracy of surface ground-penetrating radar (GPR) reflection data by inverse filtering to recover a zero-phased band-limited reflectivity image requires a deconvolution technique that takes the mixed-phase character of the embedded wavelet into account. In contrast, standard stochastic deconvolution techniques assume that the wavelet is minimum phase and, hence, often meet with limited success when applied to GPR data. We present a new general-purpose blind deconvolution algorithm for mixed-phase wavelet estimation and deconvolution that (1) uses the parametrization of a mixed-phase wavelet as the convolution of the wavelet's minimum-phase equivalent with a dispersive all-pass filter, (2) includes prior information about the wavelet to be estimated in a Bayesian framework, and (3) relies on the assumption of a sparse reflectivity. Solving the normal equations using the data autocorrelation function provides an inverse filter that optimally removes the minimum-phase equivalent of the wavelet from the data, which leaves traces with a balanced amplitude spectrum but distorted phase. To compensate for the remaining phase errors, we invert in the frequency domain for an all-pass filter thereby taking advantage of the fact that the action of the all-pass filter is exclusively contained in its phase spectrum. A key element of our algorithm and a novelty in blind deconvolution is the inclusion of prior information that allows resolving ambiguities in polarity and timing that cannot be resolved using the sparseness measure alone. We employ a global inversion approach for non-linear optimization to find the all-pass filter phase values for each signal frequency. We tested the robustness and reliability of our algorithm on synthetic data with different wavelets, 1-D reflectivity models of different complexity, varying levels of added noise, and different types of prior information. When applied to realistic synthetic 2-D data and 2-D field data, we obtain images with increased temporal resolution compared to the results of standard processing.

Restoration of atmospheric turbulence degraded images

A blind image deconvolution algorithm in the frequency domain is proposed which uses the edge-preserving method and generic bandwidth of optical system. Generic bandwidth of optical system is analyzed. With the benefits of bandwidth and edge-preserving method as compelling constraints, the algorithm cannot only suppress noise effectively but also restrict the bandwidth of point-spread function (PSF), so high-quality result can be obtained. The new algorithm is superior in handling unregistered channels. The performance of this approach is investigated with simulated data. As shown in our investigation, the algorithm can significantly alleviate the artifacts produced by the deconvolution process.

Understanding Blind Deconvolution Algorithms

Blind deconvolution is the recovery of a sharp version of a blurred image when the blur kernel is unknown. Recent algorithms have afforded dramatic progress, yet many aspects of the problem remain challenging and hard to understand. The goal of this paper is to analyze and evaluate recent blind deconvolution algorithms both theoretically and experimentally. We explain the previously reported failure of the naive MAP approach by demonstrating that it mostly favors no-blur explanations. We show that, using reasonable image priors, a naive simulations MAP estimation of both latent image and blur kernel is guaranteed to fail even with infinitely large images sampled from the prior. On the other hand, we show that since the kernel size is often smaller than the image size, a MAP estimation of the kernel alone is well constrained and is guaranteed to succeed to recover the true blur. The plethora of recent deconvolution techniques makes an experimental evaluation on ground-truth data important. As a first step toward this experimental evaluation, we have collected blur data with ground truth and compared recent algorithms under equal settings. Additionally, our data demonstrate that the shift-invariant blur assumption made by most algorithms is often violated.

Design and energy analysis of interference imaging system with annular-aperture

An interference imaging system with annular aperture is presented having focal length of 6000 mm, aperture of 1000 mm, and ring width/semi-diameter of 0.2. The energy analyze is carried out to evaluate the optical performance of this system, and imaging restoration processing is also performed by the blind deconvolution algorithm with iteration number of 25. Results show that the quality is close to the diffraction limit and the weight has greatly reduced to 36% of the full-aperture system, which verifies the annular aperture system is a better choice for the space telescope with large-caliber and long focal length.

Compact multiframe blind deconvolution

We describe a multiframe blind deconvolution (MFBD) algorithm that uses spectral ratios (the ratio of the Fourier spectra of two data frames) to model the inherent temporal signatures encoded by the observed images. In addition, by focusing on the separation of the object spectrum and system transfer functions only at spatial frequencies where the measured signal is above the noise level, we significantly reduce the number of unknowns to be determined. This "compact" MFBD yields high-quality restorations in a much shorter time than is achieved with MFBD algorithms that do not model the temporal signatures; it may also provide higher-fidelity solutions.

Near-Field Microwave Imaging Based on Aperture Raster Scanning With TEM Horn Antennas

The design, fabrication, and characterization of an ultrawideband (UWB) antenna for near-field microwave imaging of dielectric objects are presented together with the imaging setup. The focus is on an application in microwave breast tumor detection. The new antenna operates as a sensor with the following properties: 1) direct contact with the imaged body; 2) more than 90% of the microwave power is coupled directly into the tissue; 3) UWB performance; 4) excellent de-coupling from the outside environment; 5) small size; and 6) simple fabrication. The antenna characterization includes return loss, total efficiency, near-field directivity, fidelity, and group velocity. The near-field imaging setup employs planar aperture raster scanning. It consists of two antennas aligned along each other's boresight and moving together to scan two parallel apertures. The imaged object lies between the two apertures. With a blind de-convolution algorithm, the images are de-blurred. Simulation and experimental results confirm the satisfactory performance of the antenna as an UWB sensor for near-field imaging.

New regularization scheme for blind color image deconvolution

This paper proposes a new regularization scheme to address blind color image deconvolution. Color images generally have a significant correlation among the red, green, and blue channels. Conventional blind monochromatic deconvolution algorithms handle each color image channels independently, thereby ignoring the interchannel correlation present in the color images. In view of this, a unified regularization scheme for image is developed to recover edges of color images and reduce color artifacts. In addition, by using the color image properties, a spectral-based regularization operator is adopted to impose constraints on the blurs. Further, this paper proposes a reinforcement regularization framework that integrates a soft parametric learning term in addressing blind color image deconvolution. A blur modeling scheme is developed to evaluate the relevance of manifold parametric blur structures, and the information is integrated into the deconvolution scheme. An optimization procedure called alternating minimization is then employed to iteratively minimize the image- and blur-domain cost functions. Experimental results show that the method is able to achieve satisfactory restored color images under different blurring conditions.

自适应光学图像非对称图像迭代盲复原算法

自适应光学图像非对称图像迭代盲复原算法

Material Classification of an Unknown Object Using Turbulence-Degraded Polarimetric Imagery

In this paper, a material-classification technique using polarimetric imagery degraded by atmospheric turbulence is presented. The classification technique described here determines whether an object is composed of dielectric or metallic materials. The technique implements a modified version of the LeMaster and Cain polarimetric maximum-likelihood blind-deconvolution algorithm in order to remove atmospheric distortion and correctly classify the unknown object. The dielectric/metal classification decision is based on degree-of-linear-polarization (DOLP) maximum-likelihood estimates provided by two novel DOLP priors (one being representative of dielectric materials and the other being representative of metallic materials) developed in this paper. The DOLP estimate, which maximizes the log-likelihood function, determines the image pixel's classification. Included in this paper is the review and modification of the LeMaster and Cain deconvolution algorithm. Also provided is the development of the novel DOLP priors, including their mathematical forms and the physical insight underlying their formulation. Lastly, the experimental results of two dielectric and metallic samples are provided to validate the proposed classification technique.

Blind Image Deconvolution Using Machine Learning for Three-Dimensional Microscopy

In this work, we propose a novel method for the regularization of blind deconvolution algorithms. The proposed method employs example-based machine learning techniques for modeling the space of point spread functions. During an iterative blind deconvolution process, a prior term attracts the point spread function estimates to the learned point spread function space. We demonstrate the usage of this regularizer within a Bayesian blind deconvolution framework and also integrate into the latter a method for noise reduction, thus creating a complete blind deconvolution method. The application of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated on synthetic and real-world three-dimensional images acquired by a wide-field fluorescence microscope, where the need for blind deconvolution algorithms is indispensable, yielding excellent results.

Determining the complex index of refraction of an unknown object using turbulence-degraded polarimetric imagery

A novel index-of-refraction material-characterization technique using passive polarimetric imagery degraded by atmospheric turbulence is presented. The method uses a variant of the LeMaster and Cain (J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 25(9), 2170-2176 (2008)) blind-deconvolution algorithm to recover the true object (i.e., the first Stokes parameter), the degree of linear polarization, and the polarimetric-image point spread functions. Nonlinear least squares is then used to find the value of the complex index of refraction that best fits the theoretical degree of linear polarization, derived using a polarimetric bidirectional reflectance distribution function, to the turbulence-corrected degree of linear polarization. To verify the proposed material-characterization technique, experimental results of two painted metal samples are provided and analyzed. C

Enhanced material classification using turbulence-degraded polarimetric imagery

An enhanced material-classification algorithm using turbulence-degraded polarimetric imagery is presented. The proposed technique improves upon an existing dielectric/metal material-classification algorithm by providing a more detailed object classification. This is accomplished by redesigning the degree-of-linear-polarization priors in the blind-deconvolution algorithm to include two subclasses of metals--an aluminum group classification (includes aluminum, copper, gold, and silver) and an iron group classification (includes iron, titanium, nickel, and chromium). This new classification provides functional information about the object that is not provided by existing dielectric/metal material classifiers. A discussion of the design of these new degree-of-linear-polarization priors is provided. Experimental results of two painted metal samples are also provided to verify the algorithm's accuracy.

Blind Deconvolution Using Generalized Cross-Validation Approach to Regularization Parameter Estimation

In this paper, we propose and present an algorithm for total variation (TV)-based blind deconvolution. Both the unknown image and blur can be estimated within an alternating minimization framework. With the generalized cross-validation (GCV) method, the regularization parameters associated with the unknown image and blur can be updated in alternating minimization steps. Experimental results confirm that the performance of the proposed algorithm is better than variational Bayesian blind deconvolution algorithms with Student's-t priors or a total variation prior.

Femtosecond laser-assisted selective infiltration of microstructured optical fibers

Hybrid imaging systems employing cubic phase modulation in the pupil-plane enable significantly increased depth of field, but artifacts in the recovered images are a major problem. We present a parametric blind-deconvolution algorithm, based on minimization of the high-frequency content of the restored image that enables recovery of artifact-free images for a wide range of defocus. We show that the algorithm enables robust matching of the image recovery kernel with the optical point-spread function to enable, for the first time, optimally low noise levels in recovered images.

Bayesian Blind Deconvolution From Differently Exposed Image Pairs

Photographs acquired under low-lighting conditions require long exposure times and therefore exhibit significant blurring due to the shaking of the camera. Using shorter exposure times results in sharper images but with a very high level of noise. In this paper we address the problem of utilizing two such images in order to obtain an estimate of the original scene and present a novel blind deconvolution algorithm for solving it. We formulate the problem in a hierarchical Bayesian framework by utilizing prior knowledge on the unknown image and blur, and also on the dependency between the two observed images. By incorporating a fully Bayesian analysis, the developed algorithm estimates all necessary model parameters along with the unknown image and blur, such that no user-intervention is needed. Moreover, we employ a variational Bayesian inference procedure, which allows for the statistical compensation of errors occurring at different stages of the restoration, and also provides uncertainties of the estimates. Experimental results with synthetic and real images demonstrate that the proposed method provides very high quality restoration results and compares favorably to existing methods even though no user supervision is needed.

Blind image deconvolution for single motion-blurred image

Motion blur due to camera shake during exposure is one of the most common reasons of image degradation, which usually reduces the quality of photographs seriously. Based on the statistical properties of the natural image's gradient and the blur kernel, a blind deconvolution algorithm is proposed to restore the motion-blurred image caused by camera shake, adopting the variational Bayesian estimation theory. In addition, the ring effect is one problem that is not avoided in the process of image deconvolution, and usually makes the visual effect of the restored image badly. So a dering method is put forward based on the sub-region detection and fuzzy filter. Tested on the real blurred photographs, the experimental results show that the proposed algorithm of blind image deconvolution can remove the camera-shake motion blur from the degraded image effectively, and can eliminate the ring effect better, while preserve the edges and details of the image well.

Comparative study on several blind deconvolution algorithms applied to underwater image restoration

Although the use of blind deconvolution of image restoration is a widely known concept, only few reports have discussed in detail its application to solving problem of restoration of underwater range-gated laser images. A comparative study of underwater image restoration using the Richardson-Lucy algorithm, the least-squares algorithm, and the multiplicative iterative algorithm for blind deconvolution is presented. All the deconvolution approaches use denoised underwater images and Wells’ small angle approximation theory of derived point spread function as the initial object and degradation guess, respectively. Owing the underwater no-reference imaging environment, image quality judgment based on the blur metric method is incorporated in our comparison to determine the appropriate deconvolution iteration number for each algorithm, which objectively evaluates the image restoration results. The performance of the three algorithms applied to underwater image restoration is discussed and reported.

Multichannel Deconvolution of Seismic Signals Using Statistical MCMC Methods

In this paper, we propose two multichannel blind deconvolution algorithms for the restoration of two-dimensional (2D) seismic data. Both algorithms are based on a 2D reflectivity prior model, and use iterative multichannel deconvolution procedures which deconvolve the seismic data, while taking into account the spatial dependency between neighboring traces. The first algorithm employs in each step a modified maximum posterior mode (MPM) algorithm which estimates a reflectivity column from the corresponding observed trace using the estimate of the preceding reflectivity column. The second algorithm takes into account estimates of both the preceding and subsequent columns in the estimation process. Both algorithms are applied to synthetic and real data and demonstrate better results compared to those obtained by a single-channel deconvolution method. Expectedly, the second algorithm which utilizes more information in the estimation process of each reflectivity column is shown to produce better results than the first algorithm.