FIELD

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for enhancing video images, particularly in the context of aerial refueling (e.g., in-air tanker aircraft).

BACKGROUND

Aerial refueling can be performed by a tanker aircraft by way of a refueling boom. In some instances, the boom could include a plurality of flight control surfaces to move the fuel probe of the boom so as to mate with a fuel nozzle of a receiving aircraft.

A conventional solution is to define twenty image scenes that adjust the contrast based on image statistics taken over a wide portion of an overall image captured by an image capture system of the tanker aircraft. For each scene, predefined maximum and minimum histogram limits over a third or more of the image are stretched to fill the entire dynamic range and then additional differential contrast stretching or compression is applied across the dynamic range globally over the entire image. Frequently, one or more of these twenty scenes provide good viewing results, but there are many cases where the contrast in the processed images is still too poor for aerial refueling operators (AROs) to conduct the refueling task.

SUMMARY

In an aspect, a method for processing images is described. The method includes receiving, at a programmable circuit, at least one image. The method also includes adjusting the at least one image, by the programmable circuit, to provide at least one adjusted image. Adjusting the at least one image includes applying: a local adaptive histogram equalization filter, a global gamma correction filter, and a local contrast filter.

In another aspect, an aerial refueling aircraft is provided. The aerial refueling aircraft includes a display and a programmable circuit configured to provide image data to the display. The programmable circuit includes at least one processor and a memory. The programmable circuit carries out operations including receiving, by the programmable circuit, at least one image and adjusting the at least one image, by the programmable circuit, to provide at least one adjusted image. Adjusting the at least one image includes applying: a local adaptive histogram equalization filter, a global gamma correction filter, and a local contrast filter.

In another aspect, an imaging processing device is described. The image processing device includes a programmable circuit that is reprogrammed based on selected circuit data so as to construct a circuit configured to provide image processing on at least one image. The image processing includes receiving the at least one image and adjusting the at least one image, to provide at least one adjusted image. Adjusting the at least one image includes applying: a local adaptive histogram equalization filter, a global gamma correction filter, and a local contrast filter.

Other aspects, examples, and implementations will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reading the following detailed description with reference, where appropriate, to the accompanying drawings.

