Color image recovery system from printed gray image

This paper develops a color image recovery system from a color-embedded gray image. A reversible color-to-gray algorithm is an effective technique from several viewpoints such as running cost, data quantity, and security in practical applications. Most of the conventional algorithms work only on electronic gray images in the closed computer world, and do not work on real-world materials through the printing and capturing processes. We challenge this important problem and construct a color image recovery system from a printed gray image captured by a monochrome camera. The image geometry, gray level, and resolution change through the printing and capturing processes. We present a solution method to recovery color image by using a calibration pattern attached to the gray image. Experimental results show that the proposed system can dynamically recover a color image from a printed gray image that is set under a monochrome camera.