3D Visualization of Objects in Heavy Scattering Media by Using Wavelet Peplography

In this paper, we propose three-dimensional(3D) visualization of objects in heavy scattering media by using peplography and wavelet transform. Conventional haze removal techniques can remove the light haze in the image by using various image processing algorithms or machine learning techniques. However, they may not provide a clear image under heavy scattering media. On the other hand, peplography can visualize the object by detecting ballistic object photons from heavy scattering media. Then, 3D image can be generated by integral imaging. However, it may not visualize 3D object information accurately because of the noise photons from scattering media. Therefore, the image quality for 3D object visualization may be degraded. To solve this problem, we use the discrete wavelet transform in peplography. It can detect the object photon signals from the scattering media and enhance 3D image contrast ratio by using a specific coefficient threshold technique. To prove our method, we carry out optical experiments and compare results with the conventional haze removal method and peplography by using various image quality metrics such as correlation, structural similarity, and peak signal-to-noise ratio.