Nobuo Hamano

Interpolation algorithm for unequally spaced image data with image quality correction capability

An image interpolation algorithm considering the sensor aperture characteristics of unequally spaced image data is presented. Recently, it has become possible to gather images by a high spatial resolution sensor on a satellite. Precision image processing is required to correct images which have blurs and geometric distortions due to the sensor characteristics. To realize precision image processing, we propose an unequally spaced interpolation filter with image quality correction capability. It consists in a restoration filter, and equally and unequally spaced interpolation filters. Image quality improves by about 15 percent in unequally spaced regions, and interpolation accuracy of less than 0.5 in gray levels is obtained. This is shown by evaluation experiments using thematic mapper sensor-type simulation data.