Method and apparatus for enhancing the contrast and clarity of an image captured by a remote viewing device

An apparatus for enhancing the clarity of at least a portion of an image captured by a remote viewing device, comprising:

• a luminance isolator that is configured for
• processing a first original image captured by a remote viewing device, said first original image represented by a plurality of pixels and where each of said plurality of pixels has an original luminance component;
• and configured for
• selecting a second plurality of pixels, said second plurality of pixels constituting a second original image and including at least a subset of said plurality of pixels of said first original image;
• and configured for
• quantifying each said original luminance component as an original luminance value for each of said second plurality of pixels to collectively form a second plurality of original luminance values that are represented within a second original distribution of said original luminance values, said second original distribution of said original luminance values representing a second original image;
• and
• a luminance transformer that is configured for mapping each said original luminance value represented within said second original distribution of luminance values to an associated transformed luminance value represented within a second transformed distribution of luminance values, said second transformed distribution of luminance values representing a second transformed image.

A method for enhancing the clarity of at least a portion of a captured image, comprising the steps of:

• capturing a first original image, said first original image represented by a plurality of pixels, each of said plurality of pixels having an original luminance component;
• selecting at least a second plurality of pixels, said second plurality of pixels including at least a subset of said first plurality of pixels of said first original image and constituting a second original image;
• quantifying each said original luminance component as a original luminance value for each of said second plurality of pixels to collectively form a second plurality of original luminance values that are represented within a second original distribution of said original luminance values, said second original distribution of said original luminance values representing a second original image;
• transforming said second original distribution by mapping each said original luminance value represented within said second original distribution of luminance values to an associated transformed luminance value represented within a second transformed distribution of luminance values;
• constructing a second transformed image from said second transformed distribution of luminance values;
• magnifying said second transformed image;
• and
• displaying said second transformed image in accordance with said second transformed distribution of luminance values.

A remote viewing device, comprising:

• an insertion tube;
• a viewing head assembly disposed at a distal end of said insertion tube that is configured for capturing an image;
• a luminance isolator that is configured for processing a first original image captured by said viewing head, said first original image represented by a plurality of pixels and where each of said plurality of pixels has an original luminance component;
• and selecting a second plurality of pixels, said second plurality of pixels constituting a second original image and including at least a subset of said plurality of pixels of said first original image;
• and quantifying each said original luminance component as a original luminance value for each of said second plurality of pixels, to collectively form a second plurality of original luminance values that are represented within a second original distribution of said original luminance values;
• and
• a luminance transformer that is configured for mapping each said original luminance value represented within said second original distribution of luminance values to an associated transformed luminance value represented within a second transformed distribution of luminance values, said second transformed distribution of luminance values representing a second transformed image.