Patent ID: 8023730

Claim:
An image processing method for processing a colour image, I C , formed by at least two distinct colour pixel matrixes, M N , by a processing means in an imaging system wherein said method comprises the following steps: reading the position of at least one of a plurality of interactive control means by the processing means, said control means being configured to allow an interactive control of a plurality of parameter values for a histogram equalization step; processing said image, I C by a histogram equalization step by the processing means using said parameter values comprising the following steps: selecting at least a first colour pixel matrix, M 1 , from said at least two distinct colour pixel matrixes M N , separately carrying out a histogram equalization step for at least said first colour pixel matrix, M 1 , forming an updated version, M 1 ′, of said first colour pixel matrix, said histogram equalization step comprising the following steps: computing an intensity distribution histogram, IDH, for said first colour pixel matrix, M 1 , calculating the normalized cumulative sum, NCS, for said IDH, choosing a threshold value, K, for said normalized cumulative sum, NCS, identifying pixel intensity values A and B defining a first range, R AB , of pixel intensity values based on said threshold value K, in IDH, forming an updated version, IDH′, of said intensity distribution histogram by discarding all pixel intensity values outside said range R AB , and mapping the pixel values within said first ran R AB on to a second larger range, R AB ′, of pixel intensity values; forming an updated version, I C ′, of said image, I C , so that I C ′ comprises at least said updated colour pixel matrix, M 1 ′, and displaying said updated version, I C ′, on a display.