This paper presents a novel illumination technique for image processing in environments which are characterized by large intensity fluctuations and hence a high optical dynamic range (HDR). This proposal shows how by combining a set of images, flashed with different radiant intensities but with a constant exposure time for the imager, a single image can be produced with a compressed dynamic range and a simultaneously reduced offset. This makes it possible to capture high dynamic range scenes without using a high dynamic range camera. This technique can be used as the first signal processing step to simplify the segmentation in applications such as: face recognition, interior surveillance, vehicle occupant detection or motion detection in general.
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