On the geodesic paths approach to color image filtering

In this paper a novel method of noise reduction in color images is presented. The class of filters introduced here utilizes fuzzy membership functions defined over vectorial inputs connected via digital geodesic paths. The efficiency of the new filters is compared under a variety of performance criteria with the commonly used filters, such as the vector median and the generalized vector directional filter. It is shown that, compared to existing techniques, the filters introduced here are better able to suppress impulsive, Gaussian as well as mixed-type noise. Furthermore, the computational analysis included in this work shows that some members of the new filter family are computationally less demanding than the vector median filter.