New class of filters for impulsive noise removal in color images

In this paper a novel approach to the problem of impulsive noise reduction in color images based on the nonparametric density estimation is presented. The basic idea behind the new image filtering technique is the maximization of the similarities between pixels in a predefined filtering window. The new method is faster than the standard vector median filter and better preserves edges and fine image details. Simulation results show that the proposed method outperforms standard algorithms of the reduction of impulsive noise in color images.