Watershed-based maximum-homogeneity filtering

We introduce an image enhancement method referred to as the watershed-based maximum-homogeneity filter. This method first uses watershed analysis to subdivide the image into homogeneous pixel clusters called catchment basins. Next, using an adaptive, local, catchment-basin selection scheme, similar neighboring catchment basins are combined together to produce an enhanced image. Because the method starts with watershed analysis, it can preserve edge information and run with high computational efficiency. Illustrative results show that the method performs well relative to other popular nonlinear filters.