Image enhancement using hybrid shock filters

We present a new approach based on Partial Differential Equations (PDEs) and shock filter theory for image enhancement in “Gaussian Blur (GB) + Additive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN)” scenarios. The main disadvantage of classic shock filters, inability of successfully filtering noisy images, is overcome by the introduction of a complex domain shock filter framework. Furthermore, the proposed method allows for better control and anisotropic, contour-driven shock filtering, via its control functions f₁ and f₂. The main advantages of our method consist in the ability of successfully enhancing GB+AWGN images while preserving a stable-convergent time behavior.