Enhancement and registration of multichannel images based on vector order filter

This paper proposes a new structure for the classical median vector filter. It is based on a vector ordering relation obtained by associating a cumulative distance to each vector. The specifity of the proposed filter relies in the definition of the neighboring window used to calculate this distance. The filter presents both an enhancement and a registration effect, combined with a smoothing effect. His properties are studied and some applications are proposed. The filter is also compared with other classical filters. It can be used for any multichannel images, like color images, multi spectral images or multi-temporal images.