Processing received pixel values in an image processing system using pixel value subset groups

A method of processing a plurality of pixel values in an image processing system, the method comprising:

• for each of one or more of the plurality of pixel values:
• implementing processing of the pixel value by operating on a spatial subset of the pixel values, and operating by:
• defining, for the spatial subset, a set of one or more groups into which pixel values within the spatial subset can be grouped;
• classifying each of the pixel values within the spatial subset into one of the groups of the set of one or more groups based on the value of that pixel value;
• processing the pixel value using one or more of the pixel values of the spatial subset in dependence on the classification of the pixel values of the spatial subset into the one or more groups;
• and
• outputting the processed pixel value.

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer readable dataset description of an integrated circuit that, when processed in an integrated circuit manufacturing system, causes the integrated circuit manufacturing system to manufacture an image processing system comprising a processing module configured to process a plurality of pixel values, wherein for each of one or more of the plurality of pixel values, the processing module is configured to:

• implement processing of the pixel value by operating on a spatial subset of the pixel values, and operating by:
• defining, for the spatial subset, a set of one or more groups into which pixel values within the spatial subset can be grouped;
• classifying each of the pixel values within the spatial subset into one of the groups of the set of one or more groups based on the value of that pixel value;
• processing the pixel value using one or more of the pixel values of the spatial subset in dependence on the classification of the pixel values of the spatial subset into the one or more groups;
• and
• outputting the processed pixel value.