Protection filter for image and video processing

A digital filter comprising:

• a filter block receiving an input value from an input signal and providing a filtered value;
• and
• a protection block comprising:
• an input for receiving said filtered value, and a group of values proximate said input value in said input signal;
• an output for providing an output value;
• and
• control logic for computing a set of all possible output values corresponding to said input value based on said group of values, said logic forming and providing said output value by selecting an element of said set.

A spatial filter comprising:

• a scaling block for scaling an input image comprising input pixels, to provide a scaled image comprising scaled pixels;
• said scaling block providing a scaled pixel corresponding to at least one input pixel;
• a protection block comprising:
• an input for receiving said scaled pixel, and a group of pixels proximate said at least one pixel in said input image;
• and
• a control logic to compute minimum and maximum bounds for said scaled pixel based on said group of pixels and to provide an output value corresponding to said scaled pixel such that said output value lies within the range of said bounds.

A method of providing an output corresponding to a current input value in an input signal, said method comprising:

• i) receiving said input value;
• ii) receiving a group of input values proximate said input value in said input signal;
• iii) filtering said input value to provide a filtered value;
• iv) computing a minimum bound and a maximum bound for said filtered value based on said group of input values proximate said input value in said input signal;
• and
• v) forming said output value from said filtered value such that said output value lies within the range of said bounds, and providing said output value.

A device comprising a processor in communication with memory, said memory storing processor executable instructions causing said processor to:

• i) receive a current input value in an input signal;
• ii) receive a group of input values proximate said input value in said input signal;
• iii) filter said input value to provide a filtered value;
• iv) compute a minimum bound and a maximum bound for said filtered value based on said group of input values proximate said input value in said input signal;
• and
• v) form an output value from said filtered value such that said output value lies within the range of said bounds;
• and
• vi) provide said output value.