Method and Device for Adaptively Removing Noise from an Image

An image processing device for adaptively removing noise from an image, the image processing device comprising:

• a reception end, for receiving a plurality of pixels of the image;
• an output end, for outputting an output pixel;
• an edge detector, comprising:
• at least one gradient detector, for computing a plurality of gradients corresponding to a plurality of directions for one of the plurality of pixels;
• and
• a gradient analyzer, for determining an edge level and an edge direction of the pixel according to the plurality of gradients;
• a pixel delay unit, for delaying the plurality of pixels to be synchronized with the edge level and the edge direction;
• a pixel selector, for selecting a plurality of nearby pixels around the pixel from the plurality of pixels according to the edge level and the edge direction;
• and
• an adaptive low-pass filtering device, comprising:
• a likelihood computing unit, for computing a plurality of likelihoods between the pixel and the plurality of nearby pixels;
• a weight generator, for generating a plurality of weights according to the plurality of likelihoods;
• and
• a low-pass filter, for applying weighted low-pass filtering to the plurality of nearby pixels and the pixel according to the plurality of weights to generate the output pixel.