An Improved Image Up-Scaling Technique using Optimize Filter and Iterative Gradient Method

In numerous realtime applications, image upscaling often relies on several polynomial techniques to reduce computational complexity. However, in high-resolution (HR) images, such polynomial interpolation can lead to blurring artifacts due to edge degradation. Similarly, various edge-directed and learning-based systems can cause similar blurring effects in high-frequency images. To mitigate these issues, directional filtering is employed post corner averaging interpolation, involving two passes to complete the corner average process. The initial step in low-resolution (LR) picture interpolation involves corner pixel refinement after averaging interpolation. A directional filter is then applied to preserve the edges of the interpolated image. This process yields two distinct outputs: the base image and the detail image. Furthermore, an additional cuckoo-optimized filter is implemented on the base image, focusing on texture features and boundary edges to recover neighboring boundary edges. Additionally, a Laplacian filter is utilized to enhance intra-region information within the detailed image. To minimize reconstruction errors, an iterative gradient approach combines the optimally filtered image with the sharpened detail image, generating an enhanced HR image. Empirical data supports the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, indicating superior performance compared to state-of-the-art methods in terms of both visual appeal and measured parameters. The proposed method's superiority is demonstrated experimentally across multiple image datasets, with higher PSNR, SSIM, and FSIM values indicating better image degradation reduction, improved edge preservation, and superior restoration capabilities, particularly when upscaling High-Frequency regions of images.