Convergence Analysis of Finite Volume Scheme for Nonlinear Tensor Anisotropic Diffusion in Image Processing

Abstract. In this article we design the semi-implicit finite volume scheme for coherence enhancing diffusion in image processing and prove its convergence to the weak solution of the problem. The finite volume methods are natural tools for image processing applications since they use piecewise constant representation of approximate solutions similarly to the structure of digital images. They have been successfully applied in image processing, e.g., for solving the Perona-Malik equation or curvature driven level set equations, where the nonlinearities are represented by a scalar function dependent on solution gradient. Design of suitable finite volume schemes for tensor diffusion is a nontrivial task, here we present first such scheme with convergence proof for the practical nonlinear model used in coherence enhancing image smoothing. We provide basic information about this type of nonlinear diffusion including a construction of its diffusion tensor, and we derive a semi-implicit finite volume scheme for this nonlinear model with the help of co-volume mesh. This method is well-known as diamond-cell method owing to the choice of co-volume as a diamond-shaped polygon. Further, we prove a convergence of a discrete solution given by our scheme to the weak solution of the problem. The proof is based on Kolmogorov’s compactness theorem and a bounding of a gradient in tangential direction by using a gradient in normal direction. Finally computational results illustrated in figures are discussed.