2-D image fusion by multiscale edge graph combination

A new method for fusion of 2-D images based on combination of graphs formed by their multiscale edges is presented in this paper. The new method uses the multiscale edge representation of images proposed by Mallat and Hwang. The input images are fused using their multiscale edges only. Two different algorithms for fusing the point representations and the chain representations of the multiscale edges (wavelet transform modulus maxima) are described. The chain representation has been found to provide numerous options for image fusion as edge graph fusion techniques can be employed to combine the images. The new fusion scheme is compared to other fusion techniques when applied to out-of-focus images. Two other applications of the new method to remote sensing images and medical (CT and MR) images are also given in the paper.