Blind evaluation of noise variance in images using myriad operation

A typical problem in image processing is to evaluate the noise characteristics of an image at hand. It is often desirable to perform this operation automatically with appropriate accuracy, i.e. without errors due to user's subjective views. The proposed method is based on myriad operation at the final stage of the sequence of the traditional steps performed in blind evaluation of noise variance. Using it the accuracy of blind evaluation of noise variance can be considerably improved if the parameters of myriad operation are adjusted correctly. Recommendations concerning this adjustment are given. The proposed method is verified for both artificial and real images.