Abstract: Am image processing method which is adapted for use in a system having memory for storing in a planar array a plurality of output data samples from a scanning image detector. The invention generates first and second hexagonal sampling patterns within a window on the array. The hexagonal sampling patterns include a first set of data samples with a plurality of peripheral data samples, defining each hexagon, and a data sample at the center of the hexagon. The first and second hexagonal sampling lattices share a common data sample. The generation of the hexagonal sampling patterns is achieved by timing the sampling of the scanning image detectors. A weight is assigned to each data sample within each of the hexagonal sampling lattices and performs a convolution operation on the hexagons to provide a final value for assignment to the common data sample.