An Operator Which Locates Edges in Digitized Pictures

Abstract

Because of the fundamental importance of edges as primitives of pictures, automatic edge finding is set as goal. A set of requirements which should be met by a local edge recognizer is formulated. Their main concerns are fast and reliable recognition in the presence of noise. A unique optimal solution for an edge operator results. The operator obtains the best fit of an ideal edge element to any empirically obtained edge element. Proof of this is given. A reliability assessment accompanies every recognition process.