Polynomial fitting for edge detection in irregularly sampled signals and images

Abstract

We propose a new edge detection method that is effective on multivariate irregular data in any domain. The method is based on a local polynomial annihilation technique and can be characterized by its convergence to zero for any value away from discontinuities. The method is numerically cost efficient and entirely independent of any specific shape or complexity of boundaries. Application of the minmod function to the edge detection method of various orders ensures a high rate of convergence away from the discontinuities while reducing the inherent oscillations near the discontinuities. It further enables distinction of jump discontinuities from steep gradients, even in instances where only sparse nonuniform data is available. These results are successfully demonstrated in both one and two dimensions. © 2005 Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics.