An Edge Detection Method for Gray Scale Images Based on their Fuzzy System Representation

Based on a fuzzy system representation of gray scale images, we derive an edge detection algorithm whose convolution kernel is different from the known kernels such as those of Roberts', Prewitt's or Sobel's gradient. Our fuzzy system representation is an exact representation of the bicubic spline function which represents the gray scale image approximately. Hence the fuzzy system is a continuous function and it provides a natural way to define the gradient and the Laplacian operator. We show that the gradient at grid points can be evaluated by taking the convolution of the image with a 3 3 kernel. We also show that our gradient coupled with the approximate value of the continuous function generates an edge detection method which creates edge images clearer than those by other methods. A few examples of applying our methods are included.