EDGE DETECTION TECHNIQUE HAVING IMPROVED FEATURE VISIBILITY

A method for determining edge features of an image comprising filtering at least a portion of the image to attenuate high frequency signals of the image to an extent greater than low frequency signals of the image. Performing a one-dimensional search in a two different horizontal directions relative to a particular pixel of the image to determine horizontal direction local maximums. Calculating a horizontal gradient based upon the horizontal direction local maximums. Performing a one-dimensional search in a two vertical horizontal directions relative to a particular pixel of the image to determine vertical direction local maximums. Calculating a vertical gradient based upon the vertical direction local maximums. Calculating a gradient for the particular pixel based upon the horizontal gradient and the vertical gradient.