Fast Edge Detection by Center of Mass

In this paper, a novel edge detection method that computes image gradient using the concept of Center of Mass (COM) is presented. The algorithm runs with a constant number of operations per pixel independently from its scale by using integral image. Compared with the conventional convolutional edge detector such as Sobel edge detector, the proposed method performs faster when region size is larger than 9×9. The proposed method can be used as framework for multi-scale edge detectors when the goal is to achieve fast performance. Experimental results show that edge detection by COM is competent with Canny edge detection.