Edge based features for content based image retrieval

The common problem in content based image retrieval (CBIR) is selection of features. Image characterization with lesser number of features involving lower computational cost is always desirable. Edge is a strong feature for characterizing an image. This paper presents a robust technique for extracting edge map of an image which is followed by computation of global feature (like fuzzy compactness) using gray level as well as shape information of the edge map. Unlike other existing techniques it does not require pre segmentation for the computation of features. This algorithm is also computationally attractive as it computes different features with limited number of selected pixels. (C) 2003 Pattern Recognition Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.