Shape Detection in Computer Vision Using the Hough Transform

Shape detection techniques are an important aspect of computer vision and are used to transform raw image data into the symbolic representations needed for object recognition and location. However, the availability and application of research data relating to shape detection has traditionally been limited by a lack of computational and mathematical skill on the part of the intended end-user. As a result, progress in areas such as the automation of visual inspection techniques, where shape detection could play a pivotal role, has been relatively slow. This volume examines the Hough Transform, a technique which is particularly relevant to industrial applications. By making computational recipes and advice available to the non-specialist, the book aims to popularize the technique, and to provide a bridge between low level computer vision tasks and specialist applications. In addition, the text assesses practical and theoretical issues which were previously only available in scientific literature in a way which is easily accessible to the non-specialist user.