Local Determination of a Moving Contrast Edge

This paper proposes an intensity-based method for determining the spatial orientation and observed velocity of a continuously moving edge. Space-time relations arise from the translation of a straight edge across a fixed detector array; a tesselation unit comprised of three equidistant detectors is used to exploit these relationships. The time ordering of cells within this unit can estimate edge direction and velocity. More precise edge determination is possible when intercell times are available and constant edge velocity is assumed; a sensitivity analysis examines the effect of relaxing the velocity constraint. The simulation of a translating synthetic image over an array of detectors is presented in order to demonstrate the method.