An improved Canny edge detection algorithm for color image

The traditional Canny edge detection method is widely used in gray image processing. However, this traditional algorithm is unable to deal with color images and the parameters in the algorithm are difficult to be determined adaptively. In this paper, an improved Canny algorithm is proposed to detect edges in color image. The proposed algorithm is composed of the following steps: quaternion weighted average filter, vector Sobel gradient computation, non-maxima suppression based on interpolation, edge detection and connection. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm outperforms other color image edge detection methods and can be widely used in color image processing.