Active contour model to detect linear features in satellite images

Active contour models are used extensively in image processing applications, including edge detection, shape modelling, segmentation and in general to detect object boundaries. They are curves defined in the image domain that can move under the influence of internal forces within the curve itself and external forces derived from the image data. Many versions and improvements have been proposed since then, in an effort to improve on several aspects of the original finite difference implementation. We present preliminary results of a wavelet based active contour model for detecting linear features in satellite images The method combines multi-scale decomposition and edge detection in a fast-converging iterative scheme. As an application, coastline retrieval from a SAR image is illustrated.