A unified CSF-based framework for edge detection and edge visibility

One important trend in edge detection starts from current knowledge about the Human Visual System (HVS) in order to mimic some of its components. We follow this trend and propose a new edge detector which also computes the edge visibility for the HVS. Two important processes in the HVS are taken into account: visual adaptation and contrast sensitivity. Our model is in good agreement with some classical results in human vision, such as Weber's law and Ricco's law, as well as the visibility of sine and square gratings. The main contribution is to propose a unified framework, biologically inspired, which mimics human vision and computes both edge localization and edge visibility. Compared to previous approaches, the visibility of a target is estimated without segmentation of the target. This work may contribute to military applications, Intelligent Transportation Systems, and low vision simulation.