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Computer Vision pp 1–8Cite as

Gradient Vector Flow

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Synonyms

GVF

Related Concepts

Definition

Gradient vector flow is the vector field that is produced by a process that smooths and diffuses an input vector field and is usually used to create a vector field that points to object edges from a distance.

Background

Finding objects or homogeneous regions in images is a process known as image segmentation. In many applications, the locations of object edges can be estimated using local operators that yield a new image called an edge map. The edge map can then be used to guide a deformable model, sometimes called an active contour or a snake, so that it passes through the edge map in a smooth way, therefore defining the object itself.

A common way to encourage a deformable model to move toward the edge map is to take the spatial gradient of the edge map, yielding a vector field. Since the edge map has its...

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References

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Silicon Valley Future Academy, Palo Alto, CA, USA

    Chenyang Xu

  2. Electrical and Computer Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Jerry L. Prince

Authors
  1. Chenyang Xu
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  2. Jerry L. Prince
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chenyang Xu .

Section Editor information

  1. Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan

    Koichiro Deguchi

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Cite this entry

Xu, C., Prince, J.L. (2020). Gradient Vector Flow. In: Computer Vision. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03243-2_712-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03243-2_712-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-03243-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-03243-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Computer SciencesReference Module Computer Science and Engineering

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