Hough Transform for Line Detection

This article demonstrates how to implement Hough transform for line detection, peak identification, line verification, and segment linking using MATLAB. The Hough transform is a fundamental image processing technique used to detect straight lines in digital images. The implementation involves accumulating votes in Hough parameter space, where local maxima correspond to potential lines in the original image. Peak detection algorithms (such as using MATLAB's houghpeaks function) identify the most prominent lines by finding the strongest accumulators in the Hough space. Line validation techniques then verify these detected lines, typically using methods like checking line length thresholds or applying statistical significance tests. Finally, segment linking algorithms connect validated line segments using proximity and orientation criteria, often implemented through functions like houghlines which connects segments based on specified gap tolerance and minimum length parameters. These interconnected MATLAB functions provide a comprehensive pipeline for robust line detection tasks, allowing users to extract both short segments and extended linear features from complex images.