A hybrid wavelet and Ridgelet approach for efficient edge representation in natural images

Wavelets, fundamental component of the latest image coding standard JPEG 2000, have proven to be a very useful tool in representation and coding of 2D images. They are also a powerful instrument in catching zero-dimensional singularities, though less efficient in dealing with 'edge' singularities. Ridgelets, by definition, are a powerful tool in catching and representing line singularities in bidimensional space. In this paper we propose a hybrid approach that combines both Ridgelets and Wavelets for a more efficient representation of 2-D images with edges. Results confirm the potential of the combined use of Wavelets and Ridgelets as efficient representation, showing substantial improvements when compared to only Wavelets.