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Quantum Edge Detection and Convolution Using Paired Transform-Based Image Representation

Artyom M. Grigoryan, Alexis A. Gomez, Sos С. Agaian, Karen A. Panetta

Published Mar 21, 2025• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Classical edge detection algorithms often struggle to process large, high-resolution image datasets efficiently. Quantum image processing offers a promising alternative, but current implementations face significant challenges, such as time-consuming data acquisition, complex device requirements, and limited real-time processing capabilities. This work presents a novel paired transform-based quantum representation for efficient image processing. This representation enables the parallelization of convolution operations, simplifies gradient calculations, and facilitates the processing of one-dimensional and two-dimensional signals. We demonstrate that our approach achieves improved processing speed compared to classical methods while maintaining comparable accuracy. The successful implementation of real-world images highlights the potential of this research for large-scale quantum image processing, architecture-specific optimizations, and applications beyond edge detection.

DOI
10.3390/info16040255

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Classical edge detection algorithms often struggle to process large, high-resolution image datasets efficiently. Quantum image processing offers a promising alternative, but current implementations face significant challenges, such as time-consuming data acquisition, complex device requirements, and limited real-time processing capabilities. This work presents a novel paired transform-based quantum representation for efficient image processing. This representation enables the parallelization of convolution operations, simplifies gradient calculations, and facilitates the processing of one-dimensional and two-dimensional signals. We demonstrate that our approach achieves improved processing speed compared to classical methods while maintaining comparable accuracy. The successful implementation of real-world images highlights the potential of this research for large-scale quantum image processing, architecture-specific optimizations, and applications beyond edge detection.
As the availability of imagery data continues to swell, so do the demands on transmission, storage and processing power. Processing requirements to handle this plethora of data is quickly outpacing the utility of conventional processing techniques. Transitioning to quantum processing and algorithms that offer promising efficiencies over conventional methods can address some of these issues. However, to make this transformation possible, fundamental issues of implementing real time Quantum algorithms must be overcome for crucial processes needed for intelligent analysis applications. For example, consider edge detection tasks which require time-consuming acquisition processes and are further hindered by the complexity of the devices used thus limiting feasibility for implementation in real-time applications. Convolution is another example of an operation that is essential for signal and image processing applications, where the mathematical operations consist of an intelligent mixture of multiplication and addition that require considerable computational resources. This paper studies a new paired transform-based quantum representation and computation of one-dimensional and 2-D signals convolutions and gradients. A new visual data representation is defined to simplify convolution calculations making it feasible to parallelize convolution and gradient operations for more efficient performance. The new data representation is demonstrated on multiple illustrative examples for quantum edge detection, gradients, and convolution. Furthermore, the efficiency of the proposed approach is shown on real-world images.
Quantum algorithms have emerged as a transformative approach to address the computational challenges of high-dimensional image processing tasks. This research investigates the integration of quantum computing principles, such as Quantum Fourier Transform (QFT) and Quantum Principal Component Analysis (QPCA), to optimize processes like edge detection, noise reduction, and image segmentation. These quantum-enhanced techniques promise significant improvements in computational efficiency and accuracy compared to classical methods, especially when handling complex visual data in real-time applications like medical imaging, satellite imagery, and autonomous systems. Additionally, the study explores hybrid quantum-classical architectures to bridge current limitations in noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) devices, ensuring resource optimization and scalability. The potential of quantum algorithms to provide faster, more precise solutions is evaluated alongside challenges like error mitigation and algorithmic stability. This research highlights the future role of quantum computing in revolutionizing image processing, paving the way for breakthroughs in computer vision and artificial intelligence.
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Quantum image processing is a research field that explores the use of quantum computing and algorithms for image processing tasks such as image encoding and edge detection. Although classical edge detection algorithms perform reasonably well and are quite efficient, they become outright slower when it comes to large datasets with high-resolution images. Quantum computing promises to deliver a significant performance boost and breakthroughs in various sectors. Quantum Hadamard Edge Detection (QHED) algorithm, for example, works at constant time complexity, and thus detects edges much faster than any classical algorithm. However, the original QHED algorithm is designed for Quantum Probability Image Encoding (QPIE) and mainly works for binary images. This paper presents a novel protocol by combining the Flexible Representation of Quantum Images (FRQI) encoding and a modified QHED algorithm. An improved edge outline method has been proposed in this work resulting in a better object outline output and more accurate edge detection than the traditional QHED algorithm.
This work focuses into the emerging field of quantum image representation, which is a key for processing grayscale and color images on quantum computing platforms. We explore foundational methods like the qubit lattice model, the flexible representation for quantum images, the novel enhanced quantum representation, and the generalized quantum image representation, and categorize them into state-based, amplitude-based, and quaternion-based representations - the latter offering holistic color processing. A novel discrete signal representation mapping data on the unit circle will be introduced to simplify the Fourier transform concepts in quantum systems. We will examine crucial quantum operations, including quantum gradients, multiplication, square roots, Fourier transform, and filtering. Challenges in implementing the circular convolution on quantum hardware will be addressed with practical examples such as quantum low-pass and high-pass filters and 3-qubit convolution circuits. Additionally, we will discuss ongoing research into quantum algorithms inspired by classical transform processing, including the Fourier transforms, that leverage quantum states’ unique properties to achieve efficient encoding, transformation, and decoding of images.