Legendre descriptors for classification of polygonal closed curves

Proposes the use of Legendre descriptors (LDs) as features for classification of polygonal closed curves. The normalized cumulative angular function of such a curve is expanded in a Legendre polynomial truncated series whose coefficients are used as shape features called the Legendre descriptors (LDs). By considering several examples of polygonal object classification, the computer simulation shows that the LDs lead to significantly better results (increase of interclass distances), by comparison with the classical Fourier descriptors. It seems that the world of Legendre polynomials is more suitable to approximate a polygonal curve than the world of sinusoidal function.<>