Turner, Martin J.Wiseman, Neil E.2014-10-212014-10-2119961467-8659https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8659.1520107A process is presented for converting a raster image into a discrete set of plateaus or contours. A contour coder has been developed which fully describes these contours via their boundary descriptions in a compact and computationally efficient manner, and is the basis for an image compression method. An analysis of some of the possible edge coding schemes is presented with both theoretical and practical conclusions. Described is a detailed study of the problems encountered and solutions chosen.10.1111/1467-8659.1520107107-117