Abstract

Homotopic thinning algorithms have long been investigated in pattern recognition and image analysis. However, they are order dependent in the sense that the output depends upon the order used for processing the image pixels (as well as the order in which homotopic structuring elements are applied for algorithms based on sequential homotopic thinning). In this paper, we tackle this problem by introducing the notion of order independent homotopic thinning. In its basic form, it leads to an order independent homotopic marking algorithm. However, when considering appropriate anchor points, it leads to binary and grey tone order independent skeletonisation algorithms. An application to the extraction of crest lines on digital elevation models is briefly presented before concluding.

Citations