Thinning algorithms: A critique and a new methodology

摘要

This paper surveys the applications of thinning in image processing, and examines the difficulties that confront existing thinning algorithms. A fundamental problem is that an algorithm may not be guaranteed to operate successfully on all possible images: in particular, it may not discriminate properly between ‘noise spurs’ and valid limbs, and the skeleton produced may not accurately reflect the shape of the object under scrutiny. Analysis of the situation results in a new, systematic approach to thinning, leading to a family of algorithms able to achieve guaranteed standards of skeleton precision. One algorithm of this family is described in detail.“There is still no definitely good method for thinning” - Nagao(28)