Babić R.V.   Babić L.  

A new approach to representation of contours in images

Reporter: Babić R.V.

Contour tracing is inevitable the first step in image smart processing. Well known chain code is one-dimensional contour profile. We tend to further reduce the ammount of numeric data which describes a contour. Here we take the problem into loosen domain allowing some degree of approximation. Hence, we get the room for a proposed approach in which a contour is described in fractal-like fashion, i.e. by filling its interior with the system of extremal circles. Therefore, a contour is described by centers and radii of these circles. Outside this system of circles an envelope is circumferenced which spans the gaps between the outer circles. In such way it is defined some kind of two-dimensional contour spectrum. Relying on, we further define another method of contour numerical description by its local curvature, where its segments are replaced by arcs of circles along the contour, after a segmentation procedure along the contour is done. A simple procedure to determine curvature over three points on contour, which allocation depends of their coordinates, is proposed and discussed.