Patent ID: 6674914
Filing Date: 2004-01-06
Classification: G06T

Abstract:
A method for producing an N-dimensional eroded grayscale image, comprising the steps of:(a) defining an N-dimensional structuring element for an N-dimensional uneroded image, wherein both the structuring element and the image are comprised of a plurality of grayscale pixels; (b) decomposing both the N-dimensional structuring element and the uneroded image into a plurality of one-dimensional slices of pixels; (c) segmenting each one of the plurality of one-dimensional slices of the structuring element into at least two segments; (d) producing a plurality of one-dimensional slices of an eroded grayscale image by operating on selected ones of the plurality of one-dimensional slices of the uneroded image with the plurality of one-dimensional slices of the structuring element; (e) combining the plurality of one-dimensional slices of the uneroded image to attain an N-dimensional eroded grayscale image of the uneroded image, wherein the at least two segments of each one of the plurality of one-dimensional slices of the structuring element operate in parallel to reducing the computational complexity of the erosion operation and to increase the speed of the erosion operation.