Patent ID: 8238682

Claim:
A method of generating a thinned output image from an input digital image, comprising: determining values of pixels surrounding a pixel of interest in the input image; establishing first and second neighboring pixel patterns surrounding the pixel of interest based on the values of the pixels surrounding the pixel of interest; comparing the first neighboring pixel pattern to each of a set of purge patterns comprising predefined arrangements of pixel values, wherein if the first neighboring pixel pattern matches one of the purge patterns, the pixel of interest is flagged for elimination; comparing, in the case that the pixel is flagged for elimination, the second neighboring pixel pattern to each of a set of conservation patterns comprising predefined arrangements of pixel values, wherein if the second neighboring pixel pattern matches one of the conservation patterns, the pixel of interest is unflagged, and is thereby saved from elimination; and eliminating the pixel of interest if the pixel of interest is still flagged for elimination after comparison to the conservation patterns, wherein the comparisons to the purge and conservation patterns are performed for each pixel independently, and in parallel for all pixels of the input image.