A contour-based thinning algorithm with post-processing using auto-encoder
by Mukesh M. Goswami; Bhavika B. Panara; Suman K. Mitra; Archana N. Vyas
International Journal of Applied Pattern Recognition (IJAPR), Vol. 7, No. 2, 2023

Abstract: One of the critical pre-processing phases in a pattern recognition system is thinning. The process of finding a one-pixel-wide representation of a binary object while preserving its original shape is known as 'thinning'. Thinning makes recognition easier and more efficient due to the fact that the thin image of the object is less complex than the original one. It is also easy to find topological features like endpoints, junction points, lines, curves, etc. The general problem with the thinning method is that it often results in unwanted edges or hairs that deform the original shape of the object and ultimately decrease the system's accuracy. The current proposal presents a contour-based thinning algorithm to address this issue. The fundamental part of the suggested algorithm is to extract a skeleton from the initial binary object. The potential distribution of pixels in the junction region is estimated in the second phase using an auto-encoder trained on similar thinned images in order to provide more accurate thinned images. The third stage employs post-processing to produce an image that is one pixel wide. The proposed method was tested on a handwritten Gujarati numeral database with 99.89% accuracy.

Online publication date: Tue, 25-Apr-2023

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Applied Pattern Recognition (IJAPR):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

Username:        Password:          Forgotten your password?

Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com