A fast parallel algorithm for thinning digital patterns

Abstract

A fast parallel thinning algorithm is proposed in this paper. It consists of two subiterations: one aimed at deleting the south-east boundary points and the north-west corner points while the other one is aimed at deleting the north-west boundary points and the south-east corner points. End points and pixel connectivity are preserved. Each pattern is thinned down to a "skeleton" of unitary thickness. Experimental results show that this method is very effective.