New Method For Shape Description Based On An Active Contour Model

F. Leymarie; M. D. Levine

doi:10.1117/12.969767

1 March 1990 New Method For Shape Description Based On An Active Contour Model

F. Leymarie, M. D. Levine

Proceedings Volume 1192, Intelligent Robots and Computer Vision VIII: Algorithms and Techniques; (1990) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.969767
Event: 1989 Symposium on Visual Communications, Image Processing, and Intelligent Robotics Systems, 1989, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Abstract

Very few techniques have been presented in the literature for shape representation that have combined both region and boundary information at multiple scales. We introduce such a novel technique in this paper. Our algorithm is an implementation of a two-dimensional dynamic grassfire that relies on a distance surface on which elastic contours minimize an energy functional. A Euclidean distance transform combined with the active contour model, referred to as a "snake", is used for this minimization process. Boundary information is integrated into the model by the extraction of curvature extrema and arcs of constant curvature. We do so by introducing a new technique based on operations derived from the field of mathematical morphology. The principal advantages of our new method compared with previous algorithms for shape description based on skeletonization are: implicit connectivity of the skeleton, smooth and accurate results, integration of region and boundary information, multiscale description and hierarchical representation in terms of feature significance. Furthermore, new possibilities are offered within the context of our method. For the first time, dynamic (deformable) skeletons are naturally defined. Also, our method easily permits user interaction which can be used for the generation and comparison of different types of skeletons. Finally, the graph representation of the skeleton is straightforward to obtain, a fundamental step for shape analysis. Our new method for shape skeletonization is the first to address these issues which are fundamental to the description of natural forms.

Citation Download Citation

F. Leymarie and M. D. Levine "New Method For Shape Description Based On An Active Contour Model", Proc. SPIE 1192, Intelligent Robots and Computer Vision VIII: Algorithms and Techniques, (1 March 1990); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.969767

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available