Apparatus and method for implementing dilation and erosion transformations in digital image processing
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of manipulating an input digital representation of an image made up of a matrix of points by a dynamically selectable structuring element to produce an output digital representation, said method comprising:
- processing the input digital representation through a plurality of sequential stages, each stage including;
selectively shifting the digital representation inputted to the stage; and
operating on the representation inputted to the stage and the representation shifted by the stage to produce a digital representation outputted by the stage; and
control means for dynamically selecting the shift provided by each shifting step, whereby the input digital representation can be sequentially shifted in a dynamically selectable pattern corresponding to a selectable structuring element.
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Abstract
The specification discloses a system and a method for processing digital representations of images to produce dilations and erosions at unparalleled speeds and efficiencies. The system includes digital circuitry for effecting a dilation by repetitively delaying the serialized digital image and ORing the delayed digital image back into the serial signal stream.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method of manipulating an input digital representation of an image made up of a matrix of points by a dynamically selectable structuring element to produce an output digital representation, said method comprising:
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processing the input digital representation through a plurality of sequential stages, each stage including; selectively shifting the digital representation inputted to the stage; and operating on the representation inputted to the stage and the representation shifted by the stage to produce a digital representation outputted by the stage; and control means for dynamically selecting the shift provided by each shifting step, whereby the input digital representation can be sequentially shifted in a dynamically selectable pattern corresponding to a selectable structuring element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of processing at least one image each made up of a matrix of points by a selectable structuring element, said method comprising:
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serializing each matrix of points into an input serial signal; repetitively performing the steps of; controllably delaying at least one of the input serial signals to produce a delayed serial signal; and operating on selected ones of the input serial signals and the delayed serial signals to produce at least one output signal; and controlling the delay provided in each delaying step so that each input serial signal is delayed in a controllable pattern representing the selectable structuring element. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of processing a digital image representing a matrix of points by a selectable structuring element, said method comprising:
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serializing the digital image into a serial signal; repetitively performing the steps of; controllably shifting the serial signal to produce a shifted serial signal; and operating on the serial signal and the shifted serial signal to produce an output serial signal; and dynamically controlling the shift provided by each shifting step to effect processing by a selectable structuring element. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of manipulating at least one input serial signal each representative of an image to produce at least one resultant serial signal each representative of an image processed by a variable structuring element, said method comprising:
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routing each input serial signal through a plurality of processing sequences each including; supplying at least one serial signal each to an input port; delaying at least one of the serial signals to produce at least one delayed signal each corresponding to one of the serial signals; and operating on selected ones of the delayed signals and the serial signals to produce at least one output serial signal; and varying the delay provided by each delaying step as each serial signal is routed therethrough so that each input signal is delayed in a variable pattern corresponding to a variable structuring element. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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22. A system for processing a start image made up of a matrix of points by a dynamically selectable structuring element, said system comprising:
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serializing means for producing a first serial signal representative of the start image; a plurality of serially coupled processing stages each including; controllable delay means for variably delaying the serial signal inputted to the stage producing a delay serial signal; and function means for operating on the inputted serial signal and the delay serial signal producing an output serial signal outputted to the next stage; and control means for dynamically controlling said delay means to delay the serialized signals in a pattern representing a dynamically selectable structuring element. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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25. A system for processing at least one serial signal each representative of an image made up of a matrix of points to produce at least one serial signal each representative of an image processed by a dynamically selectable structuring element, said system comprising:
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at least one geometric logic unit, each including; input port means for receiving at least one input serial signal; controllable delay means for delaying at least one selected input signal to produce at least one delayed serial signal each corresponding to one of the input signals; function means for operating on selected ones of the delayed and input signals to produce at least one output serial signal; and output port means for outputting each output signal; and first control means for routing the serial signal through a geometric logic unit at least twice; and second control means for dynamically controlling the delay provided by each said delay means each time the serial signal passes therethrough, whereby the serial signal can be delayed in a dynamically selectable pattern corrresponding to a dynamically selectable structuring element. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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29. An image processing system for processing at least one start image each made up of a matrix of points by a selectable structuring element, said system comprising:
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serializing means for producing at least one start serial signal each representative of one of the start images; controllable delay means for variably time-delaying selected ones of the signals inputted thereto to produce at least one delayed serial signal each corresponding to one of the input signals; operating means for operating on selected ones of the delayed signals and the input signals to produce at least one output serial signal; and first control means for repetitively routing the selected ones of the input signals through said delay means and said operating means; and second control means for controlling the length of the time delay provided by said delay means each time an input signal is delayed therethrough to effect processing by a selectable structuring element. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
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Specification