Interactive Tool for learning and programming Morphological image processing

using IDL

Abstract :

Morphological image processing describes a range of image processing techniques

that deal with the shape (or morphology) of features in an image This paper proposes an
interactive system for learning the concepts in morphological image processing and the
way to create programs in IDL for the same. The user-friendly nature of this common
interface enables everyone to readily begin program creation. The teaching of
programming and morphological image processing skills by this method may be readily
generalised to other vocational fields where digital image manipulation is a professional
requirement.

Keywords :Morphological Image Processing,Interactive Data Language(IDL),structuring

element

Introduction :

Morphological image processing deals with tools for extracting image components
that are useful in the representation and description of shape. It is viewed as a general
image processing framework.Various image processing techniques such as gradients,
distance images, skeletons, noise removal, structure detection (edges, lines, corners, etc.),
segmentation,direct morphological object and character recognition,contrast
enhancement, filling can be implemented by combining only a few simple morphological
operations. Typically used before and after an image segmentation. All mathematical
morphology operations are based on dilation and erosion. Morphological operations
apply a structuring elements to an input image, creating an output image of the same size.

Many web-based and desktop tools are available which allow user to process
images, the conceptual base is not clear. The available systems for Morphological Image
processing are easy to use but do not appear interactive to users and are not subjective
enough for the user to understand the logic or the method of process.In this paper we will
explain our interactive tool that helps the users to learn all the morphological image
processing concepts with appropriate examples and videos. In addition to this they can
also obtain Interactive Data Language (IDL) programming skillset.

Complete tool was created using Interactive Data Language. With the help of
extensive image processing capability in IDL, this system enable users to understand the
concepts and implementation of Morphological image processing more clearly with self
practice examples and stage by stage display of the image transformation process. It
explains the user about the working of the algorithm and how the data of the image
characterized by the pixels is manipulated and final output image is obtained. The image
processing toolkit in IDL includes many mathematical morphology operations
 Learning Tool Architecture

The developed system consists of the following modules:

A. What’s It
B. Learn Via Video
C. Code Generator
D. Applications

All the above modules focuses on the various morphological operations.Users belonging
to other disciplines can also easily learn about what is morphological image processing
through this interactive tool.

Morphological Image Processing

What’s It Learn Via Video Code Generator Applications

Boundary Extraction
Basic DIP concepts Binary Image Region Filling
What is Morphological Dilation,Erosion Thinning
Image Processing. Gray Image Thickening
Real Time Usage Dilation,Erosion Watershed
Structuring Element Opening Tophat
Closing Morphological gradient

Visual Learning Style :

It is well known that there are many different learning styles. Some people learn
better by reading books, others through a verbal explanation, while others learn most
effectively through application. The tool was designed to focus on a visual learning style.
Through the module What’s it one can learn all the basic morphological image processing
concepts such as

1. what is image,digital image,pixel,types of images and pixel values.

2. What is Morphological image processing
 3. Structuring elements,Operations(Dilation,Erosion,Opening,Closing)
4. The use of morphological image processing in real world

All these contents are represented by slides created using the tool MS Powerpoint
presentation.. As it is an interactive system users can learn all those concepts in a single
click..This system was developed using Interactive Data Language (IDL).Example screen
shot is illustrated in the following figure

By just reading into we cant understand what exactly happens when we

apply the morphological operations to the image. Normally Morphological operations
apply a structuring elements to an input image, creating an output image of the same size.
Visual inspection of image processing provided in the module ‘Learn Via Video’ allows
the user to see how the structure image affects the original image.Variable playback
speeds allows the user to control the speed at which the structure image is processed
through the image so a user can see how it affects the final image. This video learning is
available for both dilation and erosion operation in binary and gray scale image.Sample
screen shot reflects the above said words.
Programming Morphological Image Processing Operations

The best way to truly understand an algorithm is obviously to code it and to

test it. All the operations in morphological image processing are implemented using IDL
.Code generator module can be used to generate programs.Basic requirements to
generate a program for morphological image processing are

1. Input Image
2. Type of image(Binary or Gray Scale)
3. Structuring element
4. Type of morphological operation(Dilation,Erosion,Opening,Closing)
5. Output display mode
Code generator module provides an user friendly environment.Thus user can select input
image in a single button click.Supported input images are *.jpg,*.tiff,*.dat,*.gif,*.bmp.
From the drop down menu we can select the type of morphological operations,output
display mode ,structuring element type.Image type(Binary or Gray scale) option by
choosing radio button. If the selected input image is gray scale or color image and
morphological image type is binary then the user need not to worry about it.Our tool
provides an interactive way to convert gray scale or color image to binary image. With
this inputs our system generates program in IDL. The code is as generic as possible. User
can also extend this program by opening it in IDL development environment,run or save
this program by clicking the button Edit,Run or Save in the code generator module.By
running the code one can understand what happens when morphological operations
applied to an image.Following figure shows the interface that helps to convert Gray scale
or color image to binary.
Interactive Data Language(IDL)

Interactive Data Language (IDL) is a high-level language designed specifically

for scientific programming and data analysis. In addition to a complete set of basic
programming tools (numerical types, strings, arrays, structures,pointers, etc.), it includes
a wide range of graphical functions and device drivers. IDL consists of both an
interactive programming environment and a programming language. It is used in a wide
range of science and engineering disciplines for processing and analyzing numerical and
image data. It draws features from many other programming languages, including
Fortran, C, BASIC, and APL, but it differs from each of those languages in important
ways. The most important difference between IDL and many of the languages used for
data analysis is that it is truly interactive. Within the IDL environment (or interpreter), it
is possible to type a command and see the results immediately.

We developed our System in IDL. The main arguments in favor of using this language
are:

1) IDL is platform neutral, hence well adapted to the diversity of the users
community;
2) Array oriented language- as all images are in array format this feature helps
to handle images with fewer lines of code.
3) Multhreading – Increases execution speed
4) Many image processing routines are available
5) Language dedicated for creating image processing coding.
Code for dilation operation

pro DilationSample
inputImage=read_image('F:\TEST_LENAbinary.bmp')
dim=size(inputImage,/dimensions)
colSize=dim(0)
rowSize=dim(1)
window,1,xsize=colSize,ysize=rowSize,Title='Input Image'
tv,inputImage

SE=[[1,1,1],[1,1,1],[1,1,1]]

outputImage=DILATE(inputimage,se)

window,2,xsize=colSize,ysize=rowSize,Title='Output Image'
if (dim(0) eq 3) then tvscl,outputImage,true=1 else tvscl,outputImage
End

Conclusion:

The proposed tool is a perfect complement to a theoretical course on

morphological image processing. Users can learn the concepts and the way to implement
morphological image processing algorithms. Visual session increase their interest. The
programming experience raises their curiosity and often stimulates them to do their own
experiments.