Image Processing – CSIT 5th Semester
Unit 5: Introduction to Morphological Image Processing
Introduction
Morphology commonly denotes a branch of biology that deals with the form and
structure (shape) of animals and plants.
The same word morphology her we called Mathematical morphology is used as a
tool for extracting image components that are useful in the representation and
description of region shape such as boundaries. It is also used for pre or post
processing, such as filtering, thinning, and pruning.
The language of mathematical morphology use set theory to represent objects in an
image.
Basic Concepts from Set Theory
Sets in mathematical morphology represent objects in an image. For example, the
set of all white pixels in a binary image is a complete morphological description of
the image. In binary image, the sets are members of the 2-D integer values Z2,
where element of sets is a tuple (2-D vector) of white or black pixels whose
coordinates are (x,y). For binary image, let A be a set in Z2
a ∈ A； a = (a1, a2) is an element of A.
Set Operations:
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Image Processing – CSIT 5th Semester
In addition, the concept of set reflection and translation are used in mathematical
morphology.
The reflection of a set B, denoted is defined as
Fig (a) Fig (b)
If B is the set of pixels representing an object in an image, then is simply the set
of points in B whose (x,y) coordinates in fig (a) are replaced by (-x,-y) in fig (b)
The translation of a set B by pixel z = (z1, z2), denoted by is defined as
Fig (c)
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Image Processing – CSIT 5th Semester
If B is the set of pixels representing an object in an image, then is the set of
points in B whose (x,y) coordinates are replaced by (x+z1, y+z2) in fig (c)
Logic operation in binary image:
Logical operations commonly used are as follows:
a) AND: a AND b
b) OR: a OR b
c) COMPLEMENT: NOT a
These operations can be combined to form other logic operations. Logic operations
actually apply only to binary images (Image having only two values, 0 and 1).
AND operation:
The AND operator gives out 1 only when both „a‟ and „b‟ are equal to 1.
OR operation:
The OR operator gives out 1 if either „a‟ or „b‟ or both are equal to 1.
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Image Processing – CSIT 5th Semester
NOT operation:
The COMPLEMENT (NOT) operator gives out 1 when a = 0
Definition of Hit, Fit and Miss
In mathematical morphology, a structuring element (s.e.) is a shape used to
interact with a given image with the purpose of drawing conclusion on how this
shape hits, fits or miss the shape in the image.
It is typically used in morphological operations such as dilation, erosion, opening,
and closing as well as the hit or miss transform.
Hit:
Any „ON‟ pixels of structuring element covered by „ON‟ pixels in the image then,
it is called Fit. Here in figure bellow one pixel of B is covered by “ON” pixel of
image.
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Image Processing – CSIT 5th Semester
Fit:
All „ON‟ pixels of structuring element covered by „ON‟ pixels in the image then, it
is called Fit. Here in figure bellow all pixel of A is covered by “ON” pixel of
image.
Miss:
No „ON‟ pixels of structuring element covered by any „ON‟ pixels in the image
then, it is called Miss. Here in figure bellow no pixel of C is covered by “ON”
pixel of image.
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Image Processing – CSIT 5th Semester
Dilation and Erosion
Dilation:
This is the mathematical morphological operation which adds the pixel to the
boundaries of the object in an image. In this process the binary image is expanded
from its original image.
Mathematically the Dilation operation is represented by following equation
Where, A is original image and B is structuring element
This equation says that, the common pixel of A and B should not be zero. Which
means B should be hit or fit to A.
Following rule should be flowed to perform this operation
1. If structuring element is hit or fit then place 1 in the center position of
structuring element.
2. If structuring element is miss then place 0 in the center position of
structuring element.
Example: Given the image A and Structuring element B
Calculate the dilation of this image.
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Image Processing – CSIT 5th Semester
Solution:
Erosion:
This is the mathematical morphological operation which removes the pixel from
the boundaries of the object in an image. In this process the binary image is shrinks
from its original image.
Mathematically the Erosion operation is represented by following equation
This equation says that all the pixel of B should be belongs to A that means B
should be fit to A.
Following rule should be flowed to perform this operation
1. If structuring element is fit then place 1 in the center position of structuring
element.
2. If structuring element is hit or miss then place 0 in the center position of
structuring element.
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Image Processing – CSIT 5th Semester
Example: Given the image A and Structuring element B
Calculate the erosion of this image.
Solution:
Opening and Closing:
Opening:
It is the process of erosion followed by dilation. It is denoted by symbol “o”
Mathematically opening is represented by following equation
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Image Processing – CSIT 5th Semester
Closing:
It is the process of dilation followed by erosion. It is denoted by symbol “.”
Mathematically opening is represented by following equation
Assignment: Given image A and structuring element B
Calculate Opening and Closing of this image.
End of Unit -5
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