Multi-level analysis of grey-skeletons

A method to analyse a grey level pattern in terms of intensity /spatial information , and to organise data in an efficient way, is described. The grey-skeleton is the representation taken into account to accomplish pattern analysis. It is computed directly on the grey-level pattern and is decomposed into subsets (branches and/or sub-branches) by referring to given decomposition criteria. A hierarchical data structure with the levels of the hierarchy constituted by rings is then used to store the partitioned skeleton. The method is particularly adequate for grey-Ievel patterns with locally higher intensity regions shaped as ribbon-like subsets, perceptually sticking out from their context.