Script representation by a generalized skeleton

The authors propose a new approach for script skeletonization which exploits the richness of gray level images by the use of the liminosity matrix and its first and second derivatives. They give the general outline of a representation of the information, based on the distinction between regularities and singularities of the writing. This decomposition stems from a multi-criteria stroke following which enables a contextual analysis of the writing. Segmentation between script and background occurs simultaneously with skeletonization. There is no assumption on the nature of strokes and image scanning does not imply preferential orientations. The results depends on sound parameters which have an intrinsic meaning. It provides in addition to representative chained points and their attributes, some symbolic information which enables a contextual interpretation of the script. The extracted data generalizes the skeleton notion