Parallel smoothing and decomposition of digital shapes using a multiresolution structure

A parallel algorithm for smoothing and/or decomposing binary digital shapes is presented. The method uses a multiresolution pyramid, making it particularly suitable for parallel pyramid machines. The binary shape is first converted into a resolution pyramid. The lower resolution levels are used to smooth the shape at higher resolution levels. The smoothed versions, at different resolution levels, are then used to decompose the shape. This means that the shape is decomposed into parts according to the local thickness of the shape. The small and the slice-shaped components of the decomposition are finally merged into the larger components