Rotational Pixel Swapping Method for Detection of Circular Features in Binary Images

We propose a new automatic method called the rotational pixel swapping (RPSW) method to detect circular features in binary images of remote sensing images. The method is based on a multiplication operation between the original image and the rotated images. We show that the RPSW selectively enhances rotational symmetric patterns and weakens nonrotational symmetric patterns, including noise components, without any noise reduction processes. The method can detect not only simple circles but also more complex circular features such as incomplete ring structures or several concentric rings. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the RPSW provides the stable detection of circular features such as terrestrial impact structures, which are irregular imperfect circular shapes, in binary images based on Earth-observation satellite images. The RPSW would provide a potential method of future surveys or statistical studies using huge data sets of multiband or hyperspectral images obtained by Earth-observation satellites.