Dilation

From Computer vision

Dilation is a morphological operation used to enhance the features of an image. Dilation as a function requires two inputs, an image to be dilated, and a two dimensional structuring element. Dilation has many applications, but is most commonly used to exaggerate features in an image that would otherwise be missed.

[edit] Definition

Dilation for binary images is defined as follows:

Let X be the set of coordinates corresponding to the input binary image, and that K is the set of coordinates for the structuring element.

Let Kx denote the translation of K so that its origin is at x.

Then the dilation of X by K is simply the set of all points x such that the intersection of Kx with X is non-empty.

[edit] Usage

Dilation is frequently used to enhance the structure of an image, by either exaggerating features in the foreground, or conversely, obscuring features in the background.