Image coding using neighbourhood relations

A novel coding algorithm for binary images based on neighbourhood relations is used for the problem of handwritten numerals recognition. Each pixel of an image is transformed into a set of representative vectors by coding it according to the number of neighbours in the four directions (north, east, south, west). These neighbourhood vectors are transformed into a set of cod es satisfying the boundary condition imposed by the size of the image in wh ich the shape is embedded. A code reduction function is used for the purpos e of information reduction and generalization of the shape images. Using th e digits of the NIST handwritten segmented characters set, we show an appli cation of the neighbourhood coding for pattern recognition. (C) 1999 Elsevi er Science B.V. All rights reserved.