Skeletonisation (image processing)

[Lei Ying Lo]

Hi people,

I am in need of opinions on developing a skeletonisation algorithm to do the following. I've seen several different skeletonisation techniques and can implement them with no problems, i.e. Hildrich. I'm hoping to develop something that spans across a given object in my image producing just a single curve with no branches. See below to help illustrate my request ...

Using normal skeletonisation techniques, a rectangle will produce to branches coming off of the main skeleton as seen on the left and right of the skeletonised rectangle, I'm hoping to develop something that produces only a single line spanning across the whole object - obviously if my objects were only rectangles this would be easy - I've drawn a rough sketch (on the right) of the type of object I'm hoping to skeletonise.

Thanks for reading - will greatly appreciate any advice or references.

~ LYW