How to detect curves in a binary image?

Question

I have a binary image, i want to detect/trace curves in that image. I don\'t know any thing (coordinates, angle etc). Can any one guide me how should i start? suppose i have thi

Answer 1

There is also another solution possible with the use of chain codes. Understanding Freeman chain codes for OCR

The chain code basically assigns a value between 1-8(or 0 to 7) for each pixel saying at which pixel location in a 8-connected neighbourhood does your connected predecessor lie. Thus like mention in Hackworths suggestions one performs connected component labeling and then calculates the chain codes for each component curve. Look at the distribution and the gradient of the chain codes, one can distinguish easily between lines and curves. The problem with the method though is when we have osciallating curves, in which case the gradient is less useful and one depends on the clustering of the chain codes!