Morphological Granulometric Analysis Of Electrophotographic Images

Size distributions of particles within a binary image can be generated by morphological filtering processes known as granulometries. These filter the image by structuring elements of ever increasing size, the ultimate result being a distribution correlated to particle size. The granularity of electrophotographic solid area images can be analyzed by applying morphological granulometries that generate size distributions providing greater information than that currently being used for feedback control systems. This is accomplished by examining the microstructure of the image. The approach discussed in the present paper employs simulation techniques employing existing magnetic brush development and optical density transform models to yield particle area distributions in electrophotographic images. The application of a granulometry to a simulated particle area distribution produces a morphological size distribution whose sample statistics are characteristic of various parameters in the electrophotographic process.