A general axiomatic theory of intrinsically fuzzy mathematical morphologies

Abstract

Intrinsic fuzzification of mathematical morphology is grounded on an axiomatic characterization of subset fuzzification. The result is an axiomatic formulation of fuzzy Minkowski algebra. Part of the Minkowski algebra results solely from the axioms themselves and part results from a specific postulated form of a subsethood indicator function. There exists an infinite number of fuzzy morphologies satisfying the axioms; in particular, there are uncountably many indicators satisfying the postulated form. This paper develops fuzzy Minkowski algebra, with special emphasis on fitting characterizations of fuzzy erosion and opening, examines key properties of the indicator function, and provides fuzzy extensions of the basic binary Matheron representations for openings and increasing, translation-invariant operators.