New region filling algorithm based on chain codes description

A new region filling algorithm based on chain codes description is proposed. It describes the contour line of region by direction chain codes, and proposes a new criteria for the classification of contour points according to the direction chain codes of contour points, and carries on filling by scan line according to the type of contour points. It not only overcomes the scan line algorithm there is a lot of filling in the color interpretation of pixel operation and unnecessary duplication of back operation, but also overcomes shortcomings of the seed filling algorithm that requires enough stack space, time- and memory-consuming. Experiments show that it improves the efficiency of region filling.