How does FindContours function from OpenCV library work?

Question

I can't find any information about what methods are implemented in FindContours function. I need related papers or just names of involved algorithms.

Answer 1

Look in the OpenCV API. This is what it says on page 344, where FindContours is described:

The function retrieves contours from the binary image using the algorithm [19]. The contours are a useful tool for shape analysis and object detection and recognition.

If you look in the bibliography at the end of the document, this is reference 19:

S. Suzuki and K. Abe. Topological structural analysis of digitized binary images by border following. CVGIP, 30(1):32–46, April 1985.

Sounds like a good starting point. Also, there's always the source if you want explicit implementation details.