New image segmentation method using mode finding, multi-link clustering, and region graph analysis

A new approach to image segmentation is presented. Novelty consists in combining multiple image feature information together -- color feature, texture feature and pixel’s geometric location in spatial domain to separate the regions with homogeneous color, texture, and similar spatiality --, as well as grouping the homogeneous clusters in the feature space with unique manner. The proposed segmentation algorithm contains two main stages. First, the mode finding and multi-link clustering algorithm converts an image into a map of small primary regions - region graph representation. The nodes of the graph correspond to distinguished regions, and the lines correspond to relations between neighbor regions. The region map is further simplified by the secondary graph analysis and merging of neighbor regions. The performance of developed algorithm was tested by using various images obtained by a real camera.