Multiresolution Segmentation : an optimization approach for high quality multi-scale image segmentation

Abstract

A necessary prerequisite for object oriented image processing is successful image segmentation. The approach presented in this paper aims for an universal high-quality solution applicable and adaptable to many problems and data types. As each image analysis problem deals with structures of a certain spatial scale, the average image objects size must be free adaptable to the scale of interest. This is achieved by a general segmentation algorithm based on homogeneity definitions in combination with local and global optimizat ion techniques. A scale parameter is used to control the average image object size. Different homogeneity criteria for image objects based on spectral and/or spatial information are developed and compared.