Hierarchic image classification visualization

Abstract

Image classification techniques are often used to reduce the large data volume content of an image to a simplified version - a thematic map, which can be more suitable from the user's point of view. However, the delimitation of specific regions using unsupervised classification techniques frequently generates an excessive number of clusters or classes. The resulting image can be simplified by a process of hierarchical aggregation of the initial classes, yielding a set of classified images. This set of thematic maps can provide a powerful insight into the image content, as long as an adequate visualization strategy is used. This paper presents methodologies for the visualization of hierarchically structured classified images. © 2013 Springer-Verlag.