Scale-based fuzzy connected image segmentation: Theory, algorithms, and validation

Abstract

A theory and algorithms for object definition based on fuzzy connectedness are discussed. A strength of connectedness is determined between every pair of image elements, which is done by considering all possible connecting paths between the two elements in each pair. A framework of fuzzy connected object definition theory and algorithms is developed. In this framework, a local fuzzy relation called affinity is defined on the image domain which assigns to every pair of nearby image elements a strength of local hanging togetherness. Affinity between two elements depends on their spatial nearness as well as how similar their image intensities and intensity derived features are.