Novel technique for multiresolution color image segmentation

We describe a novel technique for color image segmentation. This technique includes three components: a color space transformation, Markov random field expectation-maximization (MRF-EM) segmentation, and a multiresolution implementation termed "narrow band." The color space transformation, from RGB to LUV, contributes to a perceptually reasonable segmentation result. The MRF-EM algorithm enables unsupervised segmentation and enforces a region smoothness constraint. The narrow-band, multiresolution implementation confines fine resolution processing to a small fraction of the image, thereby achieving acceleration over traditional multiresolution schemes. Experimental results with medical and TV images demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed technique. (C) 2002 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.