Hierarchical Image Segmentation

Segmentation, the partitioning of image data into related sections or regions, is a key first step in a number of approaches to data analysis and compression. In image analysis, the group of image data points contained in each region provides a statistical sampling of image data values for more reliable labeling based on image feature values. In addition, the region shape can be analyzed as an additional clue for the appropriate labeling of the region. In data compression, the regions form a basis for compact representation of the image data. The quality of the prerequisite image segmentation is a key factor in determining the level of performance of most of these image analysis and data compression approaches