A multiresolution hierarchical approach to image segmentation based on intensity extrema

A computer algorithm which segments gray-scale images into regions of interest (objects) has been developed. These regions can provide the basis for scene analysis (including shape-parameter calculation) or surface-based, shaded-graphics display. The algorithm creates a tree structure for image description by defining a linking relationship between pixels in successively blurred versions of the initial image. The image is described in terms of nested light and dark regions. This algorithm, successfully implemented in one, two, and three dimensions, can theoretically work with any number of dimensions. The interactive postprocessing developed technique selects regions from the descriptive tree for display in several ways: pointing to a branch of the image description tree, specifying by sliders the range of scale and/or intensity of all regions which should be displayed, and pointing (on the original image) to any pixel in the desired region. The algorithm has been applied to approximately 15 computer tomography (CT) images of the abdomen