An adaptive clustering algorithm for image segmentation

A generalization of the K-means clustering algorithm to include spatial constraints and to account for local intensity variations in the image is proposed. Spatial constraints are included by the use of a Gibbs random field model. Local intensity variations are accounted for in an iterative procedure involving averaging over a sliding window whose size decreases as the algorithm progresses. Results with an eight-neighbor Gibbs random field model applied to pictures of industrial objects and a variety of other images show that the algorithm performs better than the K-means algorithm and its nonadaptive extensions