Fast image segmentation via double-layer infiltration

In this paper, a novel method called double-layer infiltration (DLI) is presented to perform fast region-based image segmentation. The method mainly comprises two successive processes, namely updating the feature of each region followed by merging the immediate regions as their updated features satisfy a local statistic criterion. The proposed segmentation method is fast as features of all regions are updated simultaneously and accurately effective as regions are merged by considering not only the immediate adjacent layer but also the regions next to the adjacent layer. The method starts with an initial set of seed regions until a well-defined terminal condition is satisfied. DLI is self-terminated and needs not pre-specify the final number of regions. Experimental results on real images are provided to verify the effectiveness of the method.