Perceptual image segmentation using fuzzy-based hierarchical algorithm and its application to dermoscopy images

This paper proposes perceptual segmentation of natural color images using a fuzzy-based hierarchical algorithm and its application to the segmentation of dermoscopy images. A fuzzy-based homogeneity measure makes a fusion of the color features and the texture features. The proposed hierarchical segmentation method is performed in four stages: simple splitting, local merging, global merging and boundary refinement. The effectiveness of the proposed method is confirmed through computer simulations that demonstrate the applicability of the proposed method to the segmentation of natural color images and dermoscopy images.