A multi-layer Kohonen´s self-organizing feature map for range image segmentation

A self-organizing neural network for range image segmentation is proposed and described. The multi-layer Kohonen´s self-organizing feature map (MLKSFM), which is an extension of the traditional single-layer Kohonen´s self-organizing feature map (KSFM), is seen to alleviate the shortcomings of the latter in the context of range image segmentation. The problem of range image segmentation is formulated as one of vector quantization and is mapped onto the MLKSFM. The MLKSFM is currently implemented on the Connection Machine CM-2, which is a fine-grained single instruction multiple data (SIMD) computer. Experimental results using both synthetic and real range images are presented