Enhancements of the split-and-merge algorithm for image segmentation

A postprocessor of the split-and-merge procedure is presented to solve two problems encountered in image segmentation: (1) the proper setting of parameters is difficult and the result may be undergrown (too many regions) or overgrown (too few regions); and (2) the outlines obtained do not lie at edges. The postprocessor carries out two operations, namely, boundary elimination and edge editing, to solve these two problems, respectively. The processing time of these two procedures grows about linearly with the image complexity