Research on method of automatic segmentation of gray scale images based on clustering

Based on Affinity Propagation clustering and BWP index, an image segmentation algorithm is proposed. The proposed algorithm uses BWP index to analyze the validity of clustering results produced by Affinity Propagation clustering algorithm, and to determine optimal number of segmentations. On the basis of optimal number of segmentations, the proposed algorithm produces segmentation results of the gray level image. In order to decrease the time complexity of the similarity matrix and validity analysis, the method is proposed to cluster gray value instead of pixels in gray space and reflect clustering results to pixel space to produce image segmentation results. In addition, a method of using absolute value distance instead of Euclidean distance in BWP (Between-Within Proportion) index is proposed for clustering in gray space. Experimental results of many kinds of images indicate the validity and good performance of the proposed algorithm.