Hierarchical image segmentation based on nearest neighbour region chains

An image segmentation algorithm based on irregular partitions of the image is presented which avoids some of the classical drawbacks of common hierarc hical segmentation techniques. A reduced number of hierarchy levels are obt ained by applying a new clustering technique at every level using the neare st neighbour criterion. The resulting clusters are connected and no relinki ng operations are needed. The algorithm has been tested on grey scale image s, giving excellent segmentation results and involving a low computational load.