A test to control a region growing process within a hierarchical graph

Hierarchical graphs using a decimation process can be applied to an image to obtain segmentation. However, this method encounters limitations. First the decimation proceeds at each step in a general way on the entire image. Second, a criterion is needed to stop the iterative process when the best segmentation is obtained. We propose a statistical test to control the region growing process. This test, based on Moran’s spatial autocorrelation coefficient, controls the decimation process both globally and locally at the same time. Results on a composite image indicate that the local and global tests are a powerful tool for optimizing the image segmentation process.