A Fuzzy C-Means Clustering Algorithm Based on Spatial Context Model for Image Segmentation

Abstract

An improved Fuzzy C-Means (FCM) algorithm, which is called Reliability-based Spatial context Fuzzy C-Means (RSFCM), is proposed for image segmentation in this paper. Aiming to improve the robustness and accuracy of the clustering algorithm, RSFCM integrates neighborhood correlation model with the reliability measurement to describe the spatial relationship of the target. It can make up for the shortcomings of the known FCM algorithm which is sensitive to noise. Furthermore, RSFCM algorithm preserves details of the image by balancing the insensitivity of noise and the reduction of edge blur using a new fuzzy measure indicator. Experimental data consisting of a synthetic image, a brain Magnetic Resonance (MR) image, a remote sensing image, and a traffic sign image are used to test the algorithm’s performance. Compared with the traditional fuzzy C-means algorithm, RSFCM algorithm can effectively reduce noise interference, and has better robustness. In comparison with state-of-the-art fuzzy C-means algorithm, RSFCM algorithm could improve pixel separability, suppress heterogeneity of intra-class objects effectively, and it is more suitable for image segmentation.