Guiding Image Segmentation on the Fly: Interactive Segmentation From a Feedback Control Perspective

Abstract

Image segmentation is a fundamental problem in computational vision and medical imaging. Designing a generic automated method that works for various objects and imaging modalities is a formidable task. Instead of proposing a new specific segmentation algorithm, we present a general design principle on how to integrate user interactions from the perspective of feedback control theory. Lyapunov stability analysis is employed to design and analyze an interactive segmentation system. Then, stabilization conditions are derived to guide the algorithm design. Finally, the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed method are demonstrated.