摘要：In this paper, a new multi-layer level set method is proposed for multi-phase
image segmentation. The proposed method is based on the conception of image
layer and improved numerical solution of bimodal Chan-Vese model. One level set
function is employed for curve evolution with a hierarchical form in sequential
image layers. In addition, new initialization method and more efficient
computational method for signed distance function are introduced. Moreover, the
evolving curve can automatically stop on true boundaries in single image layer
according to a termination criterion which is based on the length change of
evolving curve. Specially, an adaptive improvement scheme is designed to speed
up curve evolution process in a queue of sequential image layers, and the
detection of background image layer is used to confirm the termination of the
whole multi-layer level set evolution procedure. Finally, numerical experiments
on some synthetic and real images have demonstrated the efficiency and
robustness of our method. And the comparisons with multi-phase Chan-Vese method
also show that our method has a less time-consuming computation and much faster
convergence.
