Fast segmentation approach for SAR image based on simple Markov random field

Traditional image segmentation methods based on MRF converge slowly and require pre-defined weight. These disadvantages are addressed, and a fast segmentation approach based on simple Markov random field （MRF） for SAR image is proposed. The approach is firstly used to perform coarse segmentation in blocks. Then the image is modeled with simple MRF and adaptive variable weighting forms are applied in homogeneous and heterogeneous regions. As a result, the convergent speed is accelerated while the segmentation results in homogeneous regions and boarders are improved. Simulations with synthetic and real SAR images demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.

Iterated Conditional Modes to Solve Simultaneous Localization and Mapping in Markov Random Fields Context

This paper models the complex simultaneous localization and mapping（SLAM） problem through a very flexible Markov random field and then solves it by using the iterated conditional modes algorithm. Markovian models allow to incorporate： any motion model; any observation model regardless of the type of sensor being chosen; prior information of the map through a map model; maps of diverse natures; sensor fusion weighted according to the accuracy. On the other hand, the iterated conditional modes algorithm is a probabilistic optimizer widely used for image processing which has not yet been used to solve the SLAM problem. This iterative solver has theoretical convergence regardless of the Markov random field chosen to model. Its initialization can be performed on-line and improved by parallel iterations whenever deemed appropriate. It can be used as a post-processing methodology if it is initialized with estimates obtained from another SLAM solver. The applied methodology can be easily implemented in other versions of the SLAM problem, such as the multi-robot version or the SLAM with dynamic environment. Simulations and real experiments show the flexibility and the excellent results of this proposal.

CLOUD IMAGE DETECTION BASED ON MARKOV RANDOM FIELD

In order to overcome the disadvantages of low accuracy rate, high complexity and poor robustness to image noise in many traditional algorithms of cloud image detection, this paper proposed a novel algorithm on the basis of Markov Random Field (MRF) modeling. This paper first defined algorithm model and derived the core factors affecting the performance of the algorithm, and then, the solving of this algorithm was obtained by the use of Belief Propagation (BP) algorithm and Iterated Conditional Modes (ICM) algorithm. Finally, experiments indicate that this algorithm for the cloud image detection has higher average accuracy rate which is about 98.76% and the average result can also reach 96.92% for different type of image noise.

MRF model and FRAME model-based unsupervised image segmentation

This paper presents a method for unsupervised segmentation of images consisting of multiple textures. The images under study are modeled by a proposed hierarchical random field model, which has two layers. The first layer is modeled as a Markov Random Field (MRF) representing an unobservable region image and the second layer uses 'Filters, Random and Maximum Entropy (Abb. FRAME)' model to represent multiple textures which cover each region. Compared with the traditional Hierarchical Markov Random Field (HMRF), the FRAME can use a bigger neighborhood system and model more complex patterns. The segmentation problem is formulated as Maximum a Posteriori (MAP) estimation according to the Bayesian rule. The iterated conditional modes (ICM) algorithm is carried out to find the solution of the MAP estimation. An algorithm based on the local entropy rate is proposed to simplify the estimation of the parameters of MRF. The parameters of FRAME are estimated by the ExpectationMaximum (EM) algorithm. Finally, an experiment with synthesized and real images is given, which shows that the method can segment images with complex textures efficiently and is robust to noise.