Scale and segmentation of grey-level images using maximum gradient paths

We present a technique for the construction of multiscale representations of grey-level images. Unlike conventional representations, the scales are discrete as opposed to continuous and their level is solely determined by the data. The technique is based upon connecting singular points in the image with maximum gradient paths. We also describe two segmentation methods which use the maximum gradient paths generated during the construction of the multi-scale representation. In both segmentation techniques the paths are used to determine significant ridges and troughs. The first technique operates directly on the image, while the second technique uses the magnitude of the image derivative.