A methodology for the validation of image segmentation methods

A validation methodology for image segmentation methods is explored that is based on quality constrained cost analysis. In this methodology a segmentation method is evaluated by the cost reduction it provides relative to the cost of a full-interactive (manual) segmentation. This cost is constrained by a quality threshold, so that less-than-perfect segmentations are allowed. In this way, segmentation methods which are entirely different in nature can be compared objectively. The validation methodology is presented in its most general form, along with an example of its application to the comparison of segmentation methods.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">></ETX>