Dividing snake algorithm for multiple object segmentation

Active contour models, otherwise known as snakes, are extensively used in image processing and computer vision applications. However, although the approach is popular for detecting the contours of smooth convex objects, it is much more problematic in handling images containing an object with concave parts or sharp corners, or multiple objects. We further develop our segmented snake approach to contour detection and illustrate its flexibility by showing how it can be adapted to yield a dividing snake algorithm for use in multiple object segmentation. We also introduce a snake relaxation technique that can improve the convergence of the snake contour onto the object boundary.