Abstract The numerical implementation of level set method based on upwind scheme needs to reinitialize the level set function during the evolution of the curve. To guarantee the stability of the algorithms, a small time-step must be selected, which slows down the running speed. Based on a level set method without reinitialization, a semi-implicit additive operator splitting (AOS) scheme is used in numerical implementation,and a unified implementation for different statistical models is provided. Based on two-phase segmentation, a new level set method for multiphase segmentation is proposed. This method uses a unique level set function many times during curve evolution to realize multiregion segmentation. Its advantages are as follows. AOS scheme is used in this method which is unconditionally stable,and it allows to use a large time-step. It provides unified numerical implementation for many kinds of statistical models. The unique level set function is used in curve evolution, which reduces the amount of evolution equations and is more flexible. The experimental results show that the proposed method is more efficient and can segment multiregion images exactly.
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2015, Vol. 28 
