Abstract: The invention relates to a method for segmenting an image [IM] by path extraction using minimization of at least a potential [POT], said potential being calculated [CAS] from a feature [FEA] of the image [IM] using a cost assignment function [CAF], said calculation [CAS] being realized using the definition of two groups of points [NP and PP] in a neighborhood of a drawn [DRW] contour: the ones that are considered to be relevant to a boundary, called positive points [PP] and the ones that are not considered to be relevant to said boundary, called negative points [NP]. A refined characterization of positive points is constructed by combining characterizations of positive and negative points and the cost assignment function [CAF] is modified [CAL] using this refined characterization. The invention proposes also a fully automatic simultaneous adaptation of the different cost assignment functions of the individual potentials in a total function of potentials, and their relative weightings.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for segmenting an image [IM] by path extraction using minimization of at least a potential [POT], said potential being calculated [CAS] from a feature [FEA] of the image [IM] using a cost assignment function [CAF], said calculation [CAS] being realized using the definition of two groups of points [NP and PP] in a neighborhood of a drawn [DRW] contour: the ones that are considered to be relevant to a boundary, called positive points [PP] and the ones that are not considered to be relevant to said boundary, called negative points [NP]. A refined characterization of positive points is constructed by combining characterizations of positive and negative points and the cost assignment function [CAF] is modified [CAL] using this refined characterization.