Shape-based segmentation using hierarchical image representations for automatic training data generation and search space specification for machine learning algorithms

A system for shape-based segmentation using hierarchical image representations, comprising:

• a hierarchy generator comprising at least a plurality of programmable instructions stored in a memory and operating on a processor of a computing device, wherein the programming instructions, when operating on the processor, cause the processor to:
• receive an image via the network;
• algorithmically process the image to produce a hierarchical image model of image information within the image;
• a shape discriminator comprising at least a plurality of programming instructions stored in another memory and operating on another processor of another computing device and coupled to the hierarchy generator, wherein the programming instructions, when operating on the processor, cause the processor to:
• receive a hierarchical image model from the hierarchy generator;
• process the hierarchical image model to identify a plurality of objects within the image;
• produce a plurality of object sets based at least in part on the objects identified;
• a machine learning classifier comprising at least a plurality of programming instructions stored in another memory and operating on another processor of another computing device and coupled to the shape discriminator, wherein the programming instructions, when operating on the processor, cause the processor to:
• receive the plurality of object sets from the shape discriminator;
• compare at least a portion of the plurality of object sets against the hierarchical model;
• produce a final set of identified objects based at least in part on the comparison results;
• and
• provide the final set of identified objects as output.