Semiconductor device, image segmentation method, and image processor

An image segmentation method for extracting a pixel that has a characteristic similar to a characteristic of a seed pixel specified by a user from a plurality of pixels included in an image, the method comprising the steps of:

• using an array having a plurality of units each of which has:
• a memory cell for storing a value of one node of an interaction model;
• a memory cell for storing an interaction coefficient from another node that exerts interaction on the one node;
• a memory cell for storing a bias coefficient of the one node;
• and
• a logic circuit that decides and rewrites a next state of the one node based on a function of indicating a state of a system including the one node and other nodes;
• making the pixels included in the image correspond to one node of the units;
• reading a value of the one node after rewriting the one node a prescribed number of times;
• and
• designating the value as a result of the segmentation.

An image processor comprising an input device, an output device, a storage device, and first and second processors,

• wherein the first processor includes an array having a plurality of units each of which has:
• a memory cell for storing a value of an attention node of an interaction model;
• a memory cell for storing an interaction coefficient from a neighbor node that exerts an interaction on the node;
• and
• a logic circuit that decides and rewrites a next state of the attention node based on a function of indicating a state of a system including the attention node and the neighbor nodes, and
• wherein the second processor includes:
• a function of making the storage device store an image inputted from the input device;
• a function of making the output device display the image inputted from the input device;
• a function of permitting a user to specify a predetermined region of the image displayed as a seed region through the input device;
• a function of making a plurality of pixels included in the image correspond to the attention node of the units;
• a function of setting the attention node corresponding to a pixel in the specified region of the image to a first state;
• and
• a function of rewriting the attention node a prescribed number of times with the logic circuit, and wherein a value of the attention node is read after rewriting the attention node a prescribed number of times, and a pixel corresponding to the attention node set to the first state is displayed on the output device as being belonging to the seed region specified by the user.