Segmentation of map image using opponent color dimensions

This article describes a method for segmentation of color geographic map images based on color opponency. In this method, a color-map image is transformed into a color opponent representation as proposed for human vision. The color contrast is enhanced in a manner anglogous to the opponent surround receptive fields. The enhancement process separates adjacent foreground and background regions into pairs of opponent colors. The segmentation process can then be easily completed based on this opponent Structure. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons. Inc.