Eigenregions for Image Classification

For certain databases and classification tasks, analyzing images based on region features instead of image features results in more accurate classifications. We introduce eigenregions, which are geometrical features that encompass area, location and shape properties of an image region, even if the region is spatially incoherent. Eigenregions are calculated using principal component analysis (PCA). On a database of 77'000 different regions obtained through the segmentation of 13'500 real-scene photographic images taken by non-professionals, eigenregions improved the detection of localized image classes by a noticeable amount. Additionally, eigenregions allow us to prove that the largest variance in natural image region geometry is due to its area, and not to shape or position.