Patent ID: 8600171

Claim:
A method for labeling image data which includes a feature, wherein the image data is comprised of pixel data for each of plural pixels arranged in an N×M array of pixels, wherein the method comprises using at least one processor to perform at least one of the steps of: receiving a designation of at least one pixel included in the feature; setting a flag for the designated pixel; initiating execution of N×M parallel asynchronous processes, wherein each such process respectively corresponds to exactly one owner pixel in the N×M array of pixels and is constrained to set a flag only for the owner pixel and no other pixels, wherein each process inspects pixel data for horizontal and vertical neighbor pixels of the owner pixel to determine if a neighbor pixel is a connected pixel and if the neighbor pixel is flagged, wherein each process sets the flag only for the owner pixel and only if the flag for a connected horizontal or vertical neighbor pixel of the owner pixel is set, wherein each process continues to check subsequent horizontal and vertical neighbor pixels of the owner pixel until the process sets the flag for the owner pixel or until all connected horizontal and vertical neighbor pixels have been inspected without encountering a connected pixel whose flag is set; upon termination of all of the N×M processes, repeating the step of initiating execution of N×M parallel asynchronous processes until a pre-defined condition has been satisfied; and labeling all pixels whose flags are set as part of the feature.