Multistage Threshold Segmentation Method Based on Improved Electric Eel Foraging Optimization

Multi-threshold segmentation of color images is a critical component of modern image processing. However, as the number of thresholds increases, traditional multi-threshold image segmentation methods face challenges such as low accuracy and slow convergence speed. To optimize threshold selection in color image segmentation, this paper proposes a multi-strategy improved Electric Eel Foraging Optimization (MIEEFO). The proposed algorithm integrates Differential Evolution and Quasi-Opposition-Based Learning strategies into the Electric Eel Foraging Optimization, enhancing its search capability, accelerating convergence, and preventing the population from falling into local optima. To further boost the algorithm’s search performance, a Cauchy mutation strategy is applied to mutate the best individual, improving convergence speed. To evaluate the segmentation performance of the proposed MIEEFO, 15 benchmark functions are used, and comparisons are made with seven other algorithms. Experimental results show that the MIEEFO algorithm outperforms other algorithms in at least 75% of cases and exhibits similar performance in up to 25% of cases. To further explore its application potential, a multi-level Kapur entropy-based MIEEFO threshold segmentation method is proposed and applied to different types of benchmark images and forest fire images. Experimental results indicate that the improved MIEEFO achieves higher segmentation quality and more accurate thresholds, providing a more effective method for color image segmentation.