Systems and methods for segmenation by removal of monochromatic background with limitied intensity variations

• US 20100316288A1
• Filed: 04/13/2010
• Published: 12/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Flashfoto, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Flashfoto, Inc.
• Inventors: King, Paul, Ip, Katharine, Piramuthu, Robinson
• Granted Patent: US 8,411,986 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/164
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/248 by interactive preprocessing or interactive shape modelling, e.g. feature points assigned by a user
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/28 Quantising the image, e.g. histogram thresholding for discrimination between background and foreground patterns

Abstract

A method for distinguishing a foreground object from a monochromatic background in a digital image depicting a foreground object in front of said monochromatic background. A outer edge intensity map is created of the foreground object to which a tracing process is conducted. A continuous edge map is created by utilizing the traced edges in the outer edge intensity map. By selecting a path on the continuous edge map based on average edge intensity, a final edge map is created. The pixels comprised within the final edge map are distinguished as the foreground object. Optionally, the final edge map may be refined utilizing certain techniques.

Claims

1. A method for distinguishing a foreground object from a monochromatic background in a digital image depicting a foreground object in front of said monochromatic background, the method comprising:

a. creating an outer edge intensity map of the foreground object;

b. tracing edges in the outer edge intensity map;

c. utilizing the traced edges in the outer edge intensity map to create a continuous edge map;

d. selecting a path on the continuous edge map based on average edge intensity to create a final edge map; and

e. distinguishing as the foreground object each pixel comprising the final edge map.

2. A computer system comprising:

a processor; and

a memory, the memory including one or more modules, the one or more modules collectively or individually comprising instructions for carrying out the method of claim 1.

3. A computer program product for use in conjunction with a computer system, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium and a computer program mechanism embedded therein, the computer program mechanism comprising instructions for carrying out the method of claim 1.