Method and apparatus for detecting and/or tracking one or more colour regions in an image or sequence of images
First Claim
1. A method of detecting at least one region having predetermined colour characteristics in an image, the method comprising:
- transforming colour values of pixels in the image from a first colour space to a second colour space;
using the colour values in the second colour space to determine probability values expressing a match between pixels and the predetermined colour characteristics, where the probability values ranges over a multiplicity of values;
using said probability values to identify pixels at least approximating to said predetermined colour characteristics;
grouping pixels which at least approximate to said predetermined colour characteristics; and
extracting information about each group;
wherein pixels are weighted according to the respective multiplicity of probability values, and the weightings are used when grouping the pixels and/or when extracting information about a group.
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Abstract
A method of detecting a region having predetermined colour characteristics in an image comprises transforming colour values of pixels in the image from a first colour space to a second colour space, using the colour values in the second colour space to determine probability values expressing a match between pixels and the predetermined colour characteristics, where the probability values range over a multiplicity of values, using said probability values to identify pixels at least approximating to said predetermined colour characteristics, grouping pixels which at least approximate to said predetermined colour characteristics, and extracting information about each group, wherein pixels are weighted according to the respective multiplicity of probability values, and the weightings are used when grouping the pixels and/or when extracting information about a group.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. A method of detecting at least one region having predetermined colour characteristics in an image, the method comprising:
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transforming colour values of pixels in the image from a first colour space to a second colour space; using the colour values in the second colour space to determine probability values expressing a match between pixels and the predetermined colour characteristics, where the probability values ranges over a multiplicity of values; using said probability values to identify pixels at least approximating to said predetermined colour characteristics; grouping pixels which at least approximate to said predetermined colour characteristics; and extracting information about each group; wherein pixels are weighted according to the respective multiplicity of probability values, and the weightings are used when grouping the pixels and/or when extracting information about a group. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. An apparatus for detecting at least one region having predetermined colour characteristics in an image, the apparatus comprising:
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a signal processor configured to transform colour values of pixels in the image from a first colour space to a second colour space; use the colour values in the second colour space to determine probability values expressing a match between pixels and the predetermined colour characteristics, where the probability values ranges over a multiplicity of values; use said probability values to identify pixels at least approximating to said predetermined colour characteristics; group pixels which at least approximate to said predetermined colour characteristics; and extract information about each group; wherein pixels are weighted according to the respective multiplicity of probability values, and the weightings are used when grouping the pixels or when extracting information about a group. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35)
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36. An apparatus for detecting at least one region having predetermined colour characteristics in an image, the apparatus comprising:
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means for transforming colour values of pixels in the image from a first colour space to a second colour space; means for using the colour values in the second colour space to determine probability values expressing a match between pixels and the predetermined colour characteristics, where the probability values ranges over a multiplicity of values; means for using said probability values to identify pixels at least approximating to said predetermined colour characteristics; means for grouping pixels which at least approximate to said predetermined colour characteristics; and means for extracting information about each group; wherein pixels are weighted according to the respective multiplicity of probability values, and the weightings are used when grouping the pixels or when extracting information about a group.
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Specification