Method for determining a border in a complex scene with applications to image masking
US6337925B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 8, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jan 8, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 8, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06T2207/20104
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method is used for identifying a border in a digital image that is defined by a plurality of pixels, each pixel being defined by a pixel color and a pixel position indicating a location of the pixel in the digital image. The method includes receiving for each pixel a pixel gradient indicating a direction and magnitude of change in color. A user inputs an area of interest that includes at least a portion of the border to be identified. The method then includes estimating information about an edge zone that models the border portion including estimating a position, direction, and width of the edge zone. The position of the edge zone is estimated by calculating a weighted average value of pixel positions of each pixel in the area of interest. The direction of the edge zone is estimated by calculating a weighted average value of pixel gradient direction of each pixel in the area of interest. The method further includes calculating a measure of confidence in the edge zone information and estimating a width of the edge zone at which the calculated measure of confidence decreases appreciably if the estimated width increases. The border is identified based on the estimated edge zone info…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.