Methods and system for providing image object boundary definition by particle filtering
US7391906B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 5, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jun 24, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 20, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06T2207/20092
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for interactive construction of an object boundary by minimizing a sum of costs, including costs associated with inconsistency of the image data and costs associated with undesired curve shape properties. A particle filter optimization algorithm is implemented that incorporates a variable strength, intrinsic preference for boundary smoothness. The particle filter generates alternative sequences of random moves, constructed in parallel, to avoid becoming stuck in local minima. Approximate optimization algorithms are utilized, keeping computational burden low, freeing resources to analyze intrinsic costs associated with local curvature. In one embodiment, a user may construct a curve by launching a particle stream, and by choosing visually satisfactory locations on the stream from which to relaunch particles. The user can also provide other input, such as drop down dams to redirect the stream at T-junctions. Additionally, a facility is incorporated to break the smoothness constraint automatically at corners of the object boundary.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.