Patent ID: 6577759
Filing Date: 2003-06-10
Classification: G06F,G06K,G06T

Abstract:
For use in an image retrieval system capable of analyzing an image comprising a plurality of pixels in a first color model format, an image processing device capable of detecting and retrieving from said image a selected image portion, said image processing device comprising:an image processor capable of converting said plurality of pixels in said image from said first color model format to a (Y,r,&thgr;) color model format, wherein for each pixel in said plurality of pixels, Y is an intensity component indicating a total amount of light, r is a saturation component indicating an amount of white light mixed with a color of said each pixel, and &thgr; is a hue component indicating said color of said each pixel, wherein said image processor is capable of grouping spatially adjacent ones of said plurality of pixels into a plurality of image regions according to hue components of said adjacent pixels and performing a merging process wherein a first image region and a second image region proximate said first image region are merged into a composite region if a hue difference between said first and second image regions is less than a predetermined hue difference threshold, and wherein said image processor is capable of determining a plurality of adjacent regions to said first image region and calculating merit values for said plurality of adjacent regions, wherein a merit value of a first selected adjacent region is equal to a ratio of a common perimeter of said first image region and said first selected adjacent region to a total perimeter of said first selected adjacent region.