Patent ID: 6167167
Filing Date: 2000-12-26
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
An image extraction method for extracting image data of an object from a first image that records both a background and the object to be extracted, using a mask, comprising:the first step of generating an initial mask for extracting an image of the object on the basis of difference data between the first image and a second image that records the background alone by combining a first region obtained on the basis of first data representing a brightness difference between the first and second images and a second region obtained on the basis of second data representing a color difference between the first and second images, said second region being set in the vicinity of the first region;the second step of growing a region of the generated initial mask on the basis of a similarity between a feature of a first region of the first image corresponding to the initial mask, and a feature of the second region; andthe third step of extracting the image data of the object from the first image on the basis of the grown mask region.