Patent ID: 7965885
Filing Date: 2011-06-21
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A method of separating a background area of an image using an image processing device, the method comprising the steps of: capturing images of a subject from different points of sight with at least two cameras to obtain input images synchronous with one another; performing global image superposition, using the image processing device, by calculating an amount of global shift among the input images such that a luminance error of an overall image becomes the minimum among the input images, the amount of global shift not exceeding a threshold determined depending on a separation boundary based on which the background area is separated; estimating a background area, using the image processing device, based on a degree of similarity after global image superimposition is performed on the assumption that the background area is in the distance and has a flat surface with respect to each of the input images obtained in said capturing step; generating distance images, using the image processing device, by performing distance measurement utilizing a stereo method with respect to points other than those in the background area estimated in said background area estimating step; and generating a background separated image, using the image processing device, by referring to the distance images generated in said distance image generating step and removing the points having a predetermined distance or more from each of the input images.