Patent ID: 7889912
Filing Date: 2011-02-15
Classification: G06T

Abstract:
1. A method of real-time tracking a 3D structure in a 3D image including a plurality of sequential image frames, the method comprising the steps of: selecting a contour model to represent the 3D structure being tracked; creating a predicted state vector for the contour model based upon past image frames; deforming the contour model based upon the predicted state vector; determining a plurality of actual contour points for the 3D structure from a current image frame of 3D image; determining a displacement value and a measurement vector based upon the difference between the plurality of actual contour points and a plurality of predicted contour points; assimilating the displacement value and the measurement vector in information space utilizing a least squares method to generate an updated state vector and an updated covariance matrix; and generating an updated contour model for the current image frame based upon the updated state vector.