Patent ID: 6901171

Claim:
A method for refining groupings of edge points of an image, each of the groupings of edge points having a parameter range, and edge point having a parameter substantially within the respective parameter range, the method comprising: ranking the groupings of edge points so as to produce an ordered set of groupings; denoting at least one of the groupings of edge points a seed-population based on a respective position within the ordered set, where the parameter range of the seed-population is denoted the seed-parameter range; recalculating the parameter of one of the edge points from one of the groupings other than the seed-population, by using the seed-population, to produce a refined parameter of the edge point; and annexing the edge point to the seed-population, thereby producing an annexed edge-point, when the refined parameter of the edge point is substantially within the seed-parameter range of the seed-population, thereby providing a refined grouping of edge points for the seed-population containing the seed-population and the annexed edge-point, where the refined grouping represents a refined contour.