Patent Document ID: 8144980
Application ID: 12942258
Patent Status: 1

Claim One:
1. A method comprising: (a) retrieving from a memory an image for graphic image processing on a system comprising the memory and a processor, the image comprising a plurality of pixels and an element to be processed; (b) establishing with the system a search region within the image encompassing a predetermined portion of the element to be processed and containing pixels on each side of a boundary between the element and the remainder of the image; (c) selecting a predetermined portion of the pixels within the search region to create an analysis group; (d) determining with the system a plurality of colour regions for the analysis group corresponding to a plurality of pixel classifications, wherein an error function represents a probability that each of the pixels within the analysis group belongs to one of the plurality of pixel classifications; (e) constructing with the system an edge map by establishing an initial boundary of the element; and (f) creating with the system a boundary contour in dependence upon establishing a target condition for an energy of an active contour, the energy of the active contour established in dependence upon at least the error function and the edge map.