Image processing device, method and non-transitory computer readable recording medium for tracking a target in a motion picture using color information

An image processing method, comprising the steps of:

• setting a plurality of tracking areas on a target in a frame image of an original motion picture;
• obtaining color information with respect to each of the set tracking areas;
• estimating a plurality of tracking positions with reference to the respective plurality of tracking areas with respect to other frame image of the original motion picture based on the obtained color information of the respective plurality of tracking areas;
• setting an output frame enclosing the set tracking area and updating the output frame based on the estimated tracking position;
• generating a motion picture that is based on the output frame;
• determining whether the tracking positions are adequate when distance between the plurality of tracking positions with reference to the respective plurality of tracking areas is equal to or less than a predetermined distance threshold;
• and
• re-estimating the tracking position if the tracking position is determined to be inadequate.

A non-transitory computer readable recording medium storing a program that makes a computer perform image processing comprising:

• a tracking area setting step of setting a plurality of tracking areas on a target in a frame image of an original motion picture;
• a color information obtaining step of obtaining color information with respect to each of the tracking areas set in the tracking area setting step;
• a tracking position estimating step of estimating a plurality of tracking positions with reference to the respective plurality of tracking areas with respect to other frame image of the original motion picture by using the color information of the respective plurality of tracking areas obtained in the color information obtaining step;
• an output frame setting step of setting an output frame enclosing the tracking area set in the tracking area setting step and updating the output frame based on the estimated tracking position;
• a motion picture generating step of generating a motion picture that is based on the output frame;
• an adequate determining step of determining whether the tracking positions are adequate when distance between the plurality of tracking positions with reference to the respective plurality of tracking areas is equal to or less than a predetermined distance threshold;
• and
• a re-estimating step of re-estimating the tracking position if the tracking position is determined to be inadequate in the adequate determining step.