US 10,650,524 B2 · Designing effective inter-pixel information flow for natural image matting

Abstract

Embodiments can provide a strategy for controlling information flow both from known opacity regions to unknown regions, as well as within the unknown region itself. This strategy is formulated through the use and refinement of various affinity definitions. As a result of this strategy, a final linear system can be obtained, which can be solved in closed form. One embodiment pertains to identifying opacity information flows. The opacity information flow may include one or more of flows from pixels in the image that have similar colors to a target pixel, flows from pixels in the foreground and background to the target pixel, flows from pixels in the unknown opacity region in the image to the target pixel, flows from pixels immediately surrounding the target pixels in the image to the target pixel, and any other flow.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for estimating opacity for a pixel in an image, the method being implemented by a processor configured to execute computer programs, the method comprising:

obtaining regions in the image, the regions including a foreground region, a background region, and an unknown region, wherein the foreground region is fully opaque, the background region is fully transparent and individual pixels the unknown region has an unknown opacity;
and
for each target pixel in the unknown region, estimating opacity for the target pixel by propagating opacity information from other pixels in the image to the pixel, wherein the opacity estimation comprises:
identifying a first set of pixels that have colors similar to the target pixel;
determining a first amount of opacity information flow from the first set of pixels to the target pixel;
and
estimating the opacity for the target pixel based on the first amount of opacity information flow.

4 more elements

A system for estimating opacity for a pixel in an image, the system comprising a processor configured to execute computer programs such that when the computer programs are executed, the system is caused to perform:

obtaining regions in the image, the regions including a foreground region, a background region, and an unknown region, wherein the foreground region is fully opaque, the background region is fully transparent and individual pixels the unknown region has an unknown opacity;
and
for each target pixel in the unknown region, estimating opacity for the target pixel by propagating opacity information from other pixels in the image to the pixel, wherein the opacity estimation comprises:
identifying a first set of pixels that have colors similar to the target pixel;
determining a first amount of opacity information flow from the first set of pixels to the target pixel;
and
estimating the opacity for the target pixel based on the first amount of opacity information flow.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Designing effective inter-pixel information flow for natural image matting

Life of this patent

Designing effective inter-pixel information flow for natural image matting

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20