Image cropping using depth information

An image cropping method, comprising:

• capturing a first image of the item on the platform using a camera that is configured to capture images of at least a portion of a platform;
• identifying a plurality of pixels corresponding with the item in the first image;
• determining a first number of pixels in the plurality of pixels corresponding with the item;
• capturing a first depth image of an item on the platform using a three-dimensional (3D) sensor that is configured to capture depth images of at least a portion of the platform, wherein each pixel in the depth images comprises depth information identifying a distance between the 3D sensor and a surface in the depth image;
• determining a second number of pixels within the first depth image corresponding with the item;
• determining a difference between the first number of pixels in the plurality of pixels corresponding with the item in the first image and the second number of pixels in the first depth image;
• comparing the difference between the first number of pixels in the plurality of pixels corresponding with the item in the first image and the second number of pixels in the first depth image to a difference threshold value, wherein the difference threshold value identifies a maximum pixel difference;
• determining that the difference between the first number of pixels in the plurality of pixels corresponding with the item in the first image and the second number of pixels in the first depth image is less than the difference threshold value;
• extracting the plurality of pixels corresponding with the item in the first image from the first image to generate a second image in response to the determination that the difference between the first number of pixels in the plurality of pixels corresponding with the item in the first image and the second number of pixels in the first depth image is less than the difference threshold value;
• and
• outputting the second image.

A computer program product comprising executable instructions stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium that when executed by a processor causes the processor to:

• capture a first image of the item on the platform using a camera that is configured to capture images of at least a portion of a platform;
• identify a plurality of pixels corresponding with the item in the first image;
• determine a first number of pixels in the plurality of pixels corresponding with the item;
• capture a first depth image of an item on the platform using a three-dimensional (3D) sensor that is configured to capture depth images of at least a portion of the platform, wherein each pixel in the depth images comprises depth information identifying a distance between the 3D sensor and a surface in the depth image;
• determine a second number of pixels within the first depth image corresponding with the item;
• determine a difference between the first number of pixels in the plurality of pixels corresponding with the item in the first image and the second number of pixels in the first depth image;
• compare the difference between the first number of pixels in the plurality of pixels corresponding with the item in the first image and the second number of pixels in the first depth image to a difference threshold value, wherein the difference threshold value identifies a maximum pixel difference;
• determine that the difference between the first number of pixels in the plurality of pixels corresponding with the item in the first image and the second number of pixels in the first depth image is less than the difference threshold value;
• extract the plurality of pixels corresponding with the item in the first image from the first image to generate a second image in response to the determination that the difference between the first number of pixels in the plurality of pixels corresponding with the item in the first image and the second number of pixels in the first depth image is less than the difference threshold value;
• and
• output the second image.