Method for segmenting a video image into elementary objects

A method for segmenting a video image based on elementary objects, characterized in that it consists, with regard to at least one elementary object delimited by a natural contour of this video image:

• in defining, around this elementary object, a starting contour completely surrounding said elementary object;
• in defining, on the basis of said starting contour, an original active contour, formed by a set of nodes distributed on this starting contour, each node being formed by a point belonging to this starting contour and by an elastic energy function representative of the distance separating this node from a neighboring node;
• in subjecting, with regard to a set of reference values which is capable of representing the natural contour of said elementary object, said original active contour to a convergent deformation, by displacing toward the natural contour of the elementary object at least one of the nodes of the original active contour, so as to generate a current active contour, this current active contour being subjected iteratively to said convergent deformation so as to generate distinct successive current active contours as long as said displacement satisfies the non-blocking condition and in halting any nodal displacement of said current active contour otherwise, thereby making it possible to generate a final current active contour substantially reproducing the natural contour of said elementary object.