Constraint generation for use in image segregation

An automated, computerized method for processing an image, comprising the steps of:

• providing an image;
• generating spatio-spectral information for the image;
• defining a constraint as a function of the spatio-spectral information;
• and
• utilizing the constraint in an image segregation operation.

An automated, computerized method for processing an image, comprising the steps of:

• providing an image;
• organizing spatio-spectral operators as a function of tokens representing discrete materials depicted in the image and tokens representing regions of robust similar color;
• and
• utilizing a result of the organizing step to identify material and illumination aspects of the image for image segregation.

An automated, computerized method for processing an image, comprising the steps of:

• providing an image file depicting an image, in a computer memory;
• identifying information in the image file relevant to a logical deduction regarding material and illumination aspects of an image;
• defining a constraint as a function of the information;
• and
• utilizing the constraint in an image segregation operation.

An automated, computerized method for processing an image, comprising the steps of:

• providing an image file depicting an image, in a computer memory;
• organizing information for the image file relevant to a logical deduction regarding material and illumination aspects of an image, in a matrix equation expressed by:
• [A] [x]=[b], wherein [A] expresses values determined by a constraining relationship imposed upon the information relevant to a logical deduction regarding material and illumination aspects of an image, [b] expresses information obtained form the image file, in the computer memory, and [x] expresses an unknown material/illumination component of the image;
• and
• utilizing the matrix equation in an image segregation operation.

A computer system which comprises:

• a CPU;
• and
• a memory storing an image file defining an image;
• the CPU being arranged and configured to execute a routine to identify information in the image file relevant to a logical deduction regarding material and illumination aspects of an image, define a constraint as a function of the information and utilize the constraint in an image segregation operation.

A computer system which comprises:

• a CPU;
• and
• a memory storing an image file defining an image;
• the CPU being arranged and configured to execute a routine to organize information for the image file relevant to a logical deduction regarding material and illumination aspects of an image, in a matrix equation expressed by:
• [A] [x]=[b], wherein [A] expresses values determined by a constraining relationship imposed upon the information relevant to a logical deduction regarding material and illumination aspects of an image, [b] expresses information obtained form the image file, in the computer memory, and [x] expresses an unknown material/illumination component of the image and utilize the matrix equation in an image segregation operation.

A computer program product, disposed on a computer readable media, the product including computer executable process steps operable to control a computer to:

• provide an image file depicting an image, in a computer memory;
• identify information in the image file relevant to a logical deduction regarding material and illumination aspects of an image;
• define a constraint as a function of the information;
• and
• utilize the constraint in an image segregation operation.

A computer program product, disposed on a computer readable media, the product including computer executable process steps operable to control a computer to:

• provide an image file depicting an image, in a computer memory;
• organize information for the image file relevant to a logical deduction regarding material and illumination aspects of an image, in a matrix equation expressed by:
• [A] [x]=[b], wherein [A] expresses values determined by a constraining relationship imposed upon the information relevant to a logical deduction regarding material and illumination aspects of an image, [b] expresses information obtained form the image file, in the computer memory, and [x] expresses an unknown material/illumination component of the image;
• and
• utilize the matrix equation in an image segregation operation.