Image segmentation system and method

An image segmentation method for use with an occupant, a sensor for generating sensor measurements, and an ambient image of an occupant and the area surrounding the occupant said image segmentation method comprising the following steps:

• receiving an ambient image represented by a plurality of pixels and a plurality of pixel values, wherein each of said pixels has at least one said initial pixel value;
• recording aggregate initial pixel values in a histogram;
• translating the histogram into a cumulative distribution function;
• calculating an image threshold using the cumulative distribution function with a predetermined percentage of initial pixel values falling below the image threshold;
• categorizing each pixel in the plurality of pixels into one of a plurality of pixel categories by comparing the image threshold to the initial pixel value for the pixel being categorized;
• establisbing a first revised pixel value so that each pixel in the same pixel category shares the same first revised pixel value;
• modifying said first revised pixel value into a second revised pixel value in accordance with morphological heuristic;
• determining a third revised pixel value from said second revised pixel value or said first revised pixel value with a momentum-based heuristic;
• identifying regions of pixels based on the first revised pixel value, the second revised pixel value, and the third revised pixel value;
• generating a fourth revised pixel value from the regions of pixels in accordance with a gravity-based heuristic;
• and
• deriving a segmented image of the occupant with the fourth revised pixel value.

An image segmentation system for use with an occupant, a sensor for generating sensor measurements, and an ambient image of an occupant and the area around the occupant, said image segmentation system comprising:

• an image thresholding subsystem, including a plurality of pixels representing the ambient image, and an image thresholding heuristic, said image thresholding subsystem categorizing said plurality of pixels in accordance with said image thresholding heuristic;
• and
• a gap processing subsystem, including a gap processing heuristic, a subset of vicinity pixels in said plurality of pixels, and a plurality of pixel values, said gap processing subsystem selectively setting said pixel values in accordance with said gap processing heuristic and said pixel values belonging to said pixels in said subset of vicinity pixels, said gap processing heuristic including a momentum-based heuristic;
• and
• wherein a segmented image is generated from said plurality of pixels.