Image processing apparatus and method

An image processing apparatus operable to generate a three dimensional representation of a scene which includes a plurality of objects disposed on a plane, the three dimensional representation being generated from one or more video images of the scene, which video images include the objects on the plane produced from a view of the scene by a video camera, the image processing apparatus comprising a data processor operable

• to process the captured video images so as to extract one or more image features from each object,
• to compare the one or more image features with sample image features from a predetermined set of possible example objects which the video images may contain,
• to identify the objects from the comparison of the image features with the predetermined image features of the possible example objects,
• to generate object path data, which includes object identification data for each object which identifies the respective object, and which provides a position of the object on the plane in the video images with respect to time, and
• to calculate a projection matrix for projecting the position of each of the objects according to the object path data from the plane into a three dimensional model of the plane, for generating the three dimensional representation of the scene, by projecting the position of the objects according to the object path data into the plane of the three dimensional model of the scene using the projection matrix.

A method of enhancing video images of a scene, which includes a plurality of objects disposed on a plane produced from a view of the scene by a video camera, the method comprising:

• processing the captured video images so as to extract one or more image features from each object;
• comparing the one or more image features with sample image features from a predetermined set of possible example objects which the video images may contain;
• identifying the objects from the comparison of the image features with the stored image features of the possible example objects;
• generating object path data, which includes object identification data for each object which identifies the respective object, and which provides a position of the object on a three dimensional model of the plane in the video images with respect to time;
• calculating a projection matrix for projecting the position of each of the objects according to the object path data from the plane into the three dimensional model of the plane;
• identifying each of the objects in the video images using the object path data with respect to the three dimensional model of the plane on which the objects are disposed;
• generating a graphical representation of an identifier which identifies each of the objects in the video images;
• and
• overlaying the identifier on the objects in the video images to the effect that one or more of the objects is provided with an identifier as the objects move on the plane in the video images.

An image processing apparatus operable to enhance video images of a scene, which includes a plurality of objects disposed on a plane produced from a view of the scene by a video camera, the image processing apparatus comprising a data processor operable:

• to process the captured video images so as to extract one or more image features from each object,
• to compare the one or more image features with sample image features from a predetermined set of possible example objects which the video images may contain,
• to identify the objects from the comparison of the image features with the stored image features of the possible example objects,
• to generate object path data, which includes object identification data for each object which identifies the respective object;
• and provides a position of the object on a three dimensional model of the plane in the video images with respect to time,
• to calculate a projection matrix for projecting the position of each of the objects according to the object path data from the plane into the three dimensional model of the plane,
• to identify each of the objects in the video images using the object path data with respect to the three dimensional model of the plane on which the objects are disposed,
• to generate a graphical representation of an identifier which identifies each of the objects in the video images, and
• to overlay the identifier on the objects in the video images to the effect that one or more of the objects is provided with an identifier as the objects move on the plane in the video images.

An apparatus for generating a three dimensional representation of a scene, which includes a plurality of objects disposed on a plane, the three dimensional representation being generated from one or more video images of the scene, which video images include the objects on the plane produced from a view of the scene by a video camera, the apparatus comprising:

• means for processing the captured video images so as to extract one or more image features from each object;
• means for comparing the one or more image features with sample image features from a predetermined set of possible example objects which the video images may contain;
• means for identifying the objects from the comparison of the image features with the stored image features of the possible example objects;
• means for generating object path data, which includes object identification data for each object which identifies the respective object, and which provides a position of the object on the plane in the video images with respect to time;
• and
• means for calculating a projection matrix for projecting the position of each of the objects according to the object path data from the plane into a three dimensional model of the plane, for generating the three dimensional representation of the scene, by projecting the position of the objects according to the object path data into the plane of the three dimensional model of the scene using the projection matrix.