# US 9,501,836 B2 · Background separated images for print and on-line use

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- Number: US 9,501,836 B2
- Document ID: US9501836B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/690,922
- Filed: 2015-04-20
- Published: 2015-08-13
- Granted: 2016-11-22
- Earliest claimed: 2006-09-05
- Assignees: PC Connection, Inc.
- Applicants: PC Connection, Inc.
- Inventors: Matthew J. Wheeler; Steven R. Koontz; Robert C. Williams
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9501836B2

## CPC

- H04N 23/64: {Computer-aided capture of images, e.g. transfer from script file into camera, check of taken image quality, advice or proposal for image composition or decision on when to take image}
- G06F 16/50: of still image data
- G06Q 30/0643: {graphically representing goods, e.g. 3D product representation}
- G06T 5/50: using two or more images, e.g. averaging or subtraction
- G06T 7/12: Edge-based segmentation
- G06T 7/13: Edge detection
- G06T 7/194: involving foreground-background segmentation
- H04N 1/3871: {the composed originals being of different kinds, e.g. low- and high-resolution originals}
- H04N 1/6086: {by scene illuminant, i.e. conditions at the time of picture capture, e.g. flash, optical filter used, evening, cloud, daylight, artificial lighting, white point measurement, colour temperature}
- H04N 5/2723: {Insertion of virtual advertisement; Replacing advertisements physical present in the scene by virtual advertisement (data processing systems or methods specially adapted for marketing G06Q30/02)}
- H04N 23/56: provided with illuminating means
- H04N 23/62: Control of parameters via user interfaces
- G06T 2207/10004: Still image; Photographic image
- G06T 2207/10012: Stereo images
- G06T 2207/10024: Color image
- G06T 2207/10152: Varying illumination
- H04N 5/272: Means for inserting a foreground image in a background image, i.e. inlay, outlay
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06T: IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL

## Abstract

In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for producing background separated product images for print and on-line display. An image formation system provides lighting of a product to facilitate acquiring images that can be automatically processed to generate high resolution item-only images free of quality defects and imaging artifacts. Image processing programs accurately detect an outline of an item in a set of digital images taken using the image formation system and automatically store processed images in an image library. The images in the library may be repurposed for print, sales display, transmission to a user, on-line customer support, and the like. A user display configured with an adaptable user interface facilitates user interaction with images in the library.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of producing an image of an item suitable for combining with a background image, the method comprising:
capturing at least one image with an image formation and processing device, the device comprising:
a camera under the control of a processor for capturing at least one image of an item;
image processing software stored in a first memory device accessible by the processor that when executed by the processor produces an item-only image from the captured at least one image of an item;
a lighting element for illuminating the item;
a second memory device for storing the at least one captured image; and
an enclosure for the device;
detecting an outline of the item with the image processing software;
aligning the outline of the item with the boundary of the item in each of the at least one image;
extracting the image content within the aligned outline of the item, providing the item-only image; and
storing the item-only image in an image library disposed in at least one of the first and second memory devices.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein detecting an outline of the item comprises processing the captured at least one image of the item to produce an item edge mask.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein extracting the image content within the outline comprises applying the item edge mask to the at least one captured image to distinguish item image data from background image data.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein detecting an outline of the item comprises processing the image with edge detection image processing software to detect an edge of the item that separates item data from background data.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein detecting an outline of the item includes identifying a set of points of the background that is adjacent to a set of points of the item.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein aligning the outline of the item includes using an edge detection algorithm to identify a plurality of edges of the item in each of the at least one image and fitting the outline of the item to the detected plurality of edges.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein providing an item-only image includes selecting all image content within the aligned outline of the item, and copying the selected image content to a new image, providing a new image containing only the selected content.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein a first image of the at least one image provides high contrast between the item and the background, providing a contrast image from which the outline of the item is produced.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the first and second memory devices are the same.

### Claim 10

An image formation and processing device for producing an image of an item suitable for combining with a background image, the device comprising:
a camera under the control of a processor for capturing at least one image of an item;
image processing software modules stored in a first memory comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium accessible by the processor that when executed by the processor produces an item-only image from the captured at least one image of an item by:
automatically detecting an outline of the item;
aligning the outline of the item with the boundary of the item in each of the at least one image; and
automatically extracting the image content within the aligned outline of the item, providing an item-only image;
a lighting element for illuminating the item;
a second memory comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium for storing the at least one captured image and comprising an image library for storing the item-only image; and
an enclosure for the device.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10 wherein automatically detecting an outline of the item comprises processing the captured at least one image of the item to produce an item edge mask.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10 wherein automatically extracting the image content within the outline comprises applying the item edge mask to the at least one captured image to distinguish item image data from background image data.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10 wherein automatically detecting an outline of the item comprises processing the image with edge detection image processing software to detect an edge of the item that separates item data from background data.

### Claim 14 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10 wherein automatically detecting an outline of the item includes identifying a set of points of the background that is adjacent to a set of points of the item.

### Claim 15 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10 wherein aligning the outline of the item comprises using an edge detection algorithm to identify a plurality of edges of the item in each of the at least one image and fitting the outline of the item to the detected plurality of edges.

### Claim 16 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10 wherein a first image of the at least one image provides high contrast between the item and the background, providing a contrast image from which the outline of the item is produced.

### Claim 17 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10 wherein the first and second memory are the same.