ALGORITHM FOR DETECTING CONTOUR POINT IN IMAGE

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an algorithm for detecting contour points in an image by using a single wide-angle camera and by drastically reducing the processing time while continuing to detect all the obstacles. SOLUTION: A method for detecting contour points of an object in an image obtained by a video camera comprising the steps of: (i) selecting a scan line of the image; (ii) identifying minimum intensity differences called transitions between pixels of the selected scan line; (iii) identifying plateaus at both ends of the identified transitions; (iv) determining contour points of the object between the identified plateaus; (v) generating a descriptor of the contour in one dimension; and (vi) beginning again with step (i) by selecting another scan line of the image according to a predefined order. COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT