Background detection as an optimization for gesture recognition

Methods and systems are provided allowing for background identification and gesture recognition in video images. A computer-implemented image processing method includes: receiving, using at least one processing circuit, a plurality of image frames of a video; constructing, using at feast one processing circuit, a plurality of statistical models of the plurality of image frames at a plurality of pixel granularity levels; constructing, using at least one processing circuit, a plurality of probabilistic models of an input image frame at a plurality of channel granularity levels based on the plurality of statistical models; merging at least some of the plurality of probabilistic models based on a weighted average to form a single probability image; determining background pixels, based on a probability threshold value, from the single probability image; and determining whether the plurality of image frames, when examined in a particular sequence, conveys a gesture by the object.