Video Frame Segmentation Using Motion and Color Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current video scene segmentation techniques face challenges in achieving real-time, high-quality segmentation with moderate compute complexity, particularly in applications like surveillance and autonomous driving, due to high computational requirements and limitations in flexibility and robustness.

Innovation Solution

A motion-based region segmentation system that segments video frames into multiple region-layers using global and local motion analysis, combined with color assistance, to adaptively determine segmentation parameters and achieve spatial and temporal consistency, allowing for real-time processing on general-purpose devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If motion-based graph theoretic approach with long range motion cues is used, then segmentation quality is improved, but compute complexity and processing time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesegmentation qualityVSAvoidcompute complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the video frame into multiple region-layers (e.g., foreground layer, background layer) based on motion characteristics. Each layer is processed independently with appropriate motion models, reducing the overall computational complexity while maintaining segmentation quality. The graph theoretic approach is applied selectively to identify region boundaries rather than processing the entire frame uniformly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different motion models and processing techniques to different regions of the video frame based on their specific motion characteristics. Global motion models are used for large-scale background regions, while local motion models are applied to foreground objects with complex motion patterns. This localized approach reduces compute complexity by avoiding uniform high-complexity processing across the entire frame.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If long range motion cues from past and future frames are used, then object tracking accuracy is improved, but processing delay increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject tracking accuracyVSAvoidprocessing delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary motion analysis on current and recent frames to establish motion models before processing future frames. By pre-computing motion characteristics and region assignments for upcoming frames based on current motion patterns, the system reduces the need for extensive retrospective analysis, thereby decreasing processing delay while maintaining tracking accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts the temporal scope of motion analysis based on scene complexity and motion patterns. When simple motion patterns are detected, the system uses shorter temporal ranges; when complex patterns are identified, it extends the analysis window. This dynamic adaptation optimizes the balance between tracking accuracy and processing speed without fixed computational overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If manual or semi-automatic segmentation is used, then segmentation quality is improved, but processing time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesegmentation qualityVSAvoidprocessing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements fully automatic segmentation using learned motion models and region-layer decomposition. The system self-adjusts segmentation parameters and motion model selection without human intervention, achieving real-time processing speeds comparable to manual methods while maintaining high segmentation quality. The automated graph theoretic algorithms and motion analysis perform region boundary detection and layer assignment independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Measurement precision

If high compute resources are provided, then segmentation quality is improved, but device requirements and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesegmentation qualityVSAvoidcompute resources
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reduces computational resource requirements by segmenting the video frame into multiple region-layers with different processing requirements. Simple background regions are processed with lighter computation, while complex foreground regions receive more intensive processing. This hierarchical approach achieves high segmentation quality with moderate compute resources rather than requiring uniform high-performance processing across the entire frame.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts motion model complexity and processing parameters based on scene content and region characteristics. When simple scenes are detected, the system uses simplified motion models and lower computational parameters; when complex scenes are identified, it automatically increases model complexity and computational resources. This adaptive parameter adjustment optimizes the quality-compute tradeoff without requiring fixed high resource allocation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10552962B2Fast motion based and color assisted segmentation of video into region layers
Publication Date: 2020.02.04 INTEL CORP
  • US10552962B2 patent drawing
  • US10552962B2 patent drawing
  • US10552962B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Techniques related to improved video frame segmentation based on motion, color, and texture are discussed. Such techniques may include segmenting a video frame of a video sequence based on differencing global motion or dominant motion from local motion in the video frame.