Fast Color Image Matching Based on Occurrence Probability Analysis of Pixel Pair Hue Values

Abstract

We propose a fast and reliable method for detecting objects using color information. The probability of the occurrence of a hue pattern in a template image is calculated for each two-pixel pair, and only those pixel pairs with extremely low probability are carefully selected for matching. Since such pixels have high distinctiveness, it can be used for highly reliable matching without being affected by ambient disturbances, and since only a small number of pixels are used, it is also fast. In real image experiments, we achieved a recognition success rate of 93% and a processing time of 47 msec by using only 0.5% (143 pixels) of the template image. When 0.1% (29 pixels) of the template image was used, the recognition success rate was 7 msec, confirming that practical matching with a good balance between reliability and speed was achieved.