System and process for identifying and locating people or objects in a scene by selectively clustering three-dimensional regions

摘要

The present invention is embodied in a system and process for identifying and locating people and objects of interest in a scene by selectively clustering distinct three-dimensional regions or "blobs" within the scene and comparing the blob clusters to a model. Specifically, a background subtraction process is used to generate a working image from a baseline depth image and a live depth image of the scene. Distinct blobs in the working image are selectively clustered to generate "candidate blob clusters" which are then compared to a model representing the people or objects of interest. The comparison of candidate blob clusters to the model identifies the blob clusters that most accurately represent the people or objects of interest in the scene by determining the closest match or matches to the model. Blob clusters may be compared to a plurality of models representing people or objects of different sizes and shapes. Sequential live depth images may be captured and analyzed in real-time using the system and process of the present invention to provide for continuous identification and location of people or objects as a function of time.