Image analysis method, apparatus and program

Abstract

An image analysis method for analyzing the motion of an object by using the time-series image data. The method comprises inputting time-series image data, generating time-series object image data by extracting an object region from the time-series image data, and analyzing the motion of the object from the time-series object image data.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An image analysis method comprising: 
 inputting time-series image data;    generating time-series object image data by extracting an object region from the time-series image data; and    analyzing motion of an object from the time-series object image data.    
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 synthesizing items of the time-series object image data into synthesis image data; and    displaying the synthesis image data.    
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the analyzing comprises: 
 computing a reference position for the motion of the object from the time-series object image data; and    synthesizing an additional line indicative of the reference position with the object image data.    
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the analyzing comprises: 
 computing a position of a center of gravity in the object region from the time-series object image data; and    synthesizing an additional line indicative of the position of the center of gravity with the object image data.    
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the inputting includes inputting object image data including first time-series object image data and second time-series object image data;    the analyzing comprises: 
 adjusting at least one of the first time-series image data and the second time-series object image data;  
 synthesizing items of the first time-series object image data into first synthesis image data, and items of the second time-series object image data into second synthesis image data; and  
 displaying the first synthesis image data and the second synthesis image data in parallel.  
   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the analyzing comprises: 
 tracing a particular region in the object region from the time-series object image data; and    synthesizing a line indicative of a trajectory of the particular region with the time-series object image data.    
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the analyzing comprises: 
 computing a movement distance of the object region from the time-series object image data; and    computing a movement speed of the object region from the movement distance of the object region.    
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the analyzing comprises: 
 generating a trajectory of the object region from the time-series object image data; and    computing a curvature of a portion of the trajectory.    
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the analyzing comprises: 
 generating a trajectory of the object region from the time-series object image data;    computing a first curvature of a first portion of the trajectory, and a second curvature of a second portion of the trajectory; and    computing a ratio between the first curvature and the second curvature.    
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the analyzing comprises: 
 generating a trajectory of the object region from the time-series object image data; and    computing an area of a region defined by the trajectory of the object region.    
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the generating comprises: 
 extracting an object region from the time-series object image data;    allowing a position in the object region to be designated; and    setting a position of a particular point in accordance with the designated position.    
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising synthesizing results of the motion analysis with the time-series image data and displaying a synthesis result.  
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the results of the motion analysis are graphed and displayed.  
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the results of the motion analysis are digitized and displayed.  
     
     
         15 . An image analysis method comprising: 
 inputting time-series image data;    tracing a particular region based on the time-series image data;    generating a trajectory of the particular region; and    computing a curvature of a portion of the trajectory.    
     
     
         16 . An image analysis method comprising: 
 inputting time-series image data;    tracing a particular region based on the time-series image data;    generating a trajectory of the particular region; and    computing an area of a region defined by the trajectory of the particular region.    
     
     
         17 . An image analysis apparatus comprising: 
 means for inputting time-series image data;    means for extracting an object region from the time-series image data input by the time-series image data input means, to generate time-series object image data; and    means for analyzing motion of an object from the time-series object image data extracted by the means for extracting the object.    
     
     
         18 . An image analysis apparatus comprising: 
 a processor;    a memory accessible by the processor; and    a program stored in the memory, wherein the program comprises: 
 program code for inputting time-series image data;  
 program code for extracting an object region from the time-series image data to generate time-series object image data; and  
 program code for analyzing motion of an object based on the time-series object image data.  
   
     
     
         19 . An image analysis apparatus comprising: 
 a camera;    a processor;    a memory accessible by the processor;    a display; and    a program stored in the memory, wherein the program comprises: 
 program code for inputting time-series image data obtained by the camera;  
 program code for extracting an object region from the time-series image data to generate time-series object image data;  
 program code for analyzing motion of an object based on the time-series object image data; and  
 program code for displaying an analysis result on the display.  
   
     
     
         20 . A program stored in a computer readable medium, comprising: 
 program code for inputting time-series image data;    program code for extracting an object region from the time-series image data to generate time-series object image data; and    program code for analyzing motion of an object based on the time-series object image data.