AbstractÐWe describe a new method of matching statistical models of appearance to images. A set of model parameters control modes of shape and gray-level variation learned from a training set. We construct an efficient iterative matching algorithm by learning the relationship between perturbations in the model parameters and the induced image errors. Index TermsÐAppearance models, deformable templates, model matching. 1

A novel method of incorporating shape information into the image segmentation process is presented. We introduce a representation for deformable shapes and define a probability distribution over the variances of a set of training shapes. The segmentation process embeds an initial curve as the zero level set of a higher dimensional surface, and evolves the surface such that the zero level set converges on the boundary of the object to be segmented. At each step of the surface evolution, we estimate the maximum a posteriori (MAP) position and shape of the object in the image, based on the prior shape information and the image information. We then evolve the surface globally, towards the MAP estimate, and locally, based on image gradients and curvature. Results are demonstrated on synthetic data and medical imagery, in 2D and 3D. 1

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Statistical models of shape and appearance are powerful tools for interpreting medical images. We assume a training set of images in which corresponding `landmark' points have been marked on every image. From this data we can compute a statistical model of the shape variation, a model of the texture variation and a model of the correlations between shape and texture. With enough training examples such models should be able to synthesize any image of normal anatomy. By finding the parameters which optimize the match between a synthesized model image and a target image we can locate all the structures represented by the model. Two approaches to the matching will be described. The Active Shape Model essentially matches a model to boundaries in an image. The Active Appearance Model finds model parameters which synthesize a complete image which is as similar as possible to the target image. By using a `difference decomposition' approach the current difference between target image and synthesi...

Given video footage of a person's face, we present new techniques to automatically recover the face position and the facial expression from each frame in the video sequence. A 3D face model is fitted to each frame using a continuous optimization technique. Our model is based on a set of 3D face models that are linearly combined using 3D morphing. Our method has the advantages over previous techniques of fitting directly a realistic 3-dimensional face model and of recovering parameters that can be used directly in an animation system. We also explore many applications, including performance-driven animation (applying the recovered position and expression of the face to a synthetic character to produce an animation that mimics the input video), relighting the face, varying the camera position, and adding facial ornaments such as tattoos and scars. 1 Introduction There are many techniques and tools that can be used to create facial animations. These tools can be as simple as a pencil an...

We propose to use statistical models of shape and texture as deformable anatomical atlases. By training on sets of labelled examples these can represent both the mean structure and appearance of anatomy in medical images, and the allowable modes of deformation. Given enough training examples such a model should be able synthesise any image of normal anatomy. By finding the parameters which minimise the difference between the synthesised model image and the target image we can locate all the modelled structure. This potentially time consuming step can be solved rapidly using the Active Appearance Model (AAM). In this paper we describe the models and the AAM algorithm and demonstrate the approach on structures in MR brain cross-sections.

We present a system for designing novel textures in the space of textures induced by an input database. We capture the structure of the induced space by a simplicial complex where vertices of the simplices represent input textures. A user can generate new textures by interpolating within individual simplices. We propose a morphable interpolation for textures, which also defines a metric used to build the simplicial complex. To guarantee sharpness in interpolated textures, we enforce histograms of high-frequency content using a novel method for histogram interpolation. We allow users to continuously navigate in the simplicial complex and design new textures using a simple and efficient user interface. We demonstrate the usefulness of our system by integrating it with a 3D texture painting application, where the user interactively designs desired textures.

An Active Appearance Model (AAM) allows complex models of shape and appearance to be matched to new images rapidly. An AAM contains a statistical model of the shape and grey-level appearance of an object of interest The associated search algorithm exploits the locally linear relationship between model parameter displacements and the residual errors between model instance and image. This relationship can be learnt during a training phase.

This paper presents a real-time, non-invasive, vision system which performs hands-free cursor control by having users point their nose where they wish to place the cursor on a monitor screen. The vision system robustly tracks 3D face position and orientation in real time using a framework called Incremental Focus of Attention (IFA). IFA integrates tracking based on multiple cues (including color, intensity templates, and dark point features) which cooperate to track under adverse visual conditions. The pose recovered from tracking is then used to compute the intersection between the plane of the monitor screen and an imaginary ray extending forward from the user's nose. Results show that naive users can position a cursor within a 1cm x 1cm square from a distance of 50cm from the monitor. 1 Introduction Vision-based human-computer interfaces (VBI, for short) take a live video stream from a camera pointed at a user and interpret the user's actions for the purposes of directing computat...

Robust, real-time, fully automatic tracking of facial features is required for many computer vision and graphics applications. In this paper, we describe a fully automatic system that tracks eyes and eyebrows in real time. The pupils are tracked using the red eye effect by an infrared sensitive camera equipped with infrared LEDs. Templates are used to parameterize the facial features. For each new frame, the pupil coordinates are used to extract cropped images of eyes and eyebrows. The template parameters are recovered by PCA analysis on these extracted images using a PCA basis, which was constructed during the training phase with some example images. The system runs at 30 fps and requires no manual initialization or calibration. The system is shown to work well on sequences with considerable head motions and occlusions.