Fusion-based skin detection using image distribution model

Abstract

Skin colour detection under poor or varying illumination condition is a big challenge for various image processing and human-computer interaction applications. In this paper, a novel skin detection method utilizing image pixel distribution in a given colour space is proposed. The pixel distribution of an image can provide a better localization of the actual skin colour distribution of an image. Hence, a local skin distribution model (LSDM) is derived using the image pixel distribution model and its similarity with the global skin distribution model (GSDM). Finally, a fusion-based skin model is obtained using both the GSDM and the LSDM. Subsequently, a dynamic region growing method is employed to improve the overall detection rate. Experimental results show that proposed skin detection method can significantly improve the detection accuracy in presence of varying illumination conditions.