Robust noise hybrid active contour model for infrared image segmentation using orientation column filters

AbstractInfrared (IR) image segmentation plays an important role in many applications of night vision, including pedestrian detection, security monitoring, etc. However, the precision is constrained by edge blur and noise interference from the original infrared imaging. In order to achieve robust segmentation results under noise interference, a hybrid active contour model for the segmentation of targets in images using local feature information and global information is proposed. Based on the concept of orientation columns in the primary visual cortex, orientation column filters are defined, which can effectively extract local feature information with noise robustness. Then a global term with noise robustness is defined, and the adaptive weight matrix is adopted to combine the two to construct a complete signed pressure force (SPF) function. Several experiments demonstrate that the proposed algorithm performs more accurately and robustly on noisy infrared images segmentation compared to typical algorithms.KEYWORDS: Infrared image segmentationactive contour modelorientation column filterssigned pressure force functionadaptive weight matrix Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Additional informationFundingNational Natural Science Foundation of China [62001234, 62201260]; Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province [BK20200487]; Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities [JSGP202102]; Equipment Pre-research Weapon Industry Application Innovation Project [627010402]; Equipment Pre-research Key Laboratory Fund Project [6142604210501].