Small object detection and tracking: Algorithm, analysis and application

Abstract

In this paper, we present an algorithm for detection and tracking of small objects, like a ping pong ball or a cricket ball in sports video sequences. It can also detect and track airborne targets in an infrared image sequence. The proposed method uses motion as the primary cue for detection. The detected object is tracked using the multiple filter bank approach. Our method is capable of detecting objects of low contrast and negligible texture content. Moreover, the algorithm also detects point targets. The algorithm has been evaluated using large number of different video clips and the performance is analysed. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2005.