Cut detection for image sequences through image segmentation

Abstract

This paper proposes a new cut-detection algorithm for image sequences. The new method is based on image segmentation and classification of the regions resulting from the segmentation. Each region is assigned to a class that terminates at a shot boundary. This technique is shown to be effective for gradual shot transitions, where conventional cut-detection algorithms are known to fail. It is also shown that the threshold with which the outputs of the cut detector are compared can be selected easily as the outputs are close to unity at cuts, while low elsewhere. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated by experiments.