Object tracking in image sequences using point features

This paper presents an object tracking technique based on the Bayesian multiple hypothesis tracking (MHT) approach. Two algorithms, both based on the MHT technique are combined to generate an object tracker. The first MHT algorithm is employed for contour segmentation. The segmentation of contours is based on an edge map. The segmented contours are then merged to form recognisable objects. The second MHT algorithm is used in the temporal tracking of a selected object from the initial frame. An object is represented by key feature points that are extracted from it. The key points (mostly corner points) are detected using information obtained from the edge map. These key points are then tracked through the sequence. To confirm the correctness of the tracked key points, the location of the key points on the trajectory are verified against the segmented object identified in each frame. If an acceptable number of key-points lie on or near the contour of the object in a particular frame (n-th frame), we conclude that the selected object has been tracked (identified) successfully in frame n.