Changes in connectivity in active contour models

Techniques that are useful for tracking objects that change their connectivity have been demonstrated. Contours are extracted from objects moving in two dimensions whose motion is nonrigid and whose connectivity may change. A previously proposed solution for nonrigid motion, which involves the use of simulated elastic curves to track objects, is extended to allow elastic materials to break, grow, and connect open endpoints. The extensions allow object tracking even when the connectivity of objects changes. An algorithm for tracking objects that divide in two is developed based on these extensions. The algorithm is tested using a computer-generated image sequence simulating cell division.<<ETX>>