PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a foreground area extraction method quickly clipping an object area (foreground area).;SOLUTION: A foreground pixel and a background pixel designated by a user are defined as a reference pixel. One of divided color spaces obtained by dividing a three-dimensional color space into a plurality of color spaces to which each reference pixel belongs is specified as a reference divided color space. Color distance calculation processing is performed for calculating the distance of colors in the color space between each reference pixel and an adjacent pixel adjacent to the reference pixel. Inclusion decision processing is performed for deciding whether or not the adjacent pixel belongs to each reference divided color space. Cost calculation processing is performed for calculating costs for each adjacent pixel based on the distance of the color calculated for each adjacent pixel and weighting based on the result of determining whether each adjacent pixel belongs to the reference divided color space. Decision processing is performed for deciding the adjacent pixel as the foreground pixel or the background pixel, and a foreground area is extracted from the image.;COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT
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