Tracking of facial region in color video sequences using an improved narrow band algorithm

A novel method based on geometric active contour model for face tracking is presented. After performing the chromatic histogram backprojection face region appears as a homogeneous region in the backprojected image. An improved narrow band algorithm is developed for implementing the curve evolution. The propagating curve is represented as a set of nodes. The update of the level set function is only calculated on these nodes, while the evolution on other grid points is performed using the interpolation and lookup table method. The motion direction as well as the time step of each node is different with respect to the local image properties. The experimental results indicate the proposed algorithm is fast and accurate enough for tracking faces in color image sequences.