Improvement of Image and Video Matting with Multiple Reliability Maps

In this paper, we propose a framework for extending existing matting methods to actualize more reliable alpha estimation. The key idea of the framework is integration of multiple alpha maps based on their reliabilities. In the proposed framework, the given input image is converted into multiple grayscale images having various luminance appearances. Then, alpha maps are generated corresponding to these grayscale images by utilizing an existing matting method. At the same time reliability maps (single channel images visualizing the reliabilities of the estimated alpha values) are generated. Finally, by combining alpha maps having the highest reliabilities in each local region, one reliable alpha map is generated. The experimental results have shown that reliable alpha estimation can be actualized by the proposed framework.