Contrast-based image attention analysis by using fuzzy growing.

ABSTRACTVisual attention analysis provides an alternative methodology to semantic image understanding in many applications such as adaptive content delivery and region-based image retrieval. In this paper, we propose a feasible and fast approach to attention area detection in images based on contrast analysis. The main contributions are threefold: 1) a new saliency map generation method based on local contrast analysis is proposed; 2) by simulating human perception, a fuzzy growing method is used to extract attended areas or objects from the saliency map; and 3) a practicable framework for image attention analysis is presented, which provides three-level attention analysis, i.e., attended view, attended areas and attended points. This framework facilitates visual analysis tools or vision systems to automatically extract attentions from images in a manner like human perception. User study results indicate that the proposed approach is effective and practicable.