Automatic detection of repeated objects

Full Title: “Automatic detection of repeated objects in images”

Authors: Mariano Rodríguez, Jean-Michel Morel and Julie Delon

Conference: ICIP 21

Abstract: The definition of an “object” through the presentation of several of its instances is certainly one of the most efficient ways for humans and machines to learn. An object can be “learned” from a single image, just because it is repeating. In this paper, we explore a three step algorithm to detect repeated objects in images. Starting from a graph of auto-correspondences inside an image, we first extract sub-graphs composed of repetitions of unbreakable pieces of objects, that we call atoms. Then, these graphs of atoms are grouped into initial propositions of object instances. Finally, geometry inconsistencies are filtered out to end up with the final repeated object. The meaningfulness of object repetitions is measured by their Number of False Alarms (NFA), which provides a natural order among repeated objects in images; a very low NFA being a strong proof of existence of the discovered object.