US Patent 9025880 Visual saliency estimation for images and video

Methods and apparatus for visual saliency estimation for images and video are described. In an embodiment, a process includes decomposing, by a processor, an image into elements, wherein each element includes at least one pixel. The processor then calculates a first image measure indicative of each element's uniqueness in the image on a per element basis, and a second image measure indicative of each element's spatial distribution in the image on a per element basis. A per element saliency measure is provided by combining the first image measure and the second image measure, or by utilizing the first image measure, or by utilizing the second image measure.