US Patent 9443316 Semi-automatic image segmentation

Semi-automatic (instant) color image segmentation is performed on an input image for an object located near the point given by the user (e.g., touch screen contact). The size, shape, and the number of colors of the target object which is about (lying around or surrounding) the user-selected point is determined, and determinations made for which region the pixels belong to, either foreground or background. A binary object mask is generated which can be utilized for removing the material surrounding that object, or inverting the mask to remove the material of the object.