Background separated images for print and on-line use

Abstract

In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for producing background separated product images for print and on-line display. An image formation system provides lighting of a product to facilitate acquiring images that can be automatically processed to generate high resolution item-only images free of quality defects and imaging artifacts. Image processing programs accurately detect an outline of an item in a set of digital images taken using the image formation system and automatically store processed images in an image library. The images in the library may be repurposed for print, sales display, transmission to a user, on-line customer support, and the like. A user display configured with an adaptable user interface facilitates user interaction with images in the library.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 a digital library of images comprising one or more background-less images generated through processing a single camera image of an item and a background, the processing extracting item content from the single camera image via outline detection that distinguishes the item from the background, the digital library adapted to facilitate retrieving background-less images from the digital library based, at least in part, on at least one aspect of the item; and   an image processor that processes background-less images retrieved, based at least in part on the at least one aspect of the item, for presentation in a user interface display.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the retrieved background-less images represent a perspective view of the item. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the retrieved background-less images comprise a collection of images representing two or more perspectives of the item. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein at least two of the retrieved background-less images in the collection comprise images captured from at least two different perspectives. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein at least one perspective of the two different perspectives comprises a rotated perspective of the item. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein at least one perspective of the two different perspectives comprises an open-door perspective of the item. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a functional pointer presented in the user interface display, the functional pointer adapted to perform product interaction functions equivalent, in part, to a human hand. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the functional pointer is rendered in a shape of a human hand. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the functional pointer facilitates a user performing, within the user interface display, at least one interaction selected from a list of interactions consisting of: touching the item, turning the item, operating the item, opening the item, tilting the item, activating the item, observing the item, and retrieving item information. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the digital library is adapted to facilitate automated storage and retrieval of background-less images based on at least one aspect of an item captured in a background-less image of the digital library. 
     
     
         11 . A method comprising:
 determining an aspect of an item from an indication of user interaction in an item display user interface;   retrieving an item-only image of the item, based at least in part on the determined aspect, from a digital library of item-only images formed through processing a single camera image comprising the item, the processing including extracting item content from the single camera image via outline detection that distinguishes the item within the single camera image; and   rendering at least a portion of the retrieved item-only image in the item display user interface.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the digital library is adapted to facilitate retrieving images from the digital library based, at least in part, on at least one aspect of the item, including the determined aspect of the item. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the rendered at least a portion of the retrieved item-only image represents a perspective view of the item. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein retrieving an item-only image comprises:
 retrieving a collection of images representing two or more perspectives of the item.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein at least two item-only images in the collection comprise images captured from at least two different perspectives. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein at least one perspective of the two different perspectives comprises a rotated perspective of the item. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one perspective of the two different perspectives comprises an open-door perspective of the item. 
     
     
         18 . A system comprising:
 a digital library of images comprising one or more item-only images generated through processing a single camera image comprising an item, the processing extracting item content from the single camera image via outline detection that distinguishes the item in the single camera image, the digital library adapted to facilitate retrieving item-only images from the digital library based, at least in part, on at least one aspect of the item; and   an image processor that facilitates a user viewing retrieved item-only images based, at least in part, on the at least one aspect of the item.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the retrieved item-only images represent a perspective view of the item. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the retrieved item-only images comprise a collection of images representing at least two perspectives of the item.