Human action recognition using hull convexity defect features with multi-modality setups

We consider developing a taxonomic shape driven algorithm to solve the problem of human action recognition and develop a new feature extraction technique using hull convexity defects. To test and validate this approach, we use silhouettes of subjects performing ten actions from a commonly used video database by action recognition researchers. A morphological algorithm is used to filter noise from the silhouette. A convex hull is then created around the silhouette frame, from which convex defects will be used as the features for analysis. A complete feature consists of thirty individual values which represent the five largest convex hull defects areas. A consecutive sequence of these features form a complete action. Action frame sequences are preprocessed to separate the data into two sets based on perspective planes and bilateral symmetry. Features are then normalized to create a final set of action sequences. We then formulate and investigate three methods to classify ten actions from the database. Testing and training of the nine test subjects is performed using a leave one out methodology. Classification utilizes both PCA and minimally encoded neural networks. Performance evaluation results show that the Hull Convexity Defect Algorithm provides comparable results with less computational complexity. This research can lead to a real time performance application that can be incorporated to include distinguishing more complex actions and multiple person interaction. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.