A method for segmenting video data into foreground and background portions
utilizes statistical modeling of the pixels. A statistical model of the
background is built for each pixel, and each pixel in an incoming video
frame is compared with the background statistical model for that pixel.
Pixels are determined to be foreground or background based on the
comparisons. The method for segmenting video data may be further
incorporated into a method for implementing an intelligent video
surveillance system. The method for segmenting video data may be
implemented in hardware.