1. A computer-implemented method for distinguishing foreground objects of interest from a background model, the method comprising executing on a processing unit the steps of: dividing a region of interest of a video data image into a grid array of a plurality of individual cells; acquiring frame image data for each of the cells; determining a first background indication for each of the cells that have determined color intensities that do not exceed others of the determined color intensities for the cell by a color intensity differential threshold; determining a first foreground indication for each of the cells that have one of the determined color intensities greater than another of the determined color intensities for that cell by the color intensity differential threshold; determining a second background indication for each of the cells that have an accumulated energy of edges detected within the cells that less than an edge energy threshold; determining a second foreground indication for each of the cells that have an accumulated energy of edges detected within the cells that meets or exceeds the edge energy threshold; labelling as foreground or background each of the cells in response to applying a combination rule to the foreground indications and the background indications for the cells; and using the frame image data from the cells labeled as foreground to define a foreground object.