Image matching method using direction sensitivity and vector smoothing

Abstract

In a block matching method, a successive one of segmented blocks of a first image is superimposed on a portion of a second image, and a correlation is detected therebetween. The superimposed block is successively moved by a small amount and correlations are repeatedly detected for different locations of the successively moved block. A maximum value of the correlations is detected and a vector representing the location of the block of the maximum correlation is stored into a memory as a match between a block of the first image and a portion of the second image. The process is repeated for the remaining blocks of the first image to create a map of the matching vectors in the memory. Direction sensitivity functions and vector smoothing functions are derived from the segmented blocks for respectively correcting the stored matching vectors. In a preferred embodiment, prior to the successive movement of the block, a first direction sensitivity function is derived from the block and a second direction sensitivity function from the corresponding portion of the second image. Correlation is detected between these functions and the block is successively rotated by a small angle, and the derivation of these functions and the detection of correlations therebetween are repeated to detect a maximum correlation. The orientation of the block is set to the angle of the the maximum correlation. A gradient method is employed for deriving optimum values for correcting the stored vectors.