Viterbi algorithm as an alternative to energy minimization for stereo image matching

Martin J. Robinson; Kurt Kubik; David McKinnon; Robert Andrews

doi:10.1117/12.424909

13 April 2001 Viterbi algorithm as an alternative to energy minimization for stereo image matching

Martin J. Robinson, Kurt Kubik, David McKinnon, Robert Andrews

Proceedings Volume 4298, Three-Dimensional Image Capture and Applications IV; (2001) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.424909
Event: Photonics West 2001 - Electronic Imaging, 2001, San Jose, CA, United States

Abstract

The correspondence problem in image matching is an ill-defined one. It is difficult to match two stereo images to produce an accurate depth map without applying some sort of constraints to the matching process. Matching is made especially difficult near discontinuities and occlusions in the images. A popular method of applying constraints to image matching is energy minimisation. However, this technique is computationally expensive and is not guaranteed to finish at an optimal solution. This paper describes the use of a least cost path finding algorithm called the Viterbi algorithm as an alternative to energy minimisation. The Viterbi algorithm operates on individual horizontal scanlines and uses a cost function to find the optimum "path" of nodes through disparity space from one side of the image to the other. Constraints can be applied by restricting the possible movements of the path or by modifying the cost function. The Viterbi algorithm, unlike energy minimisation, is not an iterative process and is guaranteed to find the path that has the least possible cost. The implementation of the Viterbi algorithm described in this paper uses constraints that were developed to make the image matching robust in the presence of discontinuities and occlusions. Results are shown for both synthetic and real-world stereo pairs.

Citation Download Citation

Martin J. Robinson, Kurt Kubik, David McKinnon, and Robert Andrews "Viterbi algorithm as an alternative to energy minimization for stereo image matching", Proc. SPIE 4298, Three-Dimensional Image Capture and Applications IV, (13 April 2001); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.424909

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available