Two Level Block Matching Criterion for Motion Estimation Using Integral Frames Features

In block based motion estimation algorithms, computation is reduced by limiting the number of candidate search points within the search window or simplifying the distortion measurement criterion for block matching. Integral frame based block motion estimation algorithms have been suggested in literature which drastically reduce computation cost. However, these algorithms have a serious drawback of spurious block matching possibility, leading to poor quality results. In this manuscript, a two level block matching criterion based on integral frame concept is proposed to minimize this drawback. Experimental results show that an increase up to 12% in terms of peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR) (dB) has been achieved than conventional integral frame based block matching criterion with almost same execution time. Further, in terms of quality/computation ratio where quality and computation has been measured in terms of PSNR and execution time respectively, proposed method has 25-26% gain over existing integral frame based techniques.