An adaptive multi pattern scheme for fast block motion estimation

Abstract

A simple, adaptive, computationally efficient and robust scheme for multi pattern block motion estimation has been proposed. A combination of spatial and temporal predictors has been used for multiple initial search center prediction, determination of magnitude of motion and multiple search pattern selection. The multiple initial predictors help to identify the absolute zero motion blocks and true location of global minimum based on the characteristic of unimodal error surfaces. Hence the final predictive search center selected is closer to the global minimum thus decreases the effect of monotonic error surface assumption and its impact on the motion field. This also increases the computation speed. Further computational speed up has been obtained by considering half stop technique and threshold for minimum distortion point. The computational complexity of the proposed algorithm is drastically decreased (average speedup ~ 43%) whereas the image quality measured in terms of PSNR also shows results close to Full Search algorithm. © 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.