This research work deals with the restoration of color video sequences by digital image processing techniques. In particular, image degradations known as 'jitter' (fast and slow), introduced into video sequences by unintended camera motion, are considered. The processed video sequences become more stable and, thus, are more suitable for viewing and subsequent machine interpretation. A model of resulting geometric degradations was developed and simplified for processing speed-up. A method for the specification of image areas (targets) as reference points for the stabilization process was developed. An efficient search algorithms for the targets in a video frame was developed which uses a hierarchical search algorithm and exploits frame-to-frame correlation in natural video sequences by use of a motion predictor. The stabilization is carried out in a two-phase procedure. The first learning phase sets up a list of geometric restoration transformations obtained by searching the reference targets frame-by frame through the video sequence, followed by geometric triangulation procedures. The second restoration phase applies the restoration data to every video frame of the sequence. The two-phase approach allows corrective operator intervention in the critical first learning phase where targets can easily be lost by the searching algorithm due to video content or deficiencies. The time-consuming restoration phase can then proceed reliably with correct restoration data. The video stabilization was implemented as a computer program and evaluated on an image processing workstation equipped with a Targa 32+ video frame grabber and a Panasonic LQ4000 recordable video disk player located in our Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. Participating in the project were Dr. Bernd J. Kurz (professor), and Christophe Colas (formerly M.Sc.CS student). This research was carried out in collaboration with TMT Production Ltd., Fairvale, N.B. The classification tool is to be licensed to TMT Productions Ltd. Project Status: Started: December 1994 Completed: December 1995
Christophe Colas, Video Stabilization and Tracking, M.Sc.CS thesis, Fac. of Computer Science, Univ. of New Brunswick, October 1995. (Thesis is classified and on embargo until April 1996).
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Last revised: 6 June 1997 by Bernd Kurz bjkurz@unb.ca