Model-based tracking using motion estimation of a static vehicle in airborne image sequences
Gregory J. Power, Craig R. Roush · Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE · 2006
This paper presents a method for performing model-based motion estimation for ground tracking from an airborne video. Different model geometries are used for the input into a four-step search (4-SS) motion estimation algorithm. The algorithm allows the user to select both the model geometry and the center mass of the vehicle. The estimated center of mass is determined from the 4-SS motion estimation and used as the input for the comparison between the next two images in the sequence. The model geometries considered are a rectangle internal to the vehicle, a rectangle external to the vehicle, or a polygon that matches the general shape of the vehicle. Each geometry is compared against ground truth data. A goodness measure is used to compare tracking quality. Initial results indicate both geometries track well as long as the model geometry is adjusted based on aircraft motion and as long as variations such as specularities are kept to a minimum.