A Search Patterns Switching Algorithm for Block Motion Estimation
Ka-Ho Ng, Lai-Man Po, Ka-Man Wong, Chi-Wang Ting, Kwok-Wai Cheung · IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems for Video Technology · 2009
Center-biased fast motion estimation algorithms, e.g., block-based gradient descent search and diamond search, can perform much better than coarse-to-fine search algorithms, such as 2-D logarithmic search and three-step search. The latter type of algorithms, however, is more suitable for handling large motion content. To combine the advantages of both types of algorithms, an adaptive algorithm performing search patterns switching (SPS) is proposed in this paper. The proposed SPS algorithm classifies the motion content of a block using a simple yet efficient motion content classifier callederrordescentrate. Unlike other classifiers with heavy overhead, this classifier requires only the searching of a few points in the search window and then a division operation. Experimental results show that the proposed SPS algorithm is very robust.