3. Superimposed geometric structures for relative
localization. The static approach
The high complexity of information contained in a view
suggests to superimpose geometric structures as the support of a
symbolic representation. Following a static approach based on a
dense map of points (Voronoi sites), traditional Voronoi
diagrams or their dual Delaunay triangulations ([Ber97],
[Kre97]) provide an irregular tessellation linked to influence-
regions or optimality properties. Irregular tessellations provide a
metrical hierarchised representation with their corresponding
structures of nearest neighbourhoods and cellular subdivisions.
Metric structures allow to superimpose criteria for topological
properties such as the connectivity index, i.e. the number of
connected regions linked which are adjacent to a fixed one. This
information simplifies the query procedures to find meaningful
data for the relative localization, which are very important for
the assistance with applications to automatic searching
procedures or optimal resources allocation. Triangular Delaunay
decompositions are better suited than convex Voronoi
decompositions to update mobile information by simple
subdivision or regrouping. Indeed, triangulations are based on
split-and-merge algorithms which are easier to implement and
to update than mobile Voronoi diagrams. In despite of the
precision of triangular decompositions, the mise in
correspondence between homologue elements is time
consuming, and some coarser approach can be more useful for
on-line applications.
Stereo matching requires at least four points not so far between
them. Four points in the image generate a quadrilateral, which is
used to patch together different views in a panoramic view after
a rectification ([Har00]). We restrict ourselves to convex
quadrilaterals. Usual method to construct small homographies
in Stereo Vision is based on triangular decompositions. To
compare triangulations corresponding to different aerial or
satellite views, it is convenient to perform a rectification
([Har00]). Nevertheless the accuracy and easy use of triangular
decompositions, the information relative to 1D data contained in
contours is often ignored. This information can be incorporated
by means a trapezoidization algorithms based on detection of
large segments inside the view (besides some threshold).
Trapezoidization can be refined to give triangulations, but with
some edges labelled as true segments meaningful for the image
analysis. Trapezoidization are obviously compatible with
triangular decompositions, and the method of small
homographies is also applied, but with a redundant condition
which is automatically solved by means of a simple
optimisation procedure between the candidate to homologue
vertices in rectified adjacent views.
4. Correspondence between sampled images.
The quasi-static case
The mise-in-correspondence between common data belonging
to a sequence of views is a highly complex task which can be
simplified if we have an easily updateable reference pattern
based on the selection and tracking of homologue points along a
sequence of views. A structural approach to this problem is
based on the Epipolar restriction ([Har00]) applied to a
perspective model. Usual approach is based on the method of
small planar homographies supported onto triangles whose
vertices are located to a similar depth. Traditional algorithms
use the correspondence between pairs of homologue triangles
along a sequence of views. The automatic identification of
homologue triangles is far from being trivial due to variations in
depth. However, for aerial or satellite images differences in the
relative depth can be forgotten. The main problem concerns to
the accumulation of errors arising form relative positioning,
which can give meaningful errors for the evaluation of relative
movement. To avoid such errors one can use absolute
positioning based on landmarks on the terrain or the
determination of the absolute conic ([Har00]) for metric
information. Orthographic projections play a privileged role as
reference images to obtain structure from motion.
Modern radargrammetric or satellite views perform a sweep of
regions. Following our approach, we superimpose a sequence of
2D convex quadrilaterals to central regions. There exist
different rectification methods which transform quadrilaterals in
rectangles associated to an orthogonal projection, as the frames
would be taken in a fronto-parallel view, always ([Har00]).
These methods provide a common pattern to compare different
views, provided we have some information about parallel lines.
Vertices of quadrilaterals are selected as multiple (triple or
quadruple) junctions, in such way that resulting quadrilaterals
are empty (there are no other quadruple junction inside). So, we
have a stable structure which is not involved by perspective
changes. Next, we take quadrilaterals to compare (and
eventually to patch together) pairs of successive images. To
each positively (i.e. counterclockwise) oriented quadrilateral we
associate its oriented area given as:
A(ABCD) = ; (AB + DC) A BD = : (AB + DC) A AC
Next, we compute the affine transformation between homologue
quadrilaterals. The automatic choice of homologue
quadrilaterals is based on the Epipolar Geometry ([Har00]). The
identification of epipoles in the image plane imposes strong
conditions about the localization of homologue elements along a
sequence of views. A general affine transformation is
determined by six parameters. The translation vector
corresponds to the displacement of the centre of gravity of
homologue regions; it is easily computed from a standard
navigation system giving the changes every second of latitude
and longitude coordinates. A simple computation of parameters
shows that we need at least six normal flow vectors. Hence, we
take two pairs of homologue quadrilaterals with a common
edge. So, the (pairs of adjacent) homologue quadrilaterals
provide a geometric support for bilinear forms which give an
algebraic expression to the transformation between sampled
near frames. A voting scheme about the differences between
normalized oriented areas of homologue quadrilaterals
contained in two views gives an unbiased estimator of the
angular velocity.
The automatic management of the superimposed quadrilateral
structure is performed by a local trapezoidal map. Trapezoids
are obtained from a sweep performed along two orthogonal
directions which are associated to the orthogonal view. So, we
prevent degenerate situations linked to lines parallel to the
sweep line. Conflicts in data structures are solved by discarding
degenerate situations linked to the presence of a segment
parallel to the sweep line.
5. Multiobjective Optimisation
There exist two main approaches to multiobjective optimisation
problems which are labelled as Min-max formulation and the
method of objective weights. The second method is based on
the selection able of weights to minimize an energy functional
which is usually given by a weighted combination of L'- and L7-
norms which can be interpreted as the usual potential and
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