Hierarchical block matching for disparity estimation in stereo sequences

The paper focuses on a new method for block based disparity estimation (BBDE) that is specially suited for real time coding of stereo sequences. The estimation is performed by exploiting a preliminary disparity field, obtained from the coarsest level of a multiresolution pyramid, and its successive refinements in the finer ones. A strong correction strategy for wrong estimates has been implemented by using an appropriate propagation of disparity vectors from one level to the next one and an adaptive search range. Finally, a variable-resolution disparity field is achieved stopping the propagation at an intermediate level of resolution, if a vector allows a good reconstruction quality of its block