Robust image registration for multi-frame mobile applications

We present an approach to global image registration that allows a robust and efficient image alignment, required in various mobile imaging applications (e.g. multi-frame image enhancement, high dynamic range imaging, panoramic image stitching). The proposed method follows a coarse to fine strategy, adopting different registration techniques at coarse and fine resolution levels. Coarse levels are registered using an image-based approach, whereas fine levels are registered based on salient features detected in the two images. The method is robust to blur and noise image degradations, as well as to illumination changes. In addition, due to low computational complexity, the proposed method is included in several mobile imaging applications that are briefly summarized in the paper.