Research On The Realtime Mosaic Methods Of The Underwater Images

Currently, underwater images mosaic technology has problems of the lack of real-time performance and low robustness which greatly influenced the development of underwater vision techniques. This paper presented an underwater image mosaic method, which aims to in real-time and robustly, complete underwater images mosaic to obtain the large-scale, seamless mosaic images underwater. First, an underwater image preprocessing method was added. Then, SIFT algorithm, which has good robustness, but slow processing speed, was improved. Images registration method based on SURF algorithm was applied to underwater images registration. Finally, optimal seam finding underwater images fusion method based on watershed transformation and max-flow/min-cut was used to achieve underwater images fusion and complete underwater mosaic. The experimental results showed that underwater image preprocessing method can effectively improve image quality and be prepared for following underwater images registration. Underwater image registration method based on SURF algorithm which can obviously speed up image registration has good real-time performance and considerable robustness. And compared with SIFT-based image registration method, their accuracy was almost equal. Optimal seam finding underwater images fusion method based on watershed transformation and max-flow/min-cut can effectively eliminate ghosting, clear or weaken stitching seam, improving images mosaic quality.The presented method of underwater image mosaic method meets the needs of real-time performance, robustness, and automation, which can help underwater vehicles to complete specific marine inspection and ocean exploration tasks, especially in underwater visual navigation, reflecting engineering practicability.