Telecentric approximation in underwater image mosaics for minimizing parallax-induced errors

Abstract

We report the development of “Paaronama”, an algorithm for underwater video mosaicking which minimizes parallax-induced errors. It approximates a zero angular field of view by mosaicking only along a thin central strip of each video frame perpendicular to the general camera motion, which corresponds to a minimized field of view. The results of the algorithm was compared with those of AutoStitch, Microsoft Image Composite Editor and Engr. Corpuz’s Kiko&Stitch. The algorithm was found to be faster and more memory efficient than the other software, with less parallax-induced artifacts and better detail preservation.