Automatic object and image alignment using Fourier Descriptors

This paper presents a new edge-based technique for image alignment, combining Fourier Descriptors (FD) and the Iterative Closest Point (ICP) computation into an accurate and robust processing pipeline. Once edges are identified in the reference and target images, Fourier Descriptors are used to simultaneously determine edge correspondence and estimate the transformation parameters. Subsequently, an ICP computation is applied to further improve the alignment results. Using Fourier Descriptors in combination with a reliable distance matrix, corresponding edge pairs can be reliably detected for all identified edges. (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier B.V.