Using conic correspondences in two images to estimate the epipolar geometry

In this paper it is shown hour corresponding conics in two images can be used to estimate the epipolar geometry in terms of the fundamental/essential matrix The corresponding conics can be images of either planar conics or silhouettes of quadrics. It is shown that one conic correspondence gives two independent constraints on the fundamental matrix: and a method to estimate the fundamental matrix: from at least four corresponding conics is presented. Further more, a new type of fundamental matrix for describing conic correspondences is introduced. Finally, it is shown that the problem of estimating the fundamental matrix from 5 point correspondences and 1 conic correspondence in general has 10 different solutions. A method to calculate these solutions is also given together With an experimental validation.