GLOBAL AND DENSE MOTION ESTIMATION

The invention relates to a method which uses a series of images sensed by an image sensor including at least one preceding image and one following image to estimate movement. A first estimated movement is initially obtained by estimating the total movement from the preceding image to the following image. Next, an image compensated according to the first estimated movement is obtained from either one of the preceding and following images. Then, a second estimated movement is obtained by estimating dense movement between the compensated image and the other from the preceding and following images. Next, a residual value of global movement is determined. Finally, if the residual value is lower than a threshold value the second estimated movement is provided; otherwise, the preceding steps are repeated. The first estimated movement is determined by applying a binary image mask, and if during step /e/ the steps /a/ to /e/ are repeated, said steps are performed by applying a binary image mask updated according to the second estimated movement.