Target tracking algorithm based on optical flow method using corner detection

The tracking speed and accuracy are two most important parameters for a target tracking system. In our study, the proposed target tracking algorithm combines the Harris method and the optical flow method. To improve the tracking speed, the Harris method is initially used to extract some target corner features, and the optical flow method is then used to more accurately match corner features for the subsequent video frames. When the tracked target is rotated or distorted, the barycenter algorithm is employed to compute the barycenter of those matched features of target. To meet the real-time-tracking requirement, a small-zone image searching method and a high speed digital signal processing system are also designed. Our experimental study shows that the method described in this paper has high accuracy of target tracking, and can be applied to the situations of rotated, distorted, and/or shielded targets, although it has a limitation that it is only suitable for smaller targets.