A novel algorithm for exemplar-based image inpainting

Abstract

In traditional exemplar-based image inpainting algorithm, the confidence value will rapidly decrease to zero as the inpainting process progresses. As a consequence, it will lead to unreliable result of the priority calculation and wrong direction of the process. In addition, traditional methods usually use the sum of squared differences (SSD) criterion to search the optimal matching block. Since the matching criterion is single and the precision is limited, the process is easy to produce mismatch. In order to solve the above problems, an improved algorithm has been proposed in this paper. First, we proposed a new confidence update algorithm through replacing the previous linear function form by using a logarithmic function form, which can suppress the phenomenon that the confidence attenuation is too fast and improve the accuracy of guiding and inpainting direction. Then, we combine the physical distance between blocks and traditional SSD matching criterion to improve matching accuracy. The experimental results show that the algorithm overcomes the shortcomings of the traditional algorithm and provides higher quality image restoration effects and better visual effects.