Image matching apparatus, method of matching images, and computer program product

A method of matching images comprising:

• solving an equation of motion numerically, the equation of motion including a potential energy force applied on each of lattice points each corresponding to a source pixel at a source position of each of the lattice points on a source image, the numerical analyzing unit including a potential energy force calculator that calculates the potential energy force for each of the lattice points based on a pixel value gradient between the source pixel and pixels in region corresponding to the current position on the destination image;
• and
• setting the source position and a convergence value of the current position as a mapping relation between the source image and the destination image.

A computer program product comprising instructions of:

• solving an equation of motion numerically, the equation of motion including a potential energy force applied on each of lattice points each corresponding to a source pixel at a source position of each of the lattice points on a source image, the numerical analyzing unit including a potential energy force calculator that calculates the potential energy force for each of the lattice points based on a pixel value gradient between the source pixel and pixels in region corresponding to the current position on the destination image;
• and
• setting the source position and a convergence value of the current position as a mapping relation between the source image and the destination image.