Disparity map estimation uses block matching algorithm and bilateral filter

This paper proposes a new disparity map algorithm which uses block matching and edge-preserving filter. The Sum of Absolute Differences (SAD) algorithm uses block matching technique which produces accurate results on the disparity map for the textured regions. However, this algorithm is sensitive to low texture areas and high noise on images with high different brightness and contrast of images. To get over these problems, the proposed algorithm utilizes edge-preserving filter which is known as Bilateral Filter (BF). The BF kernel well-recovered low texture areas which is able to reduce noise and sharpen the images. Additionally, BF is strong against the distortions due to high brightness and contrast. The proposed work in this paper produces accurate results and performs much better compared to some established algorithms based on the quantitative and qualitative measurements using standard stereo benchmarking evaluation from the Middlebury.