Abstract: Provided are an image processing method and apparatus for generating a three-dimensional (3D) virtual viewpoint image by combining multi-view depth map on a 3D space through depth clustering. In the image processing method and apparatus, pieces of color and depth information are stored in units of depth clusters to minimize influences of occlusion regions and holes during generating of the virtual viewpoint image.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus and method. The image processing apparatus comprises: receiving a first source image and a second source image from multiple image sources, receiving geometric information required for stitching the first source image and the second source image and synthesizing an image from the first source image and the second source image on the basis of the geometric information, wherein the geometric information includes seam information used to specify a overlapping region between the first source image and the second source image.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of determining a disparity of an image generated by using a multibaseline stereo camera system. The method includes determining a reference parity between a reference image and a target image among multiple images generated by using a multi-baseline stereo camera system, determining an ambiguity region in each of the multiple images on the basis of a positional relationship among the multiple images or among cameras in the multibaseline stereo camera system, and determining a disparity for each of the multiple images by determining a matching point in each of the ambiguity regions of the respective images.

Abstract: Disclosed are an image encoding method using a skip mode and a device using the method. The image encoding method may comprise the steps of: judging whether there is residual block data of a prediction target block on the basis of predetermined data indicating whether residual block data has been encoded; and, if there is residual block data, restoring the prediction target block on the basis of the residual block data and an intra-screen predictive value of the prediction target block. Consequently, encoding and decoding efficiency can be increased by carrying out the encoding and decoding of screen residual data only for prediction target blocks where there is a need for a residual data block in accordance with screen similarity.

Abstract: Disclosed are an image encoding method using a skip mode and a device using the method. The image encoding method may comprise the steps of: judging whether there is residual block data of a prediction target block on the basis of predetermined data indicating whether residual block data has been encoded; and, if there is residual block data, restoring the prediction target block on the basis of the residual block data and an intra-screen predictive value of the prediction target block. Consequently, encoding and decoding efficiency can be increased by carrying out the encoding and decoding of screen residual data only for prediction target blocks where there is a need for a residual data block in accordance with screen similarity.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for generating a best-view image centered on a object of interest in multiple camera images. The apparatus and method for generating a best-view image centered on a object of interest in multiple camera images accurately provide a best-view image clearly showing a figure, a motion, or the like of a object of interest desired by a viewer by selecting the best-view camera image on the basis of a criterion of a judgment about the best-view image centered on the object of interest.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for performing object segmentation in an image. More particularly, the present invention divides a screen of an input image into at least two sub-images, and generates one image by combining the at least two sub-images to which an image segmentation algorithm is respectively applied.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a method of determining precise positioning. A method of determining precise positioning according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: determining at least one piece of image positioning information of at least one image object detected from at least one image; determining at least one piece of wireless positioning information of at least one wireless object on the basis of signal strength of a wireless signal; performing mapping for the at least one piece of image positioning information and the at least one piece of wireless positioning information; and determining final positioning information on the basis of the at least one piece of image positioning information, and the at least one piece of wireless positioning information for which mapping is performed.

Abstract: Disclosed are an image encoding method using a skip mode and a device using the method. The image encoding method may comprise the steps of: judging whether there is residual block data of a prediction target block on the basis of predetermined data indicating whether residual block data has been encoded; and, if there is residual block data, restoring the prediction target block on the basis of the residual block data and an intra-screen predictive value of the prediction target block. Consequently, encoding and decoding efficiency can be increased by carrying out the encoding and decoding of screen residual data only for prediction target blocks where there is a need for a residual data block in accordance with screen similarity.

Abstract: Disclosed are an image encoding method using a skip mode and a device using the method. The image encoding method may comprise the steps of: judging whether there is residual block data of a prediction target block on the basis of predetermined data indicating whether residual block data has been encoded; and, if there is residual block data, restoring the prediction target block on the basis of the residual block data and an intra-screen predictive value of the prediction target block. Consequently, encoding and decoding efficiency can be increased by carrying out the encoding and decoding of screen residual data only for prediction target blocks where there is a need for a residual data block in accordance with screen similarity.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for generating a best-view image centered on a object of interest in multiple camera images. The apparatus and method for generating a best-view image centered on a object of interest in multiple camera images accurately provide a best-view image clearly showing a figure, a motion, or the like of a object of interest desired by a viewer by selecting the best-view camera image on the basis of a criterion of a judgment about the best-view image centered on the object of interest.

Abstract: A multi-camera control apparatus and method to maintain a location and a size of an object in a continuous viewpoint switching service are provided. The multi-camera control method of controlling a main camera configured to capture a moving object of interest and controlling at least one sub-camera configured to capture the object of interest at a different viewpoint from that of the main camera, may include extracting the object of interest from a first image generated by the main camera, controlling a capturing scheme of the main camera based on a change in a location and a size of the extracted object of interest, projecting the object of interest onto a second image generated by the sub-camera, and controlling a capturing scheme of the sub-camera based on a change in a location and a size of the projected object of interest.

Abstract: A method of providing an object image includes collecting a global image and an additional image of a predetermined space using a fixed camera and a tracking camera, displaying broadcast contents including the collected global image and additional image on a display, receiving an input of an object of interest selected by a user from the broadcast contents displayed on the display, and analyzing the object of interest selected from the broadcast contents and displaying the additional image mapped to the global image configuring the broadcast contents on the display.

Abstract: Disclosed are an object tracking method and an object tracking apparatus performing the object tracking method. The object tracking method may include extracting locations of objects in an object search area using a global camera, identifying an interest object selected by a user from the objects, and determining an error in tracking the identified interest object and correcting the determined error.

Abstract: Provided are an image magnification apparatus and method for three-dimensional display images. A multi-view image magnification apparatus includes: a region designation detection unit for detecting detection regions corresponding to the magnification regions of three-dimensional display images from original view images; a magnification ratio determination unit for determining the magnification ratios of the magnification regions; and a partial multiplexing unit for multiplexing non-detection regions except for the detection regions of the original view images according to a predetermined resolution and multiplexing the detection regions according the resolution which is different from the resolution of the non-detection regions on the basis of the magnification ratios. The present invention can magnify the images without lowering the resolution in a three-dimensional display.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and a method for generating a multi-viewpoint image. The apparatus includes: a camera photographing a stereo image; an image processing unit detecting features from left and right images of the stereo image; a reference image generating unit generating a reference image for viewpoint n by warping an image which is distant between the left image and the right image at viewpoint n based on an n-th viewpoint among N viewpoints that exist between the left image and the right image; and a warping image generating unit calculating a warping equation for viewpoint n by using the reference image and generating a final warping image for viewpoint n by using the calculated warping equation.

Abstract: There are provided a method and apparatus for controlling an electronic device. The apparatus for controlling an electronic device includes a marker recognition unit configured to recognize the marker of the electronic device and a control unit configured to perform communication with the electronic device based on the marker and control the electronic device using a Graphic User Interface (GUI) program received from the electronic device.

Abstract: A multi-camera control apparatus and method to maintain a location and a size of an object in a continuous viewpoint switching service are provided. The multi-camera control method of controlling a main camera configured to capture a moving object of interest and controlling at least one sub-camera configured to capture the object of interest at a different viewpoint from that of the main camera, may include extracting the object of interest from a first image generated by the main camera, controlling a capturing scheme of the main camera based on a change in a location and a size of the extracted object of interest, projecting the object of interest onto a second image generated by the sub-camera, and controlling a capturing scheme of the sub-camera based on a change in a location and a size of the projected object of interest.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and a method for generating a multi-viewpoint image. The apparatus includes: a camera photographing a stereo image; an image processing unit detecting features from left and right images of the stereo image; a reference image generating unit generating a reference image for viewpoint n by warping an image which is distant between the left image and the right image at viewpoint n based on an n-th viewpoint among N viewpoints that exist between the left image and the right image; and a warping image generating unit calculating a warping equation for viewpoint n by using the reference image and generating a final warping image for viewpoint n by using the calculated warping equation.

Abstract: Provided is a multi-view video coding/decoding method and apparatus which uses coded and decoded multi-view videos to code and decode depth information videos corresponding to the multi-view videos. The multi-view video coding method includes: controlling the scales of first and second depth information videos corresponding to a multi-view video such that the scales are equalized; and coding the second depth information video, of which the scale is controlled, by referring to the first depth information video of which the scale is controlled.