Abstract: Provided is a virtual viewpoint image synthesizing method in which a virtual viewpoint image viewed from a virtual viewpoint is synthesized based on image information obtained from a plurality of viewpoints. The virtual viewpoint image is synthesized through a reference images obtaining step, a depth maps generating step, an up-sampling step, a virtual viewpoint information obtaining step, and a virtual viewpoint image synthesizing step.

Abstract: A video encoding method for encoding video images as a single video image by using parallax compensation which performs prediction by using parallax between the video images, and a corresponding decoding method. The number of parameters as parallax data used for the parallax compensation is selected and set for each reference image. Data of the set number of parameters is encoded, and parallax data in accordance with the number of parameters is encoded. During decoding, parallax-parameter number data, which is included in encoded data and designates the number of parameters as parallax data for each reference image, is decoded, and parallax data in accordance with the number of parameters is decoded, where the parallax data is included in the encoded data.

Abstract: The disclosed multi-view image coding/decoding device first obtains depth information for an object photographed in an area subject to processing. Next, a group of pixels in an already-coded (decoded) area which is adjacent to the area subject to processing and in which the same object as in the area subject to processing has been photographed is determined using the depth information and set as a sample pixel group. Then, a view synthesis image is generated for the pixels included in the sample pixel group and the area subject to processing. Next, correction parameters to correct illumination and color mismatches in the sample pixel group are estimated from the view synthesis image and the decoded image. A predicted image is then generated by correcting the view synthesis image relative to the area subject to processing using the estimated correction parameters.

Abstract: By using parallax compensation which performs prediction by using parallax between video images, the video images are encoded as a single video image. Reference parallax for a target image to be encoded is set, wherein the reference parallax is estimated using a reference image; area division in an image frame is set; parallax displacement for each divided area is set, wherein the parallax displacement is the difference between the reference parallax and parallax for the parallax compensation; data of the area division is encoded; and data for indicating the parallax displacement is encoded. During decoding, reference parallax for a target image to be decoded is set, wherein it is estimated using a reference image; data for indicating area division, which is included in encoded data, is decoded; and data of parallax displacement, which is included in the encoded data, is decoded for each area indicated by the area division data.

Abstract: Provided is a virtual viewpoint image synthesizing method in which a virtual viewpoint image viewed from a virtual viewpoint is synthesized based on image information obtained from a plurality of viewpoints. The virtual viewpoint image is synthesized through a reference images obtaining step, a depth maps generating step, an up-sampling step, a virtual viewpoint information obtaining step, and a virtual viewpoint image synthesizing step.

Abstract: The disclosed multi-view image coding/decoding device first obtains depth information for an object photographed in an area subject to processing. Next, a group of pixels in an already-coded (decoded) area which is adjacent to the area subject to processing and in which the same object as in the area subject to processing has been photographed is determined using the depth information and set as a sample pixel group. Then, a view synthesis image is generated for the pixels included in the sample pixel group and the area subject to processing. Next, correction parameters to correct illumination and color mismatches in the sample pixel group are estimated from the view synthesis image and the decoded image. A predicted image is then generated by correcting the view synthesis image relative to the area subject to processing using the estimated correction parameters.

Abstract: By using parallax compensation which performs prediction by using parallax between video images, the video images are encoded as a single video image. Reference parallax for a target image to be encoded is set, wherein the reference parallax is estimated using a reference image; area division in an image frame is set; parallax displacement for each divided area is set, wherein the parallax displacement is the difference between the reference parallax and parallax for the parallax compensation; data of the area division is encoded; and data for indicating the parallax displacement is encoded. During decoding, reference parallax for a target image to be decoded is set, wherein it is estimated using a reference image; data for indicating area division, which is included in encoded data, is decoded; and data of parallax displacement, which is included in the encoded data, is decoded for each area indicated by the area division data.

Abstract: A video encoding method for encoding video images as a single video image by using parallax compensation which performs prediction by using parallax between the video images, and a corresponding decoding method. The number of parameters as parallax data used for the parallax compensation is selected and set for each reference image. Data of the set number of parameters is encoded, and parallax data in accordance with the number of parameters is encoded. During decoding, parallax-parameter number data, which is included in encoded data and designates the number of parameters as parallax data for each reference image, is decoded, and parallax data in accordance with the number of parameters is decoded, where the parallax data is included in the encoded data.

Abstract: From a high definition television signal of a field are derived basic pixels whose number is a quarter of the whole number of pixels of an original image, motional areas in the image are detected by comparing the basic pixels in the relevant field with corresponding basic pixels in the preceding frame, pixels in the motional areas are selected as additional pixels together with information representing positions of additional pixels in the image, and the basic and additional pixels and the position information are transmitted in time division multiplex mode in such a manner that the basic and additional pixels can be separated from each other at a receiver end without the position information.