Abstract: A video encoding apparatus divides each frame which forms an encoding target video into a plurality of processing regions, each processing region being subjected to predictive encoding, where a basic reference region associated with each processing region as an encoding target image is set. A first reference prediction region and a second reference prediction region, which are reference regions associated with the basic reference region, are set. Based on a first reference predicted image and a second reference predicted image which correspond to the reference prediction regions, weighting coefficients assigned to individual small regions are set. A first prediction region and a second prediction region, which are reference regions for the encoding target image, are set. A predicted image is generated based on the weighting coefficients, and a first primary-predicted image and a second primary-predicted image which are obtained based on the first and second prediction regions.

Abstract: When pseudo motion representing synthesized positional deviation in a view-synthesized image is compensated for, pseudo motion-compensated prediction of fractional pixel precision for the view-synthesized image is realized.

Abstract: An image encoding/decoding apparatus for performing encoding/decoding while predicting an image between different views using a reference image for a view different from a processing target image and a reference depth map which is a depth map for an object of the reference image when a multi-view image including images of a plurality of different views is encoded/decoded includes a reference depth region setting unit configured to set a reference depth region which is a corresponding region on the reference depth map for decoding target regions into which the processing target image is divided, and an inter-view prediction unit configured to generate an inter-view predicted image for the processing target region from the reference image using depth information in the reference depth region as depth information for the processing target region.

Abstract: When decoding code data of a video wherein each frame that forms the video is divided into a plurality of processing regions, each processing region is subjected to predictive decoding, a provisional decoded image obtained by provisional image decoding utilizing a low-resolution prediction residual is generated, and a final decoded image is generated by updating decoded values of the provisional decoded image. Additionally, when dividing each frame that forms a video into a plurality of processing regions and subjecting each processing region to predictive encoding in which a high-resolution prediction residual is subjected to downsampling to generate a low-resolution prediction residual, a subsampled prediction residual is generated by a subsampling process which subjects only part of pixels of the high-resolution prediction residual to sampling, and the subsampled prediction residual is determined to be the low-resolution prediction residual.

Abstract: A picture encoding method and a picture decoding method are provided which are capable of generating a view-synthesized picture of a processing target frame with small computational complexity without significantly degrading the quality of the view-synthesized picture when the view-synthesized, picture is generated.

Abstract: An picture encoding method includes steps of converting a reference depth map into a virtual depth map that is a depth map of an object photographed in a target picture, generating a depth value of an occlusion region in which there is no depth value in the reference depth map generated by an anteroposterior relationship of the object by assigning a depth value of which a correspondence relationship with a region on the same object as an object shielded in the reference picture is obtained to the occlusion region, and performing picture prediction between views by generating a disparity-compensated picture for the encoding target picture from the virtual depth map and the reference picture after the depth value of the occlusion region is generated.

Abstract: When dividing each frame that forms an encoding target video into a plurality of processing regions and subjecting each processing region to predictive encoding, the encoding is executed by subjecting a prediction residual signal to downsampling that utilizes an interpolation filter. The interpolation filter whose filter coefficients are not encoded is determined by adaptively generating or selecting, for each processing region, the interpolation filter with reference to information that is able to be referred to when corresponding decoding is performed. A low-resolution prediction residual is obtained by subjecting the prediction residual signal to downsampling that utilizes the interpolation filter.

Abstract: High coding efficiency is achieved when disparity-compensated prediction is performed on an encoding (decoding) target picture using depth information representing a three-dimensional position of an object in a reference picture. A correspondence point on the reference picture is set for each pixel of the encoding target picture. Object depth information which is depth information for a pixel at an integer pixel position on the encoding target picture indicated by the correspondence point is set. A tap length for pixel interpolation is determined using reference picture depth information for a pixel at an integer pixel position or an integer pixel position around a fractional pixel position on the reference picture indicated by the correspondence point and the object depth information. A pixel value at the integer pixel position or the fractional pixel position on the reference picture indicated by the correspondence point is generated using an interpolation filter in accordance with the tap length.

Abstract: A bit amount necessary to code information for generating a predicted picture when predictive encoding is performed on a moving picture is reduced. A reference frame list, which is a list of reference frames to be referred to when a predicted picture is generated, is generated. Motion information used when a texture moving picture corresponding to a processing region is encoded is set as texture motion information. Depth map motion information representing a region on a reference frame corresponding to the processing region is set. At this time, the texture motion information is set as the depth map motion information if an index value designating a reference frame included in the texture motion information is less than the size of the reference frame list. The predicted picture for the processing region is generated in accordance with the set depth map motion information.

Abstract: An image-encoding device uses a region having similar image signals in a block in each encoding target block as an object, and performs set-up by associating a pixel value representing the object with an object identifier as an object pixel value. An object map generation unit generates an object map indicating that each pixel in the block belongs to which object, using object identifiers. By use of the object map generation unit, a predicted image that is used by a predicted image generation unit to predict an encoding target block is generated. An object map encoding-unit compares an object map used when encoding a reference region that has been encoded and encodes an object map.

Abstract: When video images are processed by applying temporal or spatial interframe prediction encoding to each divided area, and generating a predicted image of a processing target area based on a reference frame of the processing target area and reference information which indicates a predicted target position of the processing target area in the reference frame, predicted reference information is generated as predicted information of the reference information. Reference information used when an area adjacent to the processing target area was processed is determined as predicted reference information prediction data used for predicting the reference information of the processing target area. Reference area reference information is generated using one or more pieces of reference information used when a reference area indicated by the prediction data was processed. The predicted reference information prediction data is updated using the reference area reference information.

Abstract: A video encoding method includes selecting a reference vector target frame and a reference frame from among already-encoded frames; encoding information for designating each frame; setting a reference vector for indicating an area in the reference vector target frame with respect to an encoding target area; encoding the reference vector; performing a corresponding area search by using image information of a reference vector target area, which belongs to the reference vector target frame and is indicated by the reference vector, and the reference frame; determining a reference area in the reference frame based on the search result; generating a predicted image by using image information of the reference frame, which corresponds to the reference area; and encoding differential information between image information of the encoding target area and the predicted image.

Abstract: An image-encoding device uses a region having similar image signals in a block in each encoding target block as an object, and performs set-up by associating a pixel value representing the object with an object identifier as an object pixel value. An object map generation unit generates an object map indicating that each pixel in the block belongs to which object, using object identifiers. By use of the object map generation unit, a predicted image that is used by a predicted image generation unit to predict an encoding target block is generated. An object map encoding-unit compares an object map used when encoding a reference region that has been encoded and encodes an object map.

Abstract: A multiview image encoding method includes, a view synthesis step for generating a view synthesis image at an encoding target view using a reference view image, a prediction image candidate generation step for generating plural intra prediction image candidates for each encoding target region using decoded images in already-encoded regions which are adjacent to the encoding target region, a prediction image candidate evaluation step for determining evaluation values of each intra prediction image candidates using the view synthesis image, a prediction image generation step for generating an intra prediction image from the plural intra prediction image candidates based on the evaluation values, and an image signal encoding step for performing a predictive encoding of an encoding target image in the encoding target regions using the intra prediction image.

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: A video encoding method includes selecting a reference vector target frame and a reference frame from among already-encoded frames; encoding information for designating each frame; setting a reference vector for indicating an area in the reference vector target frame with respect to an encoding target area; encoding the reference vector; performing a corresponding area search by using image information of a reference vector target area, which belongs to the reference vector target frame and is indicated by the reference vector, and the reference frame; determining a reference area in the reference frame based on the search result; generating a predicted image by using image information of the reference frame, which corresponds to the reference area; and encoding differential information between image information of the encoding target area and the predicted image.

Abstract: In the disclosed multi-view image encoding/decoding method in which a frame to be encoded/decoded is divided and encoding/decoding is done to each region, first, a prediction image is generated not only for the region to be processed, but also for the already encoded/decoded regions neighboring to the region to be processed. The prediction image is generated using the same prediction method for both kinds of regions. Next, correction parameters for correcting illumination and color mismatches are estimated from the prediction image and decoded image of the neighboring regions. At this time, the estimated correction parameters can be obtained even at the decoding side, therefore, encoding them is unnecessary. Thus, by using the estimated correction parameters to correct the predicted image that was generated for the region to be processed, a corrected predicted image that can be actually used is generated.

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: An image generation method for generating image information of an image C by using an image A and an image B having a resolution higher than that of image A. Image C having the same resolution as image B is generated by enlarging image A; presence or absence of a point in image B corresponding to each pixel position of image C and the position of the relevant corresponding point are estimated; and to each pixel position in image C for which it is estimated that there is a corresponding point, image information of the corresponding position in image B is assigned. It is possible to generate image information at each pixel position in image C for which it is estimated in the corresponding point estimation that there is no corresponding point, by using the image information assigned according to an estimation result that there is a corresponding point.