Abstract: A method for generating a realistic 3D reconstruction model for an object or being, comprising: a) capturing a sequence of images of an object or being from a plurality of surrounding cameras; b) generating a mesh of said an object or being from said sequence of images captured; c) creating a texture atlas using the information obtained from said sequence of images captured of said object or being; d) deforming said generated mesh according to higher accuracy meshes of critical areas;and e) rigging said mesh using an articulated skeleton model and assigning bone weights to a plurality of vertices of said skeleton model; the method comprises generating said 3D reconstruction model as an articulation model further using semantic information enabling animation in a fully automatic framework. The system is arranged to implement the method of the invention.

Abstract: There are provided methods and apparatus for illumination compensation of intra-predicted video. An apparatus includes an encoder for encoding a picture using non-local intra prediction. The encoder includes an illumination compensation processing unit for applying illumination compensation to predicted data obtained from the non-local intra prediction. Another apparatus includes a decoder for decoding a picture using non-local intra prediction. The decoder includes an illumination compensation processing portion for applying illumination compensation to predicted data obtained from the non-local intra prediction.

Abstract: There are provided methods and apparatus for context dependent merging for SKIP/DIRECT modes for video encoding and decoding. An apparatus includes an encoder for joint coding partitions of an image region using frame partitioning and a partition merging procedure, wherein any given one of the partitions that use a coding mode with implicit coding rules is subject to being merged, with another one of the partitions, using a distinct merging rule different than that used for a coding mode with explicit coding rules.

Abstract: There are provided methods and apparatus for video encoding and decoding geometrically partitioned bi-predictive mode partitions. An apparatus includes an encoder for encoding bi-predictable picture data for at least a portion of a picture using adaptive geometric partitioning. Geometric partitions for the adaptive geometric partitioning are predicted using at least one predictor selected from a first set of predictors corresponding to a first list of references pictures, a second set of predictors corresponding to a second list of references pictures, and a third set of predictors used for bi-prediction and including predictors from at least one of the first and second sets.

Abstract: There are provided methods and apparatus for video coding using prediction data refinement. An apparatus includes an encoder for encoding an image region of a picture. The encoder has a prediction refinement filter for refining at least one of an intra prediction and an inter prediction for the image region. The prediction refinement filter refines the inter prediction for the image region using at least one of previously decoded data and previously encoded data, the previously decoded data and the previously encoded data corresponding to pixel values in neighboring regions with respect to the image region.

Abstract: A method for generating a model of a flat object from views taken by at least two calibrated cameras, which is capable of generating two-dimensional and volumetric representations of the object, where the representations can be a depth map, a volumetric representation or a mesh representation, method including the following basic steps: calibrating at least two cameras, calculating several 3D coordinates of at least three points belonging to the same plane of the flat object, calculating the equation of the plane of the flat object, selecting at least one region representing the surface of the flat object, in at least one view provided by at least one camera, and calculating the intersection between the selected region representing the surface of the object and the equation of the plane.

Abstract: The present invention provides a collaborative tool which is a distributed multi-touch cloud-connected desktop tool comprising a client application and/or webtop with an integrated immersive Natural User Interface adapted for any input device having a touch screen. Thanks to the invention users can access their desktops from everywhere, at anytime and from any capable device, as the desktop is multiplatform and can be accessed from mobile devices, web browsers or from desktops as standalone application without the necessity of a desktop computer. Thanks to the invention, users can share digital content, edit it and interact with it in a cooperative and collaborative manner while still able to individually and independently arrange objects and/or applications in each of the clients for the best convenience of each user.

Abstract: There are provided methods and apparatus for reduced resolution partitioning. An apparatus includes an encoder for encoding video data using adaptive tree-based frame partitioning, wherein partitions are obtained from a combination of top-down tree partitioning and bottom-up tree joining.

Abstract: Implementations may relate to various aspects of modifying, or using, a coded bitstream, or to recovering watermarking information from data. In one implementation, a coded bitstream is modified to allow for the application of a watermark to the coded bitstream without changing the coding of any other syntax elements in the bitstream. This is performed by identifying conditions necessary to change a coded syntax element without disrupting the interpretation of subsequent coded elements. The coded syntax element is replaced with another coded value if the modified value generates the same decoding variables as the original value would have generated. Particular implementations focus on syntax elements coded using entropy coding, including, for example, Context-based Adaptive Binary Arithmetic Coding (CABAC). Regardless of the type of coding or watermarking, various implementations may provide for recovering watermarking information.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for deblocking filtering on non-local intra prediction. An apparatus includes an encoder for encoding picture data using non-local intra prediction. The encoder includes a deblocking filter configured for use with non-local intra prediction modes so as to deblock filter at least a portion of the picture data encoded using the non-local intra prediction.

Abstract: There are provided methods and apparatus for adaptive geometric partitioning for video encoding and decoding. An apparatus includes an encoder for encoding image data corresponding to pictures by adaptively partitioning at least portions of the pictures responsive to at least one parametric model. The at least one parametric model involves at least one of implicit and explicit formulation of at least one curve.

Abstract: The invention relates to a video coding method of exploiting the temporal redundancy between successive frames in a video sequence. A reference frame, called I-frame, is first approximated by a collection of geometric features, called atoms. The following predicted frames called, P-frames, are approximated by the geometric transformations of the geometric features (atoms) describing the previous frame. Preferably, the I-frame is approximated by a linear combination of N atoms (formula), selected in a redundant, structured library. They are indexed by a string of parameters representing the geometric transformations applied to the generating mother function g(x,y) and the cn are weighting coefficients.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for template matching prediction in video encoding and decoding. An apparatus includes an encoder for encoding a target block in a picture by determining at least one predictor for the target block and respectively utilizing the at least one predictor as a template to search for at least one additional predictor for the target block.

Abstract: The present invention provides a collaborative tool which is a distributed multi-touch cloud-connected desktop tool comprising a client application and/or webtop with an integrated immersive Natural User Interface adapted for any input device having a touch screen. Thanks to the invention users can access their desktops from everywhere, at anytime and from any capable device, as the desktop is multiplatform and can be accessed from mobile devices, web browsers or from desktops as standalone application without the necessity of a desktop computer. Thanks to the invention, users can share digital content, edit it and interact with it in a cooperative and collaborative manner while still able to individually and independently arrange objects and/or applications in each of the clients for the best convenience of each user.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for prediction refinement using implicit motion prediction. An apparatus includes an encoder for encoding an image block using explicit motion prediction to generate a coarse prediction for the image block and using implicit motion prediction to refine the coarse prediction.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for locally adaptive filtering for motion compensation interpolation and reference picture filtering. An apparatus includes an encoder for encoding picture data. The encoder includes at least one locally adaptive filter for performing locally adaptive filtering for at least one of reference picture filtering and interpolation filtering with respect to the picture data.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for video coding and decoding with reduced bit-depth update mode and reduced chroma sampling update mode. An apparatus includes an encoder for encoding at least a portion of a picture using at least one of a reduced bit-depth update mode and a reduced chroma sampling update mode that respectively reduces at least one of a bit-depth and a chroma sampling of a residue signal corresponding to the portion.

Abstract: There are provided methods and apparatus for illumination compensation of intra-predicted video. An apparatus includes an encoder for encoding a picture using non-local intra prediction. The encoder includes an illumination compensation processing unit for applying illumination compensation to predicted data obtained from the non-local intra prediction.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for de-artifact filtering using multi-lattice sparsity-based filtering. The apparatus includes a sparsity-based filter (600) for de-artifact filtering picture data for a picture. The picture data includes different sub-lattice samplings of the picture. Sparsity-based filtering thresholds for the filter are varied temporally.

Abstract: There are provided methods and apparatus for video encoding and decoding geometrically partitioned bi-predictive mode partitions. An apparatus includes an encoder for encoding bi-predictable picture data for at least a portion of a picture using adaptive geometric partitioning. Geometric partitions for the adaptive geometric partitioning are predicted using at least one predictor selected from a first set of predictors corresponding to a first list of references pictures, a second set of predictors corresponding to a second list of references pictures, and a third set of predictors used for bi-prediction and including predictors from at least one of the first and second sets.