Partition tree for a segmentation-based video coding system

In this paper we describe a very low bit rate video coding system that belongs to the class of object based coding systems. The system takes advantage of homogeneity in both gray level and motion, trying to use the most adequate criterion for defining a partition in order to obtain the best compromise between cost and quality. In order to do so, multiple partitions are generated for every image in a hierarchical way, from the coarsest one to the finest one. Then, a decision step will chose which parts of the image need to be coded with regions from one partition or from another. The aim of the paper is to study the features that this multiple partition must have, and propose a way to create it.