B-spline optimization and its application to video object shape coding

In the framework of object-based coding of digital video, shape information is essential for content-based access to video objects. In this paper, we investigate the use of cubic B-splines for video object shape approximation and coding. We propose an algorithm for a rate and distortion optimized B-spline shape model, which is suitable for efficient inter-frame shape coding. Rate-distortion efficiency of the proposed algorithm is evaluated by comparison with two shape coding methods, MPEG-4 context arithmetic encoding and two stage motion compensated chain coding.