Disparity and occlusion estimation in multiocular systems and their coding for the communication of multiview image sequences

An efficient disparity estimation and occlusion detection algorithm for multiocular systems is presented. A dynamic programming algorithm, using a multiview matching cost as well as pure geometrical constraints, is used to estimate disparity and to identify the occluded areas in the extreme left and right views. A significant advantage of the proposed approach is that the exact number of views in which each point appears (is not occluded) can be determined. The disparity and occlusion information obtained may then be used to create virtual images from intermediate viewpoints. Furthermore, techniques are developed for the coding of occlusion and disparity information, which is needed at the receiver for the reproduction of a multiview sequence using the two encoded extreme views. Experimental results illustrate the performance of the proposed techniques.