Real-time 2(1/2)-D head pose recovery for model-based video-coding

This paper discusses a 2(1/2)-D tracking method allowing real-time recovery of the three-dimensional (3-D) position and orientation of a head moving in its image plane. The described method uses a two-dimensional (2-D) elliptical head model, region- and edge-based matching algorithms, and a linear Kalman filter estimator. The resulting motion tracking system works in a realistic environment without makeup on the face, with an uncalibrated camera, normal lighting conditions, and an unknown background.