Object tracking using graphics engine derived vectors in a motion estimation system
First Claim
1. A method for motion estimation in a sequence of image data, comprising:
- characterizing movement of a camera or viewer, comprising a change in one or more of view direction and position, between a pair of fields or frames in a sequence of image data;
determining respective sets of candidate motion vectors for positions of objects in one of the fields or frames relative to positions of the objects in the other of the fields or frames; and
adjusting the sets of candidate motion vectors using the characterized movement of the camera or viewer position, the adjusting comprising at least one of (1) adjusting criteria for selecting candidate motion vectors, in dependence on the characterized movement of the camera or viewer position and (2) adjusting one or more of a direction and a magnitude of a candidate motion vector in dependence on the characterized movement of the camera or viewer position; and
deriving, by motion estimation, and using the respective sets of candidate motion vectors, a set of motion vectors for describing movements of regions in the one of the fields or frames in the pair relative to the other of the fields or frames of the pair, separated from movements of those regions attributable to the characterized movement of the camera or viewer position.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for motion estimation in a sequence of images. One or more motion vectors representing movement of a camera or viewer position or direction are determined between each pair of fields or frames in the sequence of images. A set of candidate motion vectors is then determined for deriving positions of objects in a field or frame from the positions of objects in a previous field or frame. This set of candidate motion vectors is adjusted using the motion vectors representing movement of the camera or viewer position and thus a set of motion vectors is derived for a sequence of images using the adjusted set of candidate motion vectors.
16 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for motion estimation in a sequence of image data, comprising:
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characterizing movement of a camera or viewer, comprising a change in one or more of view direction and position, between a pair of fields or frames in a sequence of image data; determining respective sets of candidate motion vectors for positions of objects in one of the fields or frames relative to positions of the objects in the other of the fields or frames; and adjusting the sets of candidate motion vectors using the characterized movement of the camera or viewer position, the adjusting comprising at least one of (1) adjusting criteria for selecting candidate motion vectors, in dependence on the characterized movement of the camera or viewer position and (2) adjusting one or more of a direction and a magnitude of a candidate motion vector in dependence on the characterized movement of the camera or viewer position; and deriving, by motion estimation, and using the respective sets of candidate motion vectors, a set of motion vectors for describing movements of regions in the one of the fields or frames in the pair relative to the other of the fields or frames of the pair, separated from movements of those regions attributable to the characterized movement of the camera or viewer position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 21, 22)
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12. Apparatus for motion estimation of a sequence of images comprising:
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an estimator configured for characterizing movement of a camera or viewer position and direction between a pair of fields or frames in the sequence of images derived from a 3-D scene; a candidate motion vector set generator configured for determining respective sets of candidate motion vectors-for positions of objects in one of the fields or frames relative to the other field or frame; and a module configured for adjusting the sets of candidate motion vectors using the motion vectors representing movement of the camera or viewer position, the adjusting comprising at least one of (1) adjusting criteria for selecting candidate motion vectors, in dependence on the characterized movement of the camera or viewer position and (2) adjusting one or more of a direction and a magnitude of a candidate motion vector in dependence on the characterized movement of the camera or viewer position; and a motion estimator configured for receiving the sets of candidate motion vectors and for deriving, by motion estimation, and using the respective sets of candidate motion vectors a set of motion vectors describing movement of regions between the pair of fields or frames, separated from movement of those regions attributable to the characterized movement of the camera or viewer position candidate motion vectors. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23)
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Specification