Provided are a family of node structures, representing 3-dimensional objects using depth image, adoptable into MPEG-4 AFx for polygonal 3D representations. Family formats include DepthImage, PointTexture, and OctreeImage. DepthImage represents an object through union of its reference images and corresponding depth maps. PointTexture represents the object as a set of colored points parameterized by projection onto a 2D grid. OctreeImage converts same data into hierarchical octree-structured voxel model, set of compact reference images, and a tree of voxel-image correspondence indices. DepthImage and OctreeImage have animated versions, where reference images are replaced by videostreams. DIBR formats are convenient for 3D model construction from 3D range-scanning and multiple source video data. MPEG-4 framework allows construction of a variety of representations from the DIBR formats, providing flexible tools for effective 3D models work. DIBR format compression is achieved by application of image (video) compression techniques to depth maps and reference images (videostreams).
Apparatus and method for depth image-based representation of 3-dimensional object