Three dimensional model based coding methods are proposed as next generation image coding methods. These new representations need 3D reconstruction techniques. This paper presents a method that extracts the surfaces of static objects that occlude other objects from a spatiotemporal image captured with straight-line camera motion. We propose the concept of occlusion types and show that the occlusion types are restricted to only eight patterns. Furthermore, we show occlusion type pairs contain information that confirms the existence of surfaces. Occlusion information gives strong cues for segmentation and representation. The method can estimate not only the 3D positions of edge points but also the surfaces bounded by the edge points. We show that combinations of occlusion types contain information that can confirm surface existence. The method was tested successfully on real images by reconstructing flat and curved surfaces. Videos can be hierarchically structured with the method. The method makes various applications possible, such as object selective image communication and object selective video editing.

This paper proposes a new method that can robustly recover 3D structure and 3D motion of 3D moving objects from a few multi-views. It recovers 3D feature points by obtaining intersections of back-projection lines which are connected from the camera's optical centers thorough projected feature points on the image planes corresponding to the different cameras. We show that our method needs only six views to suppress false 3D feature points in most cases by discussing the relation between the occurrence probability of false 3D feature points and the number of views. This discussion gives us a criterion to design the optimal multi-camera system for recovering 3D structure and 3D motion of 3D moving objects. An experimental multi-camera system is constructed to confirm the validity of our method. This system can take images from six different views at once and record motion image sequence from each view over a period of a few seconds. It is tested successfully on recovering the 3D structure of Vinus's plaster head and on recovering the 3D structure and 3D motion of a moving hand.

3D model-based coding methods that need 3D reconstruction techniques are proposed for next-generation image coding methods. A method is presented that reconstructs 3D shapes of dynamic objects from image sequences captured using two cameras, thus avoiding the stereo correspondence problem. A coaxial camera system consisting of one moving and one static camera was developed. The optical axes of both cameras are precisely adjusted and have the same orientation using an optical system with true and half mirrors. The moving camera is moved along a straight horizontal line. This method can reconstruct 3D shapes of static objects as well as dynamic objects using motion vectors calculated from the moving camera images and revised using the static camera image. The method was tested successfully on real images by reconstructing a moving human shape.

Intending to contribute to constructing better multimedia network systems, we propose a new concept of image database system of which form of storage is featuring exponential or graceful oblivion and abrupt recollection like the human memory property. By virtue of this property of database storages that is realized by employing hierarchical or pyramidal image coding, the database memory and transmission costs can be significantly reduced. In this paper we will describe the details of the concept, the results of theoretical analysis based on a simplified model which reveals the effectiveness of the proposed system, the structure of an experimental prototype system and the result of an experimental image retrieval service carried out by implementing it over ATM high speed channels.