2D-plus-depth based resolution and frame-rate up-conversion technique for depth video

Abstract

We propose a novel framework for upconversion of depth video resolution in both spatial and time domains considering spatial and temporal coherences. Although the Time-of-Flight (TOF) sensor which is widely used in computer vision fields provides depth video in realtime, it also provides a low resolution and a low frame-rate depth video. We propose a cheaper solution that enhances depth video obtained from a TOF sensor by combining it with a Charge-coupled Device (CCD) camera in 3D contents which consist of 2D-plus-depth. Temporal fluctuation problems are also considered for temporally consistent framerate up-conversion. It is important to maintain temporal coherence in depth video, because temporal fluctuation problems may cause eye fatigue and increase bit rates on video coding. We propose a Motion Compensated Frame Interpolation (MCFI) using reliable and rich motion information from a CCD camera and 3-dimensional Joint Bilateral Up-sampling (3D JBU) extended into the temporal domain of depth video. Experimental results show that depth video obtained by the proposed method provides satisfactory quality.