Real-time process and technology using image processing to maintain and ensure viewer comfort during capture, live transmission, and post-production of stereoscopic 3D imagery

Abstract

This process and invention may be used for “live” (on-line, recorded, real-time, or transmitted) stereoscopic image generation, post-production, and viewing to ensure the imagery, from the cameras through the systems to the final screens, maintains an acceptable level of viewer comfort and actively causes an action if an image becomes “uncomfortable” to view. The invention will use image-processing hardware and software to monitor stereoscopic 3D image data, and will generate an output response based on qualifying the imagery. The output responses include generating an alarm to alert technical crew members to a “discomfort” condition so they may take corrective action. The alarm may be an audio or visual alert, and warn of the type of discomfort detected. The alarm condition may trigger the automatic control of a video switching device, which would immediately route an appropriate “comfortable” input source to the output. The alarm condition may duplex a single camera or playback signal into an identical stereo pair, which will be 2D, but will be comfortable to view.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]Any and all priority claims identified in the Application Data Sheet, or any correction thereto, are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to stereoscopic 3D camera and viewing systems.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]For many years stereoscopic 3D movies have been made. Some have been good, but many others have been bad. The badly made 3D movies have been mainly the symptom of inadequate equipment, or the lack of knowledge of good stereography. The effectively creates discomfort by the viewer, as well as having a negative impact on the 3D industry.[0004]In this digital age, it is now feasible to create technological solutions to this dilemma.[0005]This invention describes a process to ensure a comfortable Stereoscopic 3D viewing experience, whereby the viewer will observe natural 3D imagery without the psychovisual effects of eye strain, fatigue, or discomfo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a process that uses advanced technology to extract useful information from visual content, specifically by analyzing 3D imagery from a stereoscopic camera system. The process can detect and alert technical crew members of any discomfort or technical problem using both visual and audio alarms. This information can trigger automatic control of a video switching device to route in a comfortable video source. The invention can also duplex a single camera or playback signal into an identical stereo pair, which will be 2D but comfortable to view. The "comfortable" input source can be a pre-defined or known comfortable 3D camera imagery or other video content from a playback device.

Problems solved by technology

Some have been good, but many others have been bad.

The badly made 3D movies have been mainly the symptom of inadequate equipment, or the lack of knowledge of good stereography.

The effectively creates discomfort by the viewer, as well as having a negative impact on the 3D industry.

Images