3D Image Flicker Suppression via Dynamic Frame Rate Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consumer 3D televisions face issues with image flicker due to low frame rates, causing discomfort to viewers, as existing technologies struggle to maintain sufficient processing capacity for higher frame rates.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that determine if the frame rate of 3D images is within a range likely to cause flicker and raise it above the predetermined range by using a frame rate converter, employing techniques like 2-to-3 conversion or interpolation to suppress flickering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the frame rate of 3D images is kept low to maintain processing circuit capacity, then processing capacity is preserved, but image flicker occurs causing viewer discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the frame rate based on the detected frame rate range. When the frame rate falls within the predetermined range where flicker is likely to occur, the frame rate is automatically increased until it exceeds the upper limit of that range. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting the frame rate to eliminate flicker while managing processing capacity requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the frame rate parameter from a static value to a dynamically adjusted value. By detecting when the frame rate is within the problematic range and increasing it beyond the upper limit, the system transforms the frame rate parameter to eliminate flicker, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining processing capacity and preventing image flicker.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the frame rate is increased to eliminate flicker, then image stability is improved, but processing circuit capacity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic frame rate adjustment rather than a fixed high frame rate. The frame rate is increased only when necessary (when detected within the flicker-prone range) and adjusted to exceed the upper limit of that range. This dynamic approach eliminates flicker while optimizing processing capacity requirements by avoiding unnecessarily high frame rates when not needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the frame rate is continuously monitored and detected. When the frame rate falls within the predetermined range where flicker is likely to occur, the system responds by increasing the frame rate. This closed-loop feedback control resolves the contradiction by adjusting processing requirements based on actual frame rate conditions rather than maintaining constantly high processing capacity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If frame rate conversion is implemented to raise the frame rate, then flicker is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frame rate conversion is implemented dynamically based on detected frame rate conditions rather than being a fixed, always-active process. The conversion is triggered only when the frame rate falls within the predetermined flicker-prone range, and the converted frame rate is set to exceed the upper limit of that range. This dynamic implementation reduces flicker while minimizing the added device complexity by activating conversion only when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the frame rate parameter through conversion when it falls within the problematic range. By detecting the current frame rate and converting it to a value exceeding the upper limit of the flicker-prone range, the system eliminates flicker through parameter transformation. This approach balances flicker reduction with controlled device complexity by applying parameter changes only when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
When the video images to be played back are three-dimensional (3D) images each including a first parallax image and a second parallax image obtained when an object in a 3D space is viewed from different viewpoints, a video attribute determining unit determines whether or not the frame rate of the images is within a predetermined frame rate range at which a flicker is likely to occur. When the frame rate of the 3D images is within the predetermined frame rate range, a frame rate converter raises the frame rate of the 3D images until the frame rate exceeds the predetermined frame rate range.