3D Image Processing Apparatus Distance Conversion for Stereoscopic Emphasis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for capturing three-dimensional images struggle to enhance the stereoscopic effect, resulting in poor quality and limited merit for consumer photographers.
Innovation Solution
A three-dimensional image processing apparatus that processes captured images using distance information to emphasize stereoscopic effects by converting actual distances into stereoscopic distances, generating emphasized images with increased blur in designated regions, and producing disparity images based on these distances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional three-dimensional image processing methods are used, then the imaging apparatus structure can be simplified, but the stereoscopic effect quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming actual distance information into stereoscopic distance information through mathematical conversion. The distance conversion unit changes the distance parameter from real-world measurements to stereoscopically optimized values, enabling enhanced three-dimensional effects without modifying the physical imaging apparatus structure. This resolves the contradiction by improving stereoscopic quality through software-based parameter transformation rather than hardware complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary element - the distance conversion unit - that acts as a mediator between the captured image data and the final three-dimensional output. This conversion unit transforms ordinary distance information into stereoscopically optimized distance information, serving as an intermediary processing step that enhances stereoscopic effects without requiring complex multi-camera systems or specialized hardware.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple cameras are used for accurate depth estimation, then the stereoscopic effect is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying by generating virtual depth information from a single camera's captured image. Instead of using multiple physical cameras to obtain depth data, the system copies and processes the distance information from one camera, then converts it into stereoscopic distance information. This approach achieves accurate depth estimation equivalent to multi-camera systems while maintaining simple hardware architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of multiple physical cameras with a computational approach. The distance conversion unit uses mathematical algorithms to transform distance information into stereoscopically optimized values, substituting the need for multiple mechanical camera units with software-based processing. This eliminates the need for complex multi-camera hardware while achieving the same depth estimation accuracy.
3Manufacturing precision
If distance conversion is applied to emphasize stereoscopic effect, then the stereoscopic impact is improved, but the natural appearance of the image may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selectively emphasizing stereoscopic effects in specific distance regions while preserving the natural appearance of other regions. The distance conversion unit can apply different conversion parameters to different depth zones, allowing enhanced three-dimensional effects for foreground objects while maintaining natural appearance for background elements. This resolves the contradiction by applying stereoscopic enhancement locally rather than uniformly across the entire image.
Data Source
AI summary
A three-dimensional image processing apparatus which processes a captured image of a scene using distance information indicating a distance of the scene from a camera, and includes: a distance designation unit which receives input of a designated distance that is a target distance in which a stereoscopic effect is to be emphasized; a distance conversion unit which converts the distance indicated in the distance information into a stereoscopic distance for generating three-dimensional images, to emphasize the stereoscopic effect of the scene in the designated distance; and an emphasized image generation unit which, by processing the captured image based on the stereoscopic distance, generates an emphasized image representing the stereoscopic effect to be emphasized in the designated distance.