3D Propagation Algorithm for Depth Image-Based Rendering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional depth image-based rendering (DIBR) techniques are computationally intensive and impractical for real-time applications due to the need for expensive camera configurations and high processing resources, especially when dealing with complex scenes and varying camera resolutions, and they often assume synchronized color and depth image capture which is not feasible with all depth cameras.
Innovation Solution
A 3D propagation algorithm that efficiently combines images from color and depth cameras at arbitrary positions, using depth-color bilateral filtering and disocclusion filling to enhance rendering quality, allowing for adaptable camera configurations and parallel processing on GPUs, thereby achieving real-time rendering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional DIBR techniques are used with multiple cameras and complex algorithms, then rendering quality is improved, but computational complexity and processing time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and utilizes depth information from a single depth camera to achieve 3D rendering, eliminating the need for complex multi-camera configurations. By separating depth capture (from depth camera) from color capture (from color camera), the system simplifies the overall device complexity while maintaining rendering quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces depth maps as an intermediary representation that bridges the gap between single-camera input and 3D rendering output. The depth map serves as a mediator that enables virtual view synthesis without requiring multiple physical cameras, thereby reducing computational complexity.
2Measurement precision
If conventional DIBR techniques are used with synchronized color and depth camera capture, then rendering accuracy is improved, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts depth information from a single depth camera and combines it with color images from a color camera, eliminating the need for synchronized multi-camera capture. This approach maintains rendering accuracy by using depth maps to guide the virtual view synthesis process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the system universal by allowing arbitrary camera configurations - depth cameras and color cameras can be positioned independently without requiring synchronization. The method works with any combination of depth and color camera positions, making the system adaptable to various practical scenarios.
3Adaptability or versatility
If 1D or 2D camera arrays are used for virtual view synthesis, then novel view rendering is achieved, but the number of cameras and processing resources required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of multi-camera arrays (depth perception) and achieves it through a single depth camera combined with a color camera. By using depth maps to simulate the effect of multiple cameras, the system reduces the number of physical cameras needed while maintaining virtual view synthesis capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual copies of camera views through computational rendering rather than using physical camera copies. By warping and synthesizing images based on depth maps, the system generates multiple virtual views from a single physical camera setup, eliminating the need for expensive multi-camera arrays.
4Loss of information
If depth estimation algorithms are used to obtain depth information, then depth maps can be generated, but processing time and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs depth map generation as a preliminary step using a dedicated depth camera, separating the depth acquisition process from the rendering process. By capturing depth information directly in real-time using the depth camera's time-of-flight or similar mechanism, the system avoids computationally intensive post-processing depth estimation algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
A system is disclosed for executing depth image-based rendering of a 3D image by a computer having a processor and that is coupled with one or more color cameras and at least one depth camera. The color cameras and the depth camera are positionable at different arbitrary locations relative to a scene to be rendered. In some examples, the depth camera is a low resolution camera and the color cameras are high resolution. The processor is programmed to propagate depth information from the depth camera to an image plane of each color camera to produce a propagated depth image at each respective color camera, to enhance the propagated depth image at each color camera with the color and propagated depth information thereof to produce corresponding enhanced depth images, and to render a complete, viewable image from one or more enhanced depth images from the color cameras. The processor may be a graphics processing unit.