Multi-Camera Depth Image Encoding for Lower 3D Transmission Load

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increase in the number of viewpoints for generating depth images to enhance the reproducibility of a 3D model leads to an increase in data transmission, which can compress the transmission band.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus that identifies a representative camera for each partial region of a subject from multiple depth images, generates changed depth and texture images by reducing pixel value differences, and encodes these images to reduce data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the number of viewpoints of depth images is increased to enhance reproducibility of 3D model, then the quality of 3D model restoration is improved, but the amount of data to be transmitted increases and transmission band is compressed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereproducibility of 3D modelVSAvoidamount of data to be transmitted
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges redundant depth information from multiple viewpoint images by identifying corresponding partial regions and eliminating duplicate depth data. This combines multiple sources of information into a single optimized depth map that retains all necessary 3D reconstruction data while removing redundancy, thereby reducing transmission data volume without compromising 3D model restoration quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts only the essential depth information needed for 3D model restoration by identifying and removing redundant depth data from multiple viewpoint images. By extracting and eliminating duplicate depth values from corresponding partial regions across different viewpoints, the system transmits only the minimum necessary data while preserving complete 3D reconstruction capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If the number of viewpoints of depth images is increased to enhance reproducibility of 3D model, then the quality of 3D model restoration is improved, but the transmission band is compressed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereproducibility of 3D modelVSAvoidtransmission band complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges redundant depth information from multiple viewpoint images by identifying corresponding partial regions and eliminating duplicate depth data. This combines multiple sources of information into a single optimized depth map that retains all necessary 3D reconstruction data while removing redundancy, thereby reducing transmission data volume without compromising 3D model restoration quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the depth images into multiple partial regions and processes each region independently by identifying corresponding regions across different viewpoints. This segmentation allows for efficient identification and elimination of redundant depth information in each region, simplifying the overall transmission data structure while maintaining complete 3D reconstruction capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4648422A1Image processing device, image processing method, and program
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 CANON KK
  • EP4648422A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4648422A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4648422A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A first image processing apparatus 20 acquire a depth image including a depth value determined based on a distance between a subject and a camera, for each of a plurality of cameras. Next, a determination unit 304 identifies, based on a first partial region of the subject that is included in a specific depth image among the plurality of depth images a second partial region corresponding to the first partial region, from a different depth image. A changed depth image generation unit 305 generate a changed depth image signal-processed in such a manner as to reduce a difference between depth values of the second partial region of the different depth image. An encoding unit 307 encodes a plurality of the generated changed depth images, and a transmission unit 308 transmits the encoded changed depth images.