Depth Map Adjustment Circuit for 3D Display Convergence Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

In 3D display systems, improper alignment of the convergence plane with the focal plane can lead to uncomfortable viewing experiences due to mismatched depth settings, resulting in either objects appearing too far or too near, or having insufficient or excessive stereo effect.

Innovation Solution

A depth control method and apparatus that dynamically adjust depth-related information maps based on quality measurement results, using a quality measurement circuit to estimate a confidence level and an adjustment circuit to apply adaptive depth adjustments, ensuring optimal depth settings for improved 3D viewing comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If fixed depth settings are used in 3D display, then device complexity is reduced, but viewing comfort deteriorates due to misaligned convergence planes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveviewing comfortVSAvoiddepth control system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically measures depth map quality and adjusts convergence plane settings without user intervention. The quality measurement circuit and adjustment circuit work autonomously to optimize depth parameters, eliminating the need for manual configuration while maintaining viewing comfort across different content types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes depth-related parameters (convergence plane distance, disparity values) based on measured quality metrics. By adjusting these parameters according to the confidence level derived from depth map quality assessment, the system adapts to different 3D content characteristics and optimizes viewing comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If adaptive depth adjustment is implemented, then viewing comfort improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestereo display qualityVSAvoidquality measurement and adjustment system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the depth control function into separate modules: a quality measurement circuit that assesses depth map quality, a confidence level estimation unit, and an adjustment circuit that applies corrections. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, managing overall system complexity through functional decomposition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback loop where the quality measurement circuit continuously evaluates depth map quality, the confidence level is estimated from these measurements, and the adjustment circuit uses this feedback to modify convergence plane settings. This closed-loop control optimizes viewing comfort while maintaining manageable complexity through systematic feedback processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If depth-related information maps are adjusted dynamically, then stereo display quality improves, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedepth alignment accuracyVSAvoidquality measurement and adjustment processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs quality measurement and depth adjustment in advance during the content preparation or initial playback phase. By pre-calculating the confidence level from depth map quality and determining appropriate convergence plane settings beforehand, the system reduces real-time processing requirements while maintaining high depth alignment accuracy during playback.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2608549B1Method and apparatus for adjusting depth-related information map according to quality measurement result of the depth-related information map
Publication Date: 2017.09.06 MEDIATEK INC
  • EP2608549B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2608549B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2608549B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An exemplary depth control method includes following steps: receiving input images corresponding to different views; generating at least one depth-related information map according to the input images; estimating a confidence level by measuring quality of the depth-related information map; and adjusting the depth-related information map according to the confidence level. Besides, an exemplary depth control apparatus (100) employing the proposed depth control method is provided, where the depth control apparatus (100) includes a depth-related information map generation circuit (102), a quality measurement circuit (104, 200, 400) and an adjustment circuit (106, 600, 700).