Mask Correcting Unit for 3D Image Boundary Quality

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing 2D-3D conversion techniques face challenges in maintaining image quality, particularly at object boundaries, due to large step-differences in depth, leading to increased omitted pixels and interpolation errors.

Innovation Solution

An image processing device and method that includes a mask correcting unit for blurring object boundaries, a depth map processing unit for adjusting depth maps based on corrected masks, and an image generation unit for generating 3D images from 2D images using processed depth maps, employing low-pass filters and binarization to smooth edge transitions and reduce interpolation errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If pixel shift is performed using depth map for 3D image generation, then parallax effect is achieved, but interpolation errors increase at object boundaries with large depth step-differences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage quality at object boundaryVSAvoidinterpolation error

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The image is divided into multiple regions based on depth information, with different processing applied to each region. Regions with large depth step-differences are identified and processed differently from regions with small depth variations, allowing targeted interpolation error reduction at critical boundaries while maintaining efficiency elsewhere.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different interpolation methods or parameters are applied to different regions of the image based on local depth characteristics. Areas with large depth step-differences receive enhanced processing with smaller interpolation steps or alternative methods, while other areas use standard processing, optimizing both quality and performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If mask pattern is used to define processing regions, then region-specific depth map processing is enabled, but edge discontinuity causes unnatural appearance at object boundaries

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobject boundary natural appearanceVSAvoidmask edge continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The mask pattern is dynamically adjusted by adding transition regions at edges. Instead of fixed sharp boundaries, the mask incorporates gradual transition zones where the masking effect fades in and out, creating smooth visual transitions at object boundaries while preserving the functional region separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A transition region acts as an intermediary between the masked and unmasked areas. This intermediate zone smooths the abrupt edge of the original mask pattern, providing a gradual blend that eliminates unnatural discontinuities while maintaining the underlying region-based processing structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8971611B2Image process device, image process method, and image process program

Publication Date: 2015.03.03 JVC KENWOOD CORP

AI summary

A mask correcting unit corrects an externally set mask pattern. A depth map processing unit processes a depth map of an input image for each of a plurality of regions designated by a plurality of mask patterns corrected by the mask correcting unit. An image generation unit generates an image of a different viewpoint on the basis of the input image and depth maps processed by the depth map processing unit. The mask correcting unit performs a blurring process on an object boundary part of the mask pattern.