Monoscopic Video Depth via Image Warping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current stereoscopic video camera systems require additional hardware and processing resources, are costly to maintain, and add weight to platforms, making it impractical to convert monoscopic video camera systems into stereoscopic systems for generating three-dimensional video data streams.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that processes monoscopic video data streams by selecting and adjusting image pairs to create stereoscopic video data streams, providing a perception of depth without the need for additional hardware or software components, using a processor unit and display system to generate and display stereoscopic video from monoscopic images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a stereoscopic video camera system is used to generate three-dimensional video data streams, then the perception of depth and scene information is improved, but the weight of the platform increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the second image by warping and transforming it to match the perspective of the first image. This virtual copy allows the system to generate stereoscopic depth information from a single monoscopic camera, eliminating the need for a physical second camera and reducing platform weight while maintaining scene information quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces image warping technology as an intermediary process that transforms a single monoscopic image into multiple virtual perspectives. This intermediary computational step creates the appearance of multiple cameras without requiring additional physical hardware, thus reducing weight while preserving depth perception capabilities
2Loss of information
If a stereoscopic video camera system is used to generate three-dimensional video data streams, then the perception of depth and scene information is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of multiple physical cameras with a computational system that uses image processing algorithms. Instead of physically capturing multiple perspectives with separate cameras, the system computationally warps a single image to create virtual perspectives, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining depth information
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual copies of the captured image through computational warping techniques. These virtual copies represent different perspectives that would normally require multiple physical cameras, but are generated algorithmically to reduce system complexity
3Loss of information
If a stereoscopic video camera system is used to generate three-dimensional video data streams, then the perception of depth and scene information is improved, but the cost of maintenance and hardware increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses computational copying to generate virtual stereoscopic images from a single physical camera. This eliminates the need for multiple expensive camera hardware components and their associated maintenance costs, while still providing enhanced scene information through depth perception
Solution Approach 2:
The system processes and enhances the image data itself through computational warping and processing. The single camera captures the image, and then software algorithms automatically create the stereoscopic effect, eliminating the need for additional hardware maintenance while providing improved scene information
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for processing a video data stream. The video data stream is received from a video camera system. The video data stream comprises a plurality of images of a scene. A plurality of image pairs is selected from the plurality of images. A first image of a first area in the scene overlaps a second image of a second area in the scene in each image pair in the plurality of image pairs. Each image pair in the plurality of image pairs is adjusted to form a plurality of adjusted image pairs. The plurality of adjusted image pairs is configured to provide a perception of depth for the scene when the plurality of adjusted image pairs is presented as a video.