Parallax Image Generation Unit for Stereoscopic Viewpoint Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Viewers experience burden during stereoscopic image viewing due to inappropriate parallax distribution when adjusting convergence angles, especially when images are resized or cropped, as existing technologies fail to maintain a proper parallax distribution.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus and method that sets a virtual viewpoint for stereoscopic video images with predetermined parallax distributions, shifting the image cut-out position to generate left-eye and right-eye parallax images, adjusting the shift amount in stages to maintain a desired parallax distribution as the viewpoint changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the image cut-out position is shifted to adjust parallax distribution when viewpoint changes, then the desired parallax distribution is achieved, but the shift amount changes rapidly causing viewer burden
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by changing the shift amount in discrete stages rather than continuously. The parallax image generation unit adjusts the shift amount through multiple stages, where each stage represents a discrete step in the adjustment process. This staged approach prevents rapid continuous changes that would cause viewer burden, while still achieving the desired parallax distribution over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the shift amount adjustable and adaptive based on viewpoint changes. The system dynamically determines the appropriate shift amount according to the changed viewpoint position, and the parallax image generation unit adaptively adjusts the shift amount in stages to match the new viewpoint while maintaining viewing comfort.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the stereoscopic video image is resized or cropped, then the display area changes, but the parallax distribution becomes inappropriate causing viewer burden
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and setting the shift amount based on the changed display area and viewpoint position before generating the parallax images. The viewpoint setting unit and parallax image generation unit work together to determine the appropriate shift amount in advance, ensuring that the parallax distribution is properly adjusted before the images are presented to the viewer.
3Speed
If the shift amount is changed rapidly to match viewpoint changes, then the parallax distribution adjusts quickly, but the viewer experiences burden from rapid convergence angle adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by implementing periodic action through staged adjustment. Instead of rapid continuous changes, the shift amount is adjusted in discrete stages, allowing the parallax distribution to adapt to viewpoint changes at a controlled pace that maintains viewer comfort while still achieving timely adjustment.
Data Source
AI summary
A viewpoint position sets, when a stereoscopic video image is provided that includes a left-eye parallax image and a right-eye parallax image having a predetermined parallax distribution and that is observed from a given viewpoint, a virtual viewpoint for observing a subject from another viewpoint. A parallax image generation unit generates a left-eye and a right-eye parallax image for providing a desired parallax distribution that are obtained when an observation is made from the virtual viewpoint, by shifting the image cut-out position of at least one of the left-eye or the right-eye parallax image. When the shift amount at the image cut-out position changes due to a position change of the virtual viewpoint, the parallax image generation unit generates a parallax image while changing the shift amount in stages from a shift amount obtained before the change to a shift amount obtained after the change.