3D Image Viewpoint Transformation Using Residual Texture Maps

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for generating images from three-dimensional data using texture maps and meshes face challenges in achieving high-quality viewpoint transformations with significant shifts, leading to quality degradation and increased data rates, especially in virtual reality applications where efficient data distribution and processing are crucial.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves an apparatus and method that utilize residual data texture maps and meshes to generate images for new viewpoints by combining intermediate texture maps and residual data texture maps, allowing for efficient viewpoint transformations without requiring full texture maps for each viewpoint, thereby reducing data rates and maintaining high image quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If full texture maps are provided for each viewpoint, then image quality is maintained, but data rate increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoiddata rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and transmits only the residual difference data between reference texture maps and target viewpoint texture maps, rather than transmitting complete texture maps for each viewpoint. This residual data contains only the necessary corrections needed to achieve high-quality viewpoint transformation, significantly reducing data transmission requirements while maintaining image quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary viewpoint transformation using reference texture maps and mesh data before transmission. The residual data transmitted contains pre-computed corrections that can be efficiently applied at the receiver end, reducing the computational and data burden during real-time playback.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If multiple residual data texture maps are used for a single viewpoint, then accuracy of viewpoint transformation is improved, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveviewpoint transformation accuracyVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple residual data texture maps corresponding to different reference viewpoints into a single composite texture map for the target viewpoint. By merging these multiple corrections, the system achieves higher transformation accuracy while managing processing complexity through efficient combination operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies multiple residual corrections (excessive action) to ensure high accuracy in viewpoint transformation. By using more correction data than minimally necessary and combining them, the system achieves superior transformation quality while the processing complexity remains manageable through optimized combination algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3643059B1Processing of 3D image information based on texture maps and meshes
Publication Date: 2022.03.30 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP3643059B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3643059B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3643059B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus comprises a receiver (201) for receiving an image signal comprising a number of three dimensional images representing a scene from different viewpoints, each three dimensional image comprising a mesh and a texture map, the signal further comprising a plurality of residual data texture maps for a first viewpoint being different from the different viewpoints of the number of three dimensional images, a first residual data texture map of the plurality of residual texture maps providing residual data for a texture map for the first viewpoint relative to a texture map resulting from a viewpoint shift of a first reference texture map being a texture map of a first three dimensional image of the number of three dimensional images and a second residual data texture map of the plurality of residual texture maps providing residual data for a texture map for the first viewpoint relative to a texture map resulting from a viewpoint shift of a second reference texture map being a texture map of a second three dimensional image of the number of three dimensional images. A mesh processor (203) generates a first mesh for the first viewpoint and a second mesh for the first viewpoint from an additional reference mesh being a mesh of the second three dimensional image of the plurality of three dimensional images. A first texture processor (205) generates a first intermediate texture map in response to a viewpoint transformation of the first reference texture map from a viewpoint of the first three dimensional image to the first viewpoint and an second intermediate texture map in response to a viewpoint transformation of the second reference texture map from a viewpoint of the second three dimensional image to the first viewpoint. A second texture processor (207) generates a first texture map in response to a combination of the first intermediate texture map and the first residual data texture map, and a second texture map in response to a combination of the second intermediate texture map and the second additional residual data texture map. An image generator (209) generates an image for a second viewpoint from the first texture map, the first mesh, the second texture map, and the second mesh.