Stereo Image Disparity Control via Video Stream Insertion

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Solution Overview

Problem

In stereo image display, ensuring disparity angles for nearest and farthest object reproduction positions are within a certain range is crucial to prevent health issues, and existing technologies struggle to maintain perspective consistency when overlaying graphics on a stereo image in three-dimensional space.

Innovation Solution

A transmitting apparatus and method that obtain and insert disparity information for left-eye and right-eye images into a video stream, allowing for reconfiguration of image data to maintain disparity angles within a safe range and adjust graphics depth accordingly, using techniques like variable-length encoding and interpolation for efficient data transmission and display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If disparity information is transmitted for each picture to enable precise disparity angle control, then viewer comfort is improved, but data transmission volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveviewer comfortVSAvoiddata transmission volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments disparity information transmission by dividing the video stream into groups of pictures (GOPs) and selectively inserting disparity information only at specific intervals (e.g., at the beginning of each GOP or at key frames) rather than for every single picture. This segmentation approach maintains viewer comfort by providing sufficient disparity control while significantly reducing the overall data transmission volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic insertion of disparity information at regular intervals corresponding to picture groups or frames rather than continuous insertion for every picture. This periodic action ensures that disparity angle control is maintained at critical moments while reducing redundant data transmission during intervals when disparity information remains unchanged.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Manufacturing precision

If graphics are rendered with depth in three-dimensional space to maintain perspective consistency, then stereo image quality is improved, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestereo image qualityVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the disparity value parameter for graphics based on their depth information and the perspective of surrounding objects in the stereo image. By modifying the disparity parameter according to depth relationships, the system maintains perspective consistency and stereo image quality without requiring complex geometric transformations, thus reducing processing complexity while preserving visual accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2683168B1Transmission device, transmission method and receiver device
Publication Date: 2019.05.01 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP2683168B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2683168B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2683168B1 patent drawingFigure 4(a)~4(d)

AI summary

Displaying a stereo image in a favorable manner is enabled. First disparity information (disparity information corresponding to the nearest object reproduction position in a certain area of a picture display screen) and second disparity information (disparity information corresponding to the farthest object reproduction position in the certain area of the picture display screen) which are obtained for each of certain pictures of image data are inserted into a video stream, and the video stream is transmitted. On the basis of the first disparity information and the second disparity information, a receiving side is capable of checking whether or not disparity angles in a same-side direction and a crossing direction are within a certain range in which viewing does not cause any health problems, and reconfiguring left-eye image data and right-eye image data which form a stereo image if necessary.