Stereo Image Generation Using Multi-Band Disparity Remapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing 3D TV technologies face limitations such as reduced observer count due to viewpoint-dependent disparity remapping, image quality deterioration for 2D observers, and constraints on disparity amount in Hidden Stereo, leading to discomfort and loss of multi-user enjoyment.

Innovation Solution

A stereo image generation device incorporating disparity remapping and Hidden Stereo techniques, utilizing a disparity remapping function, multi-band disparity map generation, and disparity guidance pattern to adjust disparity based on observer viewpoint, enabling 2D observers and enhancing depth perception.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If disparity remapping technique based on viewpoint position is used, then convergence distance and focal length are maintained at screen distance, but the number of observers is reduced to one and image quality deteriorates for 2D observers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomfort of 3D observationVSAvoidnumber of observers

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating disparity processing for different spatial frequency bands. Low-pass filtered disparity maps are used for regions requiring comfort (near viewpoint), while original disparity information is preserved for other regions, allowing multiple observers to benefit without compromising 3D observation comfort for the primary viewpoint

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The disparity map is segmented into multiple spatial frequency bands using low-pass filtering. This segmentation allows selective application of disparity remapping only to specific frequency components, enabling simultaneous support for viewpoint-dependent comfort and multi-observer adaptability by processing different frequency bands differently

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If disparity is compressed to fit Hidden Stereo limits, then 2D observers can view without double images, but fine differences in depth cannot be expressed resulting in flat image

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with 2D observationVSAvoiddepth expression accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of disparity representation by applying it only to low-pass filtered components rather than the full-frequency disparity map. This parameter modification allows Hidden Stereo compatibility for 2D observers while preserving fine depth differences in high-frequency components that are not affected by the compression

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

By segmenting the disparity information into frequency bands, the patent applies disparity compression only to the low-pass filtered portion, leaving high-frequency depth details intact. This enables 2D observers to view without double images while maintaining fine depth expression through the uncompressed high-frequency components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If viewpoint position is measured and disparity is dynamically manipulated, then natural observation experience is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenatural observation experienceVSAvoidcomplexity of disparity processing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent simplifies the processing by changing the parameter approach from dynamic viewpoint-based remapping to static low-pass filtered disparity application. This parameter change reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for real-time viewpoint tracking while still improving natural observation experience through selective frequency band processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20260019549A1Stereo image generating apparatus, stereo image generatingmethod, and program

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 NIPPON TELEGRAPH & TELEPHONE CORP

AI summary

A stereo image generation device according to the disclosed technology is a device that generates a stereo image from image information, a disparity map of an image, and viewpoint information of an observer, the stereo image generation device including a disparity remapping function generation unit, a multi-band disparity map generation unit, a disparity guidance pattern generation unit, and an image pair generation unit. The disparity remapping function generation unit generates a remapping function for converting an amount of disparity into an amount of disparity within a predetermined range. The multi-band disparity map generation unit generates a disparity map by correcting a multi-band disparity map with a disparity remapping function. The disparity guidance pattern generation unit generates an image by shifting a band-pass decomposed image by λ/2 in a spatial phase, and generates a disparity guidance pattern by weighting and adding the image with a value of the multi-band disparity map. The image pair generation unit generates a stereo image pair by adding and subtracting the image information and the disparity guidance pattern.