Backward-Compatible Stereo Image Processing via Spatial Frequency Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current stereoscopic imaging systems require special viewing equipment, leading to distortion when viewed without it, as the human visual system struggles to resolve depth cues due to disparities between stereo views.
Innovation Solution
A backward-compatible stereo image processing system that preserves low spatial frequency content between stereo views and suppresses high spatial frequency content, using low-pass and high-pass filters to reconstruct a stereo image that can be viewed with or without special equipment by combining low-frequency content from one view with high-frequency content from an intermediate view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If stereoscopic images are displayed with full spatial frequency content from both left and right views, then depth perception is improved, but viewing distortion increases when viewed without special equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the spatial frequency content of stereo images into low-frequency and high-frequency components. Low spatial frequency content is preserved from both left and right views to maintain depth perception, while high spatial frequency content is selectively suppressed or shared between views to reduce viewing distortion when viewed without special equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
Different spatial frequency regions are treated with different quality priorities. The patent applies local quality by preserving full low-frequency content in both stereo views for accurate depth perception, while modifying high-frequency content through suppression or sharing techniques to minimize distortion artifacts in the overall image quality.
2Measurement precision
If special viewing equipment is required for stereo displays, then depth perception accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal stereo image format that functions effectively both with and without special viewing equipment. By encoding depth information in low spatial frequency content that is preserved in both left and right views, the system enables the same stereo image to be viewed accurately using either special equipment (for enhanced depth) or unaided eyes (for comfortable viewing).
Data Source
AI summary
A backward-compatible stereo image processing system and a method of generating a backward-compatible stereo image. One embodiment of the backward-compatible stereo image processing system includes: (1) first and second viewpoints for an image, (2) an intermediate viewpoint for the image, and (3) first and second output channels configured to provide respective images composed of high spatial frequency content of the intermediate viewpoint and respective low spatial frequency content of the first and second viewpoints.