Stereoscopic Camera Obstruction Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Stereographic camera systems face challenges in maintaining a comfortable illusion of depth due to excessive disparity between images, leading to viewer discomfort and disrupted perception, especially when foreground objects obstruct the field of view of one camera, causing conflicting depth cues and requiring conscious eye alignment.
Innovation Solution
The stereographic camera system automatically adjusts the interocular distance and convergence angle, and includes obstruction sensors to detect and address field-of-view obstructions by switching to 2D mode or synthesizing non-obstructed image data, ensuring that only non-obstructed image data is presented to the viewer, thereby maintaining a pleasing stereographic effect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the interocular distance is increased to enhance the apparent depth of the stereographic image, then the depth perception is improved, but the field of view is reduced and obstruction by foreground objects increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the interocular distance based on detected obstructions. The system automatically modifies the baseline distance between virtual cameras in response to foreground objects, allowing the field of view to be maintained while preserving depth perception where possible. This dynamic parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between depth enhancement and field of view preservation.
2Shape
If the convergence angle is adjusted to improve depth perception, then the stereographic effect is enhanced, but viewer discomfort increases due to excessive disparity
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where obstruction detection triggers automatic adjustment of the convergence angle. By monitoring the presence of foreground objects and responding with appropriate convergence modifications, the system maintains comfortable disparity levels while preserving depth perception. The feedback loop prevents excessive convergence that would cause viewer discomfort.
3Stability of the object's composition
If foreground obstructions are allowed in the field of view, then the natural scene composition is preserved, but the stereographic illusion is disrupted and depth cues become conflicting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts or removes the harmful effect of foreground obstructions by detecting them and automatically adjusting the stereographic parameters to compensate for their presence. The system separates the obstruction detection function from the normal image capture process, allowing the scene composition to remain natural while the stereographic rendering is adjusted to maintain illusion reliability.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If automatic obstruction detection and adjustment systems are implemented, then viewer comfort and stereographic quality are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service automation where the camera automatically detects obstructions and adjusts its own stereographic parameters without external intervention. The obstruction detection algorithm and parameter adjustment mechanisms operate autonomously, reducing the need for complex manual control systems while maintaining high stereographic quality and viewer comfort.
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed a stereographic camera system, a computing device and a method of operating a stereographic camera system. The stereoscopic camera system may a left camera and a right camera and an obstruction detector to determine whether or not a field of view of one of the left camera and the right camera is at least partially obstructed. A controller may cause the camera system to automatically output only non-obstructed image data, in response to a determination by the obstruction detector that a field of view of one of the left camera and the right camera is at least partially obstructed.