Stereoscopic Caption Rendering for Stable, Occlusion-Free Z-Plane Placement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Captions in stereoscopic video can be occluded by objects or cause eye fatigue due to improper placement in the Z-plane, and rapid changes in Z-plane position lead to discomfort for viewers.

Innovation Solution

A system adjusts disparity values for caption rendering using a high-quality per-frame optical flow/disparity map and a fixed bidirectional window to smooth out noisy measurements, iteratively adjusting disparity values in both forward and backward directions to meet a just noticeable difference requirement, ensuring captions are displayed at a stable position in the Z-plane.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If captions are placed closer to the viewer in the Z-plane, then caption visibility is improved, but eye fatigue occurs due to focusing difficulty

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecaption visibilityVSAvoideye fatigue
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the Z-plane position parameter of captions based on scene depth analysis. By changing the disparity value parameter, captions are positioned at an optimal depth that balances visibility and viewer comfort, preventing both occlusion and eye fatigue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The caption Z-plane position is made dynamic rather than fixed. The system continuously adapts the caption depth position frame-by-frame based on the disparity map analysis, ensuring captions remain in optimal positions relative to moving objects in the scene.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If captions are placed farther from the viewer in the Z-plane, then eye fatigue is reduced, but captions may be occluded by objects in front

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeye fatigueVSAvoidcaption visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of the disparity map before rendering captions. By预先 identifying objects and their depth positions in the scene, the system can proactively position captions at appropriate Z-plane distances to avoid occlusion while maintaining viewer comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system adjusts the disparity value parameter of captions based on the depth distribution of objects in the scene. By dynamically changing this parameter, captions are positioned behind occluding objects when necessary while maintaining reasonable distance from the viewer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the Z-plane position of captions changes drastically over successive frames, then captions can adapt to scene changes, but eye fatigue occurs due to hunting for captions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecaption adaptability to scene changesVSAvoideye fatigue
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies temporal smoothing to the caption Z-plane position changes, creating a periodic or gradual adjustment pattern rather than abrupt changes. This smoothing constraint ensures that caption depth movements are gradual and predictable, reducing viewer discomfort while maintaining scene adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from previous frame's caption positions and current scene analysis to determine optimal caption Z-plane positioning. By considering both historical position data and current scene requirements, the system makes balanced adjustments that adapt to scene changes while minimizing viewer fatigue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4598010A1Temporally stable occlusion free caption rendering position in z-plane for stereoscopic video
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 DISNEY ENTERPRISES INC
  • EP4598010A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4598010A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4598010A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In some embodiments, a method determines a disparity value from a plurality of disparity values in a current frame of a stereoscopic video. The disparity value is based on a difference of a value for a pixel between a first video and a second video of the stereoscopic video. A location is determined in a current frame that include the disparity value. The method analyzes first frames prior to the current frame to adjust disparity values in the first frames to generate one or more adjusted first disparity values. Also, the method analyzes second frames after the current frame to adjust disparity values in the second frames to generate one or more adjusted second disparity values. The one or more adjusted first disparity values and the one or more adjusted second disparity values are output for use in displaying captions in the first video or the second video.