Stereoscopic Fusion Offset Modification for 3D Viewing Comfort

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional 3D viewing systems often cause discomfort due to frequent, rapid, and large changes in the plane of convergence between successive stereoscopic image frames, leading to fatigue, eyestrain, and headaches, as they fail to naturally replicate the horizontal displacement of human eyes.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that modify the parallax and convergence planes between successive stereoscopic image frames by detecting convergence data, comparing convergence planes, and adjusting the parallax to smooth the fusion offset over time, thereby reducing abrupt changes and improving viewer comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional 3D viewing systems display stereoscopic image frames with original convergence data, then the 3D effect and depth perception are maintained, but frequent and large changes in convergence plane between frames cause viewer discomfort including fatigue, eyestrain, and headaches

Engineering Contradiction:

Improve3D effect qualityVSAvoidviewer discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of convergence data for current and next frames, and pre-calculates modified convergence data before displaying the stereoscopic image. This advance preparation allows the system to smooth convergence plane changes without delaying image display, resolving the contradiction between maintaining 3D quality and reducing viewer discomfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system modifies convergence parameters (horizontal displacement values) of stereoscopic image frames by blending current frame convergence data with next frame convergence data. This parameter adjustment smooths the transition between convergence planes across frames, reducing abrupt changes that cause viewer discomfort while preserving the essential 3D effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the system modifies convergence data to smooth changes between frames, then viewer comfort is improved, but processing complexity and computational requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviewer discomfortVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial modification to convergence data by using a blending factor that combines current and next frame convergence values. This partial action approach provides sufficient smoothing to reduce viewer discomfort without requiring complete recalculation of all convergence parameters, thereby limiting the increase in processing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system detects convergence data for the next frame in advance and performs modifications during the processing of the current frame. This overlapping processing approach allows the system to handle the additional computational requirements efficiently by utilizing processing time that would otherwise be idle, minimizing the impact on overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the system detects and modifies convergence data for current and next frames, then abrupt changes in fusion offset are reduced, but processing time and computational resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefusion offset stabilityVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system detects convergence data for the next frame in advance of when it is needed for display. This preliminary detection allows the system to prepare modified convergence values ahead of time, ensuring smooth transitions without adding to the critical processing path time, thus maintaining fusion offset stability without significant time penalty.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously processes and modifies convergence data for successive frames in an overlapping manner, where processing for frame N+1 begins while frame N is being prepared for display. This continuous processing approach maintains stable fusion offset transitions while efficiently utilizing processing resources, minimizing idle time and reducing overall processing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS9918067B2Modifying fusion offset of current, next, second next sequential frames

Publication Date: 2018.03.13 TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INC

AI summary

The present invention is drawn to a device for use with first stereoscopic data, second stereoscopic data and a display device. The device includes an input portion, a convergence data detecting portion, a convergence plane portion, a comparing portion and a modification portion. The input portion can receive the first stereoscopic data and the second stereoscopic data. The convergence data detecting portion can detect first convergence data within the first stereoscopic data and can detect second convergence data within the second stereoscopic data. The convergence plane portion can determine a first convergence plane based on the first convergence data and can determine a second convergence plane based on the second convergence data. The comparing portion can compare the first convergence plane and the second convergence plane and can generate a convergence plane comparison. The modification portion can modify the first convergence data based on the convergence plane comparison.