Stereoscopic Image Multiplexing for Bandwidth-Constrained Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Stereoscopic images struggle to maintain quality when transmitted over existing infrastructure designed for single planar images, as inserting two images into the bandwidth pipeline compromises image fidelity and compatibility with existing receivers.
Innovation Solution
A method for multiplexing stereoscopic image source data into a series of left and right images, using techniques like compression, staggering, alternating, filtering, and variable scaling to fit within existing bandwidth, ensuring compatibility with JPEG and MPEG compression protocols and maintaining high image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two stereoscopic images are inserted into the existing bandwidth pipeline, then stereoscopic imaging capability is achieved, but image fidelity and quality are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the frame into multiple regions (e.g., first region, second region, third region) and applies different compression techniques to each region. This allows critical regions to maintain higher fidelity while less critical regions use more aggressive compression, resolving the contradiction between fitting two images in the bandwidth pipeline and maintaining overall image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies variable compression quality across different spatial regions of the image. By identifying which regions are more important for stereoscopic perception and maintaining higher quality in those regions while using lower quality in others, the system achieves stereoscopic capability without uniformly degrading image fidelity across the entire frame.
2Productivity
If compression is applied to fit stereoscopic images into existing bandwidth, then transmission through existing infrastructure is enabled, but image quality is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes compression parameters dynamically across different regions of the frame. By adjusting compression ratios, block sizes, and encoding settings based on regional importance, the system achieves efficient transmission within existing bandwidth constraints while preserving critical image quality in regions that matter most for stereoscopic perception.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing infrastructure is used for stereoscopic transmission, then compatibility with existing receivers is maintained, but image quality standards are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal encoding scheme that works within existing infrastructure constraints while supporting stereoscopic transmission. By designing a flexible region-based compression approach that adheres to standard protocols, the system maintains compatibility with existing receivers and infrastructure while still achieving acceptable image quality for stereoscopic content.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for multiplexing a stream of stereoscopic image source data into a series of left images and a series of right images combinable to form a series of stereoscopic images, both the stereoscopic image source data and series of left images and series of right images conceptually defined to be within frames. The method includes compressing stereoscopic image source data at varying levels across the frame, thereby forming left images and right images, and providing a series of single frames divided into portions, each single frame containing one right image in a first portion and one left image in a second portion. Alternately, single frames may contain two right images in a first two portions of each single frame and two left images in a second two portions of each single frame, wherein each set of right and left images may be processed differently. Multiplexing processes such as staggering, alternating, filtering, variable scaling, and sharpening from original, uncompressed right and left images may be employed.