Stereoscopic Image Reproduction Pause Mode Frame Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stereoscopic image reproduction systems experience unnatural image distortion and interruption when paused, as they stop transmitting both left and right images, causing the image to shift on the screen when switching from 3D to 2D.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a 3D format generation unit with a frame time comparing and frame correction unit that synchronizes and merges left and right video frames, allowing for continuous stereoscopic image display even in pause mode by reusing frames and maintaining queue content, and optionally interpolating frames to generate a single 2D image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the stereoscopic image reproduction apparatus stops transmission of left and right images in pause mode, then power consumption is reduced, but image stability deteriorates causing the image to slide on the screen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by generating and storing a 2D image in advance before pause mode is activated. The 2D image generation unit creates a composite image from the left and right views using depth information, and this pre-generated 2D image is then displayed during pause mode. This prevents image sliding by ensuring a stable 2D image is already prepared before the pause occurs, resolving the contradiction between reducing power consumption and maintaining image stability.
2Device complexity
If only one of the left or right images is displayed during pause mode, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates causing unnatural or distorted images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by combining the left and right view images with depth information to generate a single 2D composite image. The 2D image generation unit merges the parallax information from both views, using the depth map to determine which objects should be visible in the 2D representation. This merging process maintains high image quality by intelligently combining information from both stereo images rather than simply displaying one, while keeping device complexity manageable through software-based image processing.
3Ease of operation
If the stereoscopic image is paused while being reproduced, then user interaction is enabled, but image continuity deteriorates causing interruption in the stereoscopic image output
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing adaptive behavior based on the pause state. When pause mode is activated, the system dynamically switches from outputting stereoscopic images (left and right views alternately) to outputting a continuous 2D image. This dynamic adaptation allows user interaction during pause while maintaining visual continuity through the 2D image display. When playback resumes, the system dynamically transitions back to stereoscopic image output, thus resolving the contradiction between enabling user interaction and maintaining image continuity.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus, which forms a stereoscopic image by alternately displaying a left image and a right image, for reproducing a stereoscopic image in a pause mode, includes: a decoder unit configured to perform decoding on received image information; a 3D format generation unit configured to pair left and right images which are temporally consistent to generate stereoscopic image data; and a user input processing unit configured to receive a user selection with respect to image reproduction and delivering a corresponding signal to the decoder unit and the 3D format generation unit, wherein when the user input processing receives a selection of a pause mode from the user, the decoder unit stops the decoding operation on the basis of the signal from the user input processing unit and the 3D format generation unit generates the stereoscopic image data by using the same left and right video frames. Even when a pause mode is selected while a stereoscopic image is being reproduced, the stereoscopic image can be outputted, and in this case, the stereoscopic image can be outputted in the pause mode without using any additional configuration.