Stereoscopic Image Temporal Offset for Pulfrich Effect Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sequential stereoscopic displays cause the Pulfrich effect, leading to incorrect depth perception and image misalignment for fast-moving objects due to the temporal disparity between left and right images, which are captured at the same time but displayed half an image period apart.
Innovation Solution
Ensuring that the effective temporal positions of the left and right images are also half an image period out of synchronisation by synchronising the cameras to capture image sequences at different times or processing captured images to create interpolated images with different temporal positions, thereby alleviating the Pulfrich effect and allowing for accurate depth perception and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If sequential stereoscopic display is used to deliver 3D images, then 3D television can be made available to consumers, but the Pulfrich effect occurs causing incorrect depth perception and image misalignment for fast-moving objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by capturing left and right images at different times before display, specifically capturing the left image first then the right image half an image period later. This pre-timing of image capture compensates for the sequential display requirement while preventing the Pulfrich effect, as the temporal offset in capture matches the temporal offset in display.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temporal parameter of image capture from simultaneous to offset by half an image period. By adjusting the capture timing parameter, the system maintains compatibility with sequential display while eliminating the harmful Pulfrich effect. The effective temporal position of captured images is different from their display temporal position, resolving the contradiction.
2Ease of manufacture
If left and right images are captured at the same time, then image capture is simplified, but displaying them half an image period apart causes the Pulfrich effect
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary timing adjustment by capturing images at offset times before display. The left image is captured at time t1 and the right image at time t2, where t2 - t1 = half an image period. This pre-established temporal relationship ensures that when displayed sequentially half an image period apart, no Pulfrich effect occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by monitoring and adjusting the temporal relationship between image capture and display. The system ensures that the capture offset matches the display offset, creating a self-correcting mechanism that prevents the Pulfrich effect while maintaining sequential display operation.
3Ease of operation
If images are displayed half an image period apart for sequential stereoscopic display, then time-multiplexing glasses can function, but fast-moving objects appear at incorrect depths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-offsetting the image capture times before display. The left image is captured at time t1 and the right image at time t2 with a half-image-period difference. This preliminary temporal arrangement ensures that when the images are displayed half an image period apart for sequential stereoscopic display, the brain receives consistent temporal information, preventing depth registration errors for fast-moving objects.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of displaying successive stereoscopic image pairs comprises: capturing, at a predetermined image rate, a sequence of images suitable for a left eye of a viewer and capturing, at the predetermined image rate, a corresponding sequence of images suitable for a right eye of the viewer; and displaying a sequence of stereoscopic image pairs at the predetermined image rate, in which each displayed stereoscopic image pair comprises one left image suitable for the left eye of the viewer and one right image suitable for the right eye of the viewer, the one left and one right images being derived from the captured sequence of images suitable for the left and right eye of the viewer, respectively; in which: the one left image and the one right image of each stereoscopic image pair are displayed for different respective portions of an image period defined by the predetermined image rate; and the effective temporal position of the one left image of a stereoscopic image pair for display is different to the effective temporal position of the one right image of that stereoscopic image pair.