Abstract: A lightweight 3D stereoscopic surgical microscope has a body, a robot set, an image set, and an operating set. The body has a wheel seat, a housing mounted on the wheel seat, and a host computer mounted in the housing. The robot set is connected to the body and has a base mounted on the housing, a transversal lever mounted on the base, a lifting arm connected to the transversal lever, and a rotating arm connected to the lifting arm. The image set is connected to the robot set and has an outer casing connected to the rotating arm, at least one objective lens mounted in the outer casing, a main display screen mounted on the outer casing, an auxiliary display screen mounted beside the body. The operating set is connected to the robot set, is connected to the body and the image set and has two operating bars.

Abstract: A stereo display system using shape from shading algorithm is an image conversion device connected between a monoscopic endoscope and a 3D monitor. The system applies the algorithm which generates a depth map for a 2D image of video frames. The algorithm first calculates a direction of a light source for the 2D image and based upon the information of light distribution and shading for the 2D image to generate the depth map. The depth map is used to calculate another view of the original 2D image by depth image based rendering algorithm in generation of stereoscopic images. After the new view is rendered, the stereo display system also needs to convert the display format of the stereoscopic images for different kinds of 3D displays. Base on this method, it is necessary to replace the whole monoscopic endoscope with a stereo-endoscope system and no modification is required for the monoscopic endoscope.

Abstract: A stereoscopic vision system includes a monoscopic endoscope, an external adapter lens, and a camera calibration and stereoscopic processing unit. The external adapter lens has two tubes formed therein for forming two optical paths and is mounted on the endoscope for a CCD of the endoscope to receive parallax image pairs of an observed object. Each parallax image pair has a left image and a right image thereon. The camera calibration and stereoscopic processing unit receives the parallax image pairs, and calibrates two camera systems formed by the adapter lens and the endoscope and processes the parallax image pairs generated from the calibration to generate stereoscopic images to be displayed on a display. The simple and inexpensive two-tube external adapter lens directly mounted on any type of monoscopic endoscope without modifying the monoscopic endoscope and one-time camera calibration ensures cost effectiveness and operational convenience.

Abstract: Methods for generating stereoscopic views from monoscopic endoscope images and systems using the same are provided. First, monoscopic images are obtained by capturing images of organs in an operating field via an endoscope. A background depth map of the operating field is obtained for each image. An instrument depth map corresponding to an instrument is obtained for each image, wherein the instrument is inserted in a patient's body cavity. The background depth maps and the instrument depth maps are merged to generate an integrated depth map for each image. Stereoscopic views are generated according to the monoscopic images and the integrated depth maps.

Abstract: Methods for generating depth maps from monocular still image or monocular video and systems using the same are provided. First, an initial depth map is estimated or arbitrary defined. For video inputs, motion information can be used, for still image the initial background can be arbitrary set by default, chosen by the user or can be estimated. Estimation of the initial depth map can be based on a contrast map or a blur map. The initial depth map defines initial depth values for the respective pixels of the monocular image or monocular motion picture frames. The respective pixels of the original image or video frame data are mapped to the initial depth map according to positions of the pixels, in order to obtain corresponding initial depth values.

Abstract: A system for mosaicing endoscope images has an endoscope, a computer and a monitor. The endoscope has a relatively wide viewing angle such as 30 degrees to capture video images of a target area. The computer determines feature points on the captured video frames, aligns the video images in a common reference frame and displays them as one mosaiced image while dynamically extending the scene synchronous with the movement of the endoscope. The system creates a distortion free near real-time panorama of the endoscope scene using the wide angle view endoscope, and is useful for physicians while performing endoscopic procedures since the field of view can be extended to provide a better visual-spatial orientation.

Abstract: A positioning device, an image projecting system and a method for overlapping images are provided. The positioning device is applied to a Computed Tomography process and a Magnetic Resonance Imaging process. The positioning device includes a patch and a positioning mark. The positioning mark is adapted to be mounted on the patch, and includes a Computed Tomography mark and a Magnetic Resonance Imaging mark.

Abstract: An image processing method includes the following steps. An input data including a number of original data are received. The original data are converted into a number of converted emulation voltage signals. At least a simulation circuit model including at least a spatial data node, at least a diffusion node and at least a connection device is established, wherein, the at least a connection device is coupled to a part or all of the at least a spatial data node and the at least a diffusion node. A part or all of the converted emulation voltage signals are supplied to the diffusion node to achieve voltage diffusion among the spatial data nodes and the diffusion nodes via the connection device, so that at least a diffused emulation voltage signal is obtained on the diffusion nodes. Then, processed image data are generated according to the diffused emulation voltage signals.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging system for generating space transfer functions has an X-ray machine, a check board and a host. The X-ray machine has an X-ray camera and an image camera to respectively take an X-ray image and a reference image for a calibration pattern on the check board. The host has a controller electrically connected to the X-ray camera and the image camera to receive the X-ray image and the reference image. The controller generates parameters and space transfer functions according to the X-ray image and the reference image.

Abstract: Methods for generating stereoscopic views from monoscopic endoscope images and systems using the same are provided. First, monoscopic images are obtained by capturing images of organs in an operating field via an endoscope. A back-ground depth map of the operating field is obtained for each image. An instrument depth map corresponding to an instrument is obtained for each image, wherein the instrument is inserted in a patient's body cavity. The background depth maps and the instrument depth maps are merged to generate an integrated depth map for each image. Stereoscopic views are generated according to the monoscopic images and the integrated depth maps.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a depth map generation module for a foreground object and the method thereof. The depth map generation method for a foreground object comprises the following steps: receiving an image sequence data, wherein the image sequence data includes a plurality of image frames; selecting at least one key image frame from the image sequence data; providing at least one depth indicative information and a contour of a first segment in the at least one key image frame; and performing a signal processing steps by a microprocessor.

Abstract: Methods for generating depth maps from monocular still image or monocular video and systems using the same are provided. First, an initial depth map is estimated or arbitrary defined. For video inputs, motion information can be used, for still image the initial background can be arbitrary set by default, chosen by the user or can be estimated. Estimation of the initial depth map can be based on a contrast map or a blur map. The initial depth map defines initial depth values for the respective pixels of the monocular image or monocular motion picture frames. The respective pixels of the original image or video frame data are mapped to the initial depth map according to positions of the pixels, in order to obtain corresponding initial depth values.

Abstract: An example-based 2D to 3D image conversion method, a computer readable medium therefore, and a system are provided. The embodiments are based on an image database with depth information or with which depth information can be generated. With respect to a 2D image to be converted into 3D content, a matched background image is found from the database. In addition, graph-based segmentation and comparison techniques are employed to detect the foreground of the 2D image so that the relative depth map can be generated from the foreground and background information. Therefore, the 3D content can be provided with the 2D image plus the depth information. Thus, users can rapidly obtain the 3D content from the 2D image automatically and the rendering of the 3D content can be achieved.

Abstract: A method and a system for developing a new-view image from an original image with a corresponding depth map is provided. The original image has a plurality of original pixels and the new-view image has at least a new-view pixel. The method for developing the new-view image comprises the following steps. According to a corresponding depth value of each original pixel, a corresponding position of each original pixel corresponding to the new-view pixel is estimated. An occupancy proportion of each original pixel occupying the new-view pixel is estimated according to the corresponding position of each original pixel. An estimated color of an estimated partial pixel of the new-view pixel is initially obtained according to the occupancy proportion of one selected original pixel. The estimated partial pixel is updated according to the occupancy proportions and estimated occlusion proportion of the other selected original pixels one by one.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing an image with multi-view images includes inputting multiple images, wherein each of the reference images is corresponding to a reference viewing-angle for photographing; synthesizing an image corresponding to a viewpoint and an intended viewing-angle; segmenting the intended synthesized image to obtain a plurality of meshes and a plurality of vertices of the meshes. Each of the vertices and the viewpoint respectively establish a viewing-angle, and the method further includes searching a plurality of neighboring images among the reference images referring to the viewing-angle. If at least one of the neighboring images falls within an adjacent region of the vertex, a first mode is adopted without interpolation to synthesize the intended synthesized image; when none of the neighboring images falls within the adjacent region of the vertex, a second mode is adopted, where a weighting-based interpolation mechanism is used for synthesizing the intended synthesized image.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a depth map generation module for a foreground object and the method thereof. The depth map generation method for a foreground object comprises the following steps: receiving an image sequence data, wherein the image sequence data includes a plurality of image frames; selecting at least one key image frame from the image sequence data; providing at least one depth indicative information and a contour of a first segment in the at least one key image frame; and performing a signal processing steps by a microprocessor.

Abstract: An image processing method is provided. Firstly, input data including a number of original data are received. Next, the original data are converted into a number of converted emulation voltage signals. Then, at least a simulation circuit model including at least a spatial data node, at least a diffusion node and at least a connection device is established, wherein, the at least a connection device is coupled to a part or all of the at least a spatial data node and the at least a diffusion node. Afterwards, a part or all of the converted emulation voltage signals are supplied to the diffusion node to achieve voltage diffusion among the spatial data nodes and the diffusion nodes via the connection device, so that at least a diffused emulation voltage signal is obtained on the diffusion nodes. After that, processed image data are generated according to the diffused emulation voltage signals.

Abstract: A method and a system for rendering a multi-view image are provided. The method for rendering a multi-view image executed by a computer includes the following steps. A plurality of single-view images whose view-angles are different from each other are provided using the computer. A resolution resizing process is performed using the computer on the single-view images to obtain at least a portion of the pixels of a plurality of new-resolution images. A view interlace process is performed using the computer on the at least a portion of the pixels of the new-resolution images to result in a multi-view image.

Abstract: A method and a system for rendering a multi-view image are provided. The method for rendering the multi-view image includes the following steps. An image capturing unit provides an original image and depth information thereof. Multiple threads of one processing unit perform a pixel rendering process and a hole filling process on at least one row of pixels of the original image according to the depth information by way of parallel processing to render at least one new-view image. View-angles of the at least one new-view image and the original image are different. Each of the threads performs a view interlacing process on at least one pixel of the original image and the at least one new-view image by way of parallel processing to render the multi-view image.

Abstract: A method and a system for developing a new-view image from an original image with a corresponding depth map is provided. The original image has a plurality of original pixels and the new-view image has at least a new-view pixel. The method for developing the new-view image comprises the following steps. According to a corresponding depth value of each original pixel, a corresponding position of each original pixel corresponding to the new-view pixel is estimated. An occupancy proportion of each original pixel occupying the new-view pixel is estimated according to the corresponding position of each original pixel. An estimated color of an estimated partial pixel of the new-view pixel is initially obtained according to the occupancy proportion of one selected original pixel. The estimated partial pixel is updated according to the occupancy proportions and estimated occlusion proportion of the other selected original pixels one by one.