Abstract: A prediction vector generation device generating a prediction vector of a disparity vector of a target block in a non-base viewpoint image includes a conversion pixel determination unit determining at least one pixel position in a depth block corresponding to the target block in a depth map corresponding to the non-base viewpoint image, a disparity vector conversion unit calculating a representative value of a depth value of the at least one pixel position determined by the conversion pixel determination unit and converting the representative value into a disparity vector, and a prediction vector determination unit generating the prediction vector of the disparity vector of the target block by using the disparity vector generated by the disparity vector conversion unit. This prediction vector generation device provides good encoding efficiency and suppresses increases in the amount of computation.

Abstract: A prediction vector generation device generating a prediction vector of a disparity vector of a target block in a non-base viewpoint image includes a conversion pixel determination unit determining at least one pixel position in a depth block corresponding to the target block in a depth map corresponding to the non-base viewpoint image, a disparity vector conversion unit calculating a representative value of a depth value of the at least one pixel position determined by the conversion pixel determination unit and converting the representative value into a disparity vector, and a prediction vector determination unit generating the prediction vector of the disparity vector of the target block by using the disparity vector generated by the disparity vector conversion unit. This prediction vector generation device provides good encoding efficiency and suppresses increases in the amount of computation.

Abstract: A prediction vector generation device generating a prediction vector of a disparity vector of a target block in a non-base viewpoint image includes a conversion pixel determination unit determining at least one pixel position in a depth block corresponding to the target block in a depth map corresponding to the non-base viewpoint image, a disparity vector conversion unit calculating a representative value of a depth value of the at least one pixel position determined by the conversion pixel determination unit and converting the representative value into a disparity vector, and a prediction vector determination unit generating the prediction vector of the disparity vector of the target block by using the disparity vector generated by the disparity vector conversion unit. This prediction vector generation device provides good encoding efficiency and suppresses increases in the amount of computation.

Abstract: A disparity vector generation section generates disparity vectors indicating a part of a disparity between a first layer image and a second layer image different from the first layer image and different part of the disparity based on a code indicating the part of the disparity. A predicted image generation section reads a reference image of a region indicated by the disparity vector generated by the disparity vector generation section from a reference image storage section that stores the reference image and generates a predicted image based on the read reference image.

Abstract: A disparity vector generation section generates disparity vectors indicating a part of a disparity between a first layer image and a second layer image different from the first layer image and different part of the disparity based on a code indicating the part of the disparity. A predicted image generation section reads a reference image of a region indicated by the disparity vector generated by the disparity vector generation section from a reference image storage section that stores the reference image and generates a predicted image based on the read reference image.

Abstract: A disparity vector generation section generates disparity vectors indicating a part of a disparity between a first layer image and a second layer image different from the first layer image and different part of the disparity based on a code indicating the part of the disparity. A predicted image generation section reads a reference image of a region indicated by the disparity vector generated by the disparity vector generation section from a reference image storage section that stores the reference image and generates a predicted image based on the read reference image.

Abstract: Pictures having the same time between a plurality of layers are allocated to the same display time POC. There is provided restriction of coded data in which the same POC is allocated to the pictures of the same time in all the layers, for example, by allowing all of the layers to have the same NAL unit type so that the initialization timings of the POC are the same between the layers, and a management length of the POC and a POC low-order bit are the same between the layers. An RAP picture with the layer ID other than 0 has a slice type other than an intra-slice I_SLICE.

Abstract: A disparity vector generation section generates disparity vectors indicating a part of a disparity between a first layer image and a second layer image different from the first layer image and different part of the disparity based on a code indicating the part of the disparity. A predicted image generation section reads a reference image of a region indicated by the disparity vector generated by the disparity vector generation section from a reference image storage section that stores the reference image and generates a predicted image based on the read reference image.

Abstract: A prediction vector generation device generating a prediction vector of a disparity vector of a target block in a non-base viewpoint image includes a conversion pixel determination unit determining at least one pixel position in a depth block corresponding to the target block in a depth map corresponding to the non-base viewpoint image, a disparity vector conversion unit calculating a representative value of a depth value of the at least one pixel position determined by the conversion pixel determination unit and converting the representative value into a disparity vector, and a prediction vector determination unit generating the prediction vector of the disparity vector of the target block by using the disparity vector generated by the disparity vector conversion unit. This prediction vector generation device provides good encoding efficiency and suppresses increases in the amount of computation.

Abstract: The present invention enables joint use of multiple schemes that are different in relationship of dependency between viewpoint images and depth images in encoding and decoding for encoding or decoding of viewpoint images and depth images. An image encoding device determines one of encoding scheme having different reference relationships between viewpoint images and depth images at intervals of a predetermined encoding scheme change data unit and encodes viewpoint images and depth images with the determined encoding scheme. The image encoding device inserts inter-image reference information indicating the reference relationships between the viewpoint images and depth images in encoding into an encoded data sequence.

Abstract: In disparity-compensated prediction, the precision of prediction vectors is improved even if a prediction method different from disparity-compensated prediction is utilized for blocks around a block to be coded. An image coding apparatus (100) codes a plurality of viewpoint images captured from different viewpoints.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus has two binocular stereoscopic modes. In two-take photography mode, a 3D image file is generated from left and right monocular images acquired by performing monocular photographing twice, and the 3D image file thus generated is recorded. In one-take photography mode, a 3D image file is generated from left and right monocular images acquired by performing binocular photographing once, and the 3D image file thus generated is recorded. When the 3D image file is recorded, a homogeneity tag is recorded in 3D metadata, as tag information of the header data portion of the 3D image file. The homogeneity tag is information about the homogeneity of the two monocular images and describes whether the two monocular images have been acquired in the one-take photography mode in which monocular images highly homogeneous are provided, or in the two-take photography mode in which monocular images not so homogeneous are provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a stereo image processing apparatus adapted for performing stereoscopic reproduction of images without depending upon header information of file to have ability to recover or restore header information for stereoscopic display which has been broken or missing, which includes an image input unit (1) for inputting plural main images constituting stereo images, a stereo information encoding unit (6) for encoding stereo information for stereoscopic display control with respect to the inputted plural main images into an image like bar code, and an image synthesis unit (8) for synthesizing the inputted plural main images and an encoded image of the stereo information in the state where corresponding areas for respective images are partitioned.

Abstract: A stereoscopic image processing method capable of preventing occurrence of undesirable cutout of image when a stereoscopic combined image is printed out is provided. A stereoscopic combined image can be created and recorded using a digital still camera 1. This stereoscopic combined image is a single image formed by arranging a plurality of view-point images. At first, left view-point image data and right view-point image data are stored in a memory by performing photographing twice. Then, the data of the two images are arranged laterally into a single image. Through this processing, original stereoscopic combined image data is created. Padding areas (dummy areas) are added to the original stereoscopic combined image data at the upper and lower sides thereof. Namely, a processed image containing the original stereoscopic combined image is created.

Abstract: An operation unit switches the operating mode between a 3D display output mode in which the images of the 3D image file are displayed as a stereoscopic images and a 2D display output mode in which one of the images of the 3D image file is displayed as an ordinary planar image. The 3D image file is composed of stereoscopic image data which represents a plurality of monocular images constituting a multi-ocular stereoscopic image and information which is added to the stereoscopic image data and which indicates that the data is stereoscopic data. In the 2D display output mode, a control unit makes an output unit display an image of the 3D image file read from a medium by a media reader and also display a mark on the same screen, indicating that the image displayed in the 2D display output mode is based on the 3D image file.

Abstract: An image signal composed of sequential frames is input to a 3-dimensional image creating apparatus, frame by frame. A controller (102) designates the presence/absence of reduction, the presence/absence of joining and 2D select. An image converter (101) creates image data in the format designated by the presence/absence of reduction and the presence/absence of joining. A 3D information creator (103) creates 3D information necessary for displaying the image as a 3-dimensional image by formatting the presence/absence of reduction, the presence/absence of joining and 2D select. A multiplexer (104) converts image data and 3D information in a predetermined format and outputs them to the outside. In this way, it is possible to make the image data for 3-dimensional display versatile and select an arbitrary viewpoint image efficiently.

Abstract: A server (1) analyzes request information from a client (11) by a request analyzer (4) and selects necessary image data from multiple viewpoint image data (2) to be output to an image generator (3). The image data is generated by interpolation and output to an image synthesizer (5), in which a plurality of images data is synthesized in a form suitable for encoding. An encoder (6) encodes the image data and transfers it to a network (7). The client (11) receives the encoded image data, decodes the data through a decoder (12) and outputs the decoded image data to an image processor (13), where it is converted into a stereoscopic display format and displayed on a display unit (14). The client (11) includes an input unit (16) for changing the viewpoint, and transmits the request information of viewpoint alternation to the network (7) by a request output unit (15).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a 3-D image display unit that can be controlled flexibly to protect the user from eyestrain and operated easily. The 3-D image display unit includes measuring means for measuring a display time of a 3-D image, parallax adjusting means for instructing 3-D image forming means to adjust the parallax of the 3-D image. In the case where the 3-D image display time measured by the measuring means exceeds a predetermined time, the parallax adjusting means instructs the 3-D image forming means to reduce the parallax of the 3-D image to be formed, thereby the display means comes to display a 3-D image having a small parallax. The user can thus be protected from eyestrain.

Abstract: An image data recording apparatus includes a three-dimensional display control information generation unit receiving a parameter indicating a condition for picking up a three-dimensional image, and encoding the parameter so as to generate image pick-up condition information, and a file generation unit generating a multimedia information file including both of the image pick-up condition information and three-dimensional image data or at least one of the three-dimensional image data and two-dimensional image data.

Abstract: A light source and a light irradiating device are provided to efficiently regulate a biological rhythm of a user without changing a color temperature of illumination light, an average color-matching index (Ra) or both.