Stereoscopic Patents (Class 348/42)
  • Patent number: 8687047
    Abstract: A stereoscopic image with a predetermined parallax can be automatically taken, and a stereoscopic image with an arbitrary parallax can also be taken based on selection made by a photographer. An imaging apparatus includes two or more imaging systems. First, a guidance indicating that a first imaging system is used to take a first image and that a second imaging system is used to take a second image, is displayed on a monitor of the imaging apparatus. After the first image is shot by the first imaging system, a live view image shot by the second imaging system is displayed in a semi-transparent manner with the shot first image on the monitor, and a guidance is also displayed on the monitor. When the release switch is depressed, the second image is shot by the right imaging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Yuji Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 8687057
    Abstract: A three-dimensional measurement apparatus generates patterns to be projected onto the measurement object, images the measurement object using an imaging unit after projecting a plurality of types of generated patterns onto the measurement object using a projection unit, and computes the coordinate values of patterns on a captured image acquired by the imaging unit, based on the projected patterns, a geometric model of the measurement object, and information indicating the coarse position and orientation of the measurement object. Captured patterns on the captured image are corresponded with the patterns projected by the projection unit using the computed coordinate values, and the distances between the imaging unit and the patterns projected onto the measurement object are derived. The position and orientation of the measurement object are estimated using the derived distances and the geometric model of the measurement object, and the information on the coarse position and orientation is updated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Kobayashi, Shinji Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 8687054
    Abstract: A method and system for providing individualized video program content whereby currently available synchronized active shutter technology, such as is implemented in currently available 3-D televisions, and multiple channel audio technology, such as stereo, or 5:1 surround sound technology, is modified to provide two or more interlaced versions of at least a portion of a video program such that two or more “classes”, or types of viewers, can virtually simultaneously view separate versions of the portion of a video program in a single run of the video program, i.e., in the same viewing of the program by both types of viewers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Intuit Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Elwell, Alan Buhler, Marianne Y. Lu
  • Patent number: 8687042
    Abstract: Set-top box circuitry and methods of operating the same are described that support the delivery of media content between one or more media content sources and a screen assembly of a display system. The set-top box circuitry is configured to process media content having display requirements that exceed constraints associated with a viewing environment that includes the screen assembly to produce processed media content having display requirements that do not exceed the constraints. The set-top box circuitry may also be configured to obtain substitute media content that replaces requested media content when the requested media content has display requirements exceeding constraints associated with a media content source, a communication path from the media content source, and/or the viewing environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Jeyhan Karaoguz, James D. Bennett, Nambirajan Seshadri
  • Patent number: 8687048
    Abstract: The present invention relates to image processing apparatus and method, and a program which can display a stereoscopic image that provides more natural depth perception. A panoramic image generating section 25-1 generates a panoramic image PR for the right eye by extracting and synthesizing each strip region TRR in a plurality of captured images that are captured successively in the state in which an imaging apparatus ii is moving. A panoramic image generating section 25-2 generates a panoramic image PL for the left eye by extracting and synthesizing each strip region TRL in the plurality of captured images. From the panoramic image PR and the panoramic image PL, a disparity controlling section 26 detects the dominant disparity of these panoramic images, and shifts the entire panoramic images in accordance with the detection result to thereby adjust disparity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Takafumi Morifuji
  • Patent number: 8687053
    Abstract: The present invention provides a stereoscopic image display device that improves visibility of a stereoscopic pointer image when the pointer position moves between objects in the stereoscopic image that have greatly different display depths. The display device changes the display depth of the stereoscopic pointer image in accordance with the display depth of an object in the stereoscopic image. When the pointer position moves between objects that have greatly different display depths from time t0 to time t1, the stereoscopic pointer image at time t1 is rendered so as to be perceived as having a display depth intermediate between the display depth of the stereoscopic pointer image at time t0 and the display depth of the display screen at the pointer position at t1. As a result, visibility of the stereoscopic pointer image is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Norihiro Matsui, Kazunori Yamada
  • Patent number: 8687051
    Abstract: A method for representing picture information on an autostereoscopic screen that is designed as a multiperson screen and that is suitable for the simultaneous display of a plurality of views which are visible in each case from at least one of different observation zones. The screen includes a matrix screen having a plurality of pixels as well as a beam splitter raster that is suitable for guiding light coming from the pixels, in each case into at least one of the observation zones. In the method, the pixels are activated with picture information of at least two different scenes, in a manner such that a first observer of the screen may exclusively see a first of the at least two scenes and a second observer of the screen may exclusively see a second of the at least two scenes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Rene de la Barre, Silvio Jurk
  • Publication number: 20140085433
    Abstract: A multiview image generating method is provided. The multiview image generating method includes generating a hole image using depth information of an original image, dividing a boundary region in which a hole area of the generated hole image is in contact with a background into at least one patch, selecting an area having the most similar pixel value to a background included in the divided at least one patch, in a preset area of the original image, and filling a hole area on the divided at least one patch with a pixel value of the selected area to generate a first view image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventors: Seung-ryong HAN, Jong-sul MIN
  • Publication number: 20140085413
    Abstract: An obtaining unit obtains, for the stereoscopic image signal, depth information indicating a depth value in each position in an image plane. A smoothing unit smoothes the depth information in the image plane. A correction unit corrects the depth information which has been smoothed and expands a range of an area having a depth value of a foreground in a boundary portion between the foreground and a background. An image generation unit generates, using the depth information which has been corrected, a new stereoscopic image from the stereoscopic image signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Kentaro Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8675046
    Abstract: A narrow-band observation image and a spectral estimation image are automatically switched based on the type of a subject. In an endoscopic image obtained by a scope, judgment is made as to whether the endoscopic image was obtained by close-up imaging or by distant-view imaging. When it is judged that the endoscopic image was obtained by distant-view imaging, white light is output from a light source unit and a spectral estimation image is output. When it is judged that the endoscopic image was obtained by close-up imaging, narrow-band light is output from the light source unit and a narrow-band observation image that has been obtained when the narrow-band light was output is output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Kubo, Makoto Kagaya, Masayuki Takahira, Masayuki Kuramoto, Shuichi Ishii, Ryo Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8675054
    Abstract: A stereoscopic image display and a method for driving the same are disclosed. The stereoscopic image display includes a display panel, that displays data of a 2D image in a 2D mode and display data of a 3D image in a 3D mode in a time division manner, and a data modulation unit that previously stores modified values satisfying a luminance of a predetermined gray level and modulates left eye image data or right eye image data input during a current frame period to a modified value selected based on the result of a comparison between right/left eye image data input during a previous frame period and the left/right eye image data of the current frame period using the previously stored modified values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sungmin Jung
  • Patent number: 8675049
    Abstract: A 3D model of an object is rendered using centered images of the object. An algorithm executed locally or in a distributed manner calculates camera positions for the images and determines a virtual camera path based on the camera positions. The application adjusts the images to fit the plane of the virtual camera path and fills in the gaps between the images using transition renderings. To improve user experience, the application also calculates resting positions for navigation stop points using a spring system. Upon constructing the 3D model, the application can transmit the 3D model to a variety of user devices including the network connected device having a camera module that captured the images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Johannes Kopf, Eric Stollnitz, Sudipta Sinha, Rick Szeliski
  • Patent number: 8675044
    Abstract: An image playback method includes starting an image display module, detecting glasses data in a predetermined range, comparing the detected glasses data with a set of data to generate a first comparison result, and the image display module playing a 3D image or a 2D image according to the first comparison result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Yi-Ju Yu, Shih-Lin Chiu, Wen-Chin Wu
  • Patent number: 8675042
    Abstract: A distance to an object is measured for each of a series of left images, and the count of a distance range including the calculated distance increases. A distance range with the highest frequency of appearance is specified from the counter information of a distance table counter, and a left image in which the distance included in the specified distance range is measured is selected. The adjustment amount of the parallax amount adjusted for the selected left image and a corresponding right image is determined to be the adjustment amount of the parallax amount of a panorama image. A series of left images is combined to generate a panorama image and a series of right images is combined to generate a panorama image. A panorama image displayed in stereoscopic view is generated based on the determined adjustment amount of the parallax amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Shimaya
  • Patent number: 8676041
    Abstract: Full resolution graphic overlays (e.g., graphics, menus, arrows, buttons, captions, banners, picture in picture information) and subtitles in frame compatible 3D delivery for a scalable system are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Alexandros Tourapis, Kevin Stec
  • Patent number: 8675052
    Abstract: A stereoscopic image display device is disclosed. According to one aspect, the stereoscopic image display device includes a display panel, a timing controller, a data driver, and a gate driver. The timing controller alternately outputs a left frame image signal and a right frame image signal, and outputs a plurality of first and second control signals. The data driver drives the data lines in response to the left frame image signal, the right frame image signal and the first control signals. The gate driver drives the gate lines and outputs a transfer signal in response to the second control signals. Each of a plurality of pixels includes a first transistor, a hold capacitor, a second transistor, a storage capacitor, and a liquid crystal capacitor. The first transistor is connected between a corresponding data line and a first node, and has a gate connected to a corresponding gate line. The hold capacitor is connected between the first node and a ground voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young-In Hwang
  • Patent number: 8675045
    Abstract: In an image processing method, a first two-dimensional image (I(x, y)) of a three-dimensional scene is obtained. Each pixel location of a first image is associated with a respective distance parameter (z(x, y)) representing a distance of a viewer's eye to an object of the scene appearing at this pixel location in the first image. A respective spreading parameter (?d(x, y)) is determined for each pixel location as a function of the distance parameter associated with this pixel location, of a dioptric power (Pcorr) of a portion of a correction lens simulated as placed along a ray extending between the viewer's eye and the object of the scene appearing at said pixel location in the first image, and of a simulated maximum accommodation power (Pacc) of the viewer's eye. A second, blurred two-dimensional image (I?(x, y)) is generated from the first image using a local convolution kernel varying across the image. This kernel can be made sparse, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Essilor International (Compagnie Generale d'Optique)
    Inventors: Gildas Marin, Marc Le Renard
  • Publication number: 20140071230
    Abstract: The present application discloses a Three Dimensions (3D) video conversion system and method, and a key frame selection method and apparatus thereof. The key frame selection method includes: after the ith key frame is determined, calculating feature matching ratios of video frames after the ith key frame in a 2D video; selecting video frames each of which has a feature matching ratio within the range of T1˜T2 as candidate key frames; selecting a video frame from the candidate key frames as the (i+1)th key frame according to re-projection errors of the candidate key frames. Since key frames are selected according to the feature matching ratios of video frames to the previous key frame, and the later key frame is selected according to the re-projection errors of the candidate key frames. Thus the selection for key frames is more reasonable, and the 2D to 3D video conversion based on more reasonable key frames may improve converted 3D video quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: HISENSE CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Jiande SUN, Jiangchuan XIE, Ju LIU, Wei LIU
  • Patent number: 8670029
    Abstract: A depth camera illuminator with a superluminescent light-emitting diode (SLED) in a motion tracking system. One or more SLEDs have a sufficient power, such as 75-200 milliwatts, to extend in a field of view in an area such as a room in a home. To correct for chromatic aberration which would otherwise exist due to the wider range of wavelengths which are emitted by an SLED compared to a laser, an achromatic diffractive optical element is used to disperse the light over the field of view. The achromatic diffractive optical element can have a stepped multi-level profile with three or more levels, or a continuous profile. Based on a tracked movement of a human target, an input is provided to an application in a motion tracking system, and the application performs a corresponding action such as updating a position of an on-screen avatar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Scott McEldowney
  • Patent number: 8668334
    Abstract: A binocular viewer, a method of measuring and training vision that uses a binocular viewer and a vision measurement and training system that employs a computer to control the binocular viewer. In one embodiment, the binocular viewer has left and right display elements and comprises: (1) a variable focal depth optical subsystem located in an optical path between the display elements and a user when the user uses the binocular viewer and (2) a control input coupled to the left and right display elements and the variable focal depth optical subsystem and configured to receive control signals operable to place images on the left and right display elements and vary a focal depth of the variable focal depth optical subsystem. In another embodiment, the binocular viewer lacks the variable focal depth optical subsystem, but the images include at least one feature unique to one of the left and right display elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Vital Art and Science Incorporated
    Inventor: William R. Krenik
  • Publication number: 20140063183
    Abstract: A method of processing a multi-view image, and a multi-view image processing apparatus for performing the method are provided. The multi-view image processing apparatus includes a first video codec module which is configured to output first image processed data as a result of processing a first image signal provided from a first image source, and to generate sync information at each predetermined time, and a second video codec module which is configured to output second image processed data as a result of processing a second image signal provided from a second image source, using part of the output first image processed data according to the sync information. The first image processed data and the second image processed data are combined into a multi-view image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Sung Ho ROH, Jun Shik JEON, Tae Hyun KIM
  • Patent number: 8666146
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a stereoscopic pair of images from a monoscopic image input are described. At least one brushstroke input corresponding to a location in the monoscopic image is received. A saliency map and edge map of the monoscopic image are computed. A first image warp and a second image warp are computed using the at least one brushstroke, the saliency map, and the edge map. A stereoscopic pair of images are generated from the first image warp and the second image warp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Aljosa A. Smolic, Manuel Lang, Alexander Hornung, Oliver Wang, Markus Gross
  • Publication number: 20140055559
    Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus that provide highly integrated digital media processors for digital consumer electronics applications. These digital media processors are capable of performing the parallel processing of multiple format audio, video, and graphics signals. In one embodiment, audio and video signals may be received from a variety of input devices or appliances, such as antennas, VCRs, DVDs, and networked devices such as camcorders and modems, while output audio and video signals may be provided to output devices such as televisions, monitors, and networked devices such as printers and networked video recorders. Another embodiment of the present invention interfaces with a variety of devices such as navigation, entertainment, safety, memory, and networking devices. This embodiment can also be configured for use in a digital TV, set-top box, or home server. In this configuration, video and audio streams may be received from a number of cable, satellite, Internet, and consumer devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: Jen-Hsun Huang, Gerrit A. Slavenburg, Stephen D. Lew, John C. Schafer, Thomas F. Fox, Taner E. Ozcelik
  • Publication number: 20140055560
    Abstract: Techniques for setting depth values for invalid measurement regions of depth images are described herein. A computing device may set the depth values based on evaluations of depth values of neighboring pixels and of corresponding pixels from time-adjacent depth images. Alternately or additionally, the computing device may utilize a texture image corresponding to the depth image to identify objects and may set depth values for pixels based on depth values of other pixels belonging to the same object. After setting the depth values, the computing device may normalize the depth values of the pixels. Further, the computing device may generate reduced representations of the depth images based on a depth reference model or a depth error model and may provide the reduced representations to an encoder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jingjing Fu, Yan Lu, Shipeng Li
  • Patent number: 8659644
    Abstract: A method is provided for a stereo video capture system. The stereo video system includes a stereo video monitor, a control platform, and a three-dimensional (3D) capture imaging device. The method includes capturing at least a first image and a second image, with a parallax between the first image and the second image based on a first parallax configuration. The method also includes receiving the first and second images; and calculating a value of at least one parallax setting parameter associated with the first and second images and corresponding to the first parallax configuration. Further, the method includes determining whether the value is within a pre-configured range. When the value is out of the pre-configured range, the method includes converting the first parallax configuration into a second parallax configuration. The method also includes sending, the second parallax configuration to the 3D imaging capture device, and adopting the second parallax configuration in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: SuperD Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Lei Song
  • Patent number: 8659653
    Abstract: A device for evaluating the appearance of the surface of a tire (P) comprising a color linear camera (1) comprising means (14, 15, 16) for separating the light beam (F) reflected by the surface of said tire (P) and entering the camera (1) into at least two base colors (R, G, B) of given wavelength, so as to direct the light beam to as many sensors (11, 12, 13) capable of obtaining a basic image in gray level (41, 42, 43) for each of the base colors, as many lighting means (21, 22, 23) as base colors, said lighting means being oriented so as to light the surface to be evaluated at different angles, characterized in that each of the lighting means (21, 22, 23) emits a colored light (R, G, B) that differs from that of the other lighting means, and the wavelength of which corresponds substantially to the wavelength of one of the base colors selected by the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignees: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A., Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin
    Inventors: Alexandre Joly, Jean-Paul Zanella
  • Patent number: 8659641
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes an liquid crystal display panel having a frame response time of less than 5 milliseconds, drive electronics configured to drive the liquid crystal display panel to black between images that are provided to the liquid crystal display panel at a rate of at least 90 images per second, and a backlight positioned to provide light to the liquid crystal display panel. The backlight includes a right eye solid state light source and a left eye solid state light source capable of being modulated between the right eye solid state light source and a left eye solid state light source at a rate of at least 90 Hertz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Scott E. Brigham, John C. Schultz, Billy L. Weaver
  • Patent number: 8659640
    Abstract: The digital 3D/360° camera system is an omnidirectional stereoscopic device for capturing image data that may be used to create a 3-dimensional model for presenting a 3D image, a 3D movie, or 3D animation. The device uses multiple digital cameras, arranged with overlapping fields of view, to capture image data covering an entire 360° scene. The data collected by one, or several, digital 3D/360° camera systems can be used to create a 3D model of a 360° scene by using triangulation of the image data within the overlapping fields of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Inventor: Leonard P. Steuart, III
  • Patent number: 8654182
    Abstract: There is provided a display device including a display unit which periodically arranges and displays a plurality of images and a parallax barrier which is disposed in front of a pixel plane of the display unit and separates light from the display unit. The display device includes a disparity extraction unit which extracts information on a distribution of disparities between the view images, a parameter calculation unit which calculates a shift amount based on the disparity distribution information, a shift processing unit which performs shift processing on at least one of the view images based on the calculated shift amount, and a mapping processing unit which rearranges the at least one shift-processed view image on the display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takanori Ishikawa, Kazunari Yoshifuji, Yota Komoriya, Isao Ohashi
  • Publication number: 20140043433
    Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed that relate to augmenting an appearance of a surface via a see-through display device. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides, on a computing device comprising a see-through display device, a method of augmenting an appearance of a surface. The method includes acquiring, via an outward-facing image sensor, image data of a first scene viewable through the display. The method further includes recognizing a surface viewable through the display based on the image data and, in response to recognizing the surface, acquiring a representation of a second scene comprising one or more of a scene located physically behind the surface viewable through the display and a scene located behind a surface contextually related to the surface viewable through the display. The method further includes displaying the representation via the see-through display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventors: Mike Scavezze, Jason Scott, Jonathan Steed, Ian McIntyre, Aaron Krauss, Daniel McCulloch, Stephen Latta
  • Publication number: 20140043434
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a technique capable of easily executing color matching between respective images obtained by carrying out image-capturing over an object respectively irrespective of an illumination condition of the object. In order to achieve the object, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an acquisition section for acquiring a first image and a second image in which an object is captured, and a processing section for executing a color matching process between the first image and the second image by a conversion for causing a frequency distribution of a first histogram for pixel expression information about the first image to relatively approximate to a frequency distribution of a second histogram for the pixel expression information about the second image, in which the processing section further executes a saturation degree correction process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Motohiro Asano, Hiroshi Yamato
  • Patent number: 8648895
    Abstract: A control processing unit simultaneously drives cameras to produce images of a measuring object, the control processing unit searches corresponding point on a comparative image produced by one of the cameras for a representative point in a reference image produced by the other camera, and the control processing unit computes a three-dimensional coordinate corresponding to a coordinate using the coordinate of each point correlated by the search. The control processing unit also obtains a shift amount at the corresponding point specified by the search to an epipolar line specified based on a coordinate of a representative point on the reference image side or a parameter indicating a relationship between the cameras, and the control processing unit supplies the shift amount as an evaluation value indicating accuracy of three-dimensional measurement along with three-dimensional measurement result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Omron Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Ikeda, Shiro Fujieda, Hiroshi Yano
  • Patent number: 8646917
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for generating or creating an autostereoscopic or three-dimensional (3D) display. The apparatus has a foreground display assembly including a display element such as a transparent projection screen film and a projector projecting a first set of two-dimensional (2D) content onto a rear surface viewable by a viewer via a front surface. The apparatus includes a background display assembly including a display element displaying a second set of 2D content. The apparatus includes an intermediate display assembly including a display element, such as an optical shutter window, positioned between the foreground display element and the background display element. This assembly includes a projector projecting a third set of 2D content on the front or rear surface of the optical shutter window. The first, second, and third sets of 2D content are concurrently visible and the use of three spaced apart display planes creates a 3D illusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Reichow, Daniel M. Joseph
  • Patent number: 8649592
    Abstract: A system for background image subtraction includes a computing device coupled with a 3D video camera, a processor of the device programmed to receive a video feed from the camera containing images of one or more subject that include depth information. The processor, for an image: segments pixels and corresponding depth information into three different regions including foreground (FG), background (BG), and unclear (UC); categorizes UC pixels as FG or BG using a function that considers the color and background history (BGH) information associated with the UC pixels and the color and BGH information associated with pixels near the UC pixels; examines the pixels marked as FG and applies temporal and spatial filters to smooth boundaries of the FG regions; constructs a new image by overlaying the FG regions on top of a new background; displays a video feed of the new image in a display device; and continually maintains the BGH.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
    Inventors: Quang Huu Nguyen, Minh Ngoc Do, Sanjay Jeram Patel, Daniel Palmer Dabbelt, Dennis Jinn Lin
  • Patent number: 8649434
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a storage means for storing a decoded image in which pictures of a first image and a second image each having a disparity are alternately arranged, and performing local decoding, and a storage control means for performing storage control to control the storage of a reference picture in the storage means such that, from among the pictures which are encoded temporally earlier than a current picture in encoding process which is a picture to be encoded, and are capable of becoming reference pictures, a picture which is a picture of an image at the same viewpoint as the current picture in encoding process from among the first image and the second image and is closest to the current picture in encoding process in a display order is stored in the storage means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshitomo Takahashi, Junichi Tanaka, Teruhiko Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8643697
    Abstract: Video processing apparatus and method including a process for switching a 2D program and a 3D video program. The method has the steps of, for example: inputting a 3D video signal and a 2D video signal; discriminating whether the video signal which is inputted is the 3D video signal or the 2D video signal; and converting a clock frequency of the video signal which is determined as a 2D video signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Consumer Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Hasegawa, Nobuaki Kabuto
  • Patent number: 8643705
    Abstract: A video or other kind of screen device form of multiple layers of pixels. The pixels in the different layers may be modified in order to form a 3-D effect. According to another embodiment, the lenses may be associated with different whalers of zoom in order to simulate a 3-D effect. The different layers may also be used as an additive with one another to reduce their output level. The different layers may also be used as backup layers, so that one layer can be used when another player fails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Harris Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Scott C. Harris
  • Publication number: 20140028793
    Abstract: Hybrid video decoder supporting intermediate view synthesis of an intermediate view video from a first- and a second-view video which are predictively coded into a multi-view data signal with frames of the second-view video being spatially subdivided into sub-regions and the multi-view data signal having a prediction mode is provided, having: an extractor configured to respectively extract, from the multi-view data signal, for sub-regions of the frames of the second-view video, a disparity vector and a prediction residual; a predictive reconstructor configured to reconstruct the sub-regions of the frames of the second-view video, by generating a prediction from a reconstructed version of a portion of frames of the first-view video using the disparity vectors and a prediction residual for the respective sub-regions; and an intermediate view synthesizer configured to reconstruct first portions of the intermediate view video.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventor: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
  • Patent number: 8638367
    Abstract: A television signal and image processing system that superimposes an indicator of the fall line of a golf green adjacent the hole on the green image to be televised to the viewer. This process is achieved by generating and storing typographical maps of the greens on a golf course and generating and storing the locations of the holes on those greens, the locations of the holes are then merged with topography of the individual greens, and then the high (above the hole) and low (below the hole) fall lines are calculated in xyz coordinates, and synthesized arrows having the same coordinates are then applied to the merged topography with one arrow on the high side of the hole point downwardly on the fall line in three dimensions and a second arrow on the low side of the hole also pointed downwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Inventor: Dillis V. Allen
  • Patent number: 8638357
    Abstract: A shooting apparatus has an image pickup section, a display section which displays an image picked up by the image pickup section, an operation section for performing operations including a shooting command, a communication section which performs communication with a further shooting apparatus, a determination section which determines a left-right placement relationship between the shooting apparatus and the further shooting apparatus from a predetermined position held by the user with a right hand or a left hand or from a predetermined operation, and a control section which, by transmitting a signal to the further shooting apparatus through the communication section, performs control for causing at least a portion of an image picked up by the further shooting apparatus to be transmitted from the further shooting apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Imaging Corp.
    Inventors: Masaomi Tomizawa, Osamu Nonaka
  • Patent number: 8638359
    Abstract: In a display apparatus and a driving method thereof, a detector determines whether a timing controller is operated in a three-dimensional (3D) mode or a two-dimensional (2D) mode to output a first or second mode signal according to a result of the determination. A compensator compensates for a gamma value of a 3D image to be increased in response to a first mode signal when the 2D mode is converted to the 3D mode and decreases an increased gamma value to a gamma value for a 2D image in response to a second mode signal when the 3D mode is converted to the 2D mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bo-Ram Kim, Myoung-Chul Kim, Yun-Jae Kim, Byoungjun Lee, Nam-Hee Goo, Seunghwan Moon, HyunSeok Ko
  • Publication number: 20140022339
    Abstract: In one example, a method includes identifying a first set of pixels in co-located pairs in a corresponding pair of multiview image frames for which the co-located pairs have a disparity between the pixels that is greater than a selected disparity threshold. The method further includes identifying a second set of pixels in at least one of the image frames that are within a selected distance of an intensity transition greater than a selected intensity transition threshold. The method further includes applying crosstalk correction to pixels that are identified as being in at least one of the first set and the second set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Gokce Dane, Vasudev Bhaskaran
  • Publication number: 20140022340
    Abstract: In one example, a method includes identifying a pixel in an image frame that is a candidate for causing crosstalk between the image frame and a corresponding image frame in a multiview image system. The method further includes, for a pixel identified as a candidate for causing crosstalk, applying crosstalk correction to the pixel. The method further includes applying a location-based adjustment to the pixel, wherein the location-based adjustment is based at least in part on which of two or more portions of the image frame the pixel is in.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Gokce Dane, Vasudev Bhaskaran
  • Patent number: 8633967
    Abstract: A method and a device enable the creation of three-dimensional images with more than two perspectives (e.g. pseudo-holographic images), especially to be reproduced with the aid of an autostereoscopic display or an autostereoscopic screen, from fed images having, in particular, only two perspectives, e.g., a left and a right image channel. Also, a related device creates and reproduces three-dimensional images having more than two perspectives, especially in the form of an autostereoscopic multi-user visualization system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Expert Treuhand GmbH
    Inventors: Sigrid Kamins-Naske, Ivo-Henning Naske, Valerie Antonia Naske
  • Patent number: 8633972
    Abstract: A method for displaying image information on an autostereoscopic screen that is suitable for simultaneous display of a plurality of views visible respectively from at least one of a plurality of laterally offset viewing zones. A first stereoscopic half-image and a second stereoscopic half-image, which are perceptible simultaneously and together produce a stereoimage, are reproduced on the screen such that the first stereoscopic half-image is visible from two laterally offset and respectively continuous regions, while the second stereoscopic half-image is visible from a stereozone which is situated between the two mentioned regions and is smaller than each of these two regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Geselschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: René de la Barré, Silvio Jurk
  • Patent number: 8634636
    Abstract: An image such as a depth image of a scene may be received, observed, or captured by a device. A grid of voxels may then be generated based on the depth image such that the depth image may be downsampled. A background included in the grid of voxels may then be discarded to isolate one or more voxels associated with a foreground object such as a human target and the isolated voxels associated with the foreground object may be processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Craig Peeper, Johnny Lee, Tommer Leyvand, Szymon Stachniak
  • Patent number: 8633966
    Abstract: There is provided an information processing device enabling a content of 3D image to be appropriately reproduced from a recording medium. A virtual extent read out from a recording medium recorded with interleaved data obtained by dividing each of a base stream and an enhanced stream into extents Ext1 and Ext2, and arranging the Ext1 and Ext2 in an interleaved manner so that the Ext1 and Ext2 are adjacent to each other, and a file entry of a 2D reproduction file in which the Ext1 is stored in a reproducing order, and a 3D type 1 reproduction file in which the virtual extent is stored in a reproducing order, with a set of Ext1 and Ext2, which are adjacent to each other in the interleaved data, as the virtual extent, is divided into the Ext1 and Ext2 using the file entry of the 2D reproduction file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Motoki Kato, Kazuo Yamamoto, Masayoshi Mizuno, Shigeho Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20140015921
    Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed to effectively suppress noise in images (e.g., video or still images). For example, noise in images may be more accurately modeled as having a structured random noise component and a structured fixed pattern noise (FPN) component. Various parameters of noise may be estimated robustly and efficiently in real time and in offline processing. Noise in images may be filtered adaptively, based on various noise parameters and motion parameters. Such filtering techniques may effectively suppress noise even in images that have a prominent FPN component, and may also improve effectiveness of other operations that may be affected by noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: Alessandro Foi, Matteo Tiziano Maggioni
  • Patent number: 8629901
    Abstract: A method of revising depth of a three-dimensional (3D) image is disclosed. The method comprises the following steps: firstly, at least one initial depth map associated with one image of the 3D image pair based on stereo matching technique is received, wherein the one image comprises a plurality of pixels, and the initial depth map carries an initial depth value of each pixel. Then, the inconsistence among the pixels of the one image of the 3D image pair is detected to estimate a reliable map. Finally, the initial depth value is interpolated according to the reliable map and the proximate pixels, so as to generate a revised depth map by revising the initial depth value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Liang-Gee Chen, Chien Wu, Chung-Te Li, Yen-Chieh Lai, Chao-Chung Cheng, Ling-Hsiu Huang
  • Patent number: 8628196
    Abstract: A display device and its display method are provided. The display method includes: first, inputting image message, then generating laser beams for forming an image according to the input image message to display an image. The image message includes angular message of each image pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Ocean of Peace Scientific Beijing Ltd.
    Inventors: Xuefeng Song, Jiangliang Li