Image conversion and encoding techniques

• US 20040032488A1
• Filed: 08/18/2003
• Published: 02/19/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: dynamic digital depth Research Pty Ltd
• Original Assignee: dynamic digital depth Research Pty Ltd
• Inventors: Harman, Philip Victor
• Granted Patent: US 7,551,770 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/51
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10012 Stereo images
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/12 Edge-based segmentation
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/593 from stereo images
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/97 Determining parameters from multiple pictures depth or shape recovery from multiple images G06T7/55; stereo camera calibration G06T7/85
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 9/001 Model-based coding, e.g. wire frame
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/15 for colour aspects of image signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/161 Encoding, multiplexing or demultiplexing different image signal components for multi-view video sequence encoding H04N19/597
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/167 Synchronising or controlling image signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/189 Recording image signals; Reproducing recorded image signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/194 Transmission of image signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/221 using the relative movement between cameras and objects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/239 using two 2D image sensors having a relative position equal to or related to the interocular distance H04N13/243 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/243 using three or more 2D image sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/257 Colour aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/261 with monoscopic-to-stereoscopic image conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/296 Synchronisation thereof; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/341 using temporal multiplexing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/398 Synchronisation thereof; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/597 specially adapted for multi-view video sequence encoding
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2013/0077 Colour aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2013/0081 : Depth or disparity estimation from stereoscopic image signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2013/0085 : Motion estimation from stereoscopic image signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2013/0092 : Image segmentation from stereoscopic image signals

Abstract

A method of producing a depth map for use in the conversion of 2D images into stereoscopic images including the steps of: identifying at least one object within a 2D image; allocating an identifying tag to each object; allocating a depth tag to each object; and determining and defining an outline of each object.

Claims

1. A method of transmitting 2D images and depth map data for viewing on a stereoscopic viewing system comprising:

embedding the depth map data in a vertical blanking interval of an analog television signal.

2. A method of transmitting 2D images and depth map data for viewing on a stereoscopic viewing system comprising:

embedding the depth map data in an MPEG data stream of a digital television signal.

3. A method of transmitting 2D images and depth map data for viewing on a stereoscopic viewing system including:

embedding the depth map data in a VOB file of a DVD.