Generating a depth map from a two-dimensional source image for stereoscopic and multiview imaging
First Claim
1. A method for generating a depth map containing an array of pixels, from a monoscopic source image, comprising the steps of:
- (a) identifying a subset of the array of pixels representing an edge of at least one local region of the source image, the edge being defined by a predetermined image parameter having an estimated value exceeding a predefined threshold; and
(b) assigning to each pixel within said subset, a depth value based on the corresponding estimated value of the image parameter.
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Abstract
Depth maps are generated from a monoscopic source images and asymmetrically smoothed to a near-saturation level. Each depth map contains depth values focused on edges of local regions in the source image. Each edge is defined by a predetermined image parameter having an estimated value exceeding a predefined threshold. The depth values are based on the corresponding estimated values of the image parameter. The depth map is used to process the source image by a depth image based rendering algorithm to create at least one deviated image, which forms with the source image a set of monoscopic images. At least one stereoscopic image pair is selected from such a set for use in generating different viewpoints for multiview and stereoscopic purposes, including still and moving images.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for generating a depth map containing an array of pixels, from a monoscopic source image, comprising the steps of:
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(a) identifying a subset of the array of pixels representing an edge of at least one local region of the source image, the edge being defined by a predetermined image parameter having an estimated value exceeding a predefined threshold; and
(b) assigning to each pixel within said subset, a depth value based on the corresponding estimated value of the image parameter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for generating a smoothed depth map from a monoscopic source image, comprising the steps of:
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(a) deriving a depth map from the monoscopic source image; and
(b) smoothing the depth map to a near-saturation level around an area corresponding to at least one local region of the source image defined by a change in depth exceeding a predefined threshold, so as to minimize dis-occlusions around said area, wherein range and strength of smoothing are substantially higher in the vertical than the horizontal orientation.
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14. A method for creating at least one deviated image from a monoscopic source image, to form with the source image at least one stereoscopic image pair, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) deriving a sparse depth map containing an array of pixels, from a raw depth map corresponding to the source image, by identifying a subset of the array of pixels representing an edge of at least one local region of the raw depth map, the edge being defined by a predetermined image parameter having an estimated value exceeding a predefined threshold; and
assigning to each pixel within said subset, a depth value based on the corresponding estimated value of the image parameter; and
(b) applying a depth image based rendering (DIBR) algorithm to the depth map to obtain the at least one deviated image.
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15. A system for generating a stereoscopic view from a monoscopic source image, the system comprising a tandem chain of:
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an edge analyzer for receiving the source image and deriving a depth map therefrom, the depth map containing depth values of at least one edge of a local region of the source image, the edge being defined by a predetermined image parameter having an estimated value exceeding a predefined threshold, wherein each depth value is based on the corresponding estimated value of the image parameter;
a DIBR processor for processing the source image based on the depth map to render at least one deviated image to form with the source image at least one stereoscopic image pair; and
a 3D display for generating at least one stereoscopic view from the at least one stereoscopic image pair. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A system for generating 3D motion pictures from a sequence of monoscopic source images, the system comprising a tandem chain of:
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an edge analyzer for receiving each source image and deriving a corresponding depth map therefrom;
a DIBR processor for processing each source image with the corresponding depth map to render at least one corresponding deviated image forming with the source image at least one stereoscopic image pair; and
a 3D display device for sequentially generating at least one stereoscopic view from each stereoscopic image pair. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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- 19. A depth map derived from a monoscopic source image, containing depth values of at least one edge of a local region of the source image, the edge being defined by a predetermined image parameter having an estimated value exceeding a predefined threshold, wherein each depth value is based on the corresponding estimated value of the image parameter.
Specification