Stereoscopic computer graphics image generating apparatus and stereoscopic TV apparatus

• US 6,005,607 A
• Filed: 06/27/1996
• Issued: 12/21/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Nakagawa, Masamichi, Uomori, Kenya, Morimura, Atsushi
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Tommy P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Din, Luanne P.
• Application Number:
  US08/669,768
• Time in Patent Office: 1,272 Days
• Field of Search: 348/42, 348/47, 348/51, 348/52, 345/32
• US Class Current: 348/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/122 Improving the 3D impression of stereoscopic images by modifying image signal contents, e.g. by filtering or adding monoscopic depth cues H04N13/128 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/128 Adjusting depth or disparity
• 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 13/239 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 13/257 Colour aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/279 the virtual viewpoint locations being selected by the viewers or determined by tracking
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/289 Switching between monoscopic and stereoscopic modes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/296 Synchronisation thereof; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/305 using lenticular lenses, e.g. arrangements of cylindrical lenses
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/31 using parallax barriers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/324 Colour aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/327 Calibration thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/337 using polarisation multiplexing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/341 using temporal multiplexing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/356 having separate monoscopic and stereoscopic modes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/361 Reproducing mixed stereoscopic images; Reproducing mixed monoscopic and stereoscopic images, e.g. a stereoscopic image overlay window on a monoscopic image background
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/373 for tracking forward-backward translational head movements, i.e. longitudinal movements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/398 : Synchronisation thereof; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2013/0081 : Depth or disparity estimation from stereoscopic image signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2013/0096 : Synchronisation or controlling aspects

Abstract

The stereoscopic CG image generating apparatus and a stereoscopic TV apparatus, has a projection transformation section which, based on three-dimensional structural information describing a three-dimensional shape of an object, generates a plurality of two-dimensional projection models as viewed from a plurality of viewpoints, a distance information extraction section which generates a camera-to-object distance information used for calculations in the projection transformation section, and a camera parameter determining section which, based on the output of the distance information extraction section, the screen size of a stereoscopic image display device for displaying finally generated two-dimensional projection models, and a viewer'"'"'s viewing distance, determines camera parameters so that stereoscopic CG images will be brought within the viewer'"'"'s binocular fusional range.

Claims

1. A stereoscopic computer graphics (CG) image generating apparatus for placing an object within a binocular fusion range of a viewer, the object being at a distance from an imaginary camera, comprising:

a stereoscopic image display device having a screen for displaying a stereoscopic image of said object;

distance information extraction means for extracting a near point, corresponding to a shortest distance between said imaginary camera and said object, and a far point corresponding to a longest distance between said imaginary camera and said object;

fusional range computing means for determining the binocular fusional range of the viewer viewing the screen of the stereoscopic image display device based on the near point, the far point, and at least one of a plurality of human binocular fusional limit characteristic data responsive to a viewing angle of the screen;

camera parameter calculating means for calculating a plurality of parameter conditions of said imaginary camera, based on said binocular fusional range and the shortest and longest distances between said imaginary camera and said object;

camera parameter determining means for receiving said parameter conditions from the camera parameter calculating means and determining which of said parameter conditions places said object within the binocular fusional range of the viewer; and

projection transformation means for generating a plurality of two-dimensional projection images of said object as viewed from said imaginary camera in response to said determined parameter conditions, the two-dimensional projection images being displayed on the stereoscopic image display device.

2. A stereoscopic CG image generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said longest distance or said shortest distance between said imaginary camera and said object can be manually set.

3. A stereoscopic CG image generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

a user designates a specific region on the screen, and

from the specific region, said distance information extraction means determines said longest distance or said shortest distance between said imaginary camera and said object.

4. A stereoscopic CG image generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of human binocular fusional limit characteristic data comprises at least one of the size of said screen and a viewing distance between the screen and the viewer.

5. A stereoscopic CG image generating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

operation means for receiving the parameter conditions from the camera parameter determining means and for allowing a user to select the parameter conditions to be transmitted to the projection transformation means.

6. A stereoscopic computer graphics (CG) image generating apparatus for placing an object as viewed from an imaginary camera within a binocular fusion range of a viewer, comprising:

a stereoscopic image display device having a screen for displaying a stereoscopic image of said object;

distance information extraction means for determining a first distance from a first point on said object to said imaginary camera and a second distance from a second point on said object to said imaginary camera;

fusional range computing means for calculating a plurality of camera parameter settings of the imaginary camera based on said first distance and said second distance;

camera parameter determining means for determining which ones of said camera parameter settings places said object within the binocular fusional range of the viewer; and

projection transformation means for generating a plurality of two-dimensional projection images of said object as viewed from said imaginary camera in response to said ones of said camera parameter settings, the two-dimensional projection images being displayed on the stereoscopic image display device.