Electronic stereoscopic media delivery system

• US 6,765,568 B2
• Filed: 06/12/2001
• Issued: 07/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: VRex, Inc.
• Original Assignee: VRex, Inc.
• Inventors: Siragusa, Jon, Roche, Michael L. Jr., Swift, David C., Divelbiss, Adam W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jankus, Almis R.
• Application Number:
  US09/879,420
• Publication Number:
  US 20020122585A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,134 Days
• Field of Search: 345/419, 345/420, 382/154
• US Class Current: 345/419
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/10 Processing, recording or transmission of stereoscopic or multi-view image signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/117 the virtual viewpoint locations being selected by the viewers or determined by viewer tracking
• 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 13/139 Format conversion, e.g. of frame-rate or size
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/15 for colour aspects of 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 13/275 from 3D object models, e.g. computer-generated stereoscopic image signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/286 having separate monoscopic and stereoscopic modes
• 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 13/334 using spectral multiplexing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/339 using spatial multiplexing H04N13/337 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/341 using temporal multiplexing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/346 using prisms or semi-transparent mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/359 Switching between monoscopic and stereoscopic modes
• 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 2013/0088 : Synthesising a monoscopic image signal from stereoscopic images, e.g. synthesising a panoramic or high resolution monoscopic image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4402 : involving reformatting operations of video signals for household redistribution, storage or real-time display details of conversion of video standards at pixel level H04N7/01; video transcoding H04N19/40; adapting incoming signals to the display format of the display terminal G09G5/005; media handling at the source in data packet switching networks H04L65/764
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 : involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/84 : Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors systems specially adapted for using meta-information in broadcast systems H04H60/73
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

The preferred embodiment addresses the problem of delivering stereoscopic media in electronic form (images, videos, animations, object models, etc.). First, it provides a single format with independent right and left channels to represent the stereoscopic media. Second, it provides a means of displaying stereoscopic media inside a movable windowed area while eliminating pseudostereo conditions during movement. Third, it provides automatic and manual optimization adjustments (parallax shift adjustment, brightness control, color adjustment, and cross-talk reduction) to the stereoscopic media based on viewing hardware, monitor size, and media content for optimal viewing quality. Fourth, it provides seamless support for monoscopic (2D) viewing modes allowing delivery of said stereoscopic media in a normal 2D viewing mode.

Claims

1. A method for delivering stereoscopic media in electronic form comprising:

providing a single format with independent right and left channels to represent the stereoscopic media;

displaying said stereoscopic media inside a movable windowed area while eliminating pseudo stereo conditions during movement;

optimizing adjustments of parallax shift adjustment, brightness control, color adjustment, and cross-talk reduction of said stereoscopic media based on viewing hardware, monitor size, and media content for optimal viewing quality and

seamlessly supporting for monoscopic (2D) viewing modes allowing delivery of said stereoscopic media in a normal 2D viewing mode.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said media includes images, videos, animations, and object models.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein delivering comprises locations including the Internet and electronic media.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein electronic media comprises optical media and magnetic media.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein a single media file format that is converted to various display formats on a user side.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising a stereoscopic media in a window such as a browser or application.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising stereoscopic preservation in a window during scrolling and window movement.

8. The method of claim 1 comprising supporting of auto-detection 3D stereo hardware systems.

9. The method of claim 1 comprising script buttons (VRR scripts) for changing global stereo formats.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising stereoscopic media file formats that contain sub media such as VRR and blocks.

11. The method of claim 1 comprising parallax shift adjustments based on a physical size of display window.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising automatic brightness adjustments.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising automatic brightness adjustments.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising crosstalk reduction techniques on a user side.

15. The method of claim 1 further comprising smart stereo scaling.

16. The method of claim 1 further comprising integration of stereo media types into one viewer with script interaction.

17. The method of claim 1 further comprising monoscopic and stereoscopic viewing that allows greater distribution since both types can be viewed within one system.

18. The method of claim 1 comprising saving and converting one format into another from the Internet using a local drive from an original source.

19. The method of claim 1 further comprising automatic free view image size adjustment to minimize viewing fatigue.

20. The method of claim 1 further comprising pseudostereo correction based on image processing of a few lines or the entire image.

21. The method of claim 1 further comprising scaling said stereoscopic media, so that left and right sources are preserved.

22. The method of claim 1 further comprising improvements to Anaglyph display methods.

23. A method for delivering stereoscopic content is electronic form through the internet or an intranet or similar network environment comprising:

storing said stereoscopic content in a location that is not physically connected to a users workstation; and

providing a means to view content that resides locally on the users workstation,

wherein the encoding processes used included independent compression of Left and Right images.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein Independent compression of Left and Right provides better quality display output.

25. The method of claim 23 wherein said compression uses an anaglyph method.

26. The method of claim 25 further includes:

a video setup format for compression (sbs format and asf).

27. The method of claim 25 includes using image alignment reference points/indicators to aid in visual alignment.

28. The method of claim 27 including using multiple sub images by object viewers in stereo for a one-dimensional or two-dimensional object viewer.

29. The method of claim 28 including using stereoscopic planning that preserve the stereo image alignment.

30. The method of claim 29 uses a co-existence of Java software and a plug-in solution to minimize downloading.

31. The method of claim 30 using image interpolation to generate in between stereo views to minimize or maximize the stereo separation.

32. The method of claim 31 using image interpolation for converting 2D object movie to a 3D stereoscopic object display and provide a background download capability.