Video data processing apparatus utilizing viewer influence, picture reproducing apparatus, and computer programs related thereto

• US 8,009,188 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2005
• Issued: 08/30/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: JVC Kenwood Corporation
• Original Assignee: Victor Company of Japan Limited (JVC Kenwood Corporation)
• Inventors: Suehiro, Koya, Sugahara, Takayuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Chan; Jason
• Assistant Examiner(s): KHAN, USMAN A
• Application Number:
  US11/312,535
• Publication Number:
  US 20060192851A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,078 Days
• Field of Search: 348/51, 348/77, 348/222.1, 348/42, 382/128, 382/154
• US Class Current: 348/51
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2562 DVDs [digital versatile discs]; Digital video discs; MMCDs; HDCDs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/3027 used signal is digitally coded
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/10 Processing, recording or transmission of stereoscopic or multi-view image signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/189 Recording image signals; Reproducing recorded image signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/597 specially adapted for multi-view video sequence encoding
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/781 on disks or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/85 on discs or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8042 involving data reduction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8063 using time division multiplex of the PCM audio and PCM video signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8205 involving the multiplexing of an additional signal and the colour video signal

Abstract

Every prescribed unit of video data is analyzed to estimate a degree of influence of pictures represented by every prescribed unit of video data on a viewer. For example, every prescribed unit of three-dimensional video data is analyzed to estimate a degree of influence of a depth in three-dimensional pictures represented by every prescribed unit of three-dimensional video data on a viewer. Information is generated which represents the estimated influence degree. Every prescribed unit of video data and the generated information are outputted while they are related to each other.

Claims

1. A picture reproducing apparatus comprising:

first means for reproducing three-dimensional video data having divided units each representing pictures and each including contents biological influence level information and depth information which have been compressed by run length encoding, wherein specified units among the divided units are assigned to a same playback timing, and the contents biological influence level information in each divided unit indicates an estimated level of influence of video contents in said divided unit on a biological body and the depth information in each divided unit determines an actual degree of influence of a depth in the pictures represented by said divided unit on a viewer;

second means for detecting the contents biological influence level information in each divided unit;

third means for obtaining an estimated degree of influence of the depth in the pictures represented by each divided unit on the viewer from the contents biological influence level information detected by the second means;

fourth means for setting an allowable range with respect to the estimated influence degree obtained by the third means;

fifth means for deciding whether the estimated influence degree obtained by the third means is within or outside the allowable range set by the fourth means; and

sixth means for controlling the depth information in a divided unit to reduce the actual degree of influence of the depth in the pictures represented by said divided unit on the viewer when the fifth means decides that the estimated influence degree is outside the allowable range for said divided unit.

2. A non-transitory program stored in computer-readable store means, for enabling a computer to implement a method comprising the steps of:

controlling a data reproducer to reproduce three-dimensional video data having divided units each representing pictures and each including contents biological influence level information and depth information which have been compressed by run length encoding, wherein specified units among the divided units are assigned to a same playback timing, and the contents biological influence level information in each divided unit indicates an estimated level of influence of video contents in said divided unit on a biological body and the depth information in each divided unit determines an actual degree of influence of a depth in the pictures represented by said divided unit on a viewer;

detecting the contents biological influence level information in each divided unit;

obtaining an estimated degree of influence of the depth in the pictures represented by each divided unit on the viewer from the detected contents biological influence level information;

setting an allowable range with respect to the estimated influence degree on the basis of viewer-related information inputted via user interface means;

deciding whether the estimated influence degree is within or outside the allowable range; and

controlling the depth information in a divided unit to reduce the actual degree of influence of the depth in the pictures represented by said divided unit on the viewer when it is decided that the estimated influence degree is outside the allowable range for said divided unit.

3. A method of reproducing pictures via a display device, comprising the steps of:

controlling a data reproducer to reproduce three-dimensional video data having divided units each representing pictures and each including contents biological influence level information and depth information which have been compressed by run length encoding, wherein specified units among the divided units are assigned to a same playback timing, and the contents biological influence level information in each divided unit indicates an estimated level of influence of video contents in said divided unit on a biological body and the depth information in each divided unit determines an actual degree of influence of a depth in the pictures represented by said divided unit on a viewer;

detecting the contents biological influence level information in each divided unit;

obtaining an estimated degree of influence of the depth in the pictures represented by each divided unit on the viewer from the detected contents biological influence level information;

setting an allowable range with respect to the estimated influence degree on the basis of viewer-related information inputted via user interface means;

deciding whether the estimated influence degree is within or outside the allowable range; and

controlling the depth information in a divided unit to reduce the actual degree of influence of the depth in the pictures represented by said divided unit on the viewer when it is decided that the estimated influence degree is outside the allowable range for said divided unit.