Image processing device, image processing method, and program

1. A processing device for adding a subtitle to a three-dimensional (3D) image produced by left-eye and right-eye display patterns displayed on a display, comprising:

a video decoder configured to receive video content data representing content left-eye and content right-eye display patterns;

an audio decoder configured to receive sound data indicative of an audio volume level;

a subtitle decoder configured to:

receive subtitle data indicative of a subtitle display pattern;

compare the volume level to a volume threshold; and

when the volume level exceeds the volume threshold, modify the subtitle data based on the sound data such that the modified subtitle data is indicative of a subtitle display pattern different from the subtitle display pattern indicated by the received subtitle data; and

a superimposition unit configured to combine the modified subtitle data with the video content data to create combined pattern data representing combined left-eye and combined right-eye display patterns.

2. The processing device of claim 1 , wherein the subtitle data is indicative of the volume threshold.

3. The processing device of claim 1 , wherein the volume threshold is a first volume threshold and wherein the subtitle decoder is configured to:

compare the volume level to a second volume threshold that is higher than the first volume threshold;

modify the subtitle data in a first way when the volume level exceeds the first volume threshold but does not exceed the second volume threshold; and

modify the subtitle data in a second way when the volume level exceeds the second volume threshold.

4. The processing device of claim 1 , wherein:

the volume level is a first volume level;

the sound data is also indicative of a second volume level; and

the subtitle decoder is configured to:

compare a difference between the first volume level and the second volume level to a volume change threshold; and

modify the subtitle data when the difference between the first volume level and the second volume level exceeds the volume change threshold.

5. The processing device of claim 1 , wherein modifying the subtitle data includes changing a color of the subtitle display pattern.

6. The processing device of claim 1 , wherein:

the subtitle data is also indicative of a blending value for controlling a transparency of a subtitle 3D image in a combined 3D image produced by display of the combined left-eye and combined right-eye display patterns; and

modifying the subtitle data includes modifying the blending value.

7. The processing device of claim 1 , wherein:

the subtitle data is also indicative of a position value for controlling a position of a subtitle 3D image in a combined 3D image produced by display of the combined left-eye and combined right-eye display patterns; and

modifying the subtitle data includes modifying the position value.

8. The processing device of claim 7 , wherein the position value controls a depth of the subtitle 3D image in the combined 3D image.

9. The processing device of claim 7 , wherein:

the subtitle display pattern is a subtitle left-eye display pattern;

the subtitle data is also indicative of a subtitle right-eye display pattern;

the position value is a first position value for controlling a position of the subtitle left-eye display pattern in the combined left-eye display pattern;

the subtitle data is also indicative of a second position value for controlling a position of the subtitle right-eye display pattern in the combined right-eye display pattern; and

modifying the subtitle data includes modifying the first and second position values.

10. The processing device of claim 1 , further including a 3D subtitle generation unit configured to generate subtitle left-eye and subtitle right-eye display patterns based on the subtitle display pattern, wherein the superimposition unit is configured to:

superimpose the subtitle left-eye display pattern on the content left-eye display pattern to create the combined left-eye display pattern; and

superimpose the subtitle right-eye display pattern on the content right-eye display pattern to create the combined right-eye display pattern.

11. A method for adding a subtitle to a three-dimensional (3D) image produced by left-eye and right-eye display patterns displayed on a display, comprising:

receiving video content data representing content left-eye and content right-eye display patterns;

receiving sound data indicative of an audio volume level;

receiving subtitle data indicative of a subtitle display pattern;

comparing the audio volume level to a volume threshold; and

when the audio volume level exceeds the volume threshold:

modifying the subtitle data based on the sound data such that the modified subtitle data is indicative of a subtitle display pattern different from the subtitle display pattern indicated by the received subtitle data; and

combining the modified subtitle data with the video content data to create combined pattern data representing combined left-eye and combined right-eye display patterns.