IP Library Granted Patent US 9,282,311
Granted Patent B2
US 9,282,311 · App. 13/929,793 · Granted Mar 8, 2016

Three-dimensional image processing apparatus and three-dimensional image processing method

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,282,311
App. No.
13/929,793
Granted
Mar 8, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

In a three-dimensional image capturing apparatus (three-dimensional image processing apparatus), a depth obtainment unit obtains L depth information and R depth information from a three-dimensional image, and an image correction unit executes a smoothing process on an end part region of the subject based on the L depth information and the R depth information. As a result, the three-dimensional image processed by the three-dimensional image processing apparatus is a high-quality three-dimensional image that correctly expresses a sense of three-dimensionality and thickness in the subject and that has a low sense of a cardboard cutout effect.

Claims (26)

1. A three-dimensional image processing apparatus that performs an image correction process, the apparatus comprising:

a left eye image and a right eye image contained in a three-dimensional image obtained using a dual-lens technique or a multiple-viewpoint technique;

an end part region detector configured to detect as an end part region both:

a region including an edge on a left side of a subject contained in the left eye image and the right eye image, and

a region including an edge on a right side of the subject contained in the left eye image and the right eye image; and

an edge correction unit configured to execute a smoothing process on a region in the end part region of the subject detected by the end part region detector

wherein:

the end part region detector is further configured to detect the region including an edge on the left side of the subject as the left end part region and detect the region including an edge on the right side of the subject as the right end part region; and

the edge correction unit is further configured to execute:

a smoothing process on the left end part region in the left eye image at a first strength, and execute a smoothing process on the right end part region in the left eye image at a second strength that is a lower strength than the first strength; and

a smoothing process on the right end part region in the right eye image at a third strength, and executes a smoothing process on the left end part region in the right eye image at a fourth strength that is a lower strength than the third strength.

2. The three-dimensional image processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein:

the end part region detector includes a depth obtainment unit configured to obtain a left eye distance image and a right eye distance image by obtaining distance information in a three-dimensional space for a subject contained in the left eye image and the right eye image; and

the end part region detector further configured to detect the end part region of the subject in both the left eye image and the right eye image based on the distance information of the subject obtained by the depth obtainment unit.

3. The three-dimensional image processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein:

the end part region detector includes an edge extraction unit configured to, extract an edge of a subject contained in the left eye image and the right eye image from the left eye image and the right eye image; and

the end part region detector is further configured to detect the end part region of the subject, in both the left eye image and the right eye image, based on edge information of the left eye image and the right eye image extracted by the edge extraction unit.

4. The three-dimensional image processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein:

the end part region detector is further configured to detect the region including an edge on the left side of the subject as a left end part region, and detect the region including an edge on the right side of the subject as a right end part region; and

the edge correction unit is further configured to execute a smoothing process on the left end part region in the left eye image, and execute a smoothing process on the right end part region in the right eye image.

5. A control method that performs an image correction process for the three-dimensional image processing apparatus according to claim 1 , the method comprising:

obtaining a left eye image and a right eye image contained in a three-dimensional image by a dual-lens technique, or a multiple-viewpoint technique via a processor;

detecting both end part regions from the left eye image and the right eye image, the both end part regions being:

a region including an edge on a left side of a subject contained in the left eye image and the right eye image, and

a region including an edge on a right side of the subject contained in the left eye image and the right eye image, as; and

smoothing a region in both end part regions of the subject.

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ERRONEOUSLY FILED APPLICATION NUMBERS 13/384239, 13/498734, 14/116681 AND 14/301144 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 034194 FRAME 0143. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Dec 24, 2020
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION
To: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 056788/0362 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 10, 2014
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION
To: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 034194/0143 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 29, 2014
From: YAMASHITA, HARUO; ITO, TAKESHI; ONO, HIROMICHI; KUWAHARA, YASUHIRO
To: PANASONIC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 032085/0147 →