Stereoscopic video delivery

1. A method of operation of a de-interlacer/scaler for display of stereoscopic images, comprising:

determining whether or not stereoscopic images are to be displayed;

if not, then:

enabling image processing algorithms at a de-interlacer/scaler that utilize pixel data for temporally or spatially adjacent pixels that represent images, and at the de-interlacer/scaler, receiving consecutive frames of video information representing the images; and

sending non-stereoscopic images from the de-interlacer/scaler to a display;

if so, then:

at the de-interlacer/scaler, receiving consecutive frames of video information that contain alternating left and right eye images from a decoder, and

at the de-interlacer/scaler, disabling all image processing algorithms that utilize pixel data for temporally or spatially adjacent pixels that represent images, where at least one pixel is for the left eye and one pixel is for the right eye;

at the de-interlacer/scaler, carrying out at least one image processing algorithm that does not utilize pixel data for temporally or spatially adjacent pixels that represent images; and

sending stereoscopic images from the de-interlacer/scaler to the display.

2. A method of operation of a de-interlacer/scaler for display of stereoscopic images, comprising:

determining whether or not stereoscopic images are to be displayed;

if not, then:

at a de-interlacer/scaler, receiving consecutive frames of video information representing the images,

enabling an image enhancement algorithm at the de-interlacer/scaler that manipulates pixels of the images using a temporally prior or next frame of the image, or an image enhancement algorithm at the de-interlacer/scaler that manipulates pixels of the images using spatially adjacent pixels in the images,

processing the consecutive frames of video information representing the images at the de-interlacer/scaler using the enabled image enhancement algorithm, and

sending non-stereoscopic images from the de-interlacer/scaler to a display;

if so, then:

at the de-interlacer/scaler, receiving consecutive frames of video information that contain left and right eye stereoscopic images from a decoder,

at the de-interlacer/scaler, disabling all image enhancement algorithms that manipulate pixels of the images using a temporally prior or next frame of the images, and disabling all image enhancement algorithms which manipulate pixels of the images using spatially adjacent pixels in the images,

at the de-interlacer/scaler, carrying out at least one image enhancement algorithm that does not utilize pixel data for temporally or spatially adjacent pixels that represent images, and

sending stereoscopic images from the de-interlacer/scaler to the display.

3. The method according to claim 2 , where the disabling is carried out by loading operational parameters into the de-interlacer/scaler that effectively disable said image enhancement algorithms.

4. The method according to claim 3 , where the de-interlacer/scaler is implemented as a software module running on a programmable processor.

5. The method according to claim 3 , where the de-interlacer/scaler is implemented as a hardware de-interlacer/scaler with programmable de-interlacer/scaler operational parameters.

6. The method according to claim 2 , where the de-interlacer/scaler is implemented as a software module running on a programmable processor.

7. The method according to claim 2 , where the de-interlacer/scaler is implemented as a hardware de-interlacer/scaler with programmable de-interlacer/scaler operational parameters.

8. The method according to claim 2 , where the de-interlacer/scaler incorporates at least one motion detection algorithm, and where the motion detection algorithm is disabled if stereoscopic images are to be displayed.

9. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising enabling at least one image enhancement algorithm at the de-interlacer/scaler that uses data from pixels for a same eye image.

10. A tangible non-transitory computer readable electronic storage medium storing instructions which, when executed on one or more programmed processors, carry out a method comprising:

determining whether or not stereoscopic images are to be displayed;

if not, then:

at a de-interlacer/scaler, receiving consecutive frames of video information representing the images,

enabling an image enhancement algorithm at the de-interlacer/scaler that manipulates pixels of the images using a temporally prior or next frame of the image, or an image enhancement algorithm at the de-interlacer/scaler that manipulates pixels of the images using spatially adjacent pixels in the images,

processing the consecutive frames of video information representing the images at the de-interlacer/scaler using the enabled image enhancement algorithm, and

sending non-stereoscopic images from the de-interlacer/scaler to a display;

if so, then:

at the de-interlacer/scaler, receiving consecutive frames of video information that contain left and right eye stereoscopic images from a decoder,

at the de-interlacer/scaler, disabling all image enhancement algorithms that manipulate pixels of the images using a temporally prior or next frame of the images, and disabling all image enhancement algorithms which manipulate pixels of the images using spatially adjacent pixels in the images,

at the de-interlacer/scaler, carrying out at least one image enhancement algorithm that does not utilize pixel data for temporally or spatially adjacent pixels that represent images, and

sending stereoscopic images from the de-interlacer/scaler to the display.

11. A method of operation of a de-interlacer/scaler for display of stereoscopic images, comprising:

determining whether or not stereoscopic images are to be displayed;

if not, then:

at a programmable de-interlacer/scaler, receiving consecutive frames of video information representing the images,

enabling an image enhancement algorithm at the programmable de-interlacer/scaler that manipulates pixels of the images using a temporally prior or next frame of the image, or an image enhancement algorithm at the de-interlacer/scaler that manipulates pixels of the images using spatially adjacent pixels in the images,

processing the consecutive frames of video information representing the images at the de-interlacer/scaler using the enabled image enhancement algorithm, and

sending non-stereoscopic images from the programmable de-interlacer/scaler to a display;

if so, then:

at the programmable de-interlacer/scaler, receiving consecutive frames of video information that contain alternating left and right eye stereoscopic images from a decoder,

at the programmable de-interlacer, disabling all image enhancement algorithms that manipulate pixels of the images using a temporally prior or next frame of the images, and disabling all image enhancement algorithms which manipulate pixels of the images using spatially adjacent pixels in the images,

where the programmable de-interlacer/scaler incorporates a motion detection algorithm, and where the motion detection algorithm is disabled by loading operational parameters into the de-interlacer/scaler that effectively disables the motion detection algorithm when a stereoscopic image is to be displayed, and

enabling at least one image enhancement algorithm at the programmable de-interlacer/scaler that uses data from pixels for the same eye; and

sending stereoscopic images from the programmable de-interlacer/scaler to the display.

12. A method of operation of a de-interlacer for display of stereoscopic images in an interleaved manner at a display, comprising:

determining whether or not stereoscopic images are to be displayed;

if not, then:

at a de-interlacer, receiving consecutive frames of video information representing the images,

enabling an image enhancement algorithm at the de-interlacer that manipulates pixels of the images using a temporally prior or next frame of the image, or an image enhancement algorithm at the de-interlacer that manipulates pixels of the images using spatially adjacent pixels in the images,

processing the consecutive frames of video information representing the images at the de-interlacer using the enabled image enhancement algorithm, and

sending non-stereoscopic images from the de-interlacer to a display;

if so, then:

at the de-interlacer, receiving consecutive frames of video information that contain alternating left and right eye images from a decoder;

at the de-interlacer, disabling all image enhancement algorithms that manipulate pixels of the images using a temporally prior or next frame of the images, and disabling all image enhancement algorithms which manipulate pixels of the images using spatially adjacent pixels in the images,

at the de-interlacer, carrying out at least one image enhancement algorithm that does not utilize pixel data for temporally or spatially adjacent pixels that represent images; and

sending stereoscopic images from the de-interlacer/scaler to the display.

13. The method according to claim 12 , where the disabling is carried out by loading operational parameters into the de-interlacer that effectively disable said image enhancement algorithms.

14. The method according to claim 13 , where the de-interlacer is implemented as a software module running on a programmable processor.

15. The method according to claim 13 , where the de-interlacer is implemented as a hardware de-interlacer with programmable de-interlacer operational parameters.

16. The method according to claim 12 , where the de-interlacer is implemented as a software module running on a programmable processor.

17. The method according to claim 12 , where the de-interlacer is implemented as a hardware de-interlacer with programmable de-interlacer operational parameters.

18. The method according to claim 12 , where the de-interlacer incorporates a motion detection algorithm, and where the motion detection algorithm is defeated when stereoscopic images are to be displayed.

19. The method according to claim 12 , further comprising enabling at least one image enhancement algorithm at the de-interlacer that uses data from pixels for the same eye.

20. A tangible non-transitory computer readable electronic storage medium storing instructions which, when executed on one or more programmed processors, carry out a method comprising:

determining whether or not stereoscopic images are to be displayed;

if not, then:

at a de-interlacer, receiving consecutive frames of video information representing the images,

enabling an image enhancement algorithm at the de-interlacer that manipulates pixels of the images using a temporally prior or next frame of the image, or an image enhancement algorithm at the de-interlacer that manipulates pixels of the images using spatially adjacent pixels in the images,

processing the consecutive frames of video information representing the images at the de-interlacer using the enabled image enhancement algorithm, and

sending non-stereoscopic images from the de-interlacer to a display;

if so, then:

at the de-interlacer, receiving consecutive frames of video information that contain alternating left and right eye images from a decoder;

at the de-interlacer, disabling all image enhancement algorithms that manipulate pixels of the images using a temporally prior or next frame of the images, and disabling all image enhancement algorithms which manipulate pixels of the images using spatially adjacent pixels in the images,

at the de-interlacer, carrying out at least one image enhancement algorithm that does not utilize pixel data for temporally or spatially adjacent pixels that represent images; and

sending stereoscopic images from the de-interlacer/scaler to the display.

21. A method of operation of a de-interlacer for display of stereoscopic images in a temporally alternating manner at a display, comprising:

determining whether or not stereoscopic images are to be displayed;

if not, then:

at a de-interlacer, receiving consecutive frames of video information representing the images,

enabling an image enhancement algorithm at the de-interlacer that manipulates pixels of the images using a temporally prior or next frame of the image,

processing the consecutive frames of video information representing the images at the de-interlacer using the enabled image enhancement algorithm, and

sending non-stereoscopic images from the de-interlacer to a display;

if so, then:

at the de-interlacer, receiving consecutive frames of video information that contain alternating left and right eye images from a decoder;

at the de-interlacer, disabling all image enhancement algorithms that manipulate pixels of the images using a temporally prior or next frame of the images,

at the de-interlacer, carrying out at least one image enhancement algorithm that does not utilize pixel data for temporally adjacent pixels that represent images; and

sending stereoscopic images from the de-interlacer to the display.

22. The method according to claim 21 , where the disabling is carried out by loading operational parameters into the de-interlacer that effectively disable said image enhancement algorithms.

23. The method according to claim 22 , where the de-interlacer is implemented as a software module running on a programmable processor.

24. The method according to claim 22 , where the de-interlacer is implemented as a hardware de-interlacer with programmable de-interlacer operational parameters.

25. The method according to claim 21 , where the de-interlacer is implemented as a software module running on a programmable processor.

26. The method according to claim 21 , where the de-interlacer is implemented as a hardware de-interlacer with programmable de-interlacer operational parameters.

27. The method according to claim 21 , where the de-interlacer incorporates a motion detection algorithm, and where the motion detection algorithm is defeated when stereoscopic images are to be displayed.

28. The method according to claim 21 , further comprising enabling at least one image enhancement algorithm at the de-interlacer that uses data from pixels for the same eye when stereoscopic images are to be displayed.

29. A tangible non-transitory computer readable electronic storage medium storing instructions which, when executed on one or more programmed processors, carry out a method comprising:

determining whether or not stereoscopic images are to be displayed;

if not, then:

at a de-interlacer, receiving consecutive frames of video information representing the images,

enabling an image enhancement algorithm at the de-interlacer that manipulates pixels of the images using a temporally prior or next frame of the image, or an image enhancement algorithm at the de-interlacer that manipulates pixels of the images using spatially adjacent pixels in the images,

processing the consecutive frames of video information representing the images at the de-interlacer using the enabled image enhancement algorithm, and

sending non-stereoscopic images from the de-interlacer to a display;

if so, then:

at the de-interlacer, receiving consecutive frames of video information that contain alternating left and right eye images from a decoder;

at the de-interlacer, disabling all image enhancement algorithms that manipulate pixels of the images using a temporally prior or next frame of the images, and disabling all image enhancement algorithms which manipulate pixels of the images using spatially adjacent pixels in the images,

at the de-interlacer, carrying out at least one image enhancement algorithm that does not utilize pixel data for temporally or spatially adjacent pixels that represent images; and

sending stereoscopic images from the de-interlacer to the display.

30. An apparatus for display of stereoscopic video images, comprising:

a de-interlacer, receiving consecutive frames of decoded video information that contain alternating left and right eye images, the de-interlacer operating in accordance with stored operational parameters;

a programmed processor that, when operating in a stereoscopic mode, loads operational parameters for use by the de-interlacer that disables all image enhancement algorithms all image enhancement algorithms that manipulate pixels of the images using a temporally prior or next frame of the images, and disabling all image enhancement algorithms which manipulate pixels of the images using spatially adjacent pixels in the images;

the programmed processor further operating to load operational parameters for use by the de-interlacer/scaler that enables at least one image enhancement algorithm that does not utilize pixel data for temporally or spatially adjacent pixels that represent images when operating in the stereoscopic mode; and

when the processor is operating in a non-stereoscopic mode, loads operational parameters for use by the de-interlacer that enables operation of at least one image enhancement algorithm that manipulates pixels of the images using a temporally prior or next frame of the image, or an image enhancement algorithm at the de-interlacer that manipulates pixels of the images using spatially adjacent pixels in the images for display of said pixels on the display.

31. The apparatus according to claim 30 , where the de-interlacer is implemented as a software module running on a programmable processor.

32. The apparatus according to claim 30 , where the de-interlacer is implemented as a hardware de-interlacer with programmable de-interlacer operational parameters.

33. The apparatus according to claim 30 , where the de-interlacer incorporates a motion detection algorithm, and where the motion detection algorithm is defeated stereoscopic images are to be displayed.

34. An apparatus for display of stereoscopic video images, comprising:

a video processing device configured to receive consecutive frames of decoded video information that contain alternating left and right eye images, the video processing device being configured to operate in accordance with stored operational parameters;

a programmed processor programmed to operate in a stereoscopic mode to load operational parameters for use by the video processing device that disables all image enhancement algorithms that manipulate pixels of the images using a temporally prior or next frame of the images, and disabling all image enhancement algorithms which manipulate pixels of the images using spatially adjacent pixels in the images and to load operational parameters for use by the image processor that enables at least one image enhancement algorithm that does not utilize pixel data for temporally or spatially adjacent pixels that represent images when operating in the stereoscopic mode; and

where the processor is further programmed to operate in a non-stereoscopic mode in which the processor is configured to load operational parameters for use by the video processing device that enables operation of at least one image enhancement algorithm that that manipulates pixels of the images using a temporally prior or next frame of the image, or an image enhancement algorithm at the de-interlacer/scaler that manipulates pixels of the images using spatially adjacent pixels in the images.