Method and apparatus for generating depth information of an image

Abstract

A depth estimation and conversion apparatus and method is provided. Depth of an video may be estimated by extracting feature information from the input video, and estimating the depth of the input video based on the extracted feature information.

1 - 63 . (canceled) 
     
     
         64 . A method of generating a map of depth information for a two-dimensional image composed of a plurality of pixels, comprising:
 generating an initial depth map containing a depth value associated with each one of the plurality of pixels; and   updating each one of the plurality of pixels of the initial depth map by utilizing feature information from at least one neighbouring pixel of the each one of the plurality of pixels to create a depth map.   
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 64 , further comprising iterating the step of updating the each one of the depth value of the each one of the plurality of pixels to improve the smoothness of the depth map. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein the feature information comprises edge information between the at least one of the plurality of pixels and at least one neighbouring pixel. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein the edge information includes RGB value differences between the at least one of the plurality of pixels and at least one neighbouring pixel. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 64 , further comprising generating a down-scaled two-dimensional image comprising a reduced plurality of pixels less than the total number of pixels of the two dimensional image, and generating a corresponding down-scaled depth map for the down-scaled image. 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 68 , further comprising up-scaling the down-scaled map of depth information to establish an up-scaled depth map. 
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 69 , further comprising up-scaling the down-scaled two-dimensional image, and utilizing the up-scaled image and up-scaled depth map to update the up-scaled depth map. 
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein the initial depth map is established by setting a value for each of the plurality of pixels that is dependent on a y-coordinate value of the each of the plurality of pixels. 
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein a pixel of the plurality of pixels located in an upper portion of the two-dimensional image is ascribed a depth value that is lower than a pixel of the plurality of pixels that is located in a lower portion of the two-dimensional image. 
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 64 , further comprising rendering the two dimensional image and the depth map into a three dimensional image.