Optimal depth mapping

Abstract

A method for providing optimal correction to depth mapping between captured and displayed stereoscopic content. The solution is derived in a continuous form that can be implemented through CGI scaling techniques compatible with image rendering techniques. Similar correction can be implemented with variable depth-dependent camera separation and disparity re-mapping. The latter is applicable to correcting existing stereoscopic content.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for generating an optimal stereoscopic image, the method including an optimizing sequence comprising:
 determining an original position of a point in a scene, the original position of the point having an original depth;   modifying the original position of the point in the scene to a new position, the new position having a new depth;   wherein the modifying the original position of the point in the scene to a new position comprises:
 using a depth scaling function, Z′(Z), wherein Z represents the original position of the point in the scene. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the modifying the original position of the point in the scene to a new position further comprises:
 moving the original position of the point in the scene along a line, the line defined by extending through the original position of the point in the scene and a midpoint between two capture camera positions.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the two capture camera positions comprise capture camera positions in a computer generated imagery environment. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the moving the original position of the point comprises moving the original position of the point toward the midpoint between the two capture camera positions. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the optimizing sequence is repeated for every point in the scene. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the optimizing sequence is repeated for every point in the scene. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the scene is a computer generated imagery environment. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the scene is real. 
     
     
         9 . A method for generating an optimal stereoscopic image, the method comprising:
 determining a preserved perspective of a scene comprising:
 determining a first perceived depth and a first display height of a first object; 
 determining a second perceived depth and a second display height of a second object; and 
 setting a first ratio comprising the first perceived depth over the first display height directly proportional to a second ratio comprising the second perceived depth over the second display height; and 
   scaling the preserved perspective of the scene, comprising:
 generating a new first perceived depth and a new first perceived height; and 
 generating a new second perceived depth and a new second perceived height; 
 wherein the new first perceived depth, new first perceived height, new second perceived depth, and new second perceived height are a fixed proportion of the first perceived depth, first perceived height, second perceived depth, and second perceived height.