A stereoscopic graphics display system (10) includes a binocular viewing model generator (96) that automatically adapts a binocular viewing model to a selected stereoscopic image. An extrema accumulation unit (90) identifies extrema data corresponding to a region that bounds the selected image. The extrema data are delivered to the binocular viewing model generator, which designates a zero disparity location within the region and a disparity angle that is compatible with the dimensions of the selected image. The binocular viewing model generated in accordance with the selected image allow it to be rendered with improved three-dimensional qualities.
This invention relates to a stereoscopic image display apparatus which allows an observer to recognize a stereoscopic image, comprising right eye image display member for displaying an image for a right eye by irradiating light, left eye image display member for displaying an image for a left eye by irradiating light, and tilt member for tilting a central line, in a vertical direction, of an observation image which is formed based on the image for the right eye and is to be observed by the right eye of the observer, and a central line, in the vertical direction, of an observation image which is formed based on the image for the left eye and is to be observed by the left eye of the observer, relative to each other within a range from an angle larger than 0.degree. to an angle not more than 3.degree..
Binocular parallax of a captured image is detected, and image pickup cameras are controlled so that their optic axes converge at an optimum point to ensure that the parallax of the captured image comes within the binocular fusing range of a viewer. Further, an optimum fixating point is calculated that enables the viewer to perceive the stereoscopic depth of the object over the widest possible range, and control is performed so that the fixating point is reproduced at a surface of a stereoscopic image display or at a designated distance from the surface. This suppresses the unnatural feel when the viewer views stereoscopic images.
Binocular parallax of a captured image is detected, and image pickup cameras are controlled so that their optic axes converge at an optimum point to ensure that the parallax of the captured image comes within the binocular fusing range of a viewer. Further, an optimum fixating point is calculated that enables the viewer to perceive the stereoscopic depth of the object over the widest possible range, and control is performed so that the fixating point is reproduced at a surface of a stereoscopic image display or at a designated distance from the surface. This suppresses the unnatural feel when the viewer views stereoscopic images.
A stereoscopic image processing apparatus which can automatically assign stereoscopic viewing parameters to VRML data in which no stereoscopic viewing parameters are defined. VRML data is input, and the user sets or changes stereoscopic viewing parameters (initial values of the base line length and convergence angle) required for stereoscopic viewing on the basis of the input VRML data. The initial value of the base line length is set based on the maximum size of the range of the space of the VRML data, and the initial value of the convergence angle is set at "0". These initial values are arbitrarily changed at a user interface.
A video conferencing system provides perspective correct eye-to-eye interaction for multiple participants at sites remote from each other. The system provides at each site a configuration of participant viewing positions, a multidirectional image capture system for capturing images of each position at one site from the perspective of each viewing position at the other site, and a multidirectional display system for displaying images of each viewing position at the other site from the perspective of each viewing position at the one site.
