Patent ID: 6445833
Filing Date: 2002-09-03
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
An apparatus for converting two-dimensional images into three-dimensional images comprising:characteristic value extracting means for extracting, from an inputted two-dimensional image signal, a perspective image characteristic value of each of plural parallax calculation regions defined in a one-field screen on a field-by-field basis; parallax information generating means for generating parallax information on each of predetermined unit areas in the one-field screen by using the image characteristic value extracted per parallax calculation region; and phase control means for generating a first image signal and a second image signal from a signal of the inputted two-dimensional image signal which resides in each predetermined unit area, the first and second image signals having a horizontal phase difference therebetween based on the parallax information related to the predetermined unit area; the parallax information generating means includes: first means for dividing all the parallax calculation regions in the one-field screen into groups associated with respective objects included in the one-field screen by using the perspective image characteristic value of each parallax calculation region; second means for generating perspective image information per group by using grouping results given by the first means and the perspective image characteristic value of each parallax calculation region; third means for generating perspective image information per parallax calculation region by using the perspective image information per group; and fourth means for converting the perspective image information per parallax calculation region into parallax information per parallax calculation region.