Abstract:
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for processing three-dimensional (3D) image data of a portable terminal, and particularly, to an apparatus and a method for enabling contents sharing and reproduction (playback) between various 3D devices using a file structure for effectively storing a 3D image obtained using a plurality of cameras, and a stored 3D related parameter, and sharing and reproduction between various 3D devices are possible using a file structure for effectively storing a 3D image (for example, a stereo image) obtained using a plurality of cameras, and a stored 3D related parameter.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for processing three-dimensional (3D) image data of a mobile terminal. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for enabling contents sharing and reproduction between various 3D devices using a file structure for efficiently storing 3D image data obtained using a plurality of cameras and a stored 3D related parameter. 
         [0002]    A recent image technology is in active progress in a direction of a study regarding a method for realizing a 3D image. This is for expressing more realistic image information having a sense of reality. A method of scanning a left visual point image and a right visual point image on relevant positions of an existing display device, respectively, using a characteristic of a human visual sense, and then allowing the left visual point image and the right visual point image to be separated and focused on a user&#39;s left eye and right eye, respectively, thereby allowing the user to feel a 3D effect is obtaining its possibility in various aspects. For example, a mobile terminal (a 3D mobile phone, a 3D camera, a 3D camcorder, etc.) and a 3D TV mounting a barrier LCD thereon may reproduce stereoscopic contents to provide a more realistic image to a user. 
         [0003]      FIG. 1  is a view illustrating a structure of an image file used by a general mobile terminal. 
         [0004]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the image file is a JPEG file, which is a still image store file format generally used much, starting with a Start of Image (SOI) marker  101  and ending with End of Image (EOI) marker  107 . APP 1  (EXIF) application marker  103  storing additional information of an image exists in the intermediate portion, and a Minimum Coded Unit (MCU) data portion  105 , which is compression data of an actual image, is included. The application marker portion  103  is an additional field currently defined from APP 0  to APP 15 , where a camera manufacturer or a related viewer company defines and uses necessary parameters in its own way. 
         [0005]    To provide a 3D effect using image files shot by a plurality of cameras, a plurality of image files having the above structure should be stored. For example, in case of stereo image data shot by two cameras, relevant two files should be generated, respectively. In this case, information regarding connection relation between the two files should be stored. In the case where one file is deleted or a filename is modified, a device cannot reproduce the image as a 3D image. 
         [0006]    That is, since a store file format regarding an image obtained by a plurality of cameras and a file structure for storing 3D related parameters are not defined in the conventional art, it is impossible to share and reproduce contents between various 3D devices. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    An aspect of the present invention is to address at least the above-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method for generating 3D image data in a mobile terminal. 
         [0008]    Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method for generating 3D image data having high compatibility between different multimedia devices in a mobile terminal. 
         [0009]    Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method for processing a boundary occlusion region for reducing a visual fatigue in a mobile terminal. 
         [0010]    In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for generating three dimensional (3D) data in a mobile terminal is provided. The apparatus includes a camera unit for obtaining a plurality of multimedia data capable of providing a 3D effect, and a 3D data manager for obtaining a 3D parameter of the obtained multimedia data, compressing the obtained multimedia data, and generating the obtained 3D parameter and the compressed data as one file. 
         [0011]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for generating three dimensional (3D) data in a mobile terminal is provided. The apparatus includes a 3D data manager for analyzing a 3D parameter of 3D data to reproduce, analyzing a plurality of visual points included in the 3D data based on the analyzed parameter, and reproducing the analyzed plurality of visual points to provide a 3D effect. 
         [0012]    In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a method for generating three dimensional (3D) data in a mobile terminal is provided. The method includes obtaining a plurality of multimedia data capable of providing a 3D effect, obtaining a 3D parameter of the obtained multimedia data, compressing the obtained multimedia data, and generating the obtained 3D parameter and the compressed data as one file. 
         [0013]    In accordance with further another aspect of the present invention, a method for reproducing three dimensional (3D) data in a mobile terminal is provided. The method includes analyzing a 3D parameter of 3D data to reproduce, analyzing a plurality of visual points included in the 3D data based on the analyzed parameter, and reproducing the analyzed plurality of visual points to provide a 3D effect. 
         [0014]    Other aspects, advantages and salient features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The above and other aspects, features and advantages of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a view illustrating a structure of an image file used by a general mobile terminal; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a mobile terminal controlling 3D data according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a view illustrating construction of 3D data that uses two image data according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a view illustrating construction of 3D data that uses three image data according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart for generating 3D data in a mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart for reproducing 3D data in a mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart for reproducing 3D data using a 3D parameter in a mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a view illustrating a process for reproducing 3D data in a mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a view illustrating a process for reproducing 3D data in a mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0025]    Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals will be understood to refer to like parts, components and structures. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0026]    The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the invention as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Also, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness. 
         [0027]    Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus and a method for generating and reproducing 3D data in which data (for example, stereo image) shot by a plurality of cameras are stored as one file. Also, the mobile terminal denotes a display device producing stereoscopic contents to provide a 3D effect to a user such as a 3D mobile communication terminal mounting a barrier LCD, a 3D camera, a 3D camcorder, a 3D TV, etc. 
         [0028]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a mobile terminal controlling 3D data according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the mobile terminal may include a controller  200 , a 3D data manager  202 , a camera unit  206 , a memory unit  208 , an input unit  210 , a display unit  212 , and a communication unit  214 . The 3D data manager  202  may include a 3D parameter analyzer  204 . 
         [0030]    First, the controller  200  of the mobile terminal controls an overall operation of the mobile terminal. For example, the controller  200  performs a process and a control for voice communication and data communication. In addition to the general function, according to the present invention, the controller  200  merges a plurality of data providing a 3D effect as one file to generate 3D data, and reproduces the 3D data generated as one file to provide a 3D effect. 
         [0031]    At this point, when reproducing the 3D data, the controller  200  processes to reproduce relevant data while reducing a user&#39;s visual fatigue. 
         [0032]    The 3D data manager  202  processes to merge a plurality of data providing a 3D effect as one file and generate 3D data under control of the controller  200 . At this point, the 3D data manager  202  generates information regarding a 3D parameter with respect to the data and then compresses the data. After that, the 3D data manager  202  merges a 3D parameter of respective data and the compressed data as one file. 
         [0033]    Also, when reproducing the 3D data merged as one file, the 3D data manager  202  analyzes the 3D parameter information and reproduces the 3D data based on the analyzed 3D parameter. At this point, the 3D data manager  202  processes to reproduce the 3D data while raising a 3D effect or reducing a visual fatigue by the 3D effect depending on a display size of a terminal which intends to reproduce the 3D data. 
         [0034]    For example, in the case where a terminal which intends to reproduce the 3D data has a large-sized display, the 3D data manager  202  reproduces data obtained at a close distance from reference data to reduce a visual fatigue. In the case where a terminal which intends to reproduce the 3D data has a small-sized display, the 3D data manager  202  reproduces data obtained at a far distance from the reference data to raise a 3D effect. 
         [0035]    Also, the 3D data manager  202  reproduces 3D data while removing a boundary occlusion region existing in a specific region of data obtained via two cameras located apart by a predetermined distance, thereby reducing a user&#39;s visual fatigue. 
         [0036]    The 3D parameter analyzer  204  of the 3D data manager  202  analyzes a parameter of a plurality of data providing a 3D effect when generating the 3D data, and detects the number of visual points NumofStereoPair included in the data, an index PairedView[] of a visual point forming a stereo paring with a current visual point, a width of a boundary occlusion BoundaryOccludedWidth of a current visual point compared to a reference visual point, and a direction OcclusionDirection in which the boundary occlusion occurs when generating the 3D data to reduce a user&#39;s visual fatigue. 
         [0037]    The camera unit  206  denotes cameras shooting the same object at a different angle. A main camera and a sub camera are provided at positions separated by a predetermined distance. 
         [0038]    The memory unit  208  includes Read Only Memory (ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), and a flash ROM. The ROM stores microcodes of a program for processes and controls of the controller  200  and the 3D data manager  202 , and various reference data. 
         [0039]    The RAM serves as a working memory of the controller  200  and stores temporary data occurring during execution of various programs. Also, the flash ROM stores various updatable data for storage such as a phonebook, calling messages, and received messages. 
         [0040]    The input unit  210  has a plurality of function keys such as numerical key buttons of 0 to 9, a menu button, a cancel button, an OK button, a TALK button, an END button, an Internet access button, navigation key (or directional key) buttons, letter input keys, etc., and provides key input data corresponding to a key pressed by a user to the controller  200 . 
         [0041]    The display unit  212  displays status information generated during an operation of the mobile terminal, a limited number of characters, a large amount of moving images and still images, etc. The display unit  212  may be a color Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). The display unit  212  may include a touch input device, and when it is applied to a touch input type mobile terminal, it can be used as an input unit. 
         [0042]    The communication unit  214  transmits/receives a Radio Frequency (RF) signal of data input/output via an antenna (not shown). For example, during transmission, the communication unit  214  channel-codes and spreads data to be transmitted, and then performs an RF process on the signal to transmit the signal. During reception, the communication unit  214  converts a received RF signal into a baseband signal, and despreads and channel-decodes the baseband signal to recover data. 
         [0043]    The function of the 3D data manager  202  may be performed by the controller  200  of the mobile terminal. The separate configuration and illustration of the 3D data manager  202  are an exemplary purpose only for inconvenience in description, not for limiting the scope of the present invention. It would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, all functions of the 3D data manager  202  may be processed by the controller  200 . 
         [0044]    Up to now, an apparatus for generating and reproducing 3D data in which data (for example, stereo images) shot by a plurality of cameras are stored as one file in a mobile terminal according to the present invention has been described. Hereinafter, a method for generating and reproducing 3D data using the above apparatus according to the present invention is described. 
         [0045]      FIGS. 3 and 4  are views illustrating construction of 3D data according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0046]      FIG. 3  illustrates construction of the 3D data that uses two image data (stereo image data) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a general mobile terminal that cannot reproduce 3D data can reproduce only data obtained using a main camera among data included in the 3D data. 
         [0048]    To raise 2D backward compatibility for the 3D data in the general mobile terminal, the 3D data is configured such that data (for example, a right visual point image) obtained via an auxiliary camera is disposed behind data (for example, a left visual point image) obtained using the main camera. 
         [0049]    Also, the 3D data includes an APP 1  marker region and an MCU Data portion. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an APP 2  marker region including Offset information  301  for decoding the MCU Data, and an APPS marker region  303  for storing meta data for 3D data may be added. Here, the Offset information  301  for decoding the MCU Data denotes a start address of a block where image data for a plurality of visual points are separated and stored and information regarding a size of image data for a plurality of visual points. Meta data for the 3D data denoted by  303  may be defined as in Table 1 below. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Syntex 
                 Semantics 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 NumofStereoPair 
                 Number of total visual points which are stereo 
               
               
                   
                 pairing with current visual point 
               
               
                 PairedViewID[ ] 
                 Indexes of visual points which are stereo 
               
               
                   
                 pairing with current visual point 
               
               
                   
                 ID order is determined according to disparity 
               
               
                   
                 (order of less 3D effect) 
               
               
                 BoundaryoccludedWidth 
                 Width of Occulusion area of current image with 
               
               
                   
                 reference visual point (valid in only stereo 
               
               
                   
                 image) 
               
               
                 OcculusionDirection 
                 Direction of Occulusion area generation 
               
               
                   
                 0: left boundary area of image 
               
               
                   
                 1: left boundary area of image 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0050]    Though the present invention has defined the meta data for the 3D data in APP 9  and used the same, an application marker is a field defined and used by various companies in their own way. Since when only an identifier field of an application marker region is changed, the 3D data may be discriminated from each other, any of APP 0  to APP 15  may be designated though APP 9  has been exemplarily used here. 
         [0051]    In the case where an existing 2D mobile terminal reproduces 3D data stored in the above structure, the 2D mobile terminal reproduces only data obtained via a main camera and a 3D mobile terminal recognizes data obtained via an auxiliary camera to reproduce the data in a 3D manner. 
         [0052]      FIG. 4  is a view illustrating construction of 3D data that uses three image data according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0053]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the 3D data may be configured in the above-described form. 
         [0054]    However, the 3D data is data in which three image data have been merged as one, and an APP 2  marker region including Offset information for decoding three MCU data and an APPS marker region for storing meta data regarding the three data may be added. 
         [0055]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart for generating 3D data in a mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0056]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , the mobile terminal determines whether a 3D data generate event occurs in step  401 . Here, the 3D data denotes data in which a plurality of data used for 3D reproduction are merged in the form of one file. 
         [0057]    When the 3D data generate event does not occur in step  401 , the mobile terminal proceeds to step  413  to perform a relevant function (for example, an idle mode). 
         [0058]    In contrast, when the 3D data generate event occurs in step  401 , the mobile terminal obtains multimedia data (data to use for a 3D effect) to generate as 3D data using a plurality of cameras, and proceeds to step  405  to analyze a 3D parameter of the obtained multimedia data. Here, in the case where the mobile terminal has two cameras, the mobile terminal obtains two multimedia data shot at different angles with respect to one object using the camera, and analyzes a start address of a block where each image data is to be stored and a 3D parameter in order to separate and store the obtained image data. Also, the 3D parameter denotes the number of data (the number of visual points) pairing with data serving as a reference of the obtained multimedia data, index information of the data, occlusion width information of current data compared with a reference visual point, occurrence direction information of the boundary occlusion region, etc. 
         [0059]    For example, assuming that the mobile terminal has two cameras, the reference data becomes data obtained by the main camera, so that the number of data forming the pairing becomes “2”. 
         [0060]    Assuming that the mobile terminal has three cameras, data obtained via the main camera becomes reference data and the number of data forming the pairing becomes “3”. At this point, the mobile terminal analyzes a 3D parameter between the reference data and data obtained via a second auxiliary camera, and analyzes a 3D parameter between the data obtained via the second auxiliary camera and data obtained via a third auxiliary camera. 
         [0061]    After that, the mobile terminal proceeds to step  407  to generate the 3D parameter analyzed in step  405 , and proceeds to step  409  to compress multimedia data. 
         [0062]    After that, the mobile terminal proceeds to step  411  to generate the compressed multimedia data and the generated 3D parameter as one data. 
         [0063]    That is, the mobile terminal obtains a plurality of image data capable of providing a 3D effect, obtains a start address of a block where each image data is to be stored and a 3D parameter in order to separate and store the image data, compresses the obtained image data, and then generates the compressed data, the 3D parameter, and the start address of the block as one file. 
         [0064]    After that, the mobile terminal ends the present algorithm. 
         [0065]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart for reproducing 3D data in a mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0066]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , the mobile terminal determines whether a 3D date reproduce event occurs in step  501 . 
         [0067]    When the 3D date reproduce event does not occur in step  501 , the mobile terminal proceeds to step  509  to perform a relevant function (for example, an idle mode). 
         [0068]    In contrast, when the 3D date reproduce event occurs in step  501 , the mobile terminal proceeds to step  503  to determine whether the mobile terminal is a 3D terminal for supporting 3D data. 
         [0069]    When determining that the mobile terminal is not the 3D terminal for supporting 3D data in step  503 , the mobile terminal proceeds to step  509  to perform a relevant function (for example, reproduction of 2D data). That is, in the case where a 2D terminal reproduces the 3D data, the 2D terminal reproduces data (for example, a left visual point image) obtained via the main camera included in the 3D data. This is for raising 2D backward compatibility for the 3D data in the general mobile terminal. 
         [0070]    In contrast, when determining that the mobile terminal is the 3D terminal for supporting 3D data in step  503 , the mobile terminal proceeds to step  505  to analyze a 3D parameter of data to reproduce, and proceeds to step  507  to reproduce 3D data based on the analyzed 3D parameter. Here, step  507  is for analyzing the 3D parameter to determine the number (the number of visual points) of data forming pairing with reference data, index information of the data, width information of occlusion of current data compared with a reference visual point, and occurrence direction information of the boundary occlusion region, and then reproducing 3D data based on the determined information. A process for reproducing 3D data using the 3D parameter is described in detail with reference to  FIG. 6 . At this point, before analyzing a 3D parameter of the data to reproduce, the mobile terminal may determine a start address of a block where image data of a plurality of visual points are separated and stored, and then analyze a parameter of 3D data to reproduce in each block of the start address. After that, the mobile terminal determines a visual point included in the 3D data using the analyzed parameter, and reproduces the determined visual point to provide a 3D effect to the user. 
         [0071]    After that, the mobile terminal ends the present algorithm. 
         [0072]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart for reproducing 3D data using a 3D parameter in a mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0073]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , the mobile terminal determines a display size of a terminal that intends to reproduce 3D data in step  601 , and proceeds to step  603   20  to determine whether the mobile terminal has a large-sized display. 
         [0074]    When determining that the mobile terminal has the large-sized display in step  603 , the mobile terminal proceeds to step  605  to select data whose disparity with reference data (reference visual point) is short. Here, the mobile terminal may determine a distance between the reference visual point and other data using “NumofStereoPair” information representing the number of total visual points forming Stereo Pairing with a current visual point and “PairedViewID[]” information representing an index of a visual point forming Stereo Pairing with the current visual point among 3D parameters of the 3D data. This is for preventing an image from appearing projected forward too much and increasing a user&#39;s visual fatigue in the case where a distance between the reference visual point and other data is increased in the large-sized display. 
         [0075]    In contrast, when determining that the mobile terminal has a small-sized display in step  603 , the mobile terminal proceeds to step  611  to select data whose disparity with reference data (reference visual point) is long. This is for selecting data whose disparity with reference data (reference visual point) is long in order to improve a 3D effect of the mobile terminal having the small-sized display. 
         [0076]    After that, the mobile terminal proceeds to step  607  to determine whether a boundary occlusion region exists in data to reproduce. Here, the boundary occlusion region is a region for increasing a visual fatigue. In case of a stereo image shot using two or more cameras, the boundary occlusion region denotes a specific region shown in only an image of each visual point. At this point, the mobile terminal may determine the boundary region using “OcclusionDirection” of a 3D parameter. 
         [0077]    When determining that the boundary occlusion region does not exist in the data to reproduce in step  607 , the mobile terminal proceeds to step  507  of  FIG. 6  to reproduce 3D data based on the 3D parameter. 
         [0078]    In contrast, when determining that the boundary occlusion region exists in the data to reproduce in step  607 , the mobile terminal proceeds to step  609  to perform a post process on the existing boundary occlusion region, thereby reducing a user&#39;s visual fatigue, and then reproduce 3D data. 
         [0079]      FIG. 8  is a view illustrating a process for reproducing 3D data in a mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0080]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , it is assumed that the mobile terminal has two cameras and obtains three data whose disparity with a reference visual point is different using the two cameras. 
         [0081]    That is, the mobile terminal shoots an object at one position using two cameras to obtain data (L 1 , R 1 ) corresponding to left and right sides, and moves by a predetermined distance, and then obtains data (L 2 , R 2 ) of the object shot via the two cameras. At this point, since a visual point for L 2  and a visual point for R 1  are the same, the mobile terminal obtains three data (L 1 , R 1  or L 2 , R 2 ) in total. 
         [0082]    When disparity between data of the reference visual point and data of an additional visual point is compared in the obtained data, the data are classified into left visual point L 1  data serving as a reference, R 1 (L 2 ) data whose disparity is small, and R 2  data whose disparity is large. The classified data are stored as 3D data having the structure of  FIG. 4  according to the present invention. 
         [0083]    At this point, the mobile terminal analyzes a 3D parameter of the data to store NumOfSterePair, PairedViewid[] values. 
         [0084]    When reproducing the above generated data, the mobile terminal may change data to reproduce depending on the size of the display. 
         [0085]    Generally, as disparity between data of the reference visual point and data of the additional visual point is large, a 3D terminal may provide a high 3D effect, but in a terminal (3D TV) having the large-sized display, as disparity between data of the reference visual point and data of the additional visual point is large, a 3D object appears projected forward too much, so that a visual fatigue increases. 
         [0086]    Also, a terminal (a 3D camera, a mobile communication terminal) having a small-sized display cannot provide a 3D effect due to the small-sized display. 
         [0087]    Accordingly, in case of reproducing the above-generated data, the mobile terminal having a small-sized display decodes reference visual point L 1  data and R 2  data whose disparity is large to reproduce 3D data, thereby improving a 3D effect. A terminal having a large-sized display such as a 3D TV decodes the reference visual point L 1  data and R 1  data whose disparity is small to reproduce 3D data so that a 3D effect may not be too large, thereby reducing visual fatigue. 
         [0088]    Therefore, according to the present invention, 3D data may reproduce contents providing an effect suitable for a characteristic of a 3D terminal regardless of a display size. 
         [0089]      FIG. 9  is a view illustrating a process for reproducing 3D data in a mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0090]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , in data shot using two cameras, a boundary occlusion region existing only in data corresponding to each visual point exists. 
         [0091]    As illustrated, a boundary occlusion region exists in the left edge of left visual point data and the right edge of right visual point data. 
         [0092]    Due to a characteristic of shooting an object using two cameras separated by a predetermined distance in a mobile terminal having a plurality of cameras (stereo camera), a boundary occlusion region that does not exist in the right visual point data exists in the left edge of the left visual point data, and a boundary occlusion region that does not exist in the left visual point data exists in the right edge of the right visual point data. 
         [0093]    The above boundary occlusion region is a factor increasing a user&#39;s visual fatigue while 3D data is reproduced. Therefore, the present invention determines that the boundary occlusion region exists using a 3D parameter (OcclusionDirection) existing in the 3D data to perform a post process on the relevant region, thereby reducing the user&#39;s visual fatigue. 
         [0094]    According to the present invention, a 3D image (for example, a stereo image) obtained using a plurality of cameras can be effectively stored, and stored 3D related parameters can be used for contents sharing and reproduction between various 3D devices. 
         [0095]    Although the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the above-described embodiments but should be determined by not only the appended claims but also the equivalents thereof.