Abstract:
A stereoscopic picture generating apparatus comprising: a storage unit to get stored with a first image containing partial images and a second image containing partial images corresponding respectively to the partial images contained in the first image; and an arithmetic unit to extract a first position defined as an existing position of a first partial image contained in the first image and a second position defined as an existing position of a second partial image contained in the first image, to calculate a first differential quantity defined as a difference between the first position and the second position, to calculate a third position defined as a new existing position of a third partial image contained in the second image that corresponds to the first partial image based on the first differential quantity, and to generate a third image based on the third position of the third partial image.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This is a continuation of application, filed under 35 U.S.C. §111(a) of International Application PCT/JP2011/060604, filed on May 6, 2011, the contents of which are herein wholly incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a stereoscopic moving picture generating apparatus, a moving picture generating method and a moving picture generating program. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    There is a moving picture generating apparatus for generating images that can be stereoscopically viewed by making use of a parallax between the images captured by two cameras adjacent to each other. The moving picture generating apparatus generates and displays the image captured by one camera as an image for a left eye and the image captured by the other camera as an image for a right eye in the images captured by the two adjacent cameras, thereby making a viewer perceive the stereoscopic image. 
         [0004]    With respect to the same physical object, a difference between a position in the image for the left eye and a position in the image for the right eye is referred to as a parallax. When parallax quantities are different between two physical objects existing within the image (picture), one physical object appears to exist nearer or farther than the other physical object. The parallax quantity is defined as a magnitude of the parallax. 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating an example of the stereoscopic picture. In  FIG. 1 , an image  910  is an image for a left eye, and an image  920  is an image for a right eye. Herein, an object A, an object B and an object C exist in each of the image  910  as the image for the left eye and the image  920  as the image for the right eye. Due to parallaxes of these objects between the image  910  and the image  920 , a person looking at the stereoscopic picture in  FIG. 1  views the object A, the object B and the object C as if existing in this sequence from the near side. 
       DOCUMENTS OF PRIOR ARTS 
     Patent Document 
       [0000]    
       
         [Patent document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 11-088910 
         [Patent document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H08-331598 
         [Patent document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H09-074573 
         [Patent document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-016620 
         [Patent document 5] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H09-224267 
         [Patent document 6] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2010-206774 
       
     
       SUMMARY 
       [0012]    In a stereoscopic picture, if a ratio of a distance from a camera to a physical object on this side (closer to the camera in a depthwise direction) to a distance from a camera to a backface is approximate to “1”, even the stereoscopic picture becomes a planar picture with none of the stereoscopic sense. Moreover, in a plurality of objects (physical objects) within the picture, if there is no difference between the distances from the camera, even the stereoscopic picture becomes the planar picture exhibiting no stereoscopic sense. The stereoscopic picture is, however, requested to emphasize the stereoscopic sense even when there is no difference between the distances from the camera to the plurality of objects (physical objects). 
         [0013]    According to one aspect of the disclosure, a stereoscopic picture generating apparatus includes: 
         [0014]    a storage unit to get stored with a first image containing a plurality of partial images and a second image containing a plurality of partial images corresponding respectively to the plurality of partial images contained in the first image; and
       an arithmetic unit to extract a first position defined as an existing position of a first partial image contained in the first image and a second position defined as an existing position of a second partial image contained in the first image, to calculate a first differential quantity defined as a difference between the first position and the second position, to calculate a third position defined as a new existing position of a third partial image contained in the second image that corresponds to the first partial image on the basis of the first differential quantity, and to generate a third image on the basis of the third position of the third partial image.       
 
         [0016]    The object and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims. 
         [0017]    It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating an example of a stereoscopic picture. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is an explanatory diagram of a parallax in the stereoscopic picture. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a diagram depicting an example of a stereoscopic picture generating apparatus. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating an example (1) of an operation flow of the stereoscopic picture generating apparatus. 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating an example (2 of the operation flow of the stereoscopic picture generating apparatus. 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a diagram depicting a concrete example of processes in step S 105  and step S 106 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating an example of parallax phase angle information. 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is a diagram depicting an example of coordinates of a reference object, coordinates of another object in an image for a left eye and coordinates of another object in an image for a right eye. 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  is a diagram depicting an example of the coordinates of the reference object, the coordinates of another object in the image for the left eye and the coordinates of another object in the image for the right eye after a process in step S 110 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0028]    Embodiments will hereinafter be described with reference to the drawings. Configurations of the embodiments are exemplifications, and the present invention is not limited to the configurations of the embodiments of the disclosure. 
         [0029]    Herein, the discussion is made by using a stereoscopic picture based on images captured by two adjacent cameras, however, the stereoscopic picture is not limited to this type of images but may be based on two frames of artificially generated images, and so on. Moreover, the stereoscopic picture may also be a stereoscopic moving picture. 
       First Embodiment 
       [0030]    (Parallax) 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  is an explanatory diagram illustrating a parallax in the stereoscopic picture. In  FIG. 2 , for instance, in images of the same physical object captured by the two adjacent cameras, an image  10  is defined as an image for a left eye, while an image  20  is defined as an image for a right eye. In the example of  FIG. 2 , the image  10  and the image  20  contain an object 1 defined as the same physical object. Herein, a point P1 is set as a point representative of a position of the object 1 in the image  10 . A point P2 is set as a point representative of a position of the object 1 in the image  20 . The point representative of the position of the object 1 may be set to, e.g., a central point of the object 1 and also a point located at a rightward lower edge of the object 1. The point representative of the position of the object 1 is not limited to these points. The point P1 and the point P2 are points each indicating the same position of the object 1. The point P1 and the point P2 are also referred to as the position of the object 1 in the image  10  and as the position of the object 1 in the image  20 , respectively. 
         [0032]    The parallax in the stereoscopic picture is a difference between the position in the image for the left eye and the position in the image for the right eye with respect to the same physical object. A parallax quantity is a magnitude of the parallax. 
         [0033]    In the image  10  and the image  20  of  FIG. 2 , the parallax quantity of the object 1 is a difference between the position (point P1) of the object 1 in the image  10  and the position (point P2) of the object 1 in the image  20 . To be specific, let (XL, YL) be a coordinate of the point P1 in the image  10  and (XR, YR) be a coordinate of the point P2 in the image  20 , and the parallax quantity of the object 1 is expressed as follows. 
         [0000]      Δ X=XL−XR  
 
         [0000]      Δ Y=YL−YR   [Mathematical Expression 1]
 
         [0034]    Herein, ΔX represents the parallax quantity in a crosswise direction, and ΔY denotes the parallax quantity in a lengthwise direction. 
         [0035]    For example, the parallax of the object 1 in the stereoscopic picture disappears by moving the image for the right eye in parallel to a degree corresponding to this parallax quantity. 
         [0036]    (Configuration) 
         [0037]      FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating an example of a stereoscopic picture generating apparatus. A stereoscopic picture generating apparatus  100  includes an acquiring unit  110 , an arithmetic unit  120  and a storage unit  130 . 
         [0038]    The acquiring unit  110  acquires the images from an external or internal input device. The images acquired by the acquiring unit  110  are the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye in the stereoscopic picture. The images acquired by the acquiring unit  110  are stored in the storage unit  130 . 
         [0039]    The image for the left eye and the image for the right eye are stored in the storage unit  130  in the way of being associated with each other. Each image has a pixel value per dot within the image. The pixel value is information representing a color etc of the dot. The pixel values are expressed by, e.g., an R (Red) value, a G (Green) value and a B (Blue) value of RGB color coordinate system. As a substitute for the RGB color coordinate system, parameters (values) of other color coordinate systems (e.g., a YUV color coordinate system) may also be employed. In the case of using the parameters of the YUV color coordinate system, a Y (Yellow) value may be used as a luminance value. 
         [0040]    The arithmetic unit  120  calculates the parallax quantity with respect to the images acquired by the acquiring unit  110 , thereby generating the stereoscopic picture. The stereoscopic picture generated by the arithmetic unit  120  is stored in the storage unit  130 . 
         [0041]    The storage unit  130  gets stored with the images acquired by the acquiring unit  110 , the stereoscopic picture generated by the arithmetic unit  120 , the parallax quantity calculated by the arithmetic unit  120 , an offset quantity predetermined with respect to the stereoscopic picture to be generated, and so on. 
         [0042]    A display unit  140  displays the images etc stored in the storage unit  130 . 
         [0043]    A receiving unit  150  accepts an input such as a selection of the reference object from a user. 
         [0044]      FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus  300 . The stereoscopic picture generating apparatus  100  is realized by, e.g., the information processing apparatus  300  as depicted in  FIG. 4 . The information processing apparatus  300  includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit)  302 , a memory  304 , a storing unit  306 , an input unit  308 , an output unit  310  and a communication unit  312 . 
         [0045]    The CPU  302  loads a program stored in a recording unit  306  into an operation area of a memory  304  and executes this program, whereby the information processing apparatus  300  can actualize functions conforming to predetermined purposes by controlling peripheral devices through the execution of the program. 
         [0046]    The CPU  302  performs processes according to the program stored in the storing unit  306 . The memory  304  caches the program and the data and also deploys the operation area. The memory  304  includes, e.g., a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory). 
         [0047]    The storing unit  306  stores various categories of programs and various items of data on a readable/writable recording medium. The storing unit  306  is exemplified by a solid-state drive device, a hard disk drive device, a CD (Compact Disc) drive device, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) drive device, a +R/+RW drive device, an HD DVD (High-Definition Digital Versatile Disc) drive device or a BD (Blu-ray Disc) drive device. Furthermore, the recording medium is exemplified by a silicon disk including a nonvolatile semiconductor memory (flash memory), a hard disk, a CD, a DVD, a +R/+RW, an HD DVD or a BD. The CD is exemplified by a CD-R (Recordable), a CD-RW (Rewritable) and a CD-ROM. The DVD is exemplified by a DVD-R and a DVD-RAM (Random Access Memory). The BD is exemplified by a BD-R, a BD-RE (Rewritable) and BD-ROM. 
         [0048]    The input unit  308  accepts an operating instruction etc from the user etc. The input unit  308  is exemplified by input devices such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a wireless remote controller, a microphone and a plurality of cameras. The CPU  302  is notified of information inputted from the input unit  308 . The camera may be equipped with an infrared-ray sensor etc for measuring a distance. 
         [0049]    The output unit  310  outputs the data processed by the CPU  302  and the data stored in the memory  304 . The output unit  310  is exemplified by output devices such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display, a PDP (Plasma Display Panel), an EL (Electroluminescence) panel, a printer and a loudspeaker. 
         [0050]    The communication unit  312  transmits and receives the data to and from the external device. The communication unit  312  is connected to the external device via, e.g., a signal line. The communication unit  312  is exemplified such as a LAN (Local Area Network) interface board and a wireless communication circuit for wireless communications. 
         [0051]    In the information processing apparatus  300 , the storing unit  306  is stored with an operating system (OS), the various categories of programs and a variety of tables. 
         [0052]    The OS is software that handles in-between operations between the software components and the hardware components, manages a memory space, manages files and manages processes and tasks. The OS includes a communication interface. The communication interface is defined as a program for transferring and receiving the data to and from another external device etc connected via the communication unit  312 . 
         [0053]    The information processing apparatus  300  capable of realizing the stereoscopic picture generating apparatus  100  actualizes functions as the acquiring unit  110 , the arithmetic unit  120  and the receiving unit  150  in such a way that the CPU  302  loads the programs stored in the storing unit  306  into the memory  304  and executes the programs. Further, the storage unit  130  is provided in storage areas of the memory  304 , the storing unit  306 , etc. The display unit  140  is realized by the CPU  302 , the output unit  310 , etc. The receiving unit  150  is realized by the CPU  302 , the input unit  308  and so on. 
       Operational Example 
       [0054]    An operational example of the stereoscopic picture generating apparatus  100  will be described. In the following discussion, the left and the right are employed, however, there is neither superiority nor inferiority between the left eye and the right, and the both are interchangeable. For example, in the following discussion, the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye are used, however, there is neither superiority nor inferiority between the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye, and the both are interchangeable. 
         [0055]    The stereoscopic picture generating apparatus  100  acquires the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye, and settles objects contained in the images. Further, the stereoscopic picture generating apparatus  100  determines a reference object, and calculates the parallax quantities of other objects on the basis of a positional relation between each of these other objects and the reference object and phase angles of the parallaxes. The stereoscopic picture generating apparatus  100  determines the parallax quantity of each object so that the parallax quantity of each object does not exceed a limit value of the parallax quantity. 
         [0056]      FIGS. 5 and 6  are flowcharts illustrating an example of an operation flow of the stereoscopic picture generating apparatus  100 . A symbol [A] in  FIG. 5  is continued to [A] in  FIG. 6 . Symbols [B] and [C] in  FIG. 8  connect to [B] and [C] in  FIG. 9 . A start of the operation flow in  FIGS. 5 and 6  is triggered by, e.g., powering ON the stereoscopic picture generating apparatus  100 . 
         [0057]    The arithmetic unit  120  of the stereoscopic picture generating apparatus  100  acquires the limit value of the parallax quantity (S 101 ). The limit value of the parallax quantity is stored in e.g., the storage unit  130 . The limit value of the parallax quantity is defined as a maximum value of the parallax quantity of the same physical object between the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye. The limit value of the parallax quantity is set by use of a pixel count (the number of pixels). The limit value of the parallax quantity is a quantity depending on a size of the display unit  140 , the pixel count, etc. If there is a parallax quantity exceeding the limit value of the parallax quantity with respect to the same physical object, such a possibility exists that a person cannot recognize the same physical object. The limit value of the parallax quantity depends on the size of the display unit  140 . For instance, the limit value of the parallax quantity is set so that a length in the display unit  140  becomes equal to or smaller than an interval between human eyes. Accordingly, in the case of comparing the display units  140  having the same pixel count with each other, the display unit  140  having a larger size of screen exhibits a smaller limit value of the parallax quantity. The arithmetic unit  120  of the stereoscopic picture generating apparatus  100  may also calculate the limit value of the parallax quantity on the basis of the size and the pixel count of the display unit  140 , which are stored in the storage unit. Moreover, the arithmetic unit  120  of the stereoscopic picture generating apparatus  100  may also prompt a user to input the limit value of the parallax quantity to the accepting unit  150 . 
         [0058]    The acquiring unit  110  acquires the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye (S 102 ). The acquiring unit  110  may acquire the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye from a built-in camera of the stereoscopic picture generating apparatus  100 , may also acquire these images from the external device. The acquired images for the left and right eyes are stored in the storage unit  130 . The image for the left eye and the image for the right eye may also be stored previously in the storage unit  130 . 
         [0059]    The arithmetic unit  120  extracts all the objects (physical objects) contained in common to the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye, which are acquired in step S 102  (S 103 ). The extraction of the common objects involves using, e.g., pattern matching. The arithmetic unit  120  stores, in the storage unit  130 , positions of the respective images (the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye) of the common physical objects (objects). Further, the arithmetic unit  120  stores the images of the common objects in the storage unit  130 . The object (physical object) in the image for the left eye (or the image for the right eye) is also referred to as a partial image. 
         [0060]    The pattern matching is conducted, e.g., in a manner described below. The arithmetic unit  120  superposes a moving image in the image for the left eye on a moving image in the image for the right eye in a certain position, and takes a difference between pixel values in the superposed region. The arithmetic unit  120  obtains a position and a size of an area with the difference being “0” in the superposed region. The position of this area can be set to a central position of the region of each image. Further, the arithmetic unit  120  similarly takes the difference of the superposed region in each of the positions by arbitrarily moving the superposed position in parallel, and obtains the position and the size of the area with the difference being “0” in the superposed region. The arithmetic unit  120  extracts the area having the largest size with the difference being “0”. The arithmetic unit  120  can deem the area having the largest size with the difference being “0” (the area with the difference being “0”) as the common physical object and the position of the area (the area with the difference being “0”) as the position of the moving object. This area can be considered to be the same object in the same form in the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye. Note that the pattern matching method is not limited to the method described above, but other known methods are applicable. These common physical objects are recognized by the user who views the stereoscopic picture as the same object in the stereoscopic picture. 
         [0061]    Herein, the images (which are referred to as predetermined images) of the common physical objects may be stored beforehand in the storage unit  130 . At this time, the arithmetic unit  120  may extract the common physical objects by performing the pattern matching of the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye with the predetermined images stored in the storage unit  130 . Moreover, the images of the once-extracted common physical objects may also be stored as the predetermined images in the storage unit  130 . 
         [0062]    The arithmetic unit  120  determines the reference object from within the objects extracted in step S 103  (S 104 ). The reference object can be set to the image closest to the center (middle) of, e.g., the image for the right eye. Further, the arithmetic unit  120  displays the image for the right eye on the display unit  140  and may prompt the user to select a range serving as the reference object. The user selects the range serving as the reference object from the image displayed on the display unit  140 , and may input the selected range through the accepting unit  150 . The arithmetic unit  120  extracts the image of the selected range and stores the extracted image as the reference object in the storage unit  130 . This operation enables the arithmetic unit  120  to specify the reference object. Moreover, the image serving as the reference object may also be stored previously in the storage unit  130 . The range of the reference object may also be selected in each of the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye. At this time, the user selects the range of the reference object about the same physical object with respect to the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye. The reference object is one example of a predetermined image. 
         [0063]    The arithmetic unit  120  calculates the parallax quantity between the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye with respect to the reference object determined in step S 104 . Herein, the arithmetic unit  120  obtains the position of the reference object in the image for the left eye. Further, the arithmetic unit  120  obtains the position of the reference object in the image for the right eye. The position of the reference object in the image is specified by, e.g., coordinates of the center of the reference object. The reference objects of the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye have been determined in step S 104 . 
         [0064]    The arithmetic unit  120  calculates a difference between the position of the reference object in the image for the left eye and the position of the reference object in the image for the right eye. The thus-obtained difference is the parallax quantity. In the obtained difference, the difference given in the crosswise direction is a parallax quantity ΔX, while the difference given in the lengthwise direction is a parallax quantity ΔY. The arithmetic unit  120  stores the parallax quantity ΔX in the crosswise direction and the parallax quantity ΔY in the lengthwise direction in the storage unit  130 . 
         [0065]    Further, the arithmetic unit  120  may obtain the parallax quantity by superposing the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye on each other and moving one image (e.g., the image for the right eye) in parallel so that the range of the reference object specified in step S 104  becomes coincident with the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye. The parallax quantity is equivalent to a distance (a moving quantity in an X-axis direction and a moving quantity in a Y-axis direction) at which one image (e.g., the image for the right eye) moves in parallel). At this time, the arithmetic unit  120  stores, with respect to the distance given when moved in parallel, the distance in the crosswise direction as the parallax quantity ΔX and the distance in the lengthwise direction as the parallax quantity ΔY in the storage unit  130 . The parallax quantity contains positive and negative signs. That is, for instance, in the case of making the parallel movement in a −X direction, the parallax quantity ΔX takes a negative quantity. 
         [0066]    Moreover, the arithmetic unit  120  may also obtain the parallax quantity as below. The arithmetic unit  120  displays the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye in superposition on the display unit  140 . The user moves one image in parallel with the aid of the accepting unit  150  while looking at the images displayed on the display unit  140  so that the range of the reference object specified in step S 102  becomes coincident with the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye. The parallax quantity is the distance given when one image (e.g., the image for the right eye) moves in parallel. The arithmetic unit  120  stores, with respect to the distance given when moved in parallel, the distance in the crosswise direction as the parallax quantity ΔX and the distance in the lengthwise direction as the parallax quantity ΔY in the storage unit  130 . 
         [0067]    The arithmetic unit  120  aligns the positions of the reference objects in the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye (S 105 ). In the process of S 105 , the arithmetic unit  120  extracts, e.g., the image for the right eye from the storage unit  130 . Then, the arithmetic unit  120  sets an image, which is given by moving the whole image for the right eye in parallel by the parallax quantity, as a new image for the right eye. The parallax quantities involve using the parallax quantities (ΔX and ΔY) stored in the storage unit  130 . Thus, when moving the whole image of the image for the right eye in parallel by the parallax quantities (ΔX and ΔY) obtained beforehand, the position of the reference object in the image for the right eye becomes coincident with the position of the reference object in the image for the left eye. Namely, the parallax of the reference object between the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye substantially disappears. The arithmetic unit  120  stores the new image for the right eye in the storage unit  130 . Furthermore, the arithmetic unit  120  moves the position of the image for the right eye, which is stored in the storage unit  130 , in parallel by the parallax quantities (ΔX and ΔY), and sets this parallel-moved position as a new position of the object of the image for the right eye. 
         [0068]    The arithmetic unit  120  adjusts Y-coordinates of all the objects in the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye (S 106 ). In the process of S 106 , the arithmetic unit  120  makes the Y-coordinates of all the objects in the image for the left eye coincident with the Y-coordinates of all the objects in the image for the right eye. This is because, if the Y-coordinates of the same object in the image for the left eye differ from the Y-coordinates thereof in the image for the right eye, there is a possibility that the object might not be recognized to be identical. The arithmetic unit  120  extracts the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye from the storage unit  130 . Further, the arithmetic unit  120  extracts, with respect to all the objects, the positions of the objects in the image for the left eye and the positions of the objects in the image for right eye from the storage unit  130 . The arithmetic unit  120  compares the Y-coordinates of each object. The arithmetic unit  120 , if the same object has a difference of the Y-coordinates between the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye, adjusts the Y-coordinates in the image for the right eye to the Y-coordinates in the image for the left eye. Moreover, the arithmetic unit  120  may apply, with respect to the same object, an average of the Y-coordinates in the image for the left eye and the Y-coordinates in the image for the right eye to the Y-coordinates in the image for the left eye and the Y-coordinates in the image for the right eye. With this contrivance, the Y-coordinates in the image of the object for the left eye is identical to the Y-coordinates in the image of the object for the right eye. The arithmetic unit  120  stores the new image for the left eye (and the new image for the right eye) in the storage unit  130 . Further, the arithmetic unit  120  stores the position of each of objects in the new image for the left eye and the position of each of objects in the new image for the right eye in the storage unit  130 . The new image for the left eye and the new image for the right eye are used in the subsequent processes. 
         [0069]      FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating a concrete example of the processes in step S 105  and step S 106 . An image  811  for the left eye and an image  812  for the right eye correspond to the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye before being processed in step S 105  and step S 106 . Moreover, an image  821  for the left eye and an image  822  for the right eye correspond to the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye after being processed in step S 105  and step S 106 . Herein, the image for the left eye is fixed, while the image for the right eye is moved, whereby the processes in step S 105  and step S 106  are carried out. In step S 105 , the position of the reference object of the image  812  for the right eye is moved to get coincident with the position of the reference object of the image  811  for the left eye. In step S 106 , the Y-coordinates of all the objects of the image for the right eye are moved to become coincident with the Y-coordinates of the corresponding objects of the image  811  for the left eye. The objects depicted by solid lines in the image  822  for the right eye represent objects after being moved. Moreover, the objects depicted by dotted lines in the image  822  for the right eye represent objects before being moved. Herein, the image for the left eye is fixed, and hence the image  811  for the left eye is identical with the image  821  for the left eye. 
         [0070]    Referring back to  FIG. 5 , the arithmetic unit  120  acquires parallax phase angle information in the stereoscopic picture (S 107 ). The parallax phase angle is a quantity used when calculating the new position of the object of the image for the left eye. The parallax phase angle is a quantity depending on a distance between the position of the reference object and the position of another object in the image for the right eye. The parallax phase angle may also be a quantity depending on a difference between the Y-coordinates of the reference object and the Y-coordinates of another object in the image for the right eye. The parallax phase angle is an angle made by a straight line extending from the position of the reference object to the position of another object in the image for the right eye and by a straight line extending therefrom to the position of another object in the image for the left eye when the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye are expressed on the same screen. In the subsequent processes, the position of another object in the image for the left eye is calculated in a way that fixes the position of the reference object and the position of another object in the image for the right eye. 
         [0071]      FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating an example of the parallax phase angle information.  FIG. 8  illustrates an example of a table depicting an associative relation between the distance between the position of the reference object and the position of another object in the image for the right eye and the parallax phase angle. This table is stored in, e.g., the storage unit  130 . At this time, the arithmetic unit  120  can acquire the parallax phase angle information from the storage unit  130 . Moreover, the parallax phase angle may also be given as a function of the distance between the position of the reference object and the position of another object in the image for the right eye. 
         [0072]    The user may adjust the associative relation between the distance between the position of the reference object and the position of another object in the image for the right eye and the parallax phase angle. For example, the associative relation may also be adjusted in a way that multiplies a value of the parallax phase angle in the table of  FIG. 8  by an arbitrary value. For instance, the arithmetic unit  120  may prompt the user to input this value. The user can adjust the parallax phase angle by inputting the value through the accepting unit  150 . Further, the parallax phase angle may also be adjusted by other methods. The parallax phase angle is adjusted, whereby a stereoscopic sense in the stereoscopic picture is adjusted. For example, the stereoscopic sense in the stereoscopic picture is emphasized by increasing the parallax phase angle. Namely, the parallax phase angle is adjusted, thereby further emphasizing or de-emphasizing the stereoscopic sense in the stereoscopic picture. 
         [0073]    The arithmetic unit  120  acquires the parallax phase angle information defined as the associative relation between the distance between the position of the reference object and the position of another object in the image for the right eye and the parallax phase angle from the table as in  FIG. 8 , through the user&#39;s input and by the function. 
         [0074]    In step S 108 , the arithmetic unit  120  calculates the parallax quantity defined as the difference between the position of one object in the image for the left eye and the position of this object in the image for the right eye (S 108 ). The arithmetic unit  120  extracts information on the position of a certain single object in the image for the left eye and information on the position of this object in the image for the right eye from the storage unit  130 . Herein, owing to the process in step S 106 , the Y-coordinates of one object in the image for the left eye are the same as the Y-coordinates thereof in the image for the right eye. Hence, the parallax quantity is calculated based on a difference between X-coordinates in the image for the left eye and X-coordinates in the image for the right eye. 
         [0075]      FIG. 9  is a diagram illustrating an example of the coordinates of the reference object, the coordinates of another object in the image for the left eye and the coordinates thereof in the image for the right eye. In the example of  FIG. 9 , the coordinates of the reference object are indicated by a point A0 (Xa0, Ya0). Further, the coordinates of another object in the image for the left eye are indicated by a point BL0 (Xbl0, Ybl0), and the coordinates thereof in the image for the right eye are indicated by a point BR0 (Xbr0, Ybr0). Herein, the Y-coordinate of the point BL0 is the same as the Y-coordinate of the point BR0 owing to the process in step S 106 . Moreover, the parallax quantity is a difference between the X-coordinate of the point BL0 and the X-coordinate of the point BR0. 
         [0076]    Referring back to  FIG. 6 , the arithmetic unit  120  checks whether or not the parallax quantity of the object that is processed in step S 108  is equal to or smaller than the limit value of the parallax quantity that is acquired in step S 101  (S 109 ). If the parallax quantity of the object exceeds the limit value of the parallax quantity, such a possibility exists that the user, who views the stereoscopic picture, cannot recognize this object as one object (physical object). Therefore, the arithmetic unit  120  checks whether the parallax quantity of the object is equal to or smaller than the limit value of the parallax quantity or not. 
         [0077]    If the parallax quantity of the object is equal to or smaller than the limit value of the parallax quantity that is acquired in step S 101  (S 109 ; YES), the arithmetic unit  120  calculates a new position of the object in the image for the left eye (S 110 ). The arithmetic unit  120  calculates, based on the following formula, a new position (a point BL1 (Xbl1, Ybl1)) of the object in the image for the left eye. 
         [0000]        L   1   2   =L   2   2   +L   3   2 +2· L   2   ·L   3 ·cos θ 0  
 
         [0000]        L   1 =√{square root over (( Xbl 1 −Xbr 0) 2 +( Ybl 1 −Ybr 0) 2 )}{square root over (( Xbl 1 −Xbr 0) 2 +( Ybl 1 −Ybr 0) 2 )}=√{square root over (( Xbl 1 −Xbr 0) 2 )}♯ Ybl 1 =Ybr 0
 
         [0000]        L   2 =√{square root over (( Xbr 0 −Xa 0) 2 +( Ybr 0 −Ya 0) 2 )}{square root over (( Xbr 0 −Xa 0) 2 +( Ybr 0 −Ya 0) 2 )}
 
         [0000]        L   3 =√{square root over (( Xbl 1 −Xa 0) 2 +( Ybl 1 −Ya 0) 2 )}{square root over (( Xbl 1 −Xa 0) 2 +( Ybl 1 −Ya 0) 2 )}=√{square root over (( Xbl 1 −Xa 0) 2 =( Ybl 1 −Ya 0) 2 )}{square root over (( Xbl 1 −Xa 0) 2 =( Ybl 1 −Ya 0) 2 )}  [Mathematical Expression 2]
 
         [0078]    An angle θ 0  is the parallax phase angle based on the parallax phase angle information acquired in step S 107 . The parallax phase angle depends on a distance between, e.g., the point A0 and the point BR0. 
         [0079]    Herein, the angle θ 0 , the coordinates of the point A0 and the coordinates of the point BR0 take given values. The Y-coordinate (Ybl1) of the point BL1 shall be the same as the Y-coordinate (Ybl10) of the point BR0. Hence, the formula given above is a quadratic equation with respect to the X-coordinate (Xbl1) of the point BL1, and hence the X-coordinate (Xbl1) of the point BL1 is obtained. When solving the quadratic equation, two solutions for Xbl1 are obtained, however, there is taken the solution by which the sign (the positive sign or the negative sign) of (Xbl0−Xbr0) is identical with the sign of (Xbl1−Xbr0). Namely, the solution of Xbl1 involves adopting Xbl1 with which a product of (Xbl0−Xbr0) and (Xbl1−Xbr0) is positive. The arithmetic unit  120  thus calculates the point BL1 (Xbl1,Ybl1). If the difference (parallax quantity) between the point BL1 and the point BR1 exceeds the limit value of the parallax quantity, the arithmetic unit  120  does not, however, adopt the value calculated herein as the point BL1. In this case, the new position (the point BL1(Xbl1,Ybl1)) of the object in the image for the left eye shall be a position moved by the limit value of the parallax quantity toward the point BL0 from the position (the point BR0(Xbr0,Ybr0)) of the object in the image for the right eye. Further, if the Y-coordinates of the point A0 are the same as the Y-coordinates of the point BR0, the arithmetic unit  120  shall set the new position of the object to be coincident with the original position (the point BR0 and the point BL0). The arithmetic unit  120  stores information on the positions calculated herein in the storage unit  130 . The method of calculating the position of the point BL1 is not limited to this method, but the position of the point BL1 may also be calculated by other calculation methods using a function of the distance between the reference object and the calculation target object. 
         [0080]      FIG. 10  is a diagram illustrating an example of the coordinates of the reference object, the coordinates of another object in the image for the left eye and the coordinates thereof in the image for the right eye. In the example of  FIG. 10 , the coordinates of the reference object are indicated by a point A1(Xa1,Ya1). The position of the point A1 is the same as the position of the point A0. Further, the coordinates of another object in the image for left eye are indicated by the point BL1(Xbl1,Ybl1), and the coordinates of another object in the image for right eye are indicated by the point BR1(Xbr1,Ybr1). The position of the point BR1 is the same as the position of the point BR0. The angle θ 0  is the parallax phase angle. The angle θ 0  is an angle made by the point BR1—the point A0—the point BL1 (made by a line segment A0-BR1 and by a line segment A0-BL1). 
         [0081]    Referring back to  FIG. 6 , if the parallax quantity of the object is not equal to or smaller than the limit value of the parallax quantity acquired in step S 101  (S 109 ; NO), the arithmetic unit  120  calculates a new position of the object in the image for the left eye (S 111 ). Herein, the new position (the point BL1(Xbl1,Ybl1)) of the object in the image for the left eye becomes a position moved by the limit value of the parallax quantity toward the point BL0 from the position (the point BR0(Xbr0,Ybr0)) of the object in the image for the right eye. The arithmetic unit  120  stores information on the position calculated herein in the storage unit  130 . 
         [0082]    The arithmetic unit  120  checks whether the new positions of all the objects are calculated or not (S 112 ). If there are some objects of which the new positions are not yet calculated (S 112 ; NO), the processing loops back to step S 108 , in which the objects with their new positions not yet being calculated, are processed. Whereas if the new positions of all the objects are calculated (S 112 ; YES), the processing advances step S 113 . 
         [0083]    In step S 113 , the arithmetic unit  120  generates the stereoscopic picture (S 113 ). The arithmetic unit  120  lays out the respective objects in the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye on the basis of the positions of all the objects that are calculated in step S 110  or step S 111 , and stores these objects as one (one set) stereoscopic picture in the storage unit  130 . Moreover, the arithmetic unit  120  may also display the generated stereoscopic picture on the display unit  140 . 
         [0084]    The stereoscopic picture stored in the storage unit  130  can be displayed on a display device for a stereovision. The display device for the stereovision is a display device configured so that the image for the left eye is inputted to the left eye, while the image for the right eye is inputted to the right eye. 
         [0085]    Herein, the processing of the stereoscopic picture generating apparatus  100  terminates. If the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye are consecutively inputted, however, the processing loops back to step S 102  and is repeated. Further, if the image to be inputted is a moving picture, similarly the processing loops back to step S 102  and is iterated. 
       Modified Example 
       [0086]    The arithmetic unit  120  may calculate the position of the point BL1 on the basis of the following formula in place of calculating the position of the point BL1 in step S 110 . 
         [0000]        Xbl 1 =α·L   2 ·( Xbl 0 −Xbr 0)+ Xbr 0
 
         [0000]        L   2 =√{square root over (( Xbr 0 −Xa 0) 2 +( Ybr 0 −Ya 0) 2 )}{square root over (( Xbr 0 −Xa 0) 2 +( Ybr 0 −Ya 0) 2 )}  [Mathematical Expression 3]
 
         [0087]    Herein, α value α is a constant. For example, the value α can be adjusted in place of prompting the user to adjust the parallax phase angle. The value α is adjusted, thereby enabling the stereoscopic sense in the stereoscopic picture to be adjusted. An increase in value a leads to a rise in parallax quantity, and hence the stereoscopic sense in the stereoscopic picture can be further emphasized. A difference (Ybr0−Ya0) between the Y-coordinates may also be used as a substitute for a distance L 2 . 
         [0088]    A value (Xbl0−Xbr0) is the parallax quantity of the object in step S 110 . The parallax quantity depends on the position (coordinates) in the depthwise direction (Z-direction). Let Zb be the position (coordinates) of the object in the Z-direction (a direction of an optical-axis of the camera) with the camera position serving as an origin, and the parallax quantity takes a linear to Zb to the power of −1 (Zb̂(−1)). Namely, when the position of the object gets distanced from the camera (when Zb increases), the parallax quantity becomes approximate to a predetermined value. The Z-directional position Zb of the object can be calculated based on the parallax quantity. Moreover, the Z-directional position Zb of the object may also be obtained by, e.g., an infrared-ray sensor etc attached to the camera. The position of the point BL1 of the object may also be calculated based on the following formula by use of the Z-directional position Zb of the object. 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                       
                   
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         [0089]    Herein, a value β is a constant. For instance, the parallax quantity ΔX in the crosswise direction, which is used in step S 105 , can take the value β. At this time, if the Z-directional position of the object is coincident with the Z-directional position of the reference object, the parallax quantity of this object is “0”. A new parallax quantity of each object is calculated based on a difference from the Z-directional position of the reference object. The difference between the Z-directional position of the object and that of the reference object gets smaller, the new parallax quantity is affected to a greater degree. Further, the value β may also be “0”. 
         [0090]    Moreover, according to these formulae, the new parallax quantity of each object can take a value depending on a distance (a distance on the image) from the reference object and on the original parallax quantity or a value depending on the distance from the reference object and on Z-directional position of each object. According to this contrivance, it is feasible to generate a new stereoscopic picture depending on a back-and-forth relation (in the depthwise direction) of the original image. 
       Operation and Effect of Embodiment 
       [0091]    The stereoscopic picture generating apparatus  100  acquires the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye, and settles the objects contained in the images. Further, the stereoscopic picture generating apparatus  100  determines the reference object, and calculates the parallax quantities of other objects on the basis of the positional relations between other objects and the reference object, the parallax phase angles, etc. Moreover, the stereoscopic picture generating apparatus  100  determines each object so as not to exceed the limit value of the parallax quantity. 
         [0092]    The stereoscopic picture generating apparatus  100  is capable of generating the stereoscopic picture having the stereoscopic sense depending on the distance on the screen between the reference object and each object. Namely, the stereoscopic picture generating apparatus  100  can generate the stereoscopic picture emphasizing the stereoscopic sense of even the picture based on the plurality of objects with no difference between their distances from the camera. 
         [0093]    [Non-Transitory Computer Readable Recording Medium] 
         [0094]    A program for making a computer, other machines and devices (which will hereinafter be referred to as the computer etc) realize any one of the functions can be recorded on a non-transitory recording medium readable by the computer etc. Then, the computer etc is made to read and execute the program on this non-transitory recording medium, whereby the function thereof can be provided. 
         [0095]    Herein, the non-transitory computer-readable recording medium connotes a recording medium capable of accumulating information such as data and programs electrically, magnetically, optically, mechanically or by chemical action, which can be read from the computer. Such a medium is provided inside with components such as the CPU and the memory that configure the computer, in which the CPU may also be made to execute the program. 
         [0096]    Further, among these recording mediums, for example, a flexible disc, a magneto-optic disc, a CD-ROM, a CD-R/W, a DVD, a DAT, an 8 mm tape, a memory card, etc. are given as those removable from the computer. 
         [0097]    Furthermore, a hard disc, a ROM (Read-Only Memory), etc. are given as the recording mediums fixed within the computer. 
         [0098]    All examples and conditional language provided herein are intended for the pedagogical purposes of aiding the reader in understanding the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor to further the art, and are not to be construed as limitations to such specifically recited examples and conditions, nor does the organization of such examples in the specification relate to a showing of the superiority and inferiority of the invention. Although one or more embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it should be understood that the various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.