Abstract:
A method for controlling moving picture encoding using channel information of wireless networks is provided. By the method, it is possible to use a pre-verified standard technology in the prescription of a stereoscopic image file format, thereby simplifying a verification procedure for a new standard. Also, it is possible to use a new a stereoscopic image file format, thereby selecting, generating, and reproducing either of a 2D image file or a 3D stereoscopic image file. In particular, according to a system and a method for using a file format used to generate a 3D stereoscopic image, it is possible to reproduce and display a caption in the form of a 2D image during reproduction of the 3D stereoscopic image, thereby reducing eyestrain of a user, and additionally providing an image such as news, or an advertisement, to a user.

Description:
PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) to an application entitled “System And Method For Generating And Reproducing 3D Stereoscopic Image File Including 2D Image” filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Sep. 7, 2007 and assigned Serial No. 2007-90973, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to a system and a method for generating and reproducing Three-Dimensional (3D) stereoscopic image files based on Two-Dimensional (2D) image media standards, and more particularly, to a system and a method for generating and reproducing a 2D image on a portion of a 3D stereoscopic image. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Conventional standards for a file format used to store a 2D image have been known, whereas standards for a file format used to store a 3D stereoscopic image are not yet known. 
         [0006]    In general, the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG), which is an international standardization organization related to multimedia, has been standardizing MPEG-2, MPEG-4, MPEG-7 and MPEG-21, since its first standardization of MPEG-1 in 1988. Since a variety of standards have been developed in this way, a need has arisen to generate one profile by combining different standard technologies. In response to this need, MPEG-A (MPEG Application: ISO/ICE 230000) multimedia application standardization activities have been carried out. In a Multimedia Application Format (MAF) that is one of MPEG-A activities, non-MPEG standards, as well as the conventional MPEG standards, are combined so that the utilization value of the standard can be enhanced. In this way, already verified standard technologies can be easily combined without any further efforts to set up a separate standard, thereby developing the MAF and maximizing the efficiency value thereof. The standardization, such as a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting MAF (DMB MAF), has been ongoing, but a file format for storing a 3D stereoscopic image has not yet been standardized. 
         [0007]    According to recent technology for implementing a 3D stereoscopic image, it is possible to reproduce a stereoscopic image by only a portal terminal with a barrier LCD. However, technology for reproducing a 3D stereoscopic image by a general portable terminal or a storage format of a stereoscopic image therefor has never been known. 
         [0008]    Meanwhile, when a caption is displayed during reproduction of a 3D stereoscopic image, a user views the caption of a 3D stereoscopic image, which may easily cause eyestrain for the user. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention has been made to address at least the above problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention provides a file format required to generate, store, and reproduce a 3D stereoscopic image. Particularly, the present invention provides a file format for a 3D stereoscopic image based on a file format used to generate, store, and reproduce an existing 2D image. Further, the present invention provides a system and a method for generating and reproducing a 3D stereoscopic image file using a file format for a 3D stereoscopic image. 
         [0010]    Another aspect of the present invention provides a system and a method for generating and reproducing a 3D stereoscopic image file including a 2D image, which enables a user to view a caption of a 3D stereoscopic image in the form of a 2D image when a user views a 3D stereoscopic image. Further, the present invention provides a system and a method for providing an image, which include an advertisement broadcast or a news broadcast, in addition to a caption, in the form of a 2D image, on a part on a 3D stereoscopic image. 
         [0011]    According to an aspect of the present invention, a system is provided for generating and reproducing a 3D stereoscopic image file including a 2D image. The system includes a stereoscopic image file generating apparatus for generating a stereoscopic image file including first image data, second image data used to generate a 3D stereoscopic image after being synchronized with the first image data, and third image data used to generate a 2D image. The system also includes a stereoscopic image file reproducing apparatus for reproducing and displaying the 3D stereoscopic image by synthesizing the first image data and the second image data, and for reproducing and displaying the 2D image generated from the third image data on a portion of the 3D stereoscopic image being reproduced, when the generated stereoscopic image file is input. 
         [0012]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a system is provided for generating and reproducing a 3D stereoscopic image file including a 2D image. The system includes a stereoscopic image file generating apparatus for generating a stereoscopic image file, which includes a data area including first image data, second image data used to generate a 3D stereoscopic image after being synchronized with the first image data, and third image data used to generate a 2D image, a header area including information of the first image data, and a metadata area including information of the second image data and information of the third image data. The system also includes a stereoscopic image file reproducing apparatus for reproducing and displaying the 3D stereoscopic image by parsing the information of the first image data and the second image data and synthesizing the first image data and the second image data, and for parsing the information of the third image data, and then reproducing and displaying the 2D image generated from the third image data on a portion of the 3D stereoscopic image being reproduced, when the generated stereoscopic image file is input. 
         [0013]    According to an additional aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for generating and reproducing a 3D stereoscopic image file including a 2D image. A predetermined subject is photographed from a first view and first image data is output, and the subject is photographed from a second view and second image data is output. The output first image data and second image data are pre-processed. The pre-processed first image data and second image data, and third image data are stored and used to generate a 2D image. The stored first image data and second image data, and the stored third image data are encoded. The stereoscopic image file including the encoded first image data and second image data, and the encoded third image data is generated. 
         [0014]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a stereoscopic video application format in a stereoscopic video reproduction apparatus is provided. The format includes a media data box (mdat) area including a first image and a second image used to generate a 3D stereoscopic image, and a 2D image. The format also includes a moviebox (moov) area including first image information. The format further includes a metabox (meta) area including second image information, and 2D image information used to display the 2D image in a portion of the 3D stereoscopic image. 
         [0015]    According to a further aspect of the present invention, a stereoscopic video reproduction apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a file parsing unit for parsing stereoscopic video application data, thereby extracting a first image and a second image used to generate a 3D stereoscopic image, and extracting a 2D image, when the stereoscopic video application data with the 2D image is received. The apparatus also includes a decoding unit for decoding the extracted first and second images, and the extracted 2D image. The apparatus further includes a reproducing unit for reproducing the 3D stereoscopic image obtained by synthesizing the decoded first image and second image through first image information and second image information, and for reproducing the 2D image in a portion of the reproduced 3D stereoscopic image by using 2D image information. Additionally, the apparatus includes a display unit for displaying the reproduced 3D stereoscopic image, and for displaying the reproduced 2D image in a portion of the displayed 3D stereoscopic image. 
         [0016]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for reproducing stereoscopic video in a stereoscopic video reproduction apparatus. Stereoscopic video application data is parsed when the stereoscopic video application data with a 2D image is received. A first image and a second image used to generate a 3D stereoscopic image are extracted from the parsed stereoscopic video application data, and the 2D image is extracted. The extracted first and second images, and the extracted 2D image are decoded. The 3D stereoscopic image obtained by synthesizing the decoded first image and second image through first image information and second image information is reproduced, and the 2D image is reproduced in a portion of the reproduced 3D stereoscopic image by using 2D image information. The reproduced 3D stereoscopic image is displayed, and the reproduced 2D image is displayed in a portion of the displayed 3D stereoscopic image. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating a storage format of a conventional International Standardization Organization (ISO) 14496-12 based 2D image file; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2A  is a diagram illustrating a storage format of a 3D stereoscopic image file according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2B  is a diagram illustrating a storage format of a 3D stereoscopic image file according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2C  is a diagram illustrating a storage format of a 3D stereoscopic image file according to a third embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a conceptual diagram illustrating a 2D image displayed on a portion of a 3D stereoscopic image according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4A  is a view in which news of a 2D image is reproduced and displayed on a portion of a 3D stereoscopic image according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4B  is a view in which a caption of a 2D image is reproduced and displayed on a portion of a 3D stereoscopic image according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4C  is a view in which an advertisement of a 2D image is reproduced and displayed on a portion of a 3D stereoscopic image according to a third embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating a construction of a stereoscopic image file generating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating a construction of a stereoscopic image file reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating a method for generating a stereoscopic image file according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating a method for reproducing a stereoscopic image file according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0030]    Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Similar component are designated by similar reference numerals although they are illustrated in different drawings. Detailed descriptions of constructions or processes known in the art may be omitted to avoid obscuring the subject matter of the present invention. 
         [0031]    Before describing a format for storing a 3D stereoscopic image according to the present invention, a storage format of a conventional ISO based 2D image file will be described with reference to  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating a conventional ISO 14496-12 based 2D image file format  100 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , the 2D image file format  100  includes a moviebox (moov) area  110  and an mediadatabox (mdat) area  120 . The mdat area  120  is a data area of the file format, and includes actual image data within an image track  121 , and audio data within a audio track  123 . Each of the tracks includes the image data  122  and audio data  124  stored in a frame unit. The moov area  110  is a header area of the file format and has an object based structure. The moov area  110  includes all pieces of information used to reproduce a file, including content information, such as a frame rate, a bit rate, image size, etc., and synchronization information used to support a reproduction function of FF/REW. In particular, the moov area  110  includes information, such as the number of frames within the image data  111  and audio data  112 , and a size of each frame, etc. Therefore, it is possible to restore and reproduce image data and audio data by parsing the moov area during reproduction. 
         [0032]    The storage format of a 3D stereoscopic image file including a 2D image according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 2A-2C . In the present invention, 3D stereoscopic image files  201  to  203  are constructed by basically adding only a metabox (meta) area to the 2D image file format  100  shown in  FIG. 1 . Therefore, without important modification in a structure and a function of a 2D image file format, it is possible to use the function thereof. 
         [0033]    An example of one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 2A .  FIG. 2A  is a diagram illustrating a storage format of a 3D stereoscopic image file including a 2D image according to a first embodiment of the present invention. An mdat area  230  corresponding to a data area includes a first image track  231 , a second image track  233 , a third image track  235 , a first audio track  237 , and a second audio track  239   a . The first image track  231  includes first image data  232 , and the second image track  233  includes second image data  234 . Herein, the first image data  232  and the second image data  234  are data generated by utilizing human visual characteristics, and are data generated by photographing a predetermined subject from a left view and a right view by using two cameras. As such, by generating and reproducing a separated image on left and right eyes of a user, the user can view an image displayed in a stereoscopic manner. When only one of the first image data  232  and the second image data  234  is reproduced, the user can view a 2D image. When the first image data  232  and the second image data  234  are reproduced by being synthesized, the user can view a 3D stereoscopic image. First audio data  238  within the first image track  237  is data regarding a audio, which is to be added to a 3D stereoscopic image. Meanwhile, the third image track  235  includes third image data  236 , which corresponds to a characteristic of the present invention, and the second audio track  239   a  includes a second audio data  239   b . Herein, the second audio track  239   a  and the second audio data  239   b  are used to reproduce and display a 2D image on a portion of the 3D stereoscopic image. 
         [0034]    Such a conception of displaying a 2D image on a portion of a 3D stereoscopic image is shown in  FIG. 3 . In other words,  FIG. 3  shows that a 2D image  310  is separately reproduced and displayed on a portion of the 3D stereoscopic image  300 . For example, when a user views a caption of a 3D stereoscopic image, letters of the caption are also displayed in three dimensions, which causes severe eyestrain to the user. Therefore, the caption should be displayed in the format of a 2D image. 
         [0035]      FIG. 4A  is an exemplary view in which a caption of a 2D image is reproduced and displayed on a portion of a 3D stereoscopic image. Meanwhile, it is possible to reproduce and display additional images, such as news, or advertisements, as sub-images displayed in the form of a 2D image, which is illustrated in  FIGS. 4B and 4C . 
         [0036]    Second audio data  239   b  is data regarding a audio added to the 2D image  310 . When the 2D image  310  corresponds to a caption, the second audio data  239   b  may be skipped. Next, the moov area corresponding to a header area includes information  211  of first image data and information  212  of first audio data, and the meta  220  includes information  221  of second image data, information  222  of third image data, and information  223  of second audio data. Such information includes information about the number of total frames within each data, and a size of the frames, so that, when a 3D stereoscopic image  300  of  FIG. 3  is reproduced, it is possible to parse such information and synthesize respective data. In order to generate the 3D stereoscopic image  300 , the first image data  232  and the second image data  234  are respectively synthesized, and then the first audio data  238  is added to the synthesized image data. Meanwhile, the information  222  of the third image data is data used to generate the 2D image  310 . Since the 2D image  310  is reproduced and displayed on a portion of the 3D stereoscopic image  300 , the information  222  of the third image data includes information regarding a location and a size where the 2D image  310  is reproduced and displayed on the 3D stereoscopic image  300 , regarding a time when the 2D image  310  begins to be reproduced and displayed on the 3D stereoscopic image  300 , regarding a time during which the 2D image  310  is being reproduced and displayed, and regarding a time at which reproduction and display of the 2D image  310  is terminated. For example, information regarding a location at which the 2D image  310  is reproduced and displayed may be set by designating an upper-left-end vertex coordinate  311  and lower-right-end vertex coordinate  312 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . Meanwhile, the information  223  of the second audio data may be various types of information that are set to add the second audio data  239   b  to the 2D image  310 . When the 2D image  310  corresponds to a caption, the information  223  of the second audio data may be skipped. 
         [0037]    A second embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to  FIG. 2B .  FIG. 2B  is a diagram illustrating a storage format of a 3D stereoscopic image file according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The storage format of the 3D stereoscopic image file  202  of the present invention includes an mdat area  260  corresponding to a data area, a moov area  240  corresponding to a header area, and a meta area  250 . The difference between the storage format of the 3D stereoscopic image file  202  and the storage format of the 3D stereoscopic image file  201  lies in that the storage format of the 3D stereoscopic image file  202  includes one image track  261  containing all of the first image data  262 , the second image data  263 , and the third image data  264 . The storage scheme is a scheme for storing one from among the first image data  262 , the second image data  263 , and the third image data  264  in a predetermined order. Therefore, it is possible to construct image data with only one track. It is also possible to construct the first audio data  265 , the second audio data  266 , and the third audio data  267  with one audio track. 
         [0038]    The moov area  240  includes the information  241  of the first image data and the information  242  of the first audio data. Meanwhile, the meta area  250  includes information  251  of the second image data, information  252  of the third image data, and the information  253  of the second audio data. Each information includes the number of total frames within each data, a size of the frames, and a starting address pointing to the location where each data is stored in a corresponding track. Therefore, it is possible to reproduce the 3D stereoscopic image  300  by synthesizing the first image data  262  and the second image data  263 . The information  252  of the third image data includes a location and a size where the 2D image  310  is reproduced and displayed on the 3D stereoscopic image  300 , a time at which the 2D image  310  is reproduced and displayed, a time during which the 2D image  310  is reproduced and displayed, and a time when the reproduction and display of the 2D image  310  is terminated. In this way, it is possible to reproduce and display the 2D image  310 , generated from the third image data  264 , on a portion of the 3D stereoscopic image  300 . 
         [0039]    A third embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to  FIG. 2C .  FIG. 2C  is a diagram illustrating a storage format of a 3D stereoscopic image file according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The storage format  203  of the 3D stereoscopic image file according to the present invention also includes an mdat area  290  corresponding to a data area, a moov area  270  corresponding to a header area, and a meta area  280 . The storage format shown in  FIG. 2C  includes one image track  291 , as in the case of the storage format of the 3D stereoscopic image file  202  of  FIG. 2   b , and is different in that the storage format of  FIG. 2C  includes one image track  291  in which the first image data, the second image data, and the third image data  292  are stored by turns. Further, the storage format of  FIG. 2C  includes one audio track  293 , and is different in that first audio data and second audio data are also stored in one audio track  293 , as indicated by reference numeral  294 . The moov area  270  corresponding to the header area includes information  271  of first image data and information  272  of first audio data, and the meta area  280  includes information  281  of second image data, information  282  of third image data, and information  283  of second audio data, each including the number of total frames of each data, a size of the frames, and a starting address pointing to the location where each data is stored in a corresponding track. Meanwhile, unlike the 3D stereoscopic image file  202 , the 3D stereoscopic image file  203  further includes an offset indicating the displacement from data within each track until a next corresponding data. 
         [0040]    The information  282  of the third image data further includes a location and a size where the 2D image  310  is reproduced and displayed on the 3D stereoscopic image  300 , a time when the 2D image  310  begins to be reproduced and displayed on the 3D stereoscopic image  300 , a time during which the 2D image  310  is being reproduced and displayed on the 3D stereoscopic image  300 , and a time when the reproduction and display of the 2D image  310  on the 3D stereoscopic image  300  is terminated, all of which are used to reproduce and display the 2D image  310  generated from the third image data on a portion of the 3D stereoscopic image  300 . 
         [0041]    Standards regarding information requiring reproduction and display of the 2D image  310  on a portion of the 3D stereoscopic image  300  are proposed below. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 [Definition] 
               
               
                 Box Type: ‘sp2i’ 
               
               
                 Container: Sample Table Box(‘stbl’) 
               
               
                 mandatory: Yes 
               
               
                 Quantity: Zero or one 
               
               
                 [Syntax] 
               
               
                 aligned(8)  class  StereoscopicPartial2DInformationBox  extends 
               
               
                 FullBox(‘sp2i’, 
               
               
                 version=0, 0) 
               
               
                 { 
               
               
                   unsigned int(16) top_left_x; 
               
               
                   unsigned int(16) top_left_y; 
               
               
                   unsigned int(16) bottom_right_x; 
               
               
                   unsigned int(16) bottom_right_y; 
               
               
                   unsigned int(32) timescale; 
               
               
                   unsigned int(32) duration; 
               
               
                   unsigned int(32) start_time; 
               
               
                 } 
               
               
                 [Semantics] 
               
               
                 top_left_x:  top_left_x location at which partial monoscopic contents 
               
               
                 are reproduced 
               
               
                 top_left_y:  top_left_y location at which partial monoscopic contents 
               
               
                 are reproduced 
               
               
                 bottom_right_x:  bottom_right_x location at which partial monoscopic 
               
               
                 contents are reproduced 
               
               
                 bottom_right_y:  bottom_right_y location at which partial monoscopic 
               
               
                 contents are reproduced 
               
               
                 timescale:  timescale for presentation of monoscopic contents 
               
               
                 duration: duration for presentation of monoscopic contents 
               
               
                 start_time: value indicating a time interval from the starting of 
               
               
                 reproduction of stereoscopic contents to the starting of reproduction of 
               
               
                 monoscopic contents (second unit) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0042]    A system for generating and reproducing a stereoscopic image file using 3D stereoscopic image files  201  to  202  shown in  FIGS. 2A to 2C  are described. Such a system may broadly include a stereoscopic image file generating apparatus and a stereoscopic image file reproducing apparatus. First, the stereoscopic image file generating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to  FIG. 5 . 
         [0043]    The stereoscopic image file generating apparatus  500  includes a first camera  510 , a second camera  511 , an image signal processing unit  520 , a storage unit  530 , an encoding unit  540 , and a file generating unit  550 . 
         [0044]    The first camera  510  photographs a predetermined subject from a left view or a right view, and then outputs first image data, and the second camera  511  photographs the subject from a view different from that of the first camera  510  and then outputs second image data. 
         [0045]    The first image data and the second image data output from each of the first camera  510  and the second camera  511  are pre-processed by the image signal processing unit  520 . Herein, the pre-processing performed by the video signal processing unit  520  means conversion of an external image value, i.e., light and color components, that is an analog value recognized by a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) or a Complimentary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) type sensor, into a digital value. 
         [0046]    The storage unit  530  stores the first image data and the second image data pre-processed by the image signal processing unit  520  and provides the stored image data to the encoding unit  540 . The storage unit  530  also pre-stores third image data for generation of the 2D image  310 . In this case, the third image may be data for additional images, such as a caption, news, advertisements, etc. Although  FIG. 5  illustrates the storage unit  530 , it does not separately show a storage construction for buffering between the elements shown in  FIG. 5 . The encoding unit  540  encodes the first image data, the second image data, and the third image data provided from the storage unit  530 . The encoding operation performed by the encoding unit  540  includes encoding of data, which can be skipped as necessary. 
         [0047]    The file generating unit  550  generates 3D stereoscopic image files  201  to  203  by using the first image data, the second image data, and the third image data encoded by the encoding unit  540 . The first image data, the second image data, and the third image data are stored in an mdat area (i.e. a data area), information used to synthesize the first image data and the second image data for generation of the 3D stereoscopic image  300  is stored in the moov area (i.e. header area), and information used to generate the 2D image  310  from the third image data for reproduction and display of the generated 2D image  310  on a portion of the 3D stereoscopic image  300  is stored in a meta area. The generated stereoscopic image files  201  to  203  are input and transmitted to the stereoscopic image file reproducing apparatus, and then the stereoscopic image file reproducing apparatus generates and reproduces the 3D stereoscopic image  300  from the 3D stereoscopic image files  201  to  203 . Hereinafter, the stereoscopic image file reproducing apparatus will be described. 
         [0048]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating a construction of a stereoscopic image file reproducing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 6 , the stereoscopic image file reproducing apparatus  600  includes a file parsing unit  610 , a decoding unit  620 , a storage unit  630 , a reproducing unit  640 , and a display unit  650 . 
         [0049]    The file parsing unit  610  receives and parses the 3D stereoscopic image file generated by the file generating unit  550  of the stereoscopic image file generating apparatus  500 . The file parsing unit  610  parses information of first image data, information of second image data, and information of third image data stored respectively in the moov area and the meta area, and then extracts the first image data, the second image data, and the third image data stored in the mdat area. 
         [0050]    The decoding unit  620  decodes the extracted first image data, second image data, and third image data, which is preformed in the case where the stereoscopic image file generating apparatus  500  uses the encoding unit  540  to perform encoding. Then, decoded data is stored in the storage unit  630 . The reproducing unit  640  makes reference to the information of the first image data and the information of the second image data, and reproduces the 3D stereoscopic image  300  obtained by synthesizing the first image data and the second image data stored in the storage unit  630 . Then, the display unit  650  displays the reproduced 3D stereoscopic image  300 . Herein, the reproducing unit  640  reproduces the 3D stereoscopic image  300  together with the 2D image  310 , which is obtained by making reference to the information of the third image data to generate and reproduce the 2D image  310 . Then, the display unit  650  displays the 2D image  310  on a portion of the 3D stereoscopic image  300 . 
         [0051]    Next, a method for generating and reproducing a stereoscopic image file by using such a 3D stereoscopic image file format is described. 
         [0052]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating a method for generating a stereoscopic image file according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 5 , the method includes a photographing step (S 710 ), a pre-processing step (S 720 ), an encoding step (S 730 ), and a file generating step (S 740 ). 
         [0053]    In step S 710 , a predetermined subject is photographed from a left view or a right view, and first image data is output. Then, the subject is photographed from another view and second image data is output. 
         [0054]    In step S 720 , the first image data and the second image data are pre-processed, and converted into digital signals from analog signals recognized by the CCD or CMOS type sensor. 
         [0055]    In step S 730 , the first image data, the second image data, and the third image data stored in the storage unit  530  are encoded. Step S 730  can be skipped if necessary. 
         [0056]    In step S 740 , a 3D stereoscopic image file is generated using the first image data and the second image data having been encoded in the encoding unit  540 . The 3D stereoscopic image file may be generated as described in  FIGS. 2A to 2C . 
         [0057]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating a method for reproducing a stereoscopic image file according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 8 , the method for reproducing the stereoscopic image file includes a file parsing step (S 810 ), a decoding step (S 820 ), an image generating step (S 830 ), and a reproducing and display step (S 840 ).  FIG. 8  illustrates a method for reproducing the stereoscopic image file generated in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0058]    In step S 810 , first image data, second image data, and third image data are extracted using information of first image data, information of second image data, and information of third image data stored in either of the moov area or the meta area of the stereoscopic image file. 
         [0059]    In step S 820 , the first image data, the second image data, and the third image data are decoded. When the decoding step (S 730 ) is skipped in the method for generating the stereoscopic image file, the decoding step (S 820 ) is also skipped. 
         [0060]    In step S 830 , the 3D stereoscopic image  300  is generated by synthesizing the first image data and the second image data decoded in step S 820 . The 2D image  310  is generated from the third image data. In step S 840 , the 3D stereoscopic image  300  generated in the above-described generating step is reproduced and displayed on the display unit  650  and the 2D image  310  is reproduced and displayed on a portion of the 3D stereoscopic image  300 . Such a display unit  650  can perform reproduction, even in a general Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). 
         [0061]    While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain preferred 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.