Patent Publication Number: US-2016241846-A1

Title: Method and device for processing image

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Example embodiments of the following description relate to image processing, and more particularly, to an image processing apparatus and method that generate a plurality of multi-view output images. 
     RELATED ART 
     Methods for an imaging apparatus to provide a three-dimensional (3D) stereoscopic image to a viewer include a method using a stereo scheme based on binocular parallax, a method using a volumetric display that forms a stereoscopic image directly on a space, and a method using a holography display based on optical interference. 
     When the 3D stereoscopic image is provided to the viewer of the imaging apparatus by the stereoscopic scheme based on binocular parallax, output images having different views, generated by the imaging apparatus, are projected to a left eye and a right eye of the viewer of the imaging apparatus. The output images may be divided into images to be projected to the left eye and images to be projected to the right eye by 3D glasses the viewer is wearing. 
     Alternatively, the output images may be divided into images to be projected to the left eye and images to be projected to the right eye by an optical lens that may be disposed at a front side of a display panel of the imaging apparatus. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Solution 
     The foregoing and/or other aspects are achieved by providing an image processing method performed by an imaging apparatus, the method including generating a plurality of output images of multi-views based on a plurality of input images, and outputting the plurality of output images, wherein views of the plurality of output images are different from one another, and an order from a left to a right of regions to which the plurality of output images are projected in a space in which the plurality of output images are projected is opposite to an order from a left to a right of the views of the plurality of output images. 
     The plurality of output images may be projected in a continuous space. 
     The continuous space may be plural in number. 
     The plurality of output images may be projected to each of the plurality of continuous spaces in a same order. 
     The plurality of input images may include a left input image and a right input image. 
     The plurality of output images may include a leftmost view output image corresponding to the left input image and a rightmost view output image corresponding to the right input image. 
     The rightmost view output image may be projected to a leftmost side of the plurality of output images. 
     The leftmost view output image may be projected to a rightmost side of the plurality of output images. 
     A right view output image among the plurality of output images may be projected to a left eye of a viewer when the viewer is located in one of the plurality of continuous spaces. 
     A left view output image among the plurality of output images may be projected to a right eye of the viewer when the viewer is located in one of the plurality of continuous spaces. 
     The left view output image and the right view output image may be images having neighboring views among the plurality of output images. 
     A view of the left view output image may be located on a left side of a view of the right view output image. 
     The leftmost view output image may be projected to the left eye of the viewer when the viewer is located in two of the plurality of continuous spaces. 
     The rightmost view output image may be projected to the right eye of the viewer when the viewer is located in two of the plurality of continuous spaces. 
     A difference in views between two neighboring output images among the plurality of output images may be within 1 view. 
     A difference in views between the leftmost view output image and the rightmost view output image among the plurality of output images may be 1 view. 
     The plurality of output images may include at least three output images. 
     The plurality of input output images may include a left input image and a right input image. 
     The plurality of output images may include a leftmost view output image corresponding to the left input image, a rightmost view output image corresponding to the right input image, and an interpolated image. 
     The interpolated image may be generated based on interpolation between the left input image and the right input image. 
     The plurality of input images may include a left input image and a right input image. 
     The plurality of output images may include a leftmost view output image corresponding to the left input image, a rightmost view output image corresponding to the right input image, and an interpolated image. 
     The rightmost view output image may be projected to a leftmost side of the plurality of output images. 
     The leftmost view output image may be projected to a rightmost side of the plurality of output images. 
     The plurality of input images may include a left input image and a right input image. 
     A difference in views between the left input image and the right input image may be 1 view. 
     The 1 view may be determined based on an interpupillary distance (IPD) of a viewer, predicted with respect to the imaging apparatus. 
     A difference in views of two neighboring output images of the plurality of output images may be uniform. 
     The imaging apparatus may include a plurality of pixels. 
     Pixels corresponding to the plurality of output images may be neighboring pixels among the plurality of pixels. 
     The imaging apparatus may include a plurality of lenses. 
     Lights emitted by the neighboring pixels are projected through a lens disposed in front of the neighboring pixels among the plurality of lenses. 
     The lens may project the lights of the neighboring pixels in a direction opposite to a direction from a left to a right of the neighboring pixels. 
     The plurality of output images may be projected to each of the plurality of continuous spaces in a same order. 
     The lens may project the lights of the neighboring pixels to each of the plurality of continuous spaces. 
     The foregoing and/or other aspects are also achieved by providing an image processing apparatus including an image processor to generate a plurality of output images of multi-views based on a plurality of input images, and an image outputter to output the plurality of output images, views of the plurality of output images are different from one another, and an order from a left to a right of regions to which the plurality of output images are projected in a space in which the plurality of output images are projected is opposite to an order from a left to a right of the views of the plurality of output images. 
     The plurality of output images may be projected in a continuous space. 
     The continuous space may be plural. 
     The plurality of output images may be projected to each of the plurality of continuous spaces in a same order. 
     The plurality of input images may include a left input image and a right input image. 
     The plurality of output images may include a leftmost view output image corresponding to the left input image and a rightmost view output image corresponding to the right input image. 
     The rightmost view output image may be projected to a leftmost side of the plurality of output images. 
     The leftmost view output image may be projected to a rightmost side of the plurality of output images. 
     A right view output image among the plurality of output images may be projected to a left eye of a viewer. 
     A left view output image among the plurality of output images may be projected to a right eye of the viewer when the viewer is located in one of the plurality of continuous spaces. 
     The left view output image and the right view output image may be images having neighboring views among the plurality of output images. 
     A view of the left view output image may be on a left side of a view of the right view output image. 
     The leftmost view output image may be projected to the left eye of the viewer when the viewer is located in two of the plurality of continuous spaces. 
     The rightmost view output image may be projected to the right eye of the viewer when the viewer is located in two of the plurality of continuous spaces. 
     The image outputter may include a plurality of pixels. 
     Pixels corresponding to the plurality of output images may be neighboring pixels among the plurality of pixels. 
     The image outputter may further include a plurality of lenses. 
     Lights emitted by the neighboring pixels may be projected through a lens disposed in front of the neighboring pixels among the plurality of lenses. 
     The lens may project the lights of the neighboring pixels in a direction opposite to a direction from a left to a right of the neighboring pixels. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an imaging apparatus according to example embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an image processing method according to example embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an output image generation method according to example embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a plurality of output images projected to a predetermined space, according to example embodiments. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a plurality of output images projected to a plurality of predetermined spaces, according to example embodiments. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates relationships between a plurality of output images projected to a predetermined space and a viewer, according to example embodiments. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a plurality of output images projected to a plurality of predetermined spaces by a lens, according to example embodiments. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates view differences among a plurality of output images projected to a predetermined space, according to example embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Hereinafter, example embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an imaging apparatus  100  according to example embodiments. 
     In  FIG. 1 , the imaging apparatus  100  adapted to process an image based on an input image is shown. 
     The imaging apparatus  100  may include a communicator  110 , an image processor  120 , an image outputter  130 , and a storage  140 . 
     The imaging apparatus  100  may be adapted to process an input image and output an output image perceived as a three-dimensional (3D) stereoscopic to a viewer. As each of output images having different views is projected to a left eye and a right eye of the viewer, the viewer may perceive an image output from the imaging apparatus  100  as the 3D stereoscopic image without 3D glasses. For example, the imaging apparatus  100  may be a non-glasses 3D display device such as a 3D television (TV), a mobile phone, and a 3D monitor, or a 3D stereoscopic image generation device included in the 3D TV, the mobile phone, and the 3D monitor. 
     The imaging apparatus  100  may be a multi-view 3D display device. The multi-view 3D display device may have a relatively wider viewing range, by which the viewer of the imaging apparatus  100  perceives the 3D stereoscopic image, than a viewing range of a 2-view 3D display device. That is, the viewer of the multi-view 3D display device may perceive the 3D stereoscopic image in a wider range than the viewer of the 2-view 3D display device. 
     The viewer of the imaging apparatus  100  may perceive the 3D stereoscopic image at a predetermined proper viewing distance from the imaging apparatus  100 . The predetermined proper viewing distance may be determined according to functions and characteristics of components of the imaging apparatus  100 . The predetermined proper viewing distance may be a distance between the imaging apparatus  100  and the viewer of the imaging apparatus  100 , the distance at which the output image of the imaging apparatus  100  may be most clearly seen as the 3D stereoscopic image to the viewer. That is, when the distance between the imaging apparatus  100  and the viewer is the predetermined proper viewing distance, the output images having different views may be accurately projected to the left eye and the right eye of the viewer. 
     A communicator  190  may be a device separated from the imaging apparatus  100 . The communicator  190  may be a device adapted to transmit an input image to the imaging apparatus  100  through a wired or wireless communication line. 
     As the input image input from the communicator  190  is processed and output by the imaging apparatus  100 , the viewer of the imaging apparatus  100  may perceive the 3D stereoscopic image. The input image input to the communicator  190  may be an image processed by the imaging apparatus  100 . The input image may be an image used for generation of the output image. The communicator  190  may be a part of a stereo camera system, which is adapted to transmit a 2-view image taken by the stereo camera to the imaging apparatus  100 . 
     The input image may be a 2-view image taken by the stereo camera. The input image may be data formed by compressing or encoding a 2-view image. 
     The communicator  110  may receive the input image from the communicator  190  through a wired or wireless communication line. The communicator  110  may transmit the received input image to the image processor  120 . Alternatively, the communicator  110  may store the received input image in the storage  140 . 
     The communicator  110  may be a hardware module such as a network interface card, a network interface chip, and a network interface port. 
     The image processor  120  may be adapted to process calculation necessary for generation of the plurality of output images having different views based on the input image. For example, when the input image is encoded data, the image processor  120  may perform decoding of the input image. The image processor  120  may include at least one processor for processing calculation necessary for generation of the plurality of output images. For example, the image processor  120  may include a graphics processing unit (GPU). 
     The image processor  120  may generate a plurality of output images of multi-views. The input image may be an image received from the communicator  190  described above or an image stored in the storage  140  that will be described later. The input image may be a 2-view image or a 2D image including depth information. 
     A method of generating the output images having different views from the input image will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
     The storage  140  may store at least one of information related to setting and operation of the imaging apparatus  100  and the input image. The input image stored in the storage  140  may be an image transmitted from the communicator  190  or an image transmitted from an external electronic device or electronic medium other than the communicator  190 . For example, the input image stored in the storage  140  may include depth information. 
     The storage  140  may be a hardware module for storing information, such as a hard disc drive (HDD), a solid stage drive (SSD), and a flash memory. 
     The image outputter  130  may be adapted to output the output image generated by the image processor  120 , and to project the output image to a space in which the viewer of the imaging apparatus  100  may perceive the 3D stereoscopic image. 
     Although not shown, the image outputter  130  may include a display panel. The display panel of the image outputter  130  may include a plurality of pixels. For example, the image outputter  130  may be a liquid crystal display (LC), a plasma display panel (PDP), or an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display. 
     The output image generated by the image processor  120  may be output by being assigned to the pixels of the image outputter  130 . The output image output by the image outputter  130  may be projected to the left eye and the right eye of the viewer located at the predetermined proper viewing distance from the image outputter  130 . 
     A method related to output of the output image generated by the image processor  120  by the image outputter  130  and projection of the output image generated by the image processor  120  to the space will be described in further detail with reference to  FIGS. 2 to 8 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an image processing method according to example embodiments. 
     According to the above description related to  FIG. 1 , the image processor  120  generates the plurality of output images of multi-views based on the input image, and the image outputter  130  outputs the plurality of output images generated by the image processor  120 . 
     In operation  210 , the communicator  110  may receive a plurality of input images. The plurality of input images may be a plurality of images having different views from one another. The plurality of input images may include a left input image which is an image having a left view and a right input image which is an image having a right view in comparison to the left input image. 
     The left input image may further include leftmost information not included in the right input image. That is, information included in the left input image may correspond to visual information recognized by a left eye of a viewer. The right input image may further include rightmost information not included in the left input image. That is, information included in the right input image may correspond to visual information recognized by a right eye of a viewer. For example, the left input image and the right input image may be images taken by lenses of a stereo camera. 
     In operation  220 , the image processor  120  may generate the plurality of output images of the multi-views based on the plurality of input images. That is, each of the plurality of output images may be generated from the plurality of input images including the left input image and the right input image. 
     The views of the plurality of output images generated by the image processor  120  may be different from one another. For example, the plurality of output images may include a leftmost view output image corresponding to the left input image that includes the leftmost information and a rightmost view output image corresponding to the right input image that includes the rightmost information among the plurality of input images. 
     A number of the plurality of output images generated by the image processor  120  may be different from a number of the plurality of input images. For example, the number of the output images may be larger than the number of the input images. The plurality of input images may be images taken through the lenses of the stereo camera. When the number of the plurality of input images is two, the plurality of output images may include at least one middle view output image having different view, in addition to the leftmost view output image and the rightmost view output image. 
     The middle view output images may further include information of a right side of the leftmost view output image view and information of a left side of the rightmost view output image. For example, the plurality of output images generated by the image processor  120  may include at least three output images. In this case, two of the plurality of output images may be the leftmost view output image and the rightmost view output image. 
     A method of generating the plurality of output images of multi-views from the plurality of input images will be described in further detail with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
     In operation  230 , the image outputter  130  may output the plurality of output images generated by the image processor  120 . The plurality of output images may be output from different positions on the display panel of the image outputter  130 . The positions on the display panel, from which the plurality of output images are output, may be the pixels of the display panel, each of which is allocated with each of the output images. The plurality of output images may be output from neighboring pixels of the display panel. The pixels corresponding to the plurality of output images may be neighboring pixels among the plurality of pixels of the display panel. The pixels corresponding to the plurality of output images may be pixels from which the plurality of output images are output, among the plurality of pixels of the image outputter  130 . For example, the output images may be output from each of the neighboring pixels of the display panel of the image outputter  130  in the order of views from the leftmost view output image to the rightmost view output image. 
     The output images output from the pixels of the image outputter  130  may be lights that include information related to the output images. For example, the information on the output images included in the lights output from the pixels may be color information, such as red (R), green (G), and blue (B) values, of the output images. 
     The plurality of output images generated by the image processor  120  may be projected in a continuous space. Regions to which the plurality of output images are not projected may be present between respective regions to which the plurality of output images are projected within a predetermined space to which the plurality of output images are projected. That is, the plurality of output images may be projected without generating gaps or such that only a gap not perceivable by the viewer is generated within the predetermined space. 
     The regions to which the plurality of output images are projected within the predetermined space may be different from one another. That is, there may be no region in which at least two output images are redundantly projected within the predetermined space to which the plurality of output images are projected. 
     When the plurality of output images generated by the image processor  120  are projected to a predetermined space located on a plane distanced by the predetermined proper viewing distance from the imaging apparatus  100 , the plurality of output images may be projected in the continuous space. The regions to which the plurality of output images are projected in the predetermined space may be different from one another. In this case, the viewer of the imaging apparatus  100  located in the predetermined space may perceive the output images in every region of the predetermined space. Only one output image of the plurality of output images may be projected to the left eye and the right eye of the viewer. 
     A method related to projection of the plurality of output images generated by the image processor  120  to the space will be described in further detail with reference to  FIGS. 4 to 8 . 
     Since the technical features above described with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2  may be directly applied, a detailed description will be omitted. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an output image generation method according to example embodiments. 
       FIG. 3  shows a case in which the plurality of output images are generated by the plurality of input images including a left input image  310  and a right input image  320  described with reference to  FIG. 2 . Position differences of circles marked in images  310  to  345  may indicate view differences of the images  310  to  345 . 
     The left input image  310  and the right input image  320  may be images taken by the stereo camera, that is, input images stored in the storage  140  of  FIG. 1  or images transmitted from the communicator  190  to the imaging apparatus  100 . 
     The input images  310  and  320  may include predetermined depth information indicating a sense of depth of an object expressed in the input images  310  and  320 . For example, when only the left input image  310  is projected to the left eye and the right eye of the viewer of the imaging apparatus  100 , the viewer may feel a stereoscopic feeling with respect to the object expressed in the left input image  310  through predetermined depth information of the left input image  310  based on experiential perception. The predetermined depth information expressing the sense of depth of the object expressed in the input images  310  and  320  may include at least one of shape information, size information, distance information, occlusion information, and lighting information of the object. 
     A view difference between the left input image  310  and the right input image  320  may be 1 view. The view difference between the left input image  310  and the right input image  320  may be determined based on an interpupillary distance (IPD) of the viewer of the imaging apparatus  100 , predicted with respect to the imaging apparatus  100 . For example, when the view difference between images is 1 view, 1 view may be equivalent to 1 IPD. 1 IPD may be determined based on an IPD of a general person. That is, a view difference between visual information perceived by a left eye of the general person and visual information perceived by a right eye may be 1 IPD. 1 IPD may correspond to a distance between two lenses of the stereo camera. 
     When the left input image  310  is projected to the left eye and the right input image  320  is projected to the right eye, and when the view difference between the left input image  310  and the right input image  320  is 1 IPD, the viewer of the imaging apparatus  100  may perceive input images projected to both eyes as a stereoscopic image. 
     The images  330  to  350 , as output images generated from the left input image  310  and the right input image  320 , may include a leftmost view output image  330 , a first middle view output image  335 , a second middle view output image  340 , and a rightmost view output image  345 . 
     The leftmost view output image  330  may correspond to the left input image  310 . That is, information included in the leftmost view output image  330  may correspond to the visual information perceived by a left eye of a viewer. The rightmost view output image  345  may correspond to the right output image  320 . That is, information included in the rightmost view output image  345  may correspond to visual information perceived by a right eye of a viewer. 
     Each of the middle view output images may further include information of a right side of the leftmost view output image and information of a left side of the rightmost view output image. That is, each of the middle view output images may be output images of views present between a leftmost view and a rightmost view among the plurality of output images. 
     The plurality of output images  330  to  345  generated from the input images  310  and  320  may include the leftmost view output image  330  corresponding to the left input image  310 , the rightmost view output image  345  corresponding to the right input image  320 , and an interpolated image of the plurality of input images  310  and  320 . The interpolated image may be generated based on interpolation between the left input image  310  and the right input image  320 . The interpolated image may be generated as at least one image of different views. For example, the first middle view output image  335  and the second middle view output image  340  may be the interpolated images generated based on interpolation between the left input image  310  and the right input image  320 . 
     The interpolation between the left input image  310  and the right input image  320  may refer to generation of middle view images present between the view of the left input image  310  and the view of the right input image  320 , using information included in the left input image  310  and the right input image  320 . The image processor  120  may generate the interpolated image by applying an image interpolation method to the left input image  310  and the right input image  320 . The image interpolation method may apply at least one generally known algorithm used for image interpolation. 
     The plurality of output images  330  to  345  may include predetermined depth information included in the input images  310  and  320 . 
     Each of the plurality of output images  330  to  345  may be projected to different regions of the predetermined space described with reference to  FIG. 2  by the image outputter  130 . For example, each of the plurality of output images  330  to  345  may be projected to each of four regions evenly divided from a predetermined space from a leftmost region to a rightmost region. 
     A method of projecting the plurality of output images  330  to  345  to the predetermined space will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 4 to 8 . 
     Although  FIG. 4  shows only a case in which four input images are generated from two input images, the foregoing description may also be applied when at least five output images are generated from at least one input image. When a plurality of output images are generated from one input image, the input image may include additional information for generation of the plurality of output images, for example, depth information. 
     When an N-number of output images are generated by the image processor  120 , the imaging apparatus  100  may be an N-view non-glasses 3D display device. For example, when four input images  330  to  345  are generated by the image processor  120 , the imaging apparatus  100  may be a four-view non-glasses 3D display device. 
     Since the technical features described with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2  may be directly applied, a detailed description will be omitted. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a plurality of output images projected to a predetermined space, according to example embodiments. 
     In a case of  FIG. 4 , the plurality of output images  330  to  345  output by the image outputter  130  are projected to different regions of a continuous space  410 . The plurality of output images  330  to  345  may be projected in the continuous space  410 . 
     The continuous space  410  may be located on a plane distance by the predetermined proper viewing distance from the imaging apparatus  100  as described with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
     Values of from 1 to 2 marked in the plurality of output images  330  to  345  may be relative values for distinguishing the view difference among the plurality of output images  330  to  345 . For example, a value 1 marked in the leftmost view output image  330  may indicate a leftmost view image. As a number marked in the output image is larger, the output image may have a more right view. A value marked in the rightmost view output image  345  may be 2. A view difference between the leftmost view output image  330  and the rightmost view output image  345  is 1. That is, the view difference between the leftmost view output image  330  and the rightmost view output image  345  is 1 IPD. 
     Therefore, the view difference between the leftmost view output image  330  and the rightmost view output image  345  among the plurality of output images  330  to  345  may be 1. A view difference between two neighboring output images among the plurality of output images  330  to  345  may be within 1 view. Out of views of the plurality of output images  330  to  345 , view differences between two neighboring output images may be uniform. For example, as illustrated, the view difference between neighboring images among the plurality of output images  330  to  345  may be uniform. However, in a case of  FIG. 4 , digits after a second decimal place are truncated for convenience. Alternatively, the image processor  120  may control the view difference between two neighboring output images among the plurality of output images  330  to  345 . For example, when generating the interpolated images, the image processor  120  may control the view difference between the two neighboring output images by adjusting variables used for the image interpolation method applied to the left input image  310  and the right input image  320 . 
     An order from the left side to the right side of the regions to which the plurality of output images  330  to  345  are projected in the continuous space  410  in which the plurality of output images  330  to  345  are projected may be opposite to an order from the left side to the right side of the views of the plurality of output images  330  to  345 . For example, as illustrated, the plurality of output images  330  to  345  may be output in the order from the left side to the right side of the views of the plurality of output images  330  to  345  to neighboring pixels of the image outputter  130 , in the order from the left side to the right side of the pixels. The plurality of output images  330  to  345  may be projected to from the leftmost region to the right side of the four evenly divided regions of the continuous region  410  which is continuous from the right side to the left side of the views of the plurality of output images  330  to  345 . The four evenly divided regions may have equal sizes. A width of each of the four evenly divided regions may be 1 IPD or less. That is, each region of the continuous space  410  that the plurality of output images  330  to  345  reach may have a width of 1 IPD or less. 
     For example, the rightmost view output image  345  out of the plurality of output images  330  to  345  may be projected to the leftmost region of the continuous space  410 . In addition, the leftmost view output image  330  may be projected to the rightmost region of the continuous space  410 . As illustrates, the second middle view output image  340 , which is a more right image between the first middle view output image  335  and the second middle view output image  340 , may be projected to a region neighboring a right side of the region to which the rightmost view output image  345  is projected in the continuous space  410 . The first middle view output image  335  may be projected to a region neighboring a left side of the region to which the leftmost view output image  330  is projected in the continuous space  410 . 
     Since the foregoing technical features of  FIGS. 1 to 3  may be directly applied, a detailed description will be omitted. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a plurality of output images projected to a plurality of predetermined spaces, according to example embodiments. 
     The continuous space  410  to which the plurality of output images  330  to  345  are projected may be plural. The plurality of output images  330  to  345  may be projected to each of the plurality of continuous spaces in a same order as when projected to the continuous space  410 . 
     A set  510  of the neighboring pixels of the image outputter  130  outputting the plurality of output images  330  to  345  may be plural. The plurality of output images  330  to  345  may be output in each pixel of the plurality of sets  510 ,  510 - 1 , and  510 - 2 , in a same order as when output in pixels of the set  510 . The sets  510 ,  510 - 1 , and  510 - 2  may be present in continuous positions on the image outputter  130 . 
     Although not illustrated in  FIG. 5  for convenience, the plurality of output images  330  to  345  output from the sets  510 ,  510 - 1 , and  510 - 2  of the plurality of pixels may be projected to each of the continuous spaces in the same as when projected to the continuous space  410 . 
     According to an increase in number of the sets  510 , a number of the continuous spaces  410  may be increased. The continuous space  410  may be a viewing range by which the viewer of the imaging apparatus  100  may perceive the 3D stereoscopic image. That is, according to an increase in the number of the sets  510 , the viewing range by which the viewer may perceive the 3D stereoscopic image may be increased. 
     Although  FIG. 5  shows the sets arranged in only a lateral direction of the image outputter  130 , the sets may be arranged in a longitudinal direction of the image outputter  130 . 
     Perceiving of the 3D stereoscopic image of the plurality of output images  330  to  345  projected to the plurality of continuous spaces in the continuous space  410  by the viewer will be described in further details, with reference to  FIG. 6 . 
     Since the foregoing technical features of  FIGS. 1 to 4  may be directly applied, a detailed description will be omitted. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates relationships between a plurality of output images projected to a predetermined space and a viewer, according to example embodiments. 
     The left eye and the right eye of the viewer of the imaging apparatus  100  may be located in the plurality of continuous spaces described with reference to  FIG. 5 . For example, continuous spaces  410  and  610  may correspond to the plurality of continuous spaces of  FIG. 5 . The continuous space  610  may be a space equivalent to the continuous space  410  and neighboring the continuous space  410 . 
     Since the left eye and the right eye of the viewer are located in the plurality of spaces present on the plane distanced by the predetermined proper viewing distance from the imaging apparatus  100 , different output images among the plurality of output images  330  to  345  may be projected to the left eye and the right eye, respectively. That is, the continuous spaces  410  and  610  may be the viewing range of the viewer. 
     Although the plurality of output images are output as a whole to the pixels of the set  510  in  FIG. 6 , information corresponding to only a part of the image may be output to the pixels of the set  510 . 
     When the leftmost view output image  330  is projected to the left eye of the viewer and the rightmost view output image  345  is projected to the right eye of the viewer, a stereoscopic image is provided to the viewer. The viewer may perceive output images of the stereoscopic image projected to both eyes as the 3D stereoscopic image. Conversely, when the rightmost view output image  345  is projected to the left eye of the viewer and the leftmost view output image  330  is projected to the right eye of the viewer, a pseudoscopic image may be provided to the viewer. The viewer may not perceive output images of the pseudoscopic image as the 3D stereoscopic image. In case of the pseudoscopic image, view differences between the output images projected to both eyes of the viewer may be totally inverted from the views differences of the stereoscopic image. Therefore, a stereoscopic feeling opposite to the stereoscopic feeling based on the experiential perception of the viewer may be obtained. The viewer may not perceive the input images of the pseudoscopic image projected to both eyes as the 3D stereoscopic image and may feel fatigue when viewing the input images of the pseudoscopic image. 
     When the right view output image is projected to the left eye and the left view output image is projected to the right eye, when a view of the left view output image is a more left view than a view of the right view output image, and when the view difference between the left view output image and the right view output image is less than 1 view, a semi-pseudoscopic image may be provided to the viewer. The viewer may perceive output images of the semi-pseudoscopic image as the 3D stereoscopic image. The viewer of the imaging apparatus  100  may perceive the output images of the semi-pseudoscopic image projected to both eyes as the 3D stereoscopic image through predetermined depth information included in the aforementioned output images of  FIG. 3 . The output images of the semi-pseudoscopic image may be similar to the output images of the pseudoscopic image. Since the view difference between the output images projected to both eyes of the viewer is less than 1 view, the viewer may feel the stereoscopic feeling with respect to an object expressed in the output images through the predetermined depth information included in the output images of the semi-pseudoscopic image, based on the experiential perception. For example, the viewer may perceive a bright part of the object expressed in the object projected to both eyes as a prominent part, based on occlusion information and lighting information included in the output images. Also, the viewer may perceive a dark part of the object as a depressed part. 
     As shown in (1) to (3) of  FIG. 6 , when the left eye and the right eye of the viewer are located in the continuous space  410  between the plurality of continuous spaces  410  and  610 , the right view output image may be projected to the left eye of the viewer and the left view output image may be projected to the right eye of the viewer among the plurality of output images  330  to  345 . The left view output image and the right view output image may be images having neighboring views among the plurality of output images  330  to  345 . The view of the left view output image may be a more left view than the view of the right view output image. The view difference between the left view output image and the right view output image projected to both eyes of the viewer may be less than 1 view. The view difference between the left view output image and the right view output image may be semi-pseudoscopic. That is, when the viewer is located in the continuous space  410 , the semi-pseudoscopic image may be provided to the viewer. The view difference between the left view output image and the right view output image may be uniform. 
     As shown in (4) of  FIG. 6 , when the viewer of the imaging apparatus  100  is located in two of the continuous spaces  410  and  610 , the leftmost view output image  330  is projected to the left eye and the rightmost view output image  345  is projected to the right eye of the viewer. The view difference between the leftmost view output image  330  and the rightmost view output image  345  may be 1 view. The view difference between the leftmost view output image  330  and the rightmost view output image  345  may be stereoscopic. That is, the stereoscopic image may be provided to the viewer when the viewer is located in two of the continuous spaces  410  and  610 . 
     Since the view difference between the views of the images projected to both eye of the viewer in every possible position in the continuous spaces  410  and  610  is semi-pseudoscopic or stereoscopic, the viewer may perceive the output images projected to both eyes in every position of the continuous spaces  410  and  610  as the 3D stereoscopic image. That is, the semi-pseudoscopic image or stereoscopic image having a view difference of 1 view may be provided to the viewer in the viewing range of the imaging apparatus  100 . 
     The 3D stereoscopic images perceived by the viewer in (1) to (4) may be based on two neighboring output images among the plurality of output images  330  to  345  or based on the leftmost view output image  330  and the rightmost view output image  345  among the plurality of output images  330  to  345 . Accordingly, the 3D stereoscopic images may be different from one another. 
     Since technical features described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 4  may be directly applied, a detailed description will be omitted. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a plurality of output images projected to a plurality of predetermined spaces by a lens, according to example embodiments. 
     The imaging apparatus  100  may include a plurality of lenses  720 ,  720 - 1 , and  720 - 2 . The plurality of lenses  720 ,  720 - 1 , and  720 - 2  may be included in the image outputter  130 . The plurality of lenses  720 ,  720 - 1 , and  720 - 2  may be a set of lenses arranged in a lateral direction of the image outputter  130 , that is, a lens array. The lens array may be arranged also in a longitudinal direction of the image outputter  130 . 
     In  FIG. 7 , the plurality of output images  330  to  345  output from the set  510  of the pixels of  FIG. 5  are projected to the plurality of continuous spaces by a lens  720 . Although the plurality of output images  330  to  345  are shown as if being emitted from the lens  720  and projected to the continuous space  410  in  FIG. 7 , the plurality of output images  330  to  345  may be projected to the plurality of continuous spaces as the lights are emitted from the pixels of the set  510  and the emitted lights are refracted by passing through the lens  720 . 
     In addition, although  FIG. 7  shows four continuous spaces as the plurality of the continuous spaces, the number of the continuous spaces may be increased according to the number of the sets  510 ,  510 - 1 , and  510 - 2 . 
     The number of the sets  510 ,  510 - 1 , and  510 - 2  may be equal to the number of the lenses. 
     The plurality of output images  330  to  345  output from the set  510  may be lights including information related to the output images  330  to  345 . For example, the information of the output images  330  to  345  included in the lights emitted from the pixels of the set  510  may be color information, such as RGB values, of the output images  330  to  345 . 
     The lights emitted from neighboring pixels of the set  510  may be projected through the lens  720  disposed in front of the neighboring pixels among the plurality of lenses  720 ,  720 - 1 , and  720 - 2 . The plurality of lenses  720 ,  720 - 1 , and  720 - 2  may refract the lights emitted from the set  510  and project the lights to the plurality of continuous spaces. 
     The lens  720  may project the lights of the neighboring pixels of the set  510  in an opposite direction to a direction from the left side to the right side of the neighboring pixels. The lens  720  may project the lights of the neighboring pixels of the set  510  to each of the plurality of continuous spaces. 
     The plurality of lenses may be made of a plastic material. 
     For example, the plurality of lenses  720 ,  720 - 1 , and  720 - 2  may be lenticular lenses. The lens  720  may have characteristic of a convex lens. 
     Different from as shown in the drawing, each of the plurality of lenses may correspond to each of the pixels of the image outputter  130 . Therefore, the number of the pixels of the image outputter  130  may be equal to number of the plurality of lenses. In this case, the plurality of lenses may each have a hemispherical shape. 
     Alternatively, each of the plurality of lenses may have a semicylinder shape extending in the longitudinal direction of the image outputter  130 . The number of the plurality of lenses may be equal to the number of the sets  510 ,  510 - 1 , and  510 - 2  arranged in the lateral direction of the image outputter  130  or to the number of pixels arranged in the lateral direction of the image outputter  130 . The plurality of semicylinder lenses may be arranged in a diagonal direction other than the longitudinal direction of the image outputter  130 . 
     The plurality of lenses may be provided in the form of a sheet or film in a size corresponding to the image outputter  130 . The sheet or film including the plurality of lenses may be attached to a front of the display panel of the image outputter  130 . 
     Each of the plurality of lenses may be an electro-active lenticular lens, which is an electronic liquid crystal lens of which a refraction index is varied by a voltage applied to molecules of electronic liquid crystal. When each of the plurality of lenses of the imaging apparatus  100  is the electro-active lenticular lens, the viewer of the imaging apparatus  100  may view both the 3D stereoscopic image and a 2D image according to the applied voltage. 
     Since the technical features described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 6  may be directly applied, a detailed description will be omitted. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates view differences among a plurality of output images projected to a predetermined space, according to example embodiments. 
     As described with reference to  FIG. 4 , the values of from 1 to 2 corresponding to the plurality of images  330  to  345  may be relative values for distinguishing the view differences among the plurality of output images  330  to  345 . 
     The plurality of output images  330  to  345  output from the set  510  may be projected by the lens  720  to each of the four regions evenly divided from the continuous space  410 . 
     In the continuous space  410  in which the plurality of output images  330  to  345  are projected, the order from the left side to the right side of the regions to which the plurality of output images  330  to  345  are projected may be opposite to the order from the left side to the right side of the views of the plurality of output images  330  to  345 . 
     As illustrated, the plurality of output images  330  to  345  may be projected from the leftmost side to the right of the four evenly divided regions of the continuous space  410 , in the order of the views from the rightmost view output image  345  to the leftmost view output image  330 . 
     The view differences among the neighboring output images of the plurality of output images  330  to  345  may be uniform. For example, the view difference may be about ⅓ IPD. The view difference between the rightmost view output image  345  and the leftmost view output image  330  may be about 1 IPD. 
     Since the technical features described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 7  may be directly applied, a detailed description will be omitted. 
     The above-described example embodiments may be recorded in non-transitory computer-readable media including program instructions to implement various operations embodied by a computer. The media may also include, alone or in combination with the program instructions, data files, data structures, and the like. The program instructions recorded on the media may be those specially designed and constructed for the purposes of example embodiments, or they may be of the kind well-known and available to those having skill in the computer software arts. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape; optical media such as CD ROM discs and DVDs; magneto-optical media such as optical discs; and hardware devices that are specially configured to store and perform program instructions, such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), flash memory, and the like. The non-transitory computer-readable media may also be a distributed network, so that the program instructions are stored and executed in a distributed fashion. The program instructions may be executed by one or more processors. The non-transitory computer-readable media may also be embodied in at least one application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), which executes (processes like a processor) program instructions. Examples of program instructions include both machine code, such as produced by a compiler, and files containing higher level code that may be executed by the computer using an interpreter. The above-described devices may be configured to act as one or more software modules in order to perform the operations of the above-described example embodiments, or vice versa. 
     While this disclosure includes specific examples, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made in these examples without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims and their equivalents. The examples described herein are to be considered in a descriptive sense only, and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of features or aspects in each example are to be considered as being applicable to similar features or aspects in other examples. Suitable results may be achieved if the described techniques are performed in a different order, and/or if components in a described system, architecture, device, or circuit are combined in a different manner, and/or replaced or supplemented by other components or their equivalents. 
     Therefore, the scope of the disclosure is defined not by the detailed description, but by the claims and their equivalents, and all variations within the scope of the claims and their equivalents are to be construed as being included in the disclosure.