Method and apparatus for real-time/on-line performing of multi view multimedia applications

A device for computing a disparity value of a pixel, comprising:

• a receiving unit configured to receive two input images;
• a first computing unit configured to compute from the input images a plurality of first costs for the pixel, each cost being associated with a region of a first type selected from a plurality of regions of the first type, the regions of the first type being overlapping with and including the pixel, the regions being substantially equal in size and shape;
• a second computing unit configured to compute from the first costs for the pixel a plurality of second costs, each cost being associated with a region of a second type of a plurality of regions of the second type, the regions of the second type being overlapping with and including the pixel, at least some of the regions of the second type having a substantially different size and/or shape;
• a first selecting unit configured to select from the second costs the minimal cost;
• and
• a second selecting unit configured to select the corresponding disparity value as the disparity value.

A device for computing a disparity value of a pixel, comprising:

• means for receiving two input images;
• means for computing from the input images a plurality of first costs for the pixel, each cost being associated with a region of a first type selected from a plurality of regions of the first type, the regions of the first type being overlapping with and including the pixel, the regions being substantially equal in size and shape;
• means for computing from the first costs for the pixel a plurality of second costs, each cost being associated with a region of a second type of a plurality of regions of the second type, the regions of the second type being overlapping with and including the pixel, at least some of the regions of the second type having a substantially different size and/or shape;
• means for selecting from the second costs the minimal cost;
• and
• means for selecting the corresponding disparity value as the disparity value.