Image processing method and apparatus

An image conversion system for converting monoscopic images for viewing in three dimensions including:

• an input means adapted to receive monoscopic images;
• a preliminary analysis means to determine if there is any continuity between a first image and a second image in a sequence of the monoscopic images;
• a secondary analysis means for receiving the monoscopic images which have a continuity, and analyzing the monoscopic images to determine at least one of the speed and direction of motion, or the depth, size and position of objects, wherein analyzing of said monoscopic images to determine the motion includes:
• dividing each image into a plurality of blocks, wherein corresponding blocks on an adjacent image are offset horizontally and/or vertically, and
• comparing each said block with said corresponding blocks to find a minimum mean square error and thereby the motion of the block;
• a first processing means for processing the monoscopic images based on data received from the preliminary analysis means and/or the secondary analysis means.

A system for converting monoscopic images for viewing in three dimensions including:

• a first module adapted to receive a monoscopic image;
• a second module adapted to receive the monoscopic image and analyze the monoscopic image to create image data, wherein analyzing the monoscopic image includes determining the motion of a plurality of monoscopic images by:
• dividing each monoscopic image into a plurality of blocks, wherein corresponding blocks on an adjacent image are offset horizontally and/or vertically, and
• comparing each said block with said corresponding blocks to find a minimum mean square error and thereby the motion of the block;
• a third module adapted to create stereoscopic image pairs from the monoscopic image using at least one predetermined technique selected as a function of the image data;
• a fourth module adapted to transfer the stereoscopic image pairs;
• and
• a fifth module including a stereoscopic display means adapted to receive the stereoscopic pairs transferred by said fourth module.