Image conversion and encoding techniques

A method of creating a depth map including the steps of:

• assigning a depth to at least one pixel or portion of an image;
• determining x,y coordinates and image characteristics for each said at least one pixel or portion of said image;
• utilising said depth(s), image characteristics and respective x,y coordinates to determine a first algorithm to ascertain depth characteristics as a function of x,y coordinates and image characteristics;
• utilising said first algorithm to calculate a depth characteristic for each pixel or portion of said image;
• wherein said depth characteristics form a depth map for said image.

A method of creating a series of depth maps for an image sequence including the steps of:

• selecting at least one key frame from said image sequence;
• for each at least one key frame assigning a depth to at least one pixel or portion of each frame;
• determining relative location and image characteristics for each said at least one pixel or portion of each said key frame;
• utilising said depth(s), image characteristics and respective relative location for each said at least one key frame to determine a first configuration of a first algorithm for each said at least one frame to ascertain depth characteristics as a function of relative location and depth characteristics;
• utilising said first algorithm to calculate depth characteristics for each pixel or portion of each said at least one key frame;
• wherein said depth characteristics form a depth map for each said at least one key frame;
• utilising each depth map to determine a second configuration of a second algorithm to ascertain the depth characteristics for each frame as a function of relative location and image characteristics;
• utilising said second algorithm to create respective depth maps for each frame of said image sequence.

A method of creating a series of depth maps for an image sequence including the steps of:

• receiving a depth map for at least one frame of said image sequence;
• utilizing said at least one depth map to determine a second configuration of a second algorithm to ascertain the depth characteristics as a function of relative location and image characteristics;
• utilizing said algorithm to create a depth map for each frame of said image sequence;
• wherein a learning algorithm is utilized to determine the configuration of said second algorithm;
• and
• wherein said second algorithm computes:
• zn=ka·xn+kb·yn+kc·Rn+kd·Gn+ke·Bn
• where
• n is the nth pixel in the key-frame image
• zn is the value of the depth assigned to the pixel at xn,yn
• ka to ke are constants and are determined by the algorithm
• Rn is the value of the Red component of the pixel at xn,yn
• Gn is the value of the Green component of the pixel at xn,yn
• Bn is the value of the Blue component of the pixel at xn,yn.

A method of creating a series of depth maps for an image sequence including the steps of:

• receiving a depth map for at least one frame of said image sequence;
• utilizing said at least one depth map to determine a second algorithm to ascertain the depth characteristics as a function of x,y coordinates and image characteristics;
• utilizing said algorithm to create a depth map for each frame of said image sequence;
• wherein a learning algorithm is utilized to determine the configuration of said second algorithm;
• and
• wherein said second algorithm computes:
• zn=ka·xn+kb·yn+kc·Rn+kd·Gn+ke·Bn
• where
• n is the nth pixel in the key-frame image
• zn is the value of the depth assigned to the pixel at xn,Yn
• ka to ke are constants and are determined by the algorithm
• Rn is the value of the Red component of the pixel at xn,yn
• Gn is the value of the Green component of the pixel at xn,yn
• Bn is the value of the Blue component of the pixel at xn,yn.

A method of creating a series of depth maps for an image sequence including the steps of:

• receiving a depth map for at least one frame of said image sequence;
• utilizing said at least one depth map to determine a second configuration of a second algorithm to ascertain the depth characteristics as a function of relative location and image characteristics;
• utilizing said algorithm to create a depth map for each frame of said image sequence;
• wherein a learning algorithm is utilized to determine the configuration of said second algorithm;
• and
• wherein said second algorithm computes:
• zn=ka·xn+kb·yn+kc·Rn+kd·Gn+ke·Bn+kf·T
• where:
• n is the nth pixel in the key-frame image
• zn is the value of the depth assigned to the pixel at xn,yn
• ka to kf are constants and are determined by the algorithm
• Rn is the value of the Red component of the pixel at xn,yn
• Gn is the value of the Green component of the pixel at xn,yn
• Bn is the value of the Blue component of the pixel at xn,yn
• T is a measurement of time, for this particular frame in the sequence.

A method of encoding a series of frames including transmitting at least one mapping function together with said frames, wherein said mapping function includes an algorithm to ascertain depth characteristics as a function of relative location and image characteristics;

• wherein a learning algorithm is utilized to determine said mapping function;
• and
• wherein said mapping function computes:
• zn=ka·xn+kb·yn+kc·Rn+kd·Gn+ke·Bn
• where
• n is the nth pixel in the key-frame image
• zn is the value of the depth assigned to the pixel at xn,Yn
• ka to ke are constants and are determined by the algorithm
• Rn is the value of the Red component of the pixel at xn,yn
• Gn is the value of the Green component of the pixel at xn,yn
• Bn is the value of the Blue component of the pixel at xn,yn.

A method of creating a series of depth maps for an image sequence including the steps of:

• receiving a depth map for at least one frame of said image sequence;
• utilizing said at least one depth map to determine a second algorithm to ascertain the depth characteristics as a function of x,y coordinates and image characteristics;
• utilizing said algorithm to create a depth map for each frame of said image sequence;
• wherein a learning algorithm is utilized to determine the configuration of said second algorithm;
• and
• wherein said second algorithm computes:
• zn=ka·xn+kb·yn+kc·Rn+kd·Gn+ke·Bn+kf·T
• where:
• n is the nth pixel in the key-frame image
• zn is the value of the depth assigned to the pixel at xn,yn
• ka to kf are constants and are determined by the algorithm
• Rn is the value of the Red component of the pixel at xn,yn
• Gn is the value of the Green component of the pixel at xn,yn
• Bn is the value of the Blue component of the pixel at xn,yn
• T is a measurement of time, for this particular frame in the sequence.

A method of creating a series of depth maps for an image sequence including the steps of:

• receiving a depth map for at least one frame of said image sequence;
• utilizing said at least one depth map to determine a second algorithm to ascertain the depth characteristics as a function of x,y coordinates and image characteristics;
• utilizing said algorithm to create a depth map for each frame of said image sequence, wherein frames adjacent said key frames are processed prior to non-adjacent frames;
• wherein said second algorithm computes:
• zn=ka·xn+kb·yn+kc·Rn+kd·Gn+ke·Bn+kf·T
• where:
• n is the nth pixel in the key-frame image
• zn is the value of the depth assigned to the pixel at xn,yn
• ka to kf are constants and are determined by the algorithm
• Rn is the value of the Red component of the pixel at xn,yn
• Gn is the value of the Green component of the pixel at xn,yn
• Bn is the value of the Blue component of the pixel at xn,yn
• T is a measurement of time, for this particular frame in the sequence.