Method and apparatus for processing three-dimensional images

A three-dimensional image processing apparatus for processing two-dimensional viewpoint images corresponding respectively to right and left eyes of one or more users to display a three-dimensional image perceived by the one or more users, the apparatus comprising:na storage unit configured to store a parallax amount range; anda control unit configured to adjust parallax of the two-dimensional viewpoint images in accordance with the parallax amount range, whereinthe control unit is configured to slide one of the two-dimensional viewpoint images in a horizontal direction relative to another two-dimensional viewpoint image to:nadjust a first parallax amount to be within the parallax amount range when the first parallax amount is outside the parallax amount range, the first parallax amount allowing a three-dimensional image to be closer to the one or more users,adjust a second parallax amount to be within the parallax amount range when the second parallax amount is outside the parallax amount range, the second parallax amount allowing a three-dimensional image to be distant from the one or more users, andadjust the first parallax amount to be within the parallax amount range when the first and second parallax amounts are outside the parallax amount range.

A three-dimensional image display apparatus for displaying a three-dimensional image perceived by one or more users based on two-dimensional viewpoint images corresponding respectively to right and left eyes of the one or more users, the apparatus comprising:na display;a storage unit configured to store a parallax amount range; anda control unit configured to adjust parallax of the two-dimensional viewpoint images in accordance with the parallax amount range, whereinthe control unit is configured to slide one of the two-dimensional viewpoint images in a horizontal direction relative to another two-dimensional viewpoint image to:nadjust a first parallax amount to be within the parallax amount range when the first parallax amount is outside the parallax amount range, the first parallax amount allowing a three-dimensional image to be closer to the one or more users,adjust a second parallax amount to be within the parallax amount range when the second parallax amount is outside the parallax amount range, the second parallax amount allowing a three-dimensional image to be distant from the one or more users, andadjust the first parallax amount to be within the parallax amount range when the first and second parallax amounts are outside the parallax amount range.

A three-dimensional image processing apparatus for processing two-dimensional viewpoint images corresponding respectively to right and left eyes of one or more users to display a three-dimensional image perceived by the one or more users, the apparatus comprising:na processor; anda memory having a program, the processor executing the program to perform the step ofadjusting parallax of the two-dimensional viewpoint images in accordance with a stored parallax amount range, whereinthe adjusting step slides one of the two-dimensional viewpoint images in a horizontal direction relative to another two-dimensional image to:nadjust a first parallax amount to be within the parallax amount range when the first parallax amount is outside the parallax amount range, the first parallax amount allowing a three-dimensional image to be closer to the one or more users,adjust a second parallax amount to be within the parallax amount range when the second parallax amount is outside the parallax amount range, the second parallax amount allowing a three-dimensional image to be distant from the one or more users, andadjust the first parallax amount to be within the parallax amount range when the first and second parallax amounts are outside the parallax amount range.

A three-dimensional image processing method for displaying a three-dimensional image perceived by one or more users based on two-dimensional viewpoint images corresponding respectively to right and left eyes of the one or more users, the method comprising the step ofnadjusting parallax of the two-dimensional viewpoint images in accordance with a stored parallax amount range, whereinthe adjusting step slides one of the two-dimensional viewpoint images in a horizontal direction relative to another two-dimensional image to:nadjust a first parallax amount to be within the parallax amount range when the first parallax amount is outside the parallax amount range, the first parallax amount allowing a three-dimensional image to be closer to the one or more users,adjust a second parallax amount to be within the parallax amount range when the second parallax amount is outside the parallax amount range, the second parallax amount allowing a three-dimensional image to be distant from the one or more users, andadjust the first parallax amount to be within the parallax amount range when the first and second parallax amounts are outside the parallax amount range.

A non-transitory tangible computer-readable medium having a program for displaying a three-dimensional image perceived by one or more users based on two-dimensional viewpoint images corresponding respectively to right and left eyes of the one or more users, the program, when executed, controlling a processor to perform the step ofnadjusting parallax of the two-dimensional viewpoint images in accordance with a stored parallax amount range, whereinthe adjusting step slides one of the two-dimensional viewpoint images in a horizontal direction relative to another two-dimensional image to:nadjust a first parallax amount to be within the parallax amount range when the first parallax amount is outside the parallax amount range, the first parallax amount allowing a three-dimensional image to be closer to the one or more users,adjust a second parallax amount to be within the parallax amount range when the second parallax amount is outside the parallax amount range, the second parallax amount allowing a three-dimensional image to be distant from the one or more users, andadjust the first parallax amount to be within the parallax amount range when the first and second parallax amounts are outside the parallax amount range.