A system for rendering three-dimensional image content for a multi-focal display device. The system includes a first processing sub-system configured to divide the three-dimensional image content into a plurality of virtual depth planes, associate each of the plurality of virtual depth planes with one of a first set of displays and a second set of displays of the multi-focal display device, and generate a first array including the plurality of virtual depth planes. The system also includes a transmission sub-system configured to provide a data channel for transmission of the generated first array. The system further includes a second processing sub-system configured to receive the generated first array and to render the three-dimensional image content in the multi-focal display device based thereon.

A system for rendering three-dimensional image content for a multi-focal display device. The system includes a first processing sub-system configured to divide the three-dimensional image content into a plurality of virtual depth planes, associate each of the plurality of virtual depth planes with one of a first set of displays and a second set of displays of the multi-focal display device, and generate a first array including the plurality of virtual depth planes. The system also includes a transmission sub-system configured to provide a data channel for transmission of the generated first array. The system further includes a second processing sub-system configured to receive the generated first array and to render the three-dimensional image content in the multi-focal display device based thereon.

A method, a non-transitory computer readable medium, and a computer system is provided for handling video streams. The method may include: receiving a 360° video stream, the 360° video stream including a multiple overlay parameter; when the multiple overlay parameter is a first value, determining that overlaying the 360° video stream with two or more overlays is permissible by the user terminal, and displaying, by the user terminal, the 360° video stream with the two or more overlays; and when the multiple overlay parameter is a second value, determining that overlaying the 360° video stream with two or more overlays is not permissible and displaying the 360° video stream with zero overlays or one overlay.

A method, a non-transitory computer readable medium, and a computer system is provided for handling video streams. The method may include: receiving a 360° video stream, the 360° video stream including a multiple overlay parameter; when the multiple overlay parameter is a first value, determining that overlaying the 360° video stream with two or more overlays is permissible by the user terminal, and displaying, by the user terminal, the 360° video stream with the two or more overlays; and when the multiple overlay parameter is a second value, determining that overlaying the 360° video stream with two or more overlays is not permissible and displaying the 360° video stream with zero overlays or one overlay.

An encoding device evaluates a plurality of processing and/or post-processing algorithms and/or methods to be applied to a video stream, and signals a selected method, algorithm, class or category of methods/algorithms either in an encoded bitstream or as side information related to the encoded bitstream. A decoding device or post-processor utilizes the signaled algorithm or selects an algorithm/method based on the signaled method or algorithm. The selection is based, for example, on availability of the algorithm/method at the decoder/post-processor and/or cost of implementation. The video stream may comprise, for example, downsampled multiplexed stereoscopic images and the selected algorithm may include any of upconversion and/or error correction techniques that contribute to a restoration of the downsampled images.

The disclosed embodiments relate to determining transmit formats and receive formats for a 3D video communication service. Sets of available 3D video communication transmit formats are received. Each set is associated with a client device. Sets of available 3D video communication receive formats are received. Each set is associated with one of the client devices. One format for transmission of 3D video communication from the at least one client device to the other client devices is determined for at least one of the client devices. The one format is a member of both the set of available 3D video communication transmit formats associated with the at least one client device and the received available 3D video communication receive formats associated with other client devices.

Transmission of stereo image data may be performed between devices, where a source device receives E-EDID from a sink device via DDC of an HDMI cable. This E-EDID contains information on 3D image data transmission modes supportable by the sink device. Based on information on 3D image data transmission modes from the sink device, the source device selects a predetermined transmission mode from among the 3D image data transmission modes supportable by the sink device. The source device transmits 3D image data in the selected transmission mode to the sink device. The source device transmits information on the transmission mode for the 3D image data, to the sink device by using an AVI InfoFrame packet or the like. The sink device processes the 3D image data received from the source device in accordance with its transmission mode, thereby obtaining left and right eye image data.

The enhanced 3D audio/video processing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention may comprise: a three-dimensional (3D) content generating unit for generating 3D content including video content and analog content; a depth information generating unit for generating depth information for the video frames constituting the video content; and a signal generating unit for generating a 3D enhanced signal including the generated 3D content and the depth information. Further, the enhanced 3D audio/video processing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention may comprise: a signal processing unit for processing the 3D enhanced signal including the 3D content including the video content and the audio content: a depth information extraction unit for acquiring the depth information of the video frames constituting the video content from the processed 3D enhanced signal; a 3D audio effect generating unit for generating 3D audio effect based on the acquired depth information; and a 3D audio content generating unit for generating 3D audio content by applying the generated 3D audio effect.

A receiving system that can receive and process 3D images and a data processing method of the same are disclosed. The receiving system includes an image receiving unit and a display unit. The image receiving unit receives a 3-dimensions (3D) image and system information including additional information of the 3D image (i.e., additional 3D image information), generates 3D signaling information based upon the additional 3D image information included in the system information, and transmits the generated 3D signaling information along with the 3D image through a digital interface. And, the display unit receives the 3D signaling information along with the 3D image through the digital interface, formats the 3D image based upon the receiving 3D signaling information, and displays the formatted 3D image.

An encoding device and method, and a decoding device and method, capable of encoding and decoding a multi-viewpoint image in accordance with a mode having compatibility with an existing mode. A compatible encoder generates a compatible stream by encoding an image that is a compatible image. An image converting unit converts the resolution of images that are auxiliary images. An auxiliary encoder generates an encoded stream of the auxiliary image by encoding the auxiliary image of which the resolution is converted. A compatibility information generating unit generates, as compatibility information, information that designates the image as a compatible image. A multiplexing unit transmits the compatible stream, the encoded stream of the auxiliary image, and the compatibility information. The encoding device can encode a 3D image of the multi-viewpoint mode.