A master device providing an image to a slave device providing a virtual reality service is provided. The master device includes: a content input configured to receive an input stereoscopic image; a communicator configured to perform communication with the slave device providing the virtual reality service; and a processor configured to determine a viewpoint region corresponding to a motion state of the corresponding slave device in the input stereoscopic image on the basis of motion information received from the slave device and control the communicator to transmit an image of the identified viewpoint region to the slave device.

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.

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.

An imaging apparatus comprises an image pickup unit, a cutout image generation unit for cutting out a specified area in a pickup image taken by the image pickup unit to generate a cutout image enlarged at a specified magnification, an image display unit for displaying one or both of the pickup image taken by the image pickup unit and the cutout image generated by the cutout image generation unit, a display image control unit, for controlling a method of displaying an image the image display unit displays, a manual focus operation unit for the user to control through manual operation the focus position of the image pickup unit, and a manual zoom operation unit for the user to control the zoom magnification of the image pickup unit.

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.

A setting method for setting a parameter of a virtual viewpoint relating to a virtual viewpoint video to be generated based on images captured by a plurality of cameras includes receiving a first user operation relating to a first parameter relating to a position of a virtual viewpoint, determining a settable range of a second parameter of the virtual viewpoint by using the first parameter based on the received first user operation, and setting the first parameter based on the received first user operation and the second parameter that is based on a second user operation different from the first user operation and falls within the determined settable range as parameters of the virtual viewpoint.

A setting method for setting a parameter of a virtual viewpoint relating to a virtual viewpoint video to be generated based on images captured by a plurality of cameras includes receiving a first user operation relating to a first parameter relating to a position of a virtual viewpoint, determining a settable range of a second parameter of the virtual viewpoint by using the first parameter based on the received first user operation, and setting the first parameter based on the received first user operation and the second parameter that is based on a second user operation different from the first user operation and falls within the determined settable range as parameters of the virtual viewpoint.

There is described a method for controlling, in a display, a virtual image of a displaying object for which displaying is controllable. The method comprises providing a curved mirrored surface opposing the displaying object to produce the virtual image. The location of an observer is determined, with respect to the curved mirrored surface. A position of the virtual image can then be determined for the observer at the location, wherein this virtual image provides at least one of parallax and a stereoscopic depth cue. The displaying object is controlled to produce the virtual image as determined.

There is described a method for controlling, in a display, a virtual image of a displaying object for which displaying is controllable. The method comprises providing a curved mirrored surface opposing the displaying object to produce the virtual image. The location of an observer is determined, with respect to the curved mirrored surface. A position of the virtual image can then be determined for the observer at the location, wherein this virtual image provides at least one of parallax and a stereoscopic depth cue. The displaying object is controlled to produce the virtual image as determined.

Disclosed herein are devices and methods for generating stereoscopic views of the eye (or any desired anatomic structure) using a dual-camera portable computing device. The locations of the two cameras are fixed, and the camera lenses may have different focal lengths. For example, the focal length of the second camera lens may be longer than the focal length of the first camera lens. One variation of a detachable imaging system comprises an objective lens and a relay lens that are disposed over the two cameras. The relay lens may be disposed over the first and second cameras, and have a focal length that is greater than the focal length of the first camera lens and less than or equal to the focal length of the second camera lens.