Practical depth map generation in zooming-up/ zooming-down from asymmetric stereo cameras

We present a novel configuration technique for a new type of stereoscopic 3D (S3D) camcorder, having distinct features of compact-size and high picture quality, in addition, having the capability of zooming while shooting. We first devised a new way to system configuration, then developed a prototype and verified its picture quality. The imaging system of this S3D camcorder is composed of, unlike in the case of conventional apparatus, first imaging system with zoom lens (L-ch) and second imaging system with short focus lens (R-ch). We developed new algorithm which generates a dense depth map by stereo matching of these asymmetrical L-ch and R-ch stereo zoom system, a new 3D image warping using depth image based rendering (DIBR) from L-ch and DM, and new occlusion hole filling by use of R-ch pixels.