Prior art

Analysis of Prior Art for U.S. Patent 10,979,693

A detailed review of the prior art cited during the examination of U.S. Patent 10,979,693, "Stereoscopic 3D camera for virtual reality experience," provides insight into the novelty of the invention. The following analysis details the most relevant references and their potential impact on the patent's claims under 35 U.S.C. § 102, which pertains to anticipation by prior art. The references are those listed in the patent's file wrapper as considered by the USPTO examiner.

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Key Prior Art and its Relation to the Claims:

The core of patent 10,979,693 lies in its method for stabilizing stereoscopic video by identifying a reference frame, analyzing motion in preceding and succeeding frames, and using a series of matrix calculations to create a modified, stabilized frame. This process involves calculating matrices for motion, for mapping from 3D to 2D space absent of motion, and an inverse matrix, then applying them in a combined operation.

1. US Patent Application Publication No. US 2011/0141349 A1

• Full Citation: US 2011/0141349 A1, "Reducing and correcting motion estimation artifacts during video frame rate conversion," filed by Albuz, Elif, et al. and published on June 16, 2011.
• Brief Description: This publication discloses a method for video frame rate conversion that involves motion estimation between frames. It describes techniques to correct for artifacts that arise from this motion estimation, which includes analyzing motion vectors and applying corrections to interpolated frames. While focused on frame rate conversion, the underlying principles of motion analysis between frames are relevant.
• Potential Anticipation of Claims: This reference is primarily relevant to the general concept of analyzing motion between video frames to modify a subsequent frame. However, it does not explicitly describe the specific three-matrix operation for stereoscopic video stabilization as detailed in claims 1 and 5. It lacks the stereoscopic context and the precise method of calculating and combining matrices representing a 3D to 2D mapping and its inverse along with motion data. Therefore, while it touches upon motion analysis, it would likely not be seen as fully anticipating the specific methods claimed.

2. US Patent Application Publication No. US 2013/0124471 A1

• Full Citation: US 2013/0124471 A1, "Metadata-Driven Method and Apparatus for Multi-Image Processing," filed by Chen, Simon, and published on May 16, 2013.
• Brief Description: This document describes a system where image processing is driven by metadata associated with the images. This metadata can include camera parameters and motion information. The system uses this metadata to apply appropriate processing steps to a series of images.
• Potential Anticipation of Claims: This reference introduces the concept of using camera parameters (like focal length, which is mentioned in claims 1 and 5) to inform image processing. The '693 patent claims the use of focal length and principal point to calculate a matrix for 3D to 2D mapping. Chen's disclosure of metadata-driven processing is a broader concept. It does not detail the specific combination of matrix operations for video stabilization outlined in the '693 patent. It speaks to using parameters but not the specific mathematical application for stabilization in a stereoscopic context, making a direct anticipation of the claims unlikely.

3. Other Cited Art

The file history also lists other references that contribute to the overall landscape of video processing and stereoscopic imaging. These include:

• US 2006/0028489 A1: Discusses real-time rendering from multiple overlapping images.
• US 2012/0075435 A1: Relates to 3D display calibration using a camera.
• US 2015/0062292 A1: Describes methods for obtaining panoramic and rectilinear images from wide-angle lenses.

These references establish a background for technologies like image stitching, camera calibration, and multi-image rendering. However, they do not appear to disclose the specific sequence of identifying a reference frame between two sets of frames, characterizing motion, and applying the claimed three-matrix calculation for the purpose of stabilizing stereoscopic video.

Conclusion

Based on a review of the cited prior art, none of the individual references appear to fully anticipate the independent claims of US Patent 10,979,693. The novelty of the '693 patent seems to reside in the very specific and detailed method of video stabilization. This method involves a unique combination of steps: bracketing a reference frame, characterizing motion from the surrounding frames, and then applying a specific set of three calculated matrices in a single operation to that reference frame. While the prior art teaches general concepts of motion analysis, use of camera metadata, and image correction, the specific combination and application for stereoscopic stabilization as claimed appear to be what distinguishes this patent.