DDD Awarded 3D Encoding and Transmission Patent in US

DDD Group, the 3D software and content company, announced that it has received notification from the United States Patent and Trademark Office ("USPTO") that DDD's Dynamic Depth Cueing ("DDC") 3D encoding and transmission patent has been granted in the United States.

The new US patent extends DDD's coverage of technologies that allow the conversion of existing 2D content libraries to 3D and their delivery in a format that remains compatible with today's 2D digital delivery formats. When the Dynamic Depth Cueing patent was initially submitted to the USPTO, the Company was required to subdivide the patent into claims relating to the conversion of 2D content to 3D and the claims relating to the encoding and delivery of 3D content in a 2D compatible format. The 2D to 3D conversion patent was granted in 2002 under US patent number 6,477,267.

The DDC patents have important ramifications for enabling a range of mass market 3D applications including the conversion of existing film and video libraries for viewing on the emerging 3D consumer devices supplied via a single broadcast signal, digital media stream or optical media disc that can also be viewed in 2D on conventional displays.

The Dynamic Depth Cueing transmission patent enables 3D depth data to be discretely embedded alongside its corresponding 2D image. This results in an efficient method of delivering 3D content to consumers that can be viewed in 2D or 3D depending on the consumer's preference. DDC encoded content is compatible with a broad range of 3D display technologies including passive polarized, electronic shutter glasses and the emerging glasses-free displays.

Dr. Julien Flack, Chief Technology Officer of DDD said: "With the growing number of consumer devices in the PC and TV markets and the first 3D broadcasts now occurring, we expect that the efficient delivery of 3D enabled content will become an increasingly important consideration for broadcasters and telecommunications companies seeking to offer 3D to their viewers. The DDC format facilitates a seamless transition from 2D to 3D that is analogous to the transition from black and white to colour that took place several decades ago."

Source: DDD