IMAGE CONVERSION AND ENCODING TECHNIQUES

A method of creating a depth map including the steps of assigning a depth to at least one pixel or portion of an image, determining relative location and image characteristics for each at least one pixel or portion of the image, utilizing the depth(s), image characteristics and respective location to determine an algorithm to ascertain depth characteristics as a function relative location and image characteristics, utilizing said algorithm to calculate a depth characteristic for each pixel or portion of the image, wherein the depth characteristics form a depth map for the image. In a second phase of processing the said depth maps form key frames for the generation of depth maps for non-key frames using relative location, image characteristics and distance to key frame(s).