DDD Group Gets Patent for Stereo 3D Conversion Technology

DDD Group plc announces that it has received notification ofallowance of a key U.S. patent covering "Dynamic Depth Cueing" ("DDC"),a core DDD technology that enables existing film or video images to beconverted for display in stereo 3D.

The new US patent extends DDD's coverage of technologies that allowthe conversion of existing 2D content libraries to 3D and theirdelivery in a format that remains compatible with today's 2Dtelevisions. The DDC patents have important ramifications for enablinga range of mass market 3D applications including the conversion ofexisting film and video libraries for viewing on the emerginggeneration of 3D 'without glasses' LCD and plasma televisions via asingle DVD or television broadcast.

Dynamic Depth Cueing encompasses the recreation of 3D depth datafrom existing 2D material, in essence regenerating 3D information thatis not recorded when a conventional film or video camera is used. Oncethe 3D data is recreated, it is then used to manipulate the underlying2D image, allowing 2D images to be transformed to 3D for a wide varietyof 3D display formats ranging from large format IMAX® films to thelatest generation of 3D displays.

DDC is already available in solutions for the followingapplications:

· DDD's TriDef 3D Television system is already beingsuccessfully used at trade shows and promotional events displaying 3Dpresentations that have been converted from the customer's original 2Dmarketing materials;

· DDD's TriDef Transformer PC software tool allows end users toquickly and easily convert their 2D images for display in 3D with theTriDef(tm) 3D Television systems. The 3D images may also be composedinto compelling Microsoft PowerPoint 3D presentations;

· DDD's TriDef PC 3D media player software delivers broadcastquality 3Dimages generated in real time by combining 2D content withembedded 3D depth information.

The addition of the DDC patent, brings to 7 the total number ofissued patents held by DDD and its subsidiaries. In addition to the 3Dconversion patent, DDD has other core patents relating to efficientdelivery of 3D data along with an unaltered 2D image and the trackingof a viewer's head for 3D display systems. DDD's 3D conversion,transmission and display technologies are marketed under the brand nameTriDef(tm).

DDD's growing patent portfolio covers the core methodologies forconverting 2D content to 3D and for delivering 3D information alongwith an unchanged 2D image that is compatible with today's digital andanalogue delivery systems including DVD discs and broadcast television.DDD has established an exceptionally strong patent position and, aspart of its licensing program, is offering licensing terms to contentcreators, 3D display developers, as well as organizations seeking toenter the emerging mass markets for professional and consumer 3Dviewing.

DDD CEO Chris Yewdall said "The notice of allowance of DDC in theUnited States establishes our leadership in the field of 3D conversionfor our customers. Over the past several years we have developed anextensive patent library that uses these core DDC patents as theirfoundation. We are pleased to have received this critical patentcoverage in this area and we are looking forward to building upon thisboth commercially and technically in the future."

DDD is transforming television with glasses-free 3D TV. Its patentedtechnologies enable 3D viewing without glasses; supply of 3D contentthrough 2D to 3D conversion; and 3D transmission over existingnetworks.

More information is available at www.ddd.com.