Camera placement for handheld 3D video communications

We investigate the effect of stereo camera separation on 3D perception and realism for handheld 3D video communications. Using a handheld device equipped with an autostereoscopic display, a front-facing stereo camera can capture left and right views of the user´s face. However, consideration must be paid to the camera separation in order to balance both viewer comfort and realism. Using display-camera geometry, we illustrate the relationship between real depths in camera space and perceived depths in display space. We then derive the optimal camera separation to capture depths within a user´s face that are consistent with the size of the face on a handheld display, and contrast this result with traditional rules of thumb used by stereographers. These recommendations are evaluated by a perceptual user study with a current 3D handheld device.