Electronic Apparatus Viewpoint Buffering for Seamless VR Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display apparatuses face inefficiencies in processing and transmitting 360 degree/VR images due to their large data size and limited user field of view, leading to potential discontinuities when a user changes their viewpoint, especially in N-screen services where bandwidth is not fully utilized.
Innovation Solution
An electronic apparatus that receives and processes input images corresponding to a predetermined azimuthal range, determining the moving characteristics of a user's viewpoint to efficiently transmit partial images to display apparatuses, including a first area for immediate display and a second area with a variable width based on viewpoint history and network conditions, ensuring seamless image reproduction without or with reduced discontinuity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If full 360 degree/VR image data is transmitted to display apparatuses, then complete image coverage is achieved, but transmission bandwidth and processing time are significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the full 360-degree image into multiple regions based on user viewpoint and field of view. Only the relevant region (first area) and a buffer region (second area) are transmitted to each display apparatus, rather than transmitting the complete image data. This segmentation reduces the data transmission volume while ensuring continuous image display as the user moves their viewpoint.
2Productivity
If image data is reduced to match user field of view, then transmission efficiency is improved, but image discontinuity may occur when user changes viewpoint
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transmits not only the current viewpoint image (first area) but also a buffer region image (second area) that covers the area the user is likely to view next based on their viewpoint movement characteristics. This preliminary transmission of adjacent region data prevents image discontinuity when the user changes viewpoint, as the buffer data is already available for immediate display.
Solution Approach 2:
The width of the second area (buffer region) is dynamically adjusted based on the user's viewpoint movement characteristics. When the user moves their viewpoint quickly or frequently, the buffer region width is increased to prevent discontinuity. When movement is slow or infrequent, the buffer region width is reduced to minimize data transmission. This dynamic adjustment optimizes both image continuity and transmission efficiency.
3Reliability
If buffer region width is increased to prevent viewpoint discontinuity, then image continuity is maintained, but data transmission volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the width of the buffer region (second area) based on real-time analysis of user viewpoint movement characteristics. When the user's viewpoint movement is detected to be slow or infrequent, the buffer width is minimized. When rapid or frequent movement is detected, the buffer width is expanded accordingly. This dynamic adaptation ensures image continuity is maintained only when necessary, optimizing the balance between reliability and data quantity.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic apparatus is provided. The electronic apparatus includes an image receiver configured to receive an input image corresponding to a azimuthal range where a viewpoint is movable; a communicator configured to communicate with a first display apparatus; and at least one processor configured to control the communicator to receive information of a first viewpoint from the first display apparatus, and control the communicator to transmit an image comprising a first area and a second area within the input image to the first display apparatus, the first area corresponding to the first viewpoint and being displayed on a screen of the first display apparatus, the second area being adjacent to the first area and comprising one or more widths corresponding to a moving characteristic of the first viewpoint.