Immersive Camera Aiming Control with Discrepancy-Based Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera aiming direction control systems in immersive environments can cause user disorientation and discomfort, such as loss of visual cues or motion sickness, when forcing camera panning to align with reference directions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a discrepancy function that adjusts the camera aiming direction based on reference directions and user input, creating pseudo-haptic feedback to guide the user towards relevant content while preventing excessive deviation, using a sigmoid-like or piecewise linear discrepancy function to control camera rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the camera panning is forced to align with reference directions, then the user is guided to look at important events, but the user experiences visual disorientation and motion sickness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by introducing a discrepancy function that anticipates and counteracts the harmful effect of forced camera panning. Instead of directly forcing the camera to align with reference directions (which causes motion sickness), the system pre-computes a discrepancy between the user's current view and the reference direction, then applies this discrepancy as a guiding force that subtly steers the user without abrupt movements. This preliminary computation and counter-action prevents the harmful effects while maintaining guidance effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by transforming the discrete, binary alignment parameter (aligned/not aligned) into a continuous discrepancy parameter. The discrepancy function computes a continuous value representing the angular difference between the user's current camera direction and the reference direction. This continuous parameter allows for smooth, gradual camera adjustments rather than abrupt forced panning, thereby reducing motion sickness while maintaining effective guidance to important events.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the camera allows free rotation in 4π steradians environment, then the user has full viewing freedom, but the user may miss important events by looking at wrong directions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the user's camera direction and comparing it with the reference direction indicating important events. The discrepancy function serves as a feedback mechanism that computes the angular difference between the current view and the reference direction, then uses this feedback to generate a guiding force. This feedback loop allows the user to maintain viewing freedom while subtly receiving guidance back when their view deviates from important events, preventing information loss without restricting freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary element - the discrepancy function - that mediates between the user's free viewing choices and the system's goal of directing attention to important events. Rather than directly controlling the camera or blocking the user's view, the discrepancy function acts as an intermediary that computes the angular difference and translates it into a subtle guiding force. This intermediary approach preserves user autonomy while effectively guiding attention, preventing the user from missing important events.
Data Source
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Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to methods, apparatus or systems for determining an aiming direction (22) of a remote motorized camera (10). The immersive video content captured by the camera (10) is associated with reference directions (13). Parameters of a discrepancy function (32, 42, 53) are calculated. This function is used to control the aiming direction (22) of the camera. It introduces a discrepancy between the rotation wanted by the user (21) and the rotation of the camera (22). An example purpose of the present disclosure is to encourage a user to rotate the camera toward reference directions, preventing him/her to rotate the camera toward the opposite direction. The present principles have the advantage to create pseudo-haptic effects, inciting the user to look toward a reference direction without making him/her sick.