Backward Compatible Immersive Video Stream Formatting

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a lack of a format for a backward compatible immersive video stream that can be properly displayed by both legacy and immersive video rendering devices, as legacy devices struggle to render immersive videos due to their inability to map on three-dimensional convex surfaces, and immersive devices fail to display legacy videos correctly.

Innovation Solution

A method and device are proposed to generate a backward compatible video stream by capturing and removing parts of an immersive video to create a legacy video, which is then packaged with the immersive video, allowing legacy devices to render the legacy video and immersive devices to map back the legacy video onto the original immersive video surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If immersive video is rendered on legacy devices using flat rectangular mapping, then the video can be displayed on legacy devices, but the immersive experience is lost and distortion occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with legacy devicesVSAvoidvisual quality and immersive experience
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The immersive video stream is segmented into multiple components: a base layer containing the full immersive video and enhancement layers containing rectified video portions. This segmentation allows legacy devices to use only the base layer while immersive devices can utilize both layers for enhanced quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A rectified video portion is introduced as an intermediary element that bridges the gap between immersive and legacy formats. This rectified portion is generated by mapping the immersive video to a convex surface and then rectifying it to a flat rectangular format, serving as a compatibility layer

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If legacy video format is used for immersive devices, then legacy content can be displayed, but the video cannot be properly mapped on three-dimensional convex surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with immersive devicesVSAvoidmapping accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The mapping from convex surface to rectilinear format is performed in advance during the video generation process. The rectified video portion is pre-computed and included in the enhancement layer, eliminating the need for real-time complex mapping operations on the rendering device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The solution transitions from three-dimensional convex surface mapping to two-dimensional rectilinear representation by introducing an intermediate rectified video layer. This dimensionality change allows legacy devices to display the content while immersive devices can reconstruct the 3D experience

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If a single video stream format is used for both legacy and immersive devices, then distribution is simplified, but one format cannot satisfy both rendering requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestream distribution complexityVSAvoidrendering compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The video stream is designed with multi-functionality, containing both immersive video content and rectified video portions in a single unified format. This allows the same stream to be universally played by both legacy and immersive devices, with each device type utilizing the appropriate portion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The rectified video portion is nested within the enhancement layer of the immersive video stream. The enhancement layer contains references to specific portions of the base layer, creating a nested structure where the rectified content is embedded within the immersive content framework

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP3434021B1Method, apparatus and stream of formatting an immersive video for legacy and immersive rendering devices
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 INTERDIGITAL VC HOLDINGS INC
  • EP3434021B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3434021B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3434021B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to methods, apparatus or systems for formatting of backward compatible immersive video streams. At least one legacy rectangular video is captured from an immersive video obtained from a source (82). A set of camera control data are used to determine which parts of the immersive video will constitute legacy videos (84). These part are removed from the immersive video (83) and every prepared videos are packaged in a stream (85). The structure from the stream is a container. Information data about the location and size of removed parts may be added in the stream.