Multi-Camera Event Viewing System With User-Selected Angles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for viewing and recording events, such as sporting or musical performances, do not allow viewers to interactively select camera angles or record events over a network, and are costly due to the need for multiple technical personnel.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising multiple cameras positioned around an event site, connected to a central site via a network, allowing users to select and record views from various camera angles, with optional support structures, lighting, and participant communication systems, enabling remote viewing and recording.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cameras and technical personnel are employed to provide multiple camera angles, then the quality and variety of viewing angles improve, but the production cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables viewers to independently select and control camera angles without requiring producers, directors, or cameramen to manually switch feeds. The automated interface allows users to navigate between camera feeds, pause, rewind, and record content from different angles autonomously, eliminating the need for large technical crews at the broadcast end.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between multiple camera feeds based on user selection rather than following a predetermined broadcast sequence. The camera angle changes are driven by real-time user interaction through the interface, allowing flexible and adaptive viewing experiences without requiring manual intervention from production personnel.
2Ease of operation
If producers manually select and sequence camera feeds for broadcast, then the viewing experience is standardized, but viewer interactivity and personalization are lost
Solution Approach 1:
An automated software interface acts as an intermediary between the multiple camera feeds and the viewer. This interface automatically manages the complexity of switching between feeds, handling pause, rewind, and angle switching functions without requiring manual production crew intervention, thereby maintaining ease of operation while enabling extensive adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates real-time feedback mechanisms where user selections immediately influence the displayed camera angle and playback control. The interface responds to user inputs by automatically adjusting the feed sequence and camera selection, creating an interactive loop that personalizes the viewing experience while maintaining operational simplicity.
3Reliability
If a large production crew is used to manage multiple cameras and feeds, then the broadcast quality is maintained, but the cost of broadcasting to non-mass audiences becomes prohibitively expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical system of human operators (producers, directors, cameramen) with an automated software-based control system. The automated interface handles all feed switching, playback control, and camera selection tasks that previously required human operators, thereby maintaining broadcast quality while dramatically reducing personnel costs and improving cost efficiency for niche audiences.
4Device complexity
If viewers rely on producer-selected feeds, then the broadcast process is simplified, but viewer control and interaction are eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
The system empowers viewers to independently control their own viewing experience by allowing them to select camera angles, pause playback, and rewind content directly through the interface. This self-service capability eliminates the need for producers to manually switch feeds on behalf of viewers, maintaining control system simplicity while maximizing viewer control and interaction.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for viewing an event at an event site includes a plurality of cameras disposed about an event site, the cameras providing views of the event site from at least two different camera angles, and a viewer in communication with the plurality of cameras, the viewer enabling a user to selectively view the event by means of at least two of the plurality of cameras.