Panoramic VR Environment Rendering with Head Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing three-dimensional image capture systems have limited field of view, preventing users from turning their head to see beyond the originally captured images in a real-world scene, and struggle to accurately present wide field of view images with user movement.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for creating a navigable, panoramic three-dimensional virtual reality environment using a wide field of view optical imaging device with at least two optical imaging elements, a tracking device, and an image renderer to capture and display video images of up to 360° by 360°, allowing users to move within the environment by synchronizing and rendering image data based on user direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If two cameras are mounted side by side to capture three-dimensional images, then stereoscopic depth perception is achieved, but the field of view remains limited and users cannot turn their head to see beyond the captured images
Solution Approach 1:
The panoramic image is divided into multiple segments corresponding to different viewing directions. The system captures a 360-degree scene and segments it into multiple directional views, allowing the display to show only the relevant segment based on head tracking data, thus providing both wide field of view and manageable data processing
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a limited two-dimensional camera view to a three-dimensional spherical coordinate system for capturing and displaying panoramic images. By mapping images onto a spherical model and allowing navigation in three-dimensional space, the system achieves ultra-wide field of view while maintaining stereoscopic depth perception through multiple imaging elements
2Area of moving object
If wide field of view images are captured to enable head turning, then field of view is improved, but accurately presenting images with user movement becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs real-time feedback through head tracking devices that monitor user head position and orientation. This feedback is used to dynamically adjust which portion of the panoramic image is displayed and how it is rendered, ensuring accurate presentation that corresponds to the user's actual viewing direction while maintaining simplified processing through selective rendering
Solution Approach 2:
The panoramic environment is pre-captured and stored as a complete 360-degree scene before user interaction. This preliminary capture allows the system to quickly retrieve and render only the necessary portions based on user movement, avoiding the complexity of real-time full-scene processing while maintaining accurate image presentation
3Adaptability or versatility
If a navigable panoramic environment is created, then user mobility and exploration are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a virtual copy of the real-world panoramic environment that can be navigated without physical movement. By rendering two-dimensional representations of three-dimensional space on display elements, the system provides navigable exploration while avoiding the complexity of full three-dimensional spatial rendering and tracking
Solution Approach 2:
The panoramic display system is designed to work with various head tracking devices and can be applied to different virtual reality applications. The same core technology serves multiple functions including navigation, exploration, and interaction, reducing overall system complexity through multi-functionality
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables users to perceive stereoscopic depth and move within a virtual reality environment that accurately reflects the real-world scene, allowing for panoramic exploration and depth perception.
Implementation Method 1
a wide field of view optical imaging device having at least two optical imaging elements configured to image at least two different viewpoints of a scene
Implementation Method 2
The optical imaging device may include a fisheye lens and/or a mirror
Implementation Method 3
The optical imaging device may include a fisheye lens and/or a mirror
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system and method for capturing video of a real-world scene over a field of view that may exceed the field of view of a user, manipulating the captured video, and then stereoscopically displaying the manipulated image to the user in a head mounted display to create a virtual environment having length, width, and depth in the image. By capturing and manipulating video for a field of view that exceeds the field of view of the user, the system and method can quickly respond to movement by the user to update the display allowing the user to look and pan around, i.e., navigate, inside the three-dimensional virtual environment.