Progressive Lens Parameter Encoding for Virtual Scene Focusing

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Solution Overview

Problem

In virtual production environments, there is a discrepancy between optical lens parameters and virtual scene parameters, making it difficult to effectively zoom and focus on objects within the virtual scene using optical cameras and lenses.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for automatically switching between optical and virtual lens parameters based on the camera's physical location relative to a defined focal target, utilizing a feedback loop and spatial awareness to seamlessly transition between lens types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If optical lens parameters are used for zooming and focusing, then the optical camera can capture real-world scenes effectively, but the optical parameters cannot properly focus on objects inside the virtual scene beyond the flat LED display

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefocus accuracyVSAvoidvirtual scene compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between optical lens parameters and virtual lens parameters based on the camera's physical location relative to the focal target. When the camera is positioned such that the target is beyond the optical focal limit, the system transitions to using virtual lens parameters that can properly focus on virtual scene objects, thereby adapting to different operational conditions and resolving the contradiction between optical focus accuracy and virtual scene compatibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the lens parameters from fixed optical values to variable values that can switch between optical and virtual modes. By introducing virtual lens parameters with different focal length characteristics, the system can adjust its focusing behavior to match the virtual scene geometry, enabling proper focus on objects within the virtual environment while maintaining optical performance when shooting real-world scenes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If virtual lens parameters are used to focus on virtual scene objects, then effective zooming within the virtual 3-D scene is achieved, but the system complexity increases due to parameter switching requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevirtual scene focusing capabilityVSAvoidparameter switching system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors the camera's physical location and the position of the focal target within the virtual scene. Based on this feedback, the system automatically determines whether to use optical or virtual lens parameters, eliminating the need for complex manual switching and reducing operational complexity while maintaining full adaptability to virtual scene requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary system that translates between optical camera parameters and virtual scene requirements. This intermediary layer handles the complexity of parameter conversion and switching, allowing the optical camera to work seamlessly with virtual scenes without requiring direct complex interactions between the camera hardware and virtual environment, thereby reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4268190B1Progressive morphological lens parameter encoding
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP4268190B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4268190B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4268190B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

Automatically shifting between virtual lens parameters and optical lens parameters for an optical camera positioned within a physical scene, including: providing a spatial awareness of the physical scene including position and orientation of a display screen to the optical camera; creating a feedback loop between the optical camera and lens to enable the lens to communicate lens settings to a scene registration; determining when focus of the lens is beyond an optical focal limit from the lens settings; and enabling the lens, by the scene registration, to automatically shift from using the optical lens parameters to using the virtual lens parameters when the focus of the lens moves beyond the optical focal limit.