Remote Viewing System Using Dynamic Camera Subset Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing virtual environments and platforms face limitations in image capture, image processing, and recreating three-dimensional spaces, making it difficult for users to navigate between locations or view real-time changes.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system for remote viewing that involves obtaining a sequence of images from multiple cameras positioned in a location, generating a virtual space, determining the user's position, direction, and speed within the virtual space, and selecting a subset of cameras to display images based on the user's movement, allowing for real-time and immersive audiovisual experiences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cameras are positioned throughout a location to capture images from various positions, then the user can navigate virtually through real spaces with improved realism and immersion, but the device complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The location is divided into multiple camera positions, with each camera capturing images from its specific viewpoint. The system segments the overall scene into multiple partial views that are later synthesized to create the complete virtual representation, allowing comprehensive coverage without requiring a single complex camera system
Solution Approach 2:
A processing system acts as an intermediary between the multiple cameras and the user device. This intermediary receives images from numerous cameras, processes and synthesizes them into coherent virtual views, and transmits the processed data to user devices, managing the complexity centrally rather than at each camera or user device
2Reliability
If images are captured and processed in real-time to show real-time changes at various locations, then users can view current conditions at remote locations, but the processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-processes images and maintains a buffer of captured images from multiple cameras before they are requested. By having images ready in advance and pre-establishing the virtual space structure, the system reduces the processing time required when a user requests to view a location, enabling near real-time viewing without intensive on-demand processing
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously captures and processes images from all camera positions, maintaining an ongoing stream of updated visual data. This continuous processing ensures that when users request views, the most current images are already available or nearly available, minimizing delays while keeping the system efficiently utilized
3Manufacturing precision
If a large number of cameras are used to capture complete three-dimensional spaces, then the virtual representation becomes more accurate and immersive, but the quantity of data to be processed and transmitted increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system determines which specific cameras and images are relevant based on the user's current position, direction of travel, and speed within the virtual space. Instead of transmitting all images from all cameras, only the subset of images that contribute to the current virtual viewpoint is processed and transmitted, reducing data volume while maintaining visual accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system captures more images than immediately necessary using multiple cameras, but only processes and transmits the partial subset that is needed for the current user perspective. This approach ensures complete 3D coverage is available if needed while minimizing actual data transmission by using only the necessary portion for each specific user view
4Ease of operation
If the system selects and displays images based on user position, direction of travel, and speed, then the virtual navigation experience becomes more realistic, but the complexity of image selection and processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors user input indicating position, direction of travel, and speed, and uses this feedback to dynamically select which camera images to display. This feedback loop ensures the displayed images always correspond to the user's current virtual movement state, creating smooth navigation while the algorithm processes only relevant parameters rather than all possible image variations
Data Source
AI summary
Generally described, one or more aspects of the present application relate to capturing and generating viewpoints of any given space. Pixel averaging and camera configurations, including microlens cameras, may be implemented to generate and capture viewpoints of any given space.