Multi-Viewpoint Video Distribution via View Relation Table
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current video content distribution systems do not allow viewers to view video content from arbitrary viewpoints, limiting the ability to see scenes not displayed on screen or to view scenes from different angles, such as from the side of the currently displayed scene.
Innovation Solution
A content transmission and reproduction system that generates and supplies a View Relation Table (VRT) enabling the reception of multiple viewpoint videos, allowing users to select and view videos from arbitrary viewpoints through different viewpoint string types such as Panorama, Theater, Parallel, and Separated, by connecting or interpolating received viewpoint videos based on user input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If video content is distributed with fixed picture frames from broadcasting side, then distribution system is simple, but viewer cannot view content from arbitrary viewpoints
Solution Approach 1:
The video content is segmented into multiple viewpoint videos captured from different camera positions. Each viewpoint video represents a discrete viewing angle, allowing viewers to select and switch between different perspectives. This segmentation enables arbitrary viewpoint selection while maintaining manageable system complexity through structured organization of viewpoint data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a viewpoint dimension to traditional video distribution by incorporating camera position information and viewpoint identifiers. This dimensional expansion allows content to be accessed from multiple spatial perspectives without fundamentally redesigning the entire distribution architecture, bridging fixed-frame simplicity with multi-viewpoint flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple viewpoint videos are provided, then arbitrary viewpoint selection is enabled, but data transmission volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single multi-viewpoint video content package serves multiple functions by containing all viewpoint videos and their associated metadata. This universal structure allows the same data package to support various viewing preferences and device capabilities, reducing redundant data transmission while maintaining viewpoint flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Viewpoint videos and their metadata are prepared and organized in advance during content creation. This preliminary organization includes embedding camera position information, viewpoint identifiers, and temporal synchronization data, allowing efficient data transmission and rapid viewpoint switching without real-time processing overhead.
3Ease of operation
If viewpoint information is embedded in video content, then viewpoint switching is seamless, but content processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A VRT (Viewpoint Relation Table) acts as an intermediary structure that organizes and manages viewpoint video relationships. This table stores camera position information, neighboring viewpoint relationships, and temporal synchronization data, serving as a mediator between raw viewpoint videos and the viewpoint switching logic, thereby simplifying the processing complexity while enabling seamless transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
Essential viewpoint metadata such as camera positions and viewpoint identifiers are copied and embedded within the video content structure. This embedding allows receiving devices to access viewpoint information directly from the content without requiring external lookup tables, simplifying the switching process while maintaining comprehensive viewpoint data.
Data Source
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AI summary
There are provided a content transmission apparatus, a content transmission method, a content reproduction apparatus, a content reproduction time method, a program, and a content distribution system by which it is possible for a viewer to view a video in a state in which it is imaged from an arbitrary point of view. The content transmission apparatus of the present disclosure includes a retention section configured to retain multi viewpoint video content configured from a plurality of viewpoint videos imaged at the same time by a plurality of video cameras different from each other, a generation section configured to generate a VRT (View Relation Table) including acquisition destination information of each of viewpoint videos which configure the multi viewpoint video content, a supplying section configured to supply the generated VRT to a content reproduction apparatus, a broadcasting section configured to broadcast a single one or plural ones of the viewpoint videos which configure the retained multi viewpoint video content, and a distribution section configured to distribute a single one or plural ones of the viewpoint videos which configure the retained multi viewpoint video content through a network. The present disclosure can be applied to a content distribution system which utilizes a broadcast and the Internet.