Virtual Background Playback Synchronization for Tear-Free Camera Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for recording virtual backgrounds in a virtual image recording studio suffer from synchronization issues between the camera's image capture frequency and the background playback device's refresh rate, leading to uneven illumination and a tearing effect in the recorded images.

Innovation Solution

Synchronize the timing of the virtual background display with the sequence of exposure times by linking the camera and background playback device via a network, adjusting the frequency and phase of the control signal to ensure that the background rendering changes only outside the camera's exposure window.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the background playback device updates the virtual background display during camera exposure, then the background can be changed dynamically, but image errors and tearing effects occur due to inconsistent light pulse registration across different areas of the light-sensitive element

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedynamic background update capabilityVSAvoidimage consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system determines permissible exposure times in advance based on the light pulse frequency before actual image capture. By pre-calculating and storing these permissible exposure times that satisfy the synchronization condition, the system ensures that when image capture occurs, the exposure time will be consistent across all areas of the light-sensitive element, preventing tearing effects while maintaining dynamic background update capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system adjusts the exposure time parameter based on the light pulse frequency of the background playback device. By establishing a mathematical relationship between exposure time and light pulse frequency (exposure time = n / light pulse frequency, where n is a positive integer), the system dynamically changes the exposure time parameter to ensure synchronous registration of light pulses across all sensor areas, thereby resolving the image consistency issue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If the exposure time is extended to capture more light pulses, then uniform illumination is achieved, but the frame rate and responsiveness of the system decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniformity of background illuminationVSAvoidframe rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the exposure time parameter based on the light pulse frequency to find optimal values that satisfy both uniform illumination and frame rate requirements. By using the formula exposure time = n / light pulse frequency, the system can select appropriate integer values of n to achieve sufficient light pulse capture while maintaining acceptable frame rates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system receives information about the light pulse frequency from the background playback device and uses this feedback to determine appropriate exposure times. This feedback mechanism allows the camera to adapt its exposure settings in real-time based on the actual operating conditions of the background playback device, ensuring optimal performance for both illumination uniformity and frame rate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If the camera and background playback device are synchronized via network, then image errors are prevented, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization accuracyVSAvoidsystem integration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a network interface as an intermediary to communicate between the camera and the background playback device. The camera receives information about the light pulse frequency through this network interface, which acts as a mediator to transfer synchronization data without requiring direct complex hardware integration, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high synchronization accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Prevents uneven illumination and tearing effects by ensuring that each area of the camera's light-sensitive element registers the same number of light pulses during exposure, resulting in uniformly illuminated images of the virtual background.

Implementation Method 1

The background playback device (15) has a control unit (37) configured to change the display of a virtual background (21) at adjustable update intervals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight pulse emission: Light

Data Source

PatentEP4164236B1Background reproduction device, camera, and method for reproducing a representation of a virtual background
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 ARNOLD & RICHTER CINE TECHNIK GMBH & CO BETRIEBS KG
  • EP4164236B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4164236B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4164236B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a method for reproducing a virtual background using a background playback device for a camera recording in a virtual image recording studio, the reproduction of the virtual background is controlled by timing. The camera further records the reproduction of the virtual background according to a sequence of exposure times, and the timing of the reproduction of the virtual background and the sequence of exposure times are synchronized.