Virtual Camera View Control for Fixed-Gaze Free Viewpoint Media
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for generating free viewpoint media face challenges in maintaining a fixed gaze on a region of interest due to parallax effects and abrupt viewpoint transitions, especially when cameras are not aligned in a straight line, leading to computational inefficiencies and image quality issues.
Innovation Solution
The method involves simulating virtual perspective cameras with controlled rotation and principal point positioning based on two control points, reducing warping and skewing by aligning virtual cameras to face directly towards the region of interest, using standard computer vision techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cameras are arranged in a non-linear array to capture free viewpoint media, then the viewing perspective flexibility is improved, but parallax effects cause gaze instability and image distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces virtual cameras as intermediary elements between the physical camera array and the final rendered views. These virtual cameras are computationally synthesized to maintain fixed gaze on regions of interest while synthesizing intermediate viewpoints, thereby mediating between the flexible physical camera arrangement and the stable visual output required for free viewpoint media.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts camera parameters including principal point positioning and rotation angles to maintain fixed gaze on regions of interest. By changing these parameters adaptively across different viewpoints, the system preserves gaze stability while allowing flexible camera arrangements for comprehensive scene capture.
2Reliability
If virtual cameras are simulated to point directly at the region of interest, then gaze stability is improved, but computational complexity increases due to warping and skewing corrections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary positioning of the principal point and pre-calculates camera rotation angles before view synthesis. By establishing the correct principal point position and rotation parameters in advance, the system avoids complex real-time warping operations during viewpoint transitions, thereby reducing computational complexity while maintaining gaze stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes computational efficiency by carefully selecting and adjusting camera parameters such as principal point position and rotation angle. These parameter changes are designed to minimize the extent of required image warping and skewing corrections, thereby reducing computational complexity while preserving the ability to maintain fixed gaze on regions of interest.
3Reliability
If the principal point is repositioned and cameras are rotated to maintain fixed gaze, then gaze stability is improved, but viewpoint transitions become abrupt
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic adjustments of camera parameters including gradual changes in principal point position and rotation angles during viewpoint transitions. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain fixed gaze on regions of interest while smoothly transitioning between different viewpoints, preventing abrupt changes in the visual composition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements smooth parameter transitions by gradually changing camera parameters such as principal point position and rotation angle during viewpoint switches. These controlled parameter changes ensure that gaze stability is maintained while avoiding abrupt transitions that would disrupt the visual composition and viewer experience.
4Ease of manufacture
If standard computer vision techniques are used for view synthesis, then ease of implementation is improved, but image quality deteriorates due to warping and distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary corrections to camera parameters including principal point positioning and rotation angle adjustments before view synthesis. By pre-establishing the correct geometric parameters, the system reduces the extent of warping and distortion required during synthesis, thereby improving image quality while maintaining the use of standard computer vision techniques for ease of implementation.
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
This approach enables smooth transitions and maintains a fixed gaze on the region of interest across different viewpoints, reducing computational complexity and image distortion while allowing for cost-effective camera and sensor requirements.
Implementation Method 1
simulating virtual perspective cameras with controlled rotation and principal point positioning based on two control points
Implementation Method 2
maintaining a fixed gaze on a region of interest due to parallax effects and abrupt viewpoint transitions
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus to control appearance of views in free viewpoint media are disclosed. An apparatus includes at least one memory; instructions; and processor circuitry to execute the instructions to: determine a first point in three-dimensional space relative to a plurality of real-world cameras, the first point corresponding to a region of interest in a real-world scene to be captured by the real-world cameras; determine, independent of the first point, a second point in the three-dimensional space; and determine parameters for a virtual camera based on both the first point and the second point, the parameters to enable generation of a virtual image from a perspective of the virtual camera based on a modification of a real-world image captured by one of the real-world cameras.