Virtual Camera Parameter Control for Object Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Operators face difficulty in instantly determining and designating suitable virtual objects in a virtual viewpoint image due to the complexity of adjusting virtual camera positions, orientations, and directions, making it challenging to effectively display virtual advertisements.

Innovation Solution

A control apparatus that includes hardware processors and memory storing programs to obtain virtual camera parameters, generate a user interface for selecting virtual object groups, and determine recommended ranges for virtual advertisements based on the camera parameters, allowing operators to easily select suitable virtual objects for display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the operator manually adjusts virtual camera position, orientation, and direction to find suitable virtual objects, then the virtual objects can be effectively displayed, but the time and complexity required for the operation increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevirtual object placement accuracyVSAvoidtime to designate virtual objects

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-calculates and stores optimal camera parameters (position, orientation, angle of view) for each virtual object group before the operator needs to make selections. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for real-time manual adjustment, allowing the operator to simply select from pre-computed optimal configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediate processing layer that automatically matches current camera parameters with suitable virtual object groups based on pre-stored optimal parameters. This intermediary mechanism bridges the gap between camera state and object selection, eliminating the need for direct manual matching by the operator.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If the operator manually adjusts virtual camera parameters to select suitable virtual objects, then appropriate virtual advertisements can be displayed, but the operational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevirtual object placement accuracyVSAvoidease of designating virtual objects

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic matching of virtual object groups to current camera parameters without requiring manual intervention. The control apparatus autonomously compares current camera state with pre-stored optimal parameters and selects the most suitable virtual object group, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating complex manual operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Optimal camera parameters for each virtual object group are pre-calculated and stored in advance. When the operator needs to select virtual objects, the system simply retrieves and matches against these pre-prepared configurations, transforming a complex manual adjustment task into a simple selection process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple virtual object groups are available for selection, then the versatility of the virtual viewpoint image increases, but the difficulty of selecting the appropriate virtual objects increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevariety of virtual objectsVSAvoidcomplexity of selection process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides immediate feedback by automatically comparing current camera parameters with pre-stored optimal parameters for each virtual object group. This feedback mechanism highlights the most suitable virtual object groups based on the current camera state, guiding the operator's selection without requiring them to manually evaluate multiple options.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-organizes multiple virtual object groups with their corresponding optimal camera parameters stored in advance. This preliminary organization allows the system to quickly retrieve and present only the most relevant options based on current camera state, rather than requiring the operator to evaluate all available virtual objects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250021217A1Control apparatus, method, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2025.01.16 CANON KK

AI summary

An object of the present disclosure is to make it easy to designate a virtual object(s) suitable for the current virtual camera position. A control apparatus according to the present disclosure obtains a virtual camera parameter including information of at least one of a position, an orientation, or an angle of view of a virtual camera in a virtual space. Based on the virtual camera parameter, the control apparatus generates a user interface that assists a user to make an input for selecting one or more virtual object groups from among a plurality of virtual object groups to each of which one or more virtual objects belong. Moreover, based on the input for selecting the virtual object groups from the user, the control apparatus determines the virtual object groups.