Virtual Camera Control for Volumetric Scene Coverage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for processing physical video camera data into a volumetric representation of a scene, such as a sports stadium, face limitations due to geometric constraints and potential failures of physical cameras, leading to gaps in coverage and reduced video quality for virtual camera navigation.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for controlling a virtual camera within a three-dimensional volume, determining its position and coverage by physical cameras, and adjusting its viewpoint attributes to generate a high-quality view based on user commands, while managing perspective and resolution errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If physical video cameras are positioned around a sports stadium to achieve 360 degree coverage, then the volumetric capture capability is improved, but the availability of mounting points and interference with on-field action limits the actual coverage achievable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the physical camera system by rendering a virtual three-dimensional representation of the scene from multiple virtual camera positions. This virtual camera array is computationally generated based on the actual physical camera positions and orientations, allowing the system to simulate coverage from positions where no physical cameras exist while maintaining realistic perspective and quality characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional camera positioning constraints to three-dimensional virtual camera positioning freedom. By computing virtual camera positions and orientations in three-dimensional space based on the geometric relationships of physical cameras, the system achieves coverage perspectives that would be physically impossible or impractical to obtain with real cameras, effectively adding a dimensional degree of freedom to camera placement.
2Reliability
If physical video cameras are deployed to provide comprehensive coverage, then the video quality for virtual camera navigation is improved, but camera failures and environmental factors create unexpected coverage gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-computes and stores the three-dimensional representation of the scene from multiple virtual camera positions before actual camera failures occur. By having pre-rendered virtual views available, the system can seamlessly switch to alternative virtual camera positions when physical cameras fail or are blocked by environmental factors, providing proactive protection against coverage gaps without requiring real-time detection or response.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtual camera system as an intermediary layer between physical cameras and the final video output. This virtual camera array acts as a buffer that can compensate for physical camera failures by synthesizing views from multiple virtual positions, allowing the system to maintain continuous coverage even when individual physical cameras become unavailable due to failures or environmental interference.
3Adaptability or versatility
If virtual camera navigation allows full freedom of movement in the volumetric space, then the viewing flexibility is improved, but the geometric constraints and visual errors from physical camera arrangements limit navigable regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts virtual camera positioning and rendering parameters based on the user's navigation commands and the underlying physical camera geometry. As the virtual camera moves through the three-dimensional space, the system adaptively selects the optimal subset of physical camera data and adjusts rendering parameters to maintain quality, allowing free navigation while compensating for geometric constraints in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes rendering parameters such as resolution, field of view, and sampling density based on the virtual camera's position and orientation relative to the physical camera array. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the system maintains acceptable visual quality across a wide range of virtual camera positions, effectively expanding the navigable space while managing the precision limitations imposed by the fixed physical camera geometry.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling a virtual camera within a three-dimensional volume associated with a scene. A virtual camera position within the three-dimensional volume is determined. Coverage, by a plurality of physical cameras, of at least a portion of the scene as viewed from a plurality of viewpoints associated with the virtual camera position, is determined. The virtual camera is controlled to generate a view of the scene, based on the determined coverage, in response to receiving a user command changing at least one viewpoint attribute of the virtual camera.