Virtual Camera Synthesis for Automated Sports Broadcast Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional television production of sports events is costly due to the need for multiple cameras and manual operation, which limits high-quality coverage and fails to provide comprehensive, automated replays for home viewers.
Innovation Solution
A system where cameras capture a panoramic view of a sports field, with a server automatically operating virtual cameras and switching between them, using directed sensors to enhance production, thereby replacing manual processes and providing comprehensive coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cameras and manual operation are used for traditional television production, then comprehensive coverage and replays can be provided, but production costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual camera copies that simulate multiple physical camera perspectives. The system processes images from fewer physical cameras and generates virtual views that replicate what multiple physical cameras would capture, providing comprehensive coverage without the need for expensive multi-camera setups
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual camera operation with automated image processing algorithms. The system uses computer vision and image manipulation to automatically generate and switch between different camera perspectives, eliminating the need for manual cameramen and directors while maintaining comprehensive coverage
2Reliability
If manual processes are used for camera operation and switching, then quality control is maintained, but productivity and automation level decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through automated algorithms that independently perform camera operation, scene analysis, and view switching. The system analyzes images, identifies key events and objects, and automatically selects appropriate virtual camera perspectives without human intervention, maintaining quality through programmed criteria while dramatically improving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously analyzes captured images and uses feedback from image processing to dynamically adjust virtual camera positions and selections. The automated director monitors scene content in real-time and adjusts views based on detected events, players, and ball positions, ensuring quality control through continuous adaptive feedback
3Device complexity
If fewer cameras are used to reduce cost, then production cost decreases, but coverage comprehensiveness and replay capability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a computational dimension to the physical camera system. By processing images from fewer physical cameras through virtual camera synthesis, the system creates multiple virtual perspectives from limited physical inputs, enabling comprehensive coverage and replay capabilities without increasing physical camera count
Solution Approach 2:
Each physical camera in the system serves multiple functions simultaneously. The captured images are used not only for the primary view but also processed to generate multiple virtual camera perspectives, enabling a single physical camera to perform the work of multiple cameras and providing replay capability from various angles
Data Source
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AI summary
It is provided a method for a computerized, server autonomously producing a TV show of a sports game in a scene. The method includes receiving from several video cameras a stream of video images of the scene for capturing a panoramic view of the scene, analyzing the stream of video images for allowing definition of several frame streams, determining location data of the frame streams accordingly, and rendering an active frame stream with images imaging a respective portion of the panoramic view of the scene. The method includes also transmitting for broadcasting a stream of image frames imaging the respective portion of the panoramic view. The step of analyzing the stream of video images includes identifying a playing object, tracking the playing, object and identifying players. The method also includes calibrating the cameras using points in the playing field. The method may include analyzing the stream of video images for identifying an event in the scene for switching between the active frame stream and a different frame stream. Also, the method may include directing a directed sensor to a region of interest in accordance with location data of the active, frame stream.