Virtual Camera Viewpoint Synthesis for Real-Time Video Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for embedding remote objects into live television studio footage suffer from unacceptable delays due to long motion times associated with robotic camera movements, making seamless integration of remote scenes into local scenes challenging for real-time applications like live interviews.
Innovation Solution
A viewpoint synthesizer system that converts video streams to fit dynamic viewpoint configurations, using techniques like image interpolation and chroma keying to seamlessly integrate remote objects into studio footage, ensuring real-time synchronization and high-resolution updates with camera movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a robotic camera is used to embed remote objects into studio footage, then seamless integration and perspective matching are achieved, but long motion time and lag occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a virtual camera that digitally replicates the studio camera's viewpoint parameters (position, orientation, zoom) to generate remote object images from a database. This virtual camera copy eliminates the need for physical robotic camera movement, achieving seamless integration without mechanical lag.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical robotic camera system with a computational virtual camera system. Instead of physically moving a camera to match studio camera angles, the system uses software to synthesize remote object views based on transmitted viewpoint data, eliminating mechanical motion time entirely.
2Measurement precision
If a robotic camera is used to match studio camera movements, then perspective accuracy is improved, but unacceptable delays occur
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual camera copies the studio camera's viewpoint parameters (position, orientation, zoom) to generate accurate perspective views of remote objects. This digital copying achieves precise perspective matching without the time delays inherent in mechanical robotic camera movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system substitutes mechanical robotic camera control with a virtual camera computational model. The virtual camera instantly generates perspective-accurate remote object images by applying viewpoint transformation algorithms, eliminating mechanical inertia and motion delays.
3Manufacturing precision
If remote objects are embedded in real-time with high resolution, then close-up situations are supported, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-stores multiple views and resolutions of remote objects in a database before they are needed. When a studio camera captures a scene, the corresponding pre-preprocessed remote object images are immediately retrieved and composited, enabling high-resolution close-ups without real-time processing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects and processes only the specific remote object images needed for the current studio camera viewpoint. Rather than continuously processing all possible views, the virtual camera adaptively requests and composites only the relevant pre-preprocessed images matching the current scene requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
It is provided a method for converting video streams capturing a scene to video streams fitting a viewpoint configuration. The video streams are provided by video cameras, and the method includes receiving parameters associated with the viewpoint configuration, and converting video streams of the scene as captured by the video cameras to video streams fitting the viewpoint configuration. The viewpoint configuration may be a dynamic viewpoint configuration determined by a joystick module. The converting may be done using a three dimensional method, and includes separating objects of the scene from other portions of the scene. The method may includes integrating the scene into the video stream of a certain scene associated with the viewpoint configuration. Sometimes the viewpoint configuration includes a varying zoom and the converting is done using one of several methods, transition between adjacent video cameras having different zoom values, real zooming of a video camera having a motorized zoom, and digital zooming in of video streams. The converting may be done on video streams which have been captured the scene in advance before commencing the converting.