Virtual Green Screen Subject Differentiation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional chroma key techniques for background removal are challenging to implement in public settings like amusement parks due to difficulties in determining subject depth and spatial position from two-dimensional images, leading to misattribution and incorrect customization of experiences.
Innovation Solution
A system using a virtual green screen with multiple cameras, controlled lighting, and image processing to differentiate subjects by capturing images with varying illumination levels and using beam splitter prisms to correct for differing lines of sight, allowing for accurate subject positioning and background removal without a traditional chroma key setup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional chroma key techniques are used for background removal, then subjects can be isolated from backgrounds, but accurate subject depth and spatial position cannot be determined from two-dimensional images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension by capturing multiple images at different time points with varying illumination levels. This allows the system to differentiate between subjects and backgrounds that occupy different spatial depths, converting a 2D image limitation into a 3D+time solution where subjects remain consistently illuminated across frames while background illumination varies.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary illumination of subjects before background illumination occurs. By pre-illuminating subjects with a first light source and then subsequently illuminating the background with a second light source, the system captures temporal sequences that encode depth information, allowing accurate spatial attribution before the actual background removal process.
2Measurement precision
If a controlled physical environment with painted walls and regulated lighting is set up for chroma key, then background removal accuracy improves, but device complexity and setup costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring a physical green screen or painted background wall, the system creates a virtual chroma key effect by capturing and processing sequential images. The virtual background is synthesized through image processing algorithms that identify and remove background elements based on temporal illumination patterns, eliminating the need for physical set construction and maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical chroma key system (painted walls, specialized lighting rigs, camera positioning equipment) with an optical-temporal system using standard cameras and sequential illumination. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical setups while achieving equivalent or superior background removal accuracy through temporal image processing.
3Ease of operation
If multiple subjects are captured in a public venue without strict placement control, then accessibility and ease of operation improve, but subject differentiation and depth attribution become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic illumination cycles where subjects are illuminated during specific time intervals and backgrounds are illuminated during other intervals. This periodic action creates distinct temporal signatures for subjects versus backgrounds, allowing the processing system to accurately differentiate and attribute depth to each subject even when they are positioned freely in public venues without strict placement control.
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
Enables accurate subject differentiation and customization by overcoming depth and spatial attribution issues, providing personalized experiences without the need for a controlled physical environment, thus enhancing user enjoyment and reducing setup and maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
using beam splitter prisms to correct for differing lines of sight
Implementation Method 2
capturing images with varying illumination levels
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a method for capturing images of subjects having a first subject placed a distance in front of a second subject, comprising shining a first light on the subjects during a first period of time, wherein the first light is shone with more intensity on the first subject than the second subject; capturing a first image of the subjects during the first period of time; terminating the shining of the first light on the subjects after the capturing of the first image; shining a second light on the subjects during a second period of time after the terminating, wherein the second light is shone with more intensity on the second subject than the first subject; and capturing a second image of the subjects during the second period of time.