Virtual Light Source Rendering for Video Conference Depth Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Complex light source settings in video conference systems often lead to interference and a poor image effect, especially when multiple participants are involved, making it challenging to achieve a stereoscopic and realistic image rendering.

Innovation Solution

The method involves acquiring depth information using a combination of depth and color cameras, recognizing target areas, and applying virtual light sources with calculated gain factors to enhance the image rendering, thereby isolating the lighting effect to specific areas without affecting the background, using formulas such as K * d^2 * k' * (1 - cos(θ)) for single or multiple light sources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If multiple physical light sources are arranged at different angles to enhance image effect, then the stereoscopic effect and realism are improved, but the device complexity and light source setting complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage effectVSAvoidlight source setting complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses virtual light sources that are digitally generated and applied through image processing algorithms instead of physical light sources. The virtual light sources are calculated based on depth information and lighting models, allowing multiple lighting conditions to be simulated without adding physical devices. This copying approach resolves the contradiction by achieving complex lighting effects through software rather than hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical light sources with a computational system that uses depth cameras, processors, and rendering algorithms. Instead of physically arranging multiple light sources at different angles, the system calculates virtual lighting effects and applies them to the captured image. This substitution eliminates the complexity of physical light source arrangement while maintaining the desired lighting effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Illumination intensity

If multiple physical light sources are used to illuminate different areas, then the lighting coverage is improved, but the interference between light sources increases and image quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting coverageVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the lighting calculation by creating separate virtual light sources for different target areas based on depth information. Each virtual light source is independently calculated and applied to specific regions of the image, avoiding interference between light sources. The segmentation is achieved through depth-based region identification and targeted rendering, allowing different lighting conditions for different areas without mutual interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different lighting properties to different local areas of the image by calculating virtual light sources specifically for each target area. The lighting parameters such as intensity, direction, and color are locally optimized for each region based on its depth and spatial characteristics. This local quality approach ensures that each area receives appropriate lighting without being affected by lighting intended for other areas, thereby maintaining high image quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If depth cameras and multiple processors are used to calculate virtual light sources, then the rendering precision is improved, but the energy consumption and processing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverendering precisionVSAvoidprocessing energy
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by capturing depth information and identifying target areas before the actual lighting calculation and rendering process. The depth camera captures depth maps in advance, and the processor pre-processes this information to identify regions of interest and calculate lighting parameters before applying them to the final image. This preliminary preparation allows for optimized processing during rendering, reducing the overall energy consumption while maintaining high rendering precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3054424B1Image rendering method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2019.06.05 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3054424B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2A
  • EP3054424B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~2C
  • EP3054424B1 patent drawingFigure 2D~2E

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention disclose an image rendering method and apparatus. The method includes: recognizing a target area from a to-be-rendered image; setting a virtual light source for the target area; and performing rendering on the target area by using the virtual light source. The apparatus includes a recognizing unit, a setting unit, and a rendering unit. When rendering is performed on a to-be-rendered image by using the embodiments of the present invention, rendering performed on the to-be-rendered image is implemented by using a virtual light source. The virtual light source plays a rendering action only on a target area corresponding to the virtual light source, but does not affect another part of the to-be-rendered image, and therefore an image effect of the to-be-rendered image can be relatively good.