Virtual Production Camera Placement for Moiré Risk Mapping

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The generation of moiré patterns during virtual production is laborious and time-consuming due to the need for manual placement and analysis of cameras relative to display walls, which is unsatisfactory in a production environment.

Innovation Solution

A device with circuitry that defines a virtual production set and generates a heat map indicating the probability of moiré patterns based on parameters such as display wall and camera positions, allowing quick identification of optimal camera locations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual placement and analysis of cameras relative to display walls is performed, then accurate moiré pattern detection is achieved, but the process becomes laborious and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoiré pattern detection accuracyVSAvoidset planning time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the physical production set in a computer-generated environment. This virtual model includes digital representations of display walls, cameras, and targets. By analyzing moiré patterns in this virtual copy rather than performing manual physical analysis, the system maintains detection accuracy while dramatically reducing the time and labor required for set planning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical analysis methods with automated computer-based simulation. Instead of physically positioning cameras and manually analyzing moiré patterns, the system uses software to simulate camera positions, render virtual images, and automatically detect moiré patterns through algorithmic analysis, eliminating the need for labor-intensive manual procedures.

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

2Manufacturing precision

If comprehensive analysis of all camera positions is performed, then optimal camera locations are identified, but the complexity of the analysis process increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera position optimizationVSAvoidanalysis system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the continuous space of possible camera positions into a discrete grid of sample points. This segmentation allows the system to analyze specific predetermined locations systematically without overwhelming complexity. The virtual production set is also segmented into manageable computational elements that can be processed individually by the simulation system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary virtual analysis of all potential camera positions before actual production begins. By pre-calculating moiré patterns for multiple positions in the virtual environment and generating heat maps showing risk areas, the system identifies optimal locations in advance, simplifying the actual on-set camera placement process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4597422A1A device, computer program and method
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP4597422A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4597422A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4597422A1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A device comprising circuitry configured to: define a virtual production set including a display wall and a target to be captured by a camera when the camera is located at a plurality of positions on the set; and generate a heat map indicating the probability of a moiré pattern being generated in an image captured by the camera when located at each of the positions on the set based upon at least one parameter associated with the display wall, the position of the target relative to the display wall and the camera; and provide the generated heat map is described.