Virtual Viewpoint Image Processing Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for generating virtual viewpoint images struggle to handle large numbers of user requests efficiently and uniformly, leading to potential processing failures and inappropriate cost recovery for virtual viewpoint images with varying content.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus that obtains viewpoint information for virtual viewpoint images captured by multiple cameras, determines an evaluation value based on this information, and outputs the virtual viewpoint image, allowing for differentiated processing and charging based on the image content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the system uniformly processes all user requests for virtual viewpoint images, then all users can receive service, but the processing capability is exceeded and processing cannot be completed for any requests
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the processing priority and resource allocation based on the evaluation values of individual virtual viewpoint images. High-priority images (with higher evaluation values) receive preferential processing resources, while low-priority images are processed later or with reduced resources. This resolves the contradiction by making the system adaptable to handle multiple requests while maintaining high processing completion rates for important images.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of processing priority by introducing evaluation values that quantify the importance of each virtual viewpoint image. By dynamically adjusting processing parameters (such as queue position, resource allocation) based on these evaluation values, the system can adaptively handle varying numbers of requests while ensuring critical images are processed successfully.
2Ease of operation
If the system uniformly charges all users for virtual viewpoint image generation, then charging is simple, but the cost cannot be appropriately recovered for images with different generation costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing differentiated charging based on the evaluation values of virtual viewpoint images. Instead of uniform charging, the system charges different amounts according to the specific characteristics and generation costs of each image type. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining charging simplicity through automated evaluation-based differentiation while achieving accurate cost recovery.
3Device complexity
If the system processes virtual viewpoint images without differentiation, then processing is straightforward, but processing capability is exceeded when many users make requests
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by calculating evaluation values for virtual viewpoint images before actual processing. This pre-assessment of image importance allows the system to plan resource allocation and processing sequences in advance, preventing processing capability overload. The complexity is managed by performing simple evaluation calculations beforehand rather than complex real-time decision-making during processing.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes an obtaining unit configured to obtain viewpoint information indicating at least a position of a virtual viewpoint corresponding to a virtual viewpoint image that is generated based on a plurality of images obtained by a plurality of image capturing apparatuses each capturing an image of an imaging target area in a different direction, and an output unit configured to output a value of the virtual viewpoint image corresponding to the position of the virtual viewpoint indicated by the viewpoint information obtained by the obtaining unit, wherein the value is determined based on the viewpoint information.