Virtual Viewpoint Path Generation Using Key Frame Interpolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current techniques for setting a virtual viewpoint image generation struggle to easily generate a desired camera path, as operators find it difficult to set a virtual viewpoint with precise position and orientation at desired times, and existing methods do not support the generation of camera paths effectively.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus and method that sets key frames indicating virtual viewpoint positions, determines a moving path of virtual viewpoints between these key frames, and outputs viewpoint information to generate a virtual viewpoint image, using interpolation methods like spline and circular interpolation to reduce the burden on operators and ensure natural movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an operator manually operates a joystick to change the position and orientation of the virtual viewpoint, then the virtual viewpoint can be moved on a suitable path, but it becomes difficult to set a virtual viewpoint with desired position and orientation at desired time
Solution Approach 1:
The camera path is divided into multiple key frames, each representing a specific position and orientation of the virtual viewpoint at a desired time. By segmenting the continuous path into discrete key frames, the operator can easily set important positions without needing to manually adjust every frame, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining precision at key moments
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically generates intermediate frames between key frames using spline interpolation before the actual rendering. This preliminary generation of intermediate positions and orientations eliminates the need for manual adjustment during playback, allowing the operator to simply set key frames while achieving precise positioning at all times
2Productivity
If key frames are used to indicate virtual viewpoint positions at different times, then the moving path can be determined between key frames, but existing techniques do not support natural camera movement
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the mathematical parameters used for interpolation by offering multiple types of spline functions (e.g., cubic spline, Bézier curve, catmull-rom spline) that can be selected based on the desired camera movement characteristics. This allows the system to maintain high productivity through automated path generation while ensuring naturalness by adapting the interpolation method to create smooth, visually pleasing camera movements
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the interpolation parameters and spline function selection based on the spatial relationship between key frames and the desired camera movement characteristics. This dynamic adaptation ensures that the camera movement appears natural and appropriate for each specific segment of the path, rather than using a fixed interpolation method throughout
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus sets a plurality of key frames that each indicate a position of a virtual viewpoint that corresponds to a virtual viewpoint image, the plurality of key frames corresponding to different times, the virtual viewpoint image being generated based on images of an image capture region captured by a plurality of image capturing apparatuses from different directions. The information processing apparatus determines, based on a position of a virtual viewpoint indicated by a set first key frame and a position of a virtual viewpoint indicated by a set second key frame, a moving path of the virtual viewpoints during a time period between time that corresponds to the first key frame and time that corresponds to the second key frame, and outputs viewpoint information that indicates the determined moving path of the virtual viewpoints.