Volumetric Video Delivery Adjusting Point Cloud Density by Viewpoint Distance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional video content delivery systems face challenges in optimizing bandwidth usage while maintaining user experience, especially with volumetric video content that requires high point cloud densities, which can be demanding on communication networks and computational resources.

Innovation Solution

The system adjusts video content by determining the distance from the viewpoint to point-cloud objects and selecting appropriate point cloud densities based on quality parameters and available bandwidth, reducing point cloud density for objects farther away to conserve bandwidth without degrading user experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If high point cloud density is used for volumetric video content, then visual quality is improved, but bandwidth consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual qualityVSAvoidbandwidth consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by adjusting point cloud density based on the distance between objects and the viewpoint. Objects farther from the viewpoint use lower point cloud densities, while objects closer to the viewpoint maintain higher densities. This spatially adaptive approach ensures visual quality is optimized locally where needed while reducing overall bandwidth consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the point cloud density parameter dynamically based on distance from the viewpoint. By adjusting this critical parameter according to spatial position, the system achieves visual quality optimization while controlling bandwidth usage. The quality parameter is modified to reflect distance-based density adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If high point cloud density is used for volumetric video content, then visual quality is improved, but computational resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual qualityVSAvoidcomputational resources

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reduces computational resources by applying local quality adjustments. Instead of processing high-density point clouds for all objects, the system processes only those objects close to the viewpoint at high density, while using lower density for distant objects. This significantly reduces the total number of points requiring computational processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by providing high point cloud density only where necessary (close objects) rather than uniformly across all content. This selective approach maintains visual quality for objects that matter most to the user experience while avoiding the excessive computational burden of processing all objects at maximum density.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Quantity of substance

If point cloud density is reduced for distant objects, then bandwidth consumption is reduced, but visual quality may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth consumptionVSAvoidvisual quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by making quality adaptive to local conditions (distance). Distant objects naturally tolerate lower point cloud densities without significant visual quality loss to the user, while close objects maintain high quality. This local adaptation ensures bandwidth is reduced only where quality degradation is imperceptible.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses distance information as feedback to determine appropriate point cloud density levels. By continuously assessing the spatial relationship between objects and the viewpoint, the system adjusts density levels to maintain perceived visual quality while optimizing bandwidth usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11641498B2Method, systems and devices for providing adjusted video content according to viewing distance

Publication Date: 2023.05.02 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, embodiments for obtaining video content from a video content server, determining a quality parameter for each of the plurality of adjusted video content, and adjusting the video content to generate the plurality of adjusted video content. Each of the plurality of adjusted video content comprises a different point cloud density according to the quality parameter. Further embodiments can include receiving a request for the video content from a video content application on a communication device, and determining a distance from a viewpoint to a point-cloud object on the video content application of the communication device. Additional embodiments can include selecting an adjusted video content based on the distance from the viewpoint to the point-cloud object and the quality parameter of the adjusted video content, and providing the adjusted video content to the communication device for presentation. Other embodiments are disclosed.