VR Content Metadata Guided Viewing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current VR systems lack the ability to optimally select and reproduce VR content versions that match various types of VR devices, resulting in suboptimal user experiences due to the absence of metadata that accounts for device-specific characteristics and user-controlled viewpoints in 360-degree VR content.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for defining metadata based on VR content type and device characteristics, enabling the transmission and rendering of content tailored to user devices, including parameters like DOF, FOV, codec support, and guided viewing metadata, to ensure optimal content reproduction and user interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If 360-degree VR content is provided to allow users to freely view at 360 degrees, then user immersion is improved, but artistic description quality deteriorates since users can view content in any direction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser viewing freedomVSAvoidartistic description quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the 360-degree VR content into multiple directional views (front, back, left, right, and intermediate directions). Each segmented view can be independently optimized for artistic quality while maintaining the overall 360-degree immersive experience. The system divides the spherical content space into discrete regions that can be rendered with appropriate artistic intent.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic viewpoint control where the system can adjust the effective viewing direction based on user behavior, content importance, and artistic requirements. The viewpoint is not fixed but dynamically adapted to balance user freedom with artistic quality, allowing the system to guide users toward artistically optimized directions while maintaining the illusion of 360-degree freedom.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If VR content is transmitted in full 360-degree resolution, then image quality is improved, but transmission bandwidth and processing requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoiddata transmission volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by transmitting and rendering different resolutions for different directional regions. High-resolution content is transmitted for directions that are artistically important or likely to be viewed, while lower resolution is used for peripheral or less important directions. This allows the system to maintain high image quality where needed while reducing overall data transmission volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transmits only the necessary portion of the full 360-degree content at high resolution rather than transmitting the entire sphere at maximum quality. By identifying and prioritizing key viewing directions based on artistic intent and user behavior patterns, the system transmits partial content at high resolution, achieving acceptable overall quality with reduced bandwidth requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Manufacturing precision

If guided viewing metadata is added to direct users to specific viewpoints, then artistic intention is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveartistic intentionVSAvoidmetadata processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces guided viewing metadata as an intermediary layer between the VR content and the user device. This metadata contains directional guidance information that subtly steers users toward artistically important viewpoints without restricting their freedom. The metadata acts as a mediator that translates artistic intent into user-friendly directional suggestions, maintaining artistic quality while avoiding complex control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Measurement precision

If device-specific metadata is implemented to optimize content for different VR devices, then reproduction quality is improved, but compatibility requirements and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent reproduction qualityVSAvoiddevice compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal metadata framework that can adapt to multiple device types (HMDs, TVs, mobile devices) through a common interface. The guided viewing metadata and device parameter specifications are designed to be device-agnostic, allowing the same content package to be optimized for different display characteristics without requiring separate content versions. This universal approach maintains broad compatibility while enabling device-specific optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3497940B1Method and apparatus for transmitting and reproducing content in virtual reality system
Publication Date: 2024.07.03 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3497940B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3497940B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3497940B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Disclosed is a technology for a sensor network, Machine to Machine (M2M) communication, Machine Type Communication (MTC), and Internet of Things (IoT). The present disclosure can be used for intelligent services based on the technology (services related to smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car, connected car, health care, digital education, retail business, security, and safety). A method of reproducing content by a virtual reality device is provided. The method includes transmitting parameters related to functions of a user device; receiving interest metadata related to content that matches a set of the transmitted parameters; receiving and decoding the content corresponding to a version that matches the set of transmitted parameters in a unit of at least one tile corresponding to a view area to be displayed in accordance with a user's viewpoint based on the interest metadata; and rendering the decoded tile based on the interest metadata.