Webcam Virtual Flashlight for Multimedia Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multimedia processing technologies fail to generate compelling, personalized videos from pictures and movie clips in a natural and efficient manner, as they require manual effort and lack personalization, and existing video editing tools do not support camcorder-like controls effectively, leading to quality degradation and lack of realism.

Innovation Solution

An input control system using a webcam as a virtual flashlight to record and transform multimedia content by determining the position, orientation, and movement of the camera, allowing users to pan, scan, and zoom, which are then used to generate view parameters for creating custom multimedia presentations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual slideshow editors are used to generate personalized videos, then personalization and quality are improved, but user effort and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevideo qualityVSAvoiduser effort

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects image features and generates video transformations without requiring manual user input for each adjustment, while still producing personalized results based on automatic feature tracking

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses real-time feedback from camera position tracking to automatically adjust video parameters, creating a closed-loop system that refines video generation based on detected feature positions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If automatic video generation is used, then ease of operation is improved, but personalization and engagement decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of useVSAvoidpersonalization quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates real-time feedback from camera tracking to dynamically adjust video parameters, enabling automatic operation that still produces personalized results through continuous adaptation to detected feature positions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If camcorder recording is used to capture screen content, then natural camera movement is achieved, but video quality degrades due to double copying

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenatural camera controlVSAvoidvideo quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses an intermediary approach by tracking camera position through image feature detection rather than direct optical recording, eliminating the double copying process while preserving natural movement characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the mechanical/optical recording process with a computational approach using image feature detection and coordinate transformation, substituting physical camera recording with digital processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If standard video editing tools are used, then basic editing functionality is provided, but camcorder-like controls and natural recording are not supported

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveediting functionalityVSAvoidnatural camera control

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system combines multiple functions into a unified interface that provides both standard video editing capabilities and natural camcorder-like controls through image feature tracking, eliminating the need for separate tools

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8054332B2Advanced input controller for multimedia processing

Publication Date: 2011.11.08 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

The system and method enables people to use their webcam as a virtual flashlight over their screen as a picture or video clip is playing. The position, tilt and rotation of the flashlight over the screen is recorded and smoothed to generate a compelling movie. Users move the webcam closer to the screen to focus on a specific area; users can rotate the webcam to generate compelling rotations, and users can pan the webcam to simulate looking at objects from a side.