VTV system

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. utility application Ser. No. 09/891,733 entitled “VTV System” filed Jun. 25, 2001 by Angus Duncan Richards.

[0002] This invention relates to image viewing and sound systems.

[0003] While normal television or movie screens are a common form of modern entertainment, these conventional systems do not allow a user to control the viewing direction and relative position of the viewer with respect to the movie action. Additionally, while virtual reality viewing is becoming increasingly popular, conventional systems for producing three dimensional images are often complex and the media graphics are costly to generate.

[0004] The following invention relates to an overall hardware configuration that produces an enhanced spatial television-like viewing experience. Unlike normal television, with this system the viewer is able to control both the viewing direction and relative position of the viewer with respect to the movie action. In addition to a specific hardware configuration, this invention also relates to a new video format which makes possible this virtual reality like experience. Additionally, several proprietary video compression standards are also defined which facilitate this goal. The VTV system is designed to be an intermediary technology between conventional two-dimensional cinematography and true virtual reality.

[0005] There are several stages in the evolution of the VTV system ranging from, in its most basic form, a panoramic display system to, in its most sophisticated form featuring full object based virtual reality utilizing animated texture maps and featuring live actors and/or computer-generated characters in a full “environment aware” augmented reality system.

[0029] The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently-preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.

• [0030] 1.1) The following patent relates to an overall hardware configuration that produces an enhanced spatial television-like viewing experience. Unlike normal television, with this system the viewer is able to control both the viewing direction and relative position of the viewer with respect to the movie action. In addition to a specific hardware configuration, this patent also relates to a new video format which makes possible this virtual reality like experience. Additionally, several proprietary video compression standards are also defined which facilitate this goal. The VTV system is designed to be an intermediary technology between conventional two-dimensional cinematography and true virtual reality. There are several stages in the evolution of the VTV system ranging from, in its most basic form, a panoramic display system to, in its most sophisticated form featuring full object based virtual reality utilizing animated texture maps and featuring live actors and/or computer-generated characters in a full “environment aware” augmented reality system.
• [0031] 1.2) As can be seen in FIG. 1 the overall VTV system consists of a central graphics processing device (the VTV processor), a range of video input devices (DVD, VCR, satellite, terrestrial television, remote video cameras), infrared remote control, digital network connection and several output device connections. In its most basic configuration as shown in FIG. 2, the VTV unit would output imagery to a conventional television device. In such a configuration a remote control device (possibly infrared) would be used to control the desired viewing direction and position of the viewer within the VTV environment. The advantage of this “basic system configuration” is that it is implementable utilizing current audiovisual technology. The VTV graphics standard is a forwards compatible graphics standard which can be thought of as a “layer” above that of standard video. That is to say conventional video represents a subset of the new VTV graphics standard. As a result of this standard's compatibility, VTV can be introduced without requiring any major changes in the television and/or audiovisual manufacturers specifications. Additionally, VTV compatible television decoding units will inherently be compatible with conventional television transmissions.
• [0032] 1.3) In a more sophisticated configuration, as shown in FIG. 3, the VTV system uses a wireless HMD as the display device. In such a configuration the wireless HMD can be used as a tracking device in addition to simply displaying images. This tracking information in the most basic form could consist of simply controlling the direction of view. In a more sophisticated system, both direction of view and position of the viewer within the virtual environment can be determined. Ultimately, in the most sophisticated implementation, remote cameras on the HMD will provide to the VTV system, real world images which it will interpret into spatial objects, the spatial objects can then be replaced with virtual objects thus providing an “environment aware” augmented reality system.
• [0033] 1.4) The wireless VTV is connected to the VTV processor by virtue of a wireless data link “Cybernet link”. In its most basic form this link is capable of transmitting video information from the VTV processor to the HMD and transmitting tracking information from the HMD to the VTV processor. In its most sophisticated form the cybernet link would transmit video information both to and from the HMD in addition to transferring tracking information from the HMD to the VTV processor. Additionally certain components of the VTV processor may be incorporated in the remote HMD thus reducing the data transfer requirement through the cybernet link. This wireless data link can be implemented in a number of different ways utilizing either analog or digital video transmission (in either an un-compressed or a digitally compressed format) with a secondary digitally encoded data stream for tracking information. Alternately, a purely digital unidirectional or bi-directional data link which carries both of these channels could be incorporated. The actual medium for data transfer would probably be microwave or optical. However either transfer medium may be utilized as appropriate. The preferred embodiment of this system is one which utilizes on-board panoramic cameras fitted to the HMD in conjunction with image analysis hardware on board the HMD or possibly on the VTV base station to provide real-time tracking information. To further improve system accuracy, retroflective markers may also the utilized in the “real world environment”. In such a configuration, switchable light sources placed near to the optical axis of the on-board cameras would be utilized in conjunction with these cameras to form a “differential image analysis” system. Such a system features considerably higher recognition accuracy than one utilizing direct video images alone.
• [0034] 1.5) Ultimately, the VTV system will transfer graphic information utilizing a “universal graphics standard”. Such a standard will incorporate an object based graphics description language which achieves a high degree of compression by virtue of a “common graphics knowledge base” between subsystems. This patent describes in basic terms three levels of progressive sophistication in the evolution of this graphics language.
• [0035] 1.6) These three compression standards will for the purpose of this patent be described as:
  • [0036] a) c-com
  • [0037] b) s-com
  • [0038] c) v-com
• [0039] 1.7) In its most basic format the VTV system can be thought of as a 360 Degree panoramic display screen which surrounds the viewer.
• [0040] 1.8) This “virtual display screen” consists of a number of “video Pages”. Encoded in the video image is a “Page key code” which instructs the VTV processor to place the graphic information into specific locations within this “virtual display screen”. As a result of this ability to place images dynamically it is possible to achieve the effective equivalent to both high-resolution and high frame rates without significant sacrifice to either. For example, only sections of the image which are rapidly changing require rapid image updates whereas the majority of the image is generally static. Unlike conventional cinematography in which key elements (which are generally moving) are located in the primary scene, the majority of a panoramic image is generally static.
  VTV Graphics Standard:
• [0041] 2.1) In its most basic form the VTV graphics standard consists of a virtual 360 degree panoramic display screen upon which video images can be rendered from an external video source such as VCR, DVD, satellite, camera or terrestrial television receiver such that each video frame contains not only the video information but also information that defines its location within the virtual display screen. Such a system is remarkably versatile as it provides not only variable resolution images but also frame rate independent imagery. That is to say, the actual update rate within a particular virtual image (entire virtual display screen) may vary within the display screen itself. This is inherently accomplished by virtue of each frame containing its virtual location information. This allows active regions of the virtual image to be updated quickly at the nominal perception cost of not updating sections on the image which have little or no change. Such a system is shown in FIG. 4.
• [0042] 2.2) To further improve the realism of the imagery, the basic VTV system can be enhanced to the format shown in FIG. 5. In this configuration the cylindrical virtual display screen is interpreted by the VTV processor as a truncated sphere. This effect can be easily generated through the use of a geometry translator or “Warp Engine” within the digital processing hardware component of the VTV processor.
• [0043] 2.3) Due to constant variation of absolute planes of reference, mobile camera applications (either HMD based or Pan-Cam based) require additional tracking information for azimuth and elevation of the camera system to be included with the visual information in order that the images can be correctly decoded by the VTV graphics engine. In such a system, absolute camera azimuth and elevation becomes part of the image frame information. There are several possible techniques for the interpretation of this absolute reference data. Firstly, the coordinate data could be used to define the origins of the image planes within the memory during the memory writing process. Unfortunately this approach will tend to result in remnant image fragments being left in memory from previous frames with different alignment values. A more practical solution is simply to write the video information into memory with an assumed reference point of 0 azimuth, 0 elevation. This video information is then correctly displayed by correcting the display viewport for the camera angular offsets. One possible data format for such a system is shown in FIG. 11 and Table-1.

[0044]

TABLE 1
CONTROL FIELD	BITS	VALUE	ASSIGNMENT KEY
FRAME FLIP	FF		FLIP MEMORY FRAMES
FIELD TYPE	F2-F0	0	FOREGROUND VIDEO (ARM)
		1	BACKGROUND VIDEO (VRM)
		2	DIGITAL HYBRID (TM)
		3	DIGITAL BIT STREAM FRAME (TM)
		4	RESERVED
		5	RESERVED
		6	RESERVED
		7	DIGITAL CONTROL FRAME
PAGE NUMBER	P3-P0	0-15	(DEPENDANT UPON MEM LAYOUT)
AUDIO SYNC	AS		RESET AUDIO BUFFER TO ZERO
ELEVATION CORRECTION	E8-E0	(+/−  45 DEG)	CAMERA ELEVATION
AZIMUTH CORRECTION	A10-A0	(+/− 180 DEG)	CAMERA AZIMUTH
AUDIO TRACKS	T1-T0	0	NO AUDIO TRACKS
		1	4 AUDIO TRACKS
		2	8 AUDIO TRACKS
		3	OBJECT BASED AUDIO
AUDIO SAMPLE RATE	S1-S0	0	2/4 LINES (15K S/S)
		1	3/6 LINES (23K S/S)
		2	4/8 LINES (31k S/S)
		3	5/10 LINES (38K S/S)

[0045] Audio Standards:

• [0046] 2.4) In addition to 360 degree panoramic video, the VTV standard also supports either 4 track (quadraphonic) or 8 track (octaphonic) spatial audio. A virtual representation of the 4 track system is shown in FIG. 6. In the case of the simple 4 track audio system sound through the left and right speakers of the sound system (or headphones, in the case of an HMD based system) is scaled according to the azimuth the of the view port (direction of view within the VR environment). In the case of the 8 track audio system sound through the left and right speakers of the sound system (or headphones, in the case of an HMD based system) is scaled according to both the azimuth and elevation of the view port, as shown in the virtual representation of the system, FIG. 7.
• [0047] 2.5) In its most basic form, the VTV standard encodes the multi-track audio channels as part of the video information in a digital/analogue hybrid format as shown in FIG. 12. As a result, video compatibility with existing equipment can be achieved. As can be seen in this illustration, the audio data is stored in a compressed analogue coded format such that each video scan line contains 512 audio samples. In addition to this analogue coded audio information, each audio scan line contains a three bit digital code that is used to “pre-scale” the audio information. That is to say that the actual audio sample value is X*S where X is the pre-scale number and S is the sample value. Using this dual-coding scheme the dynamic range of the audio system can be extended from about 43 dB to over 60 dB. Secondly, this extending of the dynamic range is done at relatively “low cost” to the audio quality because we are relatively insensitive to audio distortion when the overall signal level is high. The start bit is an important component in the system. It's function is to set the maximum level for the scan line (i.e. the 100% or white level) This level in conjunction with the black level (this can be sampled just after the colour burst) forms the 0% and 100% range for each line. By dynamically adjusting the 0% and 100% marks for each line on a line by line basis, the system becomes much less sensitive to variations in black level due to AC-coupling of video sub modules and/or recording and play back of the video media in addition to improving the accuracy of the decoding of the digital component of the scan line.
• [0048] 2.6) In addition to this pre-scaling of the digital information, an audio control bit (AS) is included in each field (shown in this particular example at line 21). This control bit sets the audio buffer sequence to 0 when it is set. This provides a way to synchronize the 4 or 8 track audio information so that the correct track is always being updated from the current data regardless of the sequence of the video Page updates.
• [0049] 2.7) In an alternate configuration spatial audio can be provided by using the conventional stereo audio provided by video recording and playback systems (typically digital or linear analogue audio tracks). At best such conventional systems provide only two audio tracks with a 48 KHz sample rate (ie 2 channel 24 KHz audio). However it is possible to encode a greater number or audio tracks (for example 4 or 8 audio tracks) onto the same storage medium by compressing the audio data in the time domain and then time division multiplexing the resultant data. At the receive side the process is reversed by first decoding the time division multiplexed data and then by decompressing the audio data to form a series of continuous audio streams. It is preferable to incorporate a high order notch filter or high pass filter to remove any sampling noise introduced by the time division multiplexing/de-multiplexing procedure. Such a filter would probably be of digital design and would be simply part of the digital processing hardware of the VTV Processor. A typical configuration for such an audio encoding system is shown in FIGS. 13-15.

[0050] Clearly such a system is easily implementable. The “performance cost” of increasing the number of audio channels is a reduction in the frequency response of the system. This reduction is directly proportional to the increase in channels. For example, increasing the number of channels from 2 to 4 will reduce the frequency response from 24 KHz to 12 KHz. This level of reduction is acceptable and ultimately this Audio Multiplexing system may be preferable to the previously described Video Encoded Audio system in that it is relatively “robust” and offers significant advantages in terms of ease of implementation and editing of VTV format material.

[0051] One of the most critical factors in the successful implementation of any time division multiplexing system is the generation of a stable and accurate time division encoding and decoding clock. This is absolutely critical because any misalignment of the decoded data packets will result in a very noticeable channel crosstalk related noise. The VTV system incorporates a novel and very effective solution to this problem by using the Sync signals in the video stream (either H_Sync or V_Sync, Odd/Even etc.) to generate the local decode clock. These signals are generally very accurate, particularly if digital recording equipment is utilized for the storage of the VTV data.

[0052] The preferred embodiment will probably use V_Sync as the decode clock given that it produces relatively little time division decoding noise (60 spikes per second for NTSC) and that this noise can probably easily removed through the use of a digital notch filter (if required). If on the other hand a high frequency time division clock is chosen (such as H_Sync) more instances of discontinuity are possible (approx. 15,000 per second) but once again, these can be removed by a digital filter (a low pass filter in this case). If HDTV or other high scan rate (31 KHz or above) TV standard is used a fast decode clock would probably become preferable because the filtering requirement becomes very easy and effective in such a circumstance. In addition, the memory requirements for a system utilizing a fast decode clock are significantly reduced.

• [0053] 2.8) In more sophisticated multimedia data formats such as computer AV. files and digital television transmissions, these additional audio tracks could be stored in other ways which may be more efficient or otherwise advantageous.
• [0054] 2.9) It should be noted that, in addition to it's use as an audiovisual device, this spatial audio system/standard could also be used in audio only mode by the combination of a suitable compact tracking device and a set of cordless headphones to realize a spatial-audio system for advanced hi-fi equipment.

[0055] Enhancements

• [0056] 2.10) In addition to this simplistic graphics standard, There a are number of enhancements which can be used alone or in conjunction with the basic VTV graphics standard. These three graphics standards will be described in detail in subsequent patents, however for the purpose of this patent, they are known as:
  • [0057] a) c-com
  • [0058] b) s-com
  • [0059] c) v-com
• [0060] 2.11) The first two standards relate to the definitions of spatial graphics objects where as the third graphics standard relates to a complete VR environment definition language which utilizes the first standards as a subset and incorporates additional environment definitions and control algorithms.
• [0061] 2.12) The VTV graphic standard (in its basic form) can be thought of as a control layer above that of the conventional video standard (NTSC, PAL etc.). As such, it is not limited purely to conventional analog video transmission standards. Using basically identical techniques, the VTV standard can operate with the HDTV standard as well as many of the computer graphic and industry audiovisual standards.
• [0062] 2.13) The digital control information outlined in Table 1 and FIG. 11 represent only one possible configuration of the system for compatibility with existing analogue TV systems and should not reduce the generality of the specification. Other configurations of control bits and/or ways to encode this information into video formats such as analogue TV exist and are equally valid. For example, it has been found that many digital encoding processes such as MJPEG and MPEG-II often average consecutive video scan lines and tend to damage the digital information when encoded as a single line as shown in FIG. 11. However if this information is encoded as a series or consecutive lines this problem is overcome. In such a configuration the data can be thought of as having been encoded as a series of small rectangles in the resultant image, rather than a series of line segments. Such modifications are expected and still further adaptations are expected to improve performance/efficiency with other video formats, particularly the digitally encoded formats such as HDTV etc.

[0063] VTV Processor:

• [0064] 3.1) The VTV graphics processor is the heart of the VTV system. In its most basic form this module is responsible for the real-time generation of the graphics which is output to the display device (either conventional TV/HDTV or HMD). In addition to digitizing raw graphics information input from a video media provision device such as VCR, DVD, satellite, camera or terrestrial television receiver, more sophisticated versions of this module may real-time render graphics from a “universal graphics language” passed to it via the Internet or other network connection. In addition to this digitizing and graphics rendering task, the VTV processor can also perform image analysis. Early versions of this system will use this image analysis function for the purpose of determining tracking coordinates of the HMD. More sophisticated versions of this module will in addition to providing this tracking information, also interpret the real world images from the HMD as physical three-dimensional objects. These three-dimensional objects will be defined in the universal graphics language which can then be recorded or communicated to similar remote display devices via the Internet or other network or alternatively be replaced by other virtual objects of similar physical size thus creating a true augmented reality experience.
• [0065] 3.2) The VTV hardware itself consists of a group of sub modules as follows:
  • [0066] a) video digitizing module
  • [0067] b) Augmented Reality Memory (ARM)
  • [0068] c) Virtual Reality Memory (VRM)
  • [0069] d) Translation Memory (TM)
  • [0070] e) digital processing hardware
  • [0071] f) video generation module
• [0072] 3.3) The exact configuration of these modules is dependent upon other external hardware. For example, if digital video sources are used then the video digitizing module becomes relatively trivial and may consist of no more than a group of latch's or FIFO buffer. However, if composite or Y/C video inputs are utilized then additional hardware is required to convert these signals into digital format. Additionally, if a digital HDTV signal is used as the video input source then an HDTV decoder is required as the front end of the system (as HDTV signals cannot be processed in compressed format).
• [0073] 3.4) In the case of a field based video system such as analogue TV, the basic operation of the VTV graphics engine is as follows:
  • [0074] a) Video information is digitized and placed in the augmented reality memory on a field by field basis assuming an absolute Page reference of 0 degree azimuth, 0 degree elevation with the origin of each Page being determined by the state of the Page number bits (P3-P0).
  • [0075] b) Auxiliary video information for background and/or floor/ceiling maps is loaded into the virtual reality memory on a field by field basis dependent upon the state of the “field type” bits (F3-F0) and Page number bits (P3-P0) or generated in real time from an interpretation of the video information placed in the augmented reality memory as described in section 3.12.
  • [0076] c) The digital processing hardware interprets this information held in augmented reality and virtual reality memory and utilizing a combination of a geometry processing engine (Warp Engine), digital subtractive image processing and a new versatile form of “blue-screening”, translates and selectively combines this data into an image substantially similar to that which would be seen by the viewer if they were standing in the same location as that of the panoramic camera when the video material was filmed. The main differences between this image and that available utilizing conventional video techniques being that it is not only 360 degree panoramic but also has the ability to have elements of both virtual reality and “real world” imagery melded together to form a complex immersive augmented reality experience.
  • [0077] d) The exact way in which the virtual reality and “real world imagery” is combined depends upon the mode that the VTV processor is operating in and is discussed in more detail in later sections of this specification. The particular VTV processor mode is determined by additional control information present in the source media and thus the processing and display modes can change dynamically while displaying a source of VTV media.
  • [0078] e) The video generation module then generates a single or pair of video images for display on a conventional television or HMD display device. Although the VTV image field will be updated at less than full frame rates (unless multi-spin DVD devices are used as the image media) graphics rendering will still occur at full video frame rates, as will the updates of the spatial audio. This is possible because each “Image Sphere” contains all of the required information for both video and audio for any viewer orientation (azimuth and elevation).
• [0079] 3.5) As can be seen in FIG. 9. The memory write side of the VTV processor shows two separate video input stages (ADC's). It should be noted that although ADC-0 would generally be used for live panoramic video feeds and ADC-2 would generally be used for virtual reality video feeds from pre-rendered video material, both video input stages have full access to both augmented reality and virtual reality memory (i.e. they use a memory pool). This hardware configuration allows for more versatility in the design and allows several unusual display modes (which will be covered in more detail in later sections). Similarly, the video output stages (DAC-0 and DAC-1) have total access to both virtual and augmented reality memory.
• [0080] 3.6) Although having two input and two output stages improves the versatility of the design, the memory pool style of design means that the system can function with either one or two input and/or output stages (although with reduced capabilities) and as such, the presence of either one or two input or output stages in a particular implementation should not limit the generality of the specification.
• [0081] 3.7) For ease of design, high-speed static RAM was utilized as the video memory in the prototype device. However, other memory technologies may be utilized without limiting the generality of the design specification.
• [0082] 3.8) In the preferred embodiment, the digital processing hardware would take the form of one or more field programmable logic arrays or custom ASIC. The advantage of using field programmable logic arrays is that the hardware can be updated at anytime. The main disadvantage of this technology is that it is not quite as fast as an ASIC. Alternatively, high-speed conventional digital processors may also be utilized to perform this image analysis and/or graphics generation task.
• [0083] 3.9) As previously described, certain sections of this hardware may be incorporated in the HMD, possibly even to the point at which the entire VTV hardware exists within the portable HMD device. In such a case the VTV base station hardware would act only as a link between the HMD and the Internet or other network with all graphics image generation, image analysis and spatial object recognition occurring within the HMD itself.
• [0084] 3.10) Note: The low order bits of the viewport address generator are run through a look up table address translator for the X and Y image axies which impose barrel distortion on the generated images. This provides the correct image distortion for the current field of view for the viewport. This hardware is not shown explicitly in FIG. 10 because it will probably be implemented within an FPGA or ASIC logic and thus comprises a part of the viewport address generator functional block. Likewise roll of the final image will likely be implemented in a similar fashion.
• [0085] 3.11) It should be noted that only viewport-0 is affected by the translation engine (Warp Engine), Viewport-1 is read out undistorted. This is necessary when using the superimpose and overlay augmented reality modes because VR-video material being played from storage has already been “flattened” (i.e. pincushion distorted) prior to being stored whereas the live video from the panoramic cameras on the HMD require distortion correction prior to being displayed by the system in Augmented Reality mode. After this preliminary distortion, images recorded by the panoramic cameras in the HMD should be geometrically accurate and suitable for storage as new VR material in their own right (i.e. they can become VR material). One of the primary roles of the Warp Engine is then to provide geometry correction and trimming of the panoramic camera's on the HMD. This includes the complex task of providing a seamless transition between camera views.

[0086] Exception Precessing:

• [0087] 3.12) As can be seen in FIGS. 4,5 a VTV image frame consists of either a cylinder or a truncated sphere. This space subtends only a finite vertical angle to the viewer (+/− 45 degrees in the prototype). This is an intentional limitation designed to make the most of the available data bandwidth of the video storage and transmission media and thus maintain compatibility with existing video systems. However, as a result of this compromise, there can exist a situation in which the view port exceeds the scope of the image data. There are several different ways in which this exception can be handled. Firstly, the simplest way to handle this exception is to simply make out of bounds video data black. This will give the appearance of being in a room with a black ceiling and floor. Alternatively, a more sophisticated approach is to produce a “floor” and “ceiling” ie space below and above the VTV image frame based upon image information present in the bottom and top of the VTV image frame. In one particular implementation, an average of the red, green and blue pixels for the top and bottom “rim” of the VTV image frame could be used to produce either a pure or preferably a graded colour surface to represent the “ceiling” and “floor” of the environment. In a situation of VTV video generated outdoors this would typically result in the ceiling being a shade of blue and the floor being approximately the colour of the ground. The realism of the “floor/ceiling” generation is improved by varying the shading with viewport elevation, typically so that the brightness increases as the elevation of the viewport gets closer to the extremities of +/− 90 degrees. This effect can easily be generated through the use of relatively simple mathematics and would probably be implemented in hardware as part of the VTV graphics engine.

[0088] However, a further alternative and preferable configuration is to use a secondary video memory store to store a full 360 degree*180 degree background image map at reduced resolution. This memory area is known as Virtual reality memory (VRM). The basic memory map for the system utilizing both augmented reality memory and virtual reality memory (in addition to translation memory) is shown in FIG. 8. As can be seen in this illustration, The translation memory area must have sufficient range to cover a full 360 degree*180 degrees and ideally have the same angular resolution as that of the augmented reality memory bank (which covers 360 degree*90 degree). With such a configuration, it is possible to provide both floor and ceiling exception handling and variable transparency imagery such as looking through windows in the foreground and showing the background behind them. The backgrounds can be either static or dynamic and can be updated in basically the same way as foreground (augmented reality memory) by utilizing a Paged format.

[0089] Modes of Operation:

• [0090] 3.13) The VTV system has two basic modes of operation. Within these two modes there also exist several sub modes. The two basic modes are as follows:
  • [0091] a) Augmented reality mode
  • [0092] b) Virtual reality mode

[0093] Augmented Reality Mode 1:

• [0094] 3.14) In augmented reality mode 1, selective components of “real world imagery” are overlaid upon a virtual reality background. In general, this process involves first removing all of the background components from the “real world” imagery. This can be easily done by using differential imaging techniques. I.e. by comparing current “real world” imagery against a stored copy taken previously and detecting differences between the two. After the two images have been correctly aligned, the regions that differ are new or foreground objects and those that remain the same are static background objects. This is the simplest of the augmented reality modes and is generally not sufficiently interesting as most of the background will be removed in the process. It should be noted that, when operated in mobile Pan-Cam (telepresence) or augmented reality mode the augmented reality memory will generally be updated in sequential Page order (i.e. updated in whole system frames) rather than random Page updates. This is because constant variations in the position and orientation of the panoramic camera system during filming will probably cause mis-matches in the image Pages if they are handled separately.

[0095] Augmented Reality Mode 2:

• [0096] 3.15) Augmented reality mode 2 differs from mode 1 in that, in addition to automatically extracting foreground and moving objects and placing these in an artificial background environment, the system also utilizes the Warp Engine to “push” additional “real world” objects into the background. In addition to simply adding these “real world” objects into the virtual environment the Warp Engine is also capable of scaling and translating these objects so that they match into the virtual environment more effectively. These objects can be handled as opaque overlays or transparencies.

[0097] Augmented Reality Mode 3:

• [0098] 3.16) Augmented reality mode 3 differs from the mode 2 in that, in this case, the Warp Engine is used to “pull” the background objects into the foreground to replace “real world” objects. As in mode 2, these objects can be translated and scaled and can be handled as either opaque overlays or transparencies. This gives the user to the ability to “match” the physical size and position of a “real world” object with a virtual object. By doing so, the user is able to interact and navigate within the augmented reality environment as they would in the “real world” environment. This mode is probably the most likely mode to be utilized for entertainment and gaming purposes as it would allow a Hollywood production to be brought into the users own living room.

[0099] Enhancements:

• [0100] 3.17) Clearly the key to making augmented reality modes 2 and 3 operate effectively is a fast and accurate optical tracking system. Theoretically, it is possible for the VTV processor to identify and track “real world” objects in real-time. However, this is a relatively complex task, particularly as object geometry changes greatly with changes in the viewer's physical position within the “real world” environment, and as such, simple auto correlation type tracking techniques will not work effectively. In such a situation, tracking accuracy can be greatly improved by placing several retroflective targets on key elements of the objects in question. Such retroflective targets can easily be identified by utilizing relatively simple differential imaging techniques.

[0101] Virtual Reality Mode:

• [0102] 3.18) Virtual reality mode is a functionally simpler mode than the previous augmented reality modes. In this mode “pre-filmed” or computer-generated graphics are loaded into augmented reality memory on a random Page by Page basis. This is possible because the virtual camera planes of reference are fixed. As in the previous examples, virtual reality memory is loaded with a fixed or dynamic background at a lower resolution. The use of both foreground and background image planes makes possible more sophisticated graphics techniques such as motion parallax.

[0103] Enhancements:

• [0104] 3.19) The versatility of virtual reality memory (background memory) can be improved by utilizing an enhanced form of “blue-screening”. In such a system, a sample of the “chroma-key” color is provided at the beginning of each scan line in the background field (area outside of the active image area). This provides a versatile system in which any color is allowable in the image. Thus, by surrounding individual objects with the “transparent” chroma-key color, problems and inaccuracies associated with the “cutting and pasting” of this object by the WarpEngine are greatly reduced. Additionally, the use of “transparent” chroma-keyed regions within foreground virtual reality images allows easy generation of complex sharp edged and/or dynamic foreground regions with no additional information overhead.

[0105] The Camera System:

• [0106] 4.1) As can be seen in the definition of the graphic standard, additional Page placement and tracking information is required for the correct placement and subsequent display of the imagery captured by mobile Pan-Cam or HMD based video systems. Additionally, if Spatial audio is to be recorded in real-time then this information must also be encoded as part of the video stream. In the case of computer-generated imagery this additional video information can easily be inserted at render-stage. However, in the case of live video capture, this additional tracking and audio information must be inserted into the video stream prior to recording. This can effectively be achieved through a graphics processing module herein after referred to as the VTV encoder module.

[0107] Image Capture:

• [0108] 4.2) In the case of imagery collected by mobile panoramic camera systems, the images are first processed by a VTV encoder module. This device provides video distortion correction and also inserts video Page information, orientation tracking data and spatial audio into the video stream. This can be done without altering the video standard, thereby maintaining compatibility with existing recording and playback devices. Although this module could be incorporated within the VTV processor, having this module as a separate entity is advantageous for use in remote camera applications where the video information must ultimately be either stored or transmitted through some form of wireless network.

[0109] Tracking System:

• [0110] 4.3) For any mobile panoramic camera system such as a “Pan-Cam” or HMD based camera system, tracking information must comprise part of the resultant video stream in order that an “absolute” azimuth and elevation coordinate system be maintained. In the case of computer-generated imagery this data is not required as the camera orientation is a theoretical construct known to the computer system at render time.

[0111] The Basic System:

• [0112] 4.4) The basic tracking system of the VTV HMD utilizes on-board panoramic video cameras to capture the required 360 degree visual information of the surrounding real world environment. This information is then analyzed by the VTV processor (whether it exists within the HMD or as a base station unit) utilizing computationally intensive yet relatively algorithmically simple techniques such as auto correlation. Examples of a possible algorithm are shown in FIGS. 16-22.
• [0113] 4.5) The simple tracking system outlined in FIGS. 16-22 detects only changes in position and orientation. With the addition of several retroflective targets, which can be easily distinguished from the background images using differential imaging techniques, it is possible to gain absolute reference points. Such absolute reference points would probably be located at the extremities of the environmental region (i.e. confines of the user space) however they could be placed anywhere within the real environment, provided the VTV hardware is aware of the real world coordinates of these markers. The combination of these absolute reference points and differential movement (from the image analysis data) makes possible the generation of absolute real world coordinate information at full video frame rates. As an alternative to the placement of retroflective targets at known spatial coordinates, active optical beacons could be employed. These devices would operate in a similar fashion to the retroflective targets in that they would be configured to strobe light in synchronism with the video capture rate thus allowing differential video analysis to be performed on the resultant images. However, unlike passive retroflective targets, active optical beacons could, in addition to strobing in time with the video capture, transmit additional information describing their real world coordinates to the HMD. As a result, the system would not have to explicitly know the locations of these beacons as this data could be extracted “on the fly”. Such a system is very versatile and somewhat more rugged than the simpler retroflective configuration. In addition to utilizing either passive or active beacons, a combination of both techniques could be used to produce a very versatile and powerful tracking system. By making the active optical beacons strobe their light in “anti-phase” with the light source of retroflective targets differential image analysis techniques can be used to both extract the images from the background environment and to effectively categorize the points of light as originating from either active beacons (those emitting light) and passive beacons (those reflecting light) by virtue of the fact that the points of light will be 180 degrees out of phase with each other. Timing of the active beacons can be generated by the VTV Processor but it is probably preferable to generate the timing automatically by detecting the light strobe pulses from the HMD used for the passive beacons or alternately by utilizing a secondary optical timing signal such as infra-red pulses from the HMD. In such a configuration, the active beacons could be battery powered and would not require any additional wiring. If these active beacons were designed to power-down in the absence of any optical timing signals they may not even be required to be shut down during periods of inactivity and could remain permanently enabled without significantly increasing battery consumption.

[0114] Active beacons can, in addition to simply indicating their position, transfer additional information to the mobile HMD system. This information is encoded through changing the color of the light pulses produced and the timing of these color changes. In its simplest form, each active beacon could produce a different color of light to allow easy separation and identification, however more sophisticated encoding techniques are also possible. For example, a sequence of colour flashes can indicate a particular number. This number could represent the beacon code number, or more usefully, the physical real-world coordinates of the beacon could be encoded. Such a system would then be very versatile as it would not require a “beacon map” of the “real-world” to be transferred to the HMD as part of the simulation but rather could pick up the required information from any space which contained active beacon systems.

• [0115] 4.6) Note: FIG. 23 shows a simplistic representation of the tracking hardware in which the auto correlators simply detect the presence or absence of a particular movement. A practical system would probably incorporate a number of auto correlators for each class of movement (for example there may be 16 or more separate auto correlators to detect horizontal movement). Such as system would then be able to detect different levels or amounts of movement in all of the directions.

[0116] Alternate Configurations:

• [0117] 4.7) An alternative implementation of this tracking system is possible utilizing a similar image analysis technique to track a pattern on the ceiling to achieve spatial positioning information and simple “tilt sensors” to detect angular orientation of the HMD/Pan-Cam system. The advantage of this system is that it is considerably simpler and less expensive than the full six axis optical tracker previously described. The fact that the ceiling is at a constant distance and known orientation from the HMD greatly simplifies the optical system, the quality of the required imaging device and the complexity of the subsequent image analysis. As in the previous six-axis optical tracking system, this spatial positioning information is inherently in the form of relative movement only. However, the addition of “absolute reference points” allows such a system to re-calibrate its absolute references and thus achieve an overall absolute coordinate system. This absolute reference point calibration can be achieved relatively easily utilizing several different techniques. The first, and perhaps simplest technique is to use color sensitive retroflective spots as previously described. Alternately, active optical beacons (such as LED beacons) could also be utilized. A further alternative absolute reference calibration system which could be used is based on a bi-directional infrared beacon. Such as system would communicate a unique ID code between the HMD and the beacon, such that calibration would occur only once each time the HMD passed under any of these “known spatial reference points”. This is required to avoid “dead tracking regions” within the vicinity of the calibration beacons due to multiple origin resets.

[0118] Simplifications:

• [0119] 4.8) The basic auto correlation technique used to locate movement within the image can be simplified into reasonably straightforward image processing steps. Firstly, rotation detection can be simplified into a group of lateral shifts (up, down, left, right) symmetrical around the center of the image (optical axis of the camera). Additionally, these “sample points” for lateral movement do not necessarily have to be very large. They do however have to contain unique picture information. For example a blank featureless wall will yield no useful tracking information However an image with high contrast regions such as edges of objects or bright highlight points is relatively easily tracked. Taking this thinking one step further, it is possible to first reduce the entire image into highlight points/edges. The image can then be processed as a series of horizontal and vertical strips such that auto correlation regions are bounded between highlight points/edges. Additionally, small highlight regions can very easily be tracked by comparing previous image frames against current images and determining “closest possible fit” between the images (i.e. minimum movement of highlight points). Such techniques are relatively easy and well within the capabilities of most moderate speed micro-processors, provided some of the image pre-processing overhead is handled by hardware.

[0120] While the present invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment or to particular embodiments, it will be understood that various changes and additional variations may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention or the inventive concept thereof In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to particular embodiments disclosed herein for carrying it out, but that the invention includes all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

[0121] It is an object of the present invention to provide an audiovisual system which allows a user to control the viewing direction and relative position of the viewer with respect to the movie action.

[0122] These and other objects, advantages, and the industrial utility of the present invention will be apparent from a review of the accompanying specification and drawings.