JP2023157165A - Multi-site space sharing system - Google Patents

Abstract

To generate a single composite video by combining a plurality of site videos captured at a plurality of sites, and to share people and objects between respective sites in the single composite video.SOLUTION: A multi-site space sharing system displays a composite video using a plurality of site videos captured at a plurality of sites to a user. The multi-site space sharing system includes at least: imaging units 10, one or more of which are arranged at each site and acquire respective site videos; a processing unit 20 that performs removal processing of an arbitrary portion for one or more site videos of the plurality of site videos; a composition unit 30 that generates a composite video by using the plurality of site videos including a site video after the removal processing as a part or all of composite materials; and a display unit 40 that displays the composite video.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a multi-site space sharing system and a composite video generation system for displaying to a user a composite video using videos taken at multiple locations.

The applicant has conceived the inventions shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2 below as a system for allowing a user to experience an augmented virtual space formed by combining real images of the user's surroundings on a virtual space.

Patent No. 6717486 Patent No. 6991494

One of the objects of the present invention, as an extension of the above-described invention, is to provide a multi-site space sharing system and a composite video generation system that are applicable to various uses.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a multi-site space sharing system that displays a composite video using multiple site videos shot at multiple sites to the user, in which one or more sites are placed at each site, a processing unit that performs a removal process on one or more base images of the plurality of base images, and a base image after the removal process; The present invention is configured to include at least a compositing unit that generates a composite video using a plurality of base videos as part or all of the composite material, and a display unit that displays the composite video.
With this configuration, it is possible to generate one composite video by combining videos of multiple locations taken at multiple locations, and to share people and objects between each location in one composite video.

According to the present invention, at least one of the effects described below is achieved.
(1) By generating one composite video by combining videos of multiple locations taken at multiple locations, people and objects from each location can be shared in one composite video.
(2) In recent years, it has become possible to incorporate actual user footage taken at different locations into a virtual space, also known as the metaverse, which eliminates the need for communication via CG avatars, creating a more realistic relationship between users. Communication becomes possible.
(3) Since users' real-time images can be incorporated into composite images, applications that require collaboration among users even if they are in separate locations (medical practice, construction work, education, etc.) , other manufacturing work, etc.).

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a multi-site space sharing system according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a first configuration example of a multi-site space sharing system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a second configuration example of a multi-site space sharing system according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a third configuration example of a multi-site space sharing system according to the present invention. An image diagram of depth system removal processing. An image diagram of chroma removal processing. An image diagram of a combination of depth-based removal processing and chroma-based removal processing. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a multi-site space sharing system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an image diagram of a composite video in the multi-site space sharing system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a multi-site space sharing system according to a second embodiment. FIG. 3 is an image diagram of a composite video in the multi-site space sharing system according to the second embodiment.

Hereinafter, details of the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings.

<1> Overall configuration (Figure 1)
The multi-site space sharing system according to the present invention is a system for displaying a composite image including a plurality of site images shot at each site to at least one user.
The multi-site space sharing system shown in FIG. 1 includes at least an imaging section 10, a processing section 20, a composition section 30, and a display section 40, and also includes a measurement section 50 and a storage section 60.
Each part can be realized by arbitrarily combining hardware and software, and it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which each part is an individual device, or a configuration in which multiple parts are integrated into one device. .
Further, in the present invention, there are no particular limitations on the number of bases, the number of each part, the location of each part, or the difference in configuration at each base.

Next, FIGS. 2 to 4 show configuration examples of a multi-site space sharing system according to the present invention.
In addition, in the present invention, it goes without saying that arbitrary parts can be taken out from each configuration example and further combinations can be adopted.
Further, the composite video displayed at each location may be the same video or different videos, and can be selected as appropriate depending on the purpose.

<1.1> Configuration example 1 (Figure 2)
In this example, a device including all of the respective parts is arranged at each base.
The device installed at each base receives the base video from other bases, generates a composite video as part or all of the composite material together with the base video of the own base, and displays it on the display unit 40 of the own base. Let the user experience the composite image.

<1.2> Configuration example 2 (Figure 3)
This example is a configuration in which the processing section 20 and the synthesis section 30 in the configuration example 1 are handled by a server installed at a location (such as a data center) different from each base.
The server receives the base video from each base, performs removal processing as appropriate, generates a composite video for each base, transmits this composite video to the display unit 40 of each base, and displays the composite video to the user. Let them experience it.

<1.3> Configuration example 3 (Figure 4)
This example has a configuration in which the combinations of parts differ from base to base depending on the purpose of each base.
In FIG. 4, one base (base 1) is equipped with only the photographing unit 10 that takes pictures of people and things at the base as base video, and the other base (base 2) is equipped with the camera unit 10 that takes pictures of people and things at the base as base video. The base unit 2 receives the base video from the base 2, generates a composite video as part or all of the composite material, displays it on the display unit 40 of the base 2, and allows the user to experience the composite video.

The details of each part and the calculation procedure will be explained below.

<2> Photography department (Figure 1)
The photographing unit 10 has a function of acquiring base video, which becomes part or all of the material of the composite video.
It is assumed that one or more imaging units 10 are disposed at each of a plurality of bases that acquire images to be combined among the bases.

<2.1> Types of base video The imaging unit 10 uses a camera built into a notebook PC, tablet, or smartphone, a web camera or digital camera equipped with a connection interface with a PC, or a fixed camera permanently installed at the base. A camera, a built-in camera in a head-mounted display (hereinafter also referred to as "HMD") worn by the user, or a camera attached externally to the HMD can be used.
Furthermore, for the photographing unit 10, a camera which is also called a depth camera or a 3D camera and which can link depth information to a photographed image can also be used.
Further, in the present invention, the angle of view of the photographing section 10, etc. are not particularly limited.

<3>Measurement section (Figure 1)
The measurement unit 50 is a device that has a function of acquiring user position information.
This "position information" includes at least information that allows the user's posture and position to be recognized, and the display of the composite video can be changed based on this position information.
The measurement unit 50 can use a sensor group such as an angle sensor, an acceleration sensor, and a gyroscope, a motion capture device, a GPS device, a tracker, and the like.
The measurement unit 50 can be of any type, including a type installed at a base, a type built into an HMD worn by the user, a type worn separately on the user's body, and a type built into a controller used by the user. included.

<4> Processing section (Figure 1)
The processing unit 20 has a function of performing removal processing on an arbitrary portion of one or more base videos among the base videos obtained by each imaging unit 10, and obtaining a base video after the removal process.
This "arbitrary part removal process" is a process of removing an arbitrary part of the frame image forming the base video and extracting the remaining part.
In the present invention, the method of "arbitrary part removal processing" is not particularly limited, but representative removal processing includes chroma removal processing and depth removal processing.
The details of each removal process will be explained below.

<4.1> Depth system removal processing (Figure 5)
Depth-based removal processing is processing in which a base video that is a target of removal processing is removed based on the value of depth information linked to the base video.
The depth information linked to the base video may be data embedded in the base video in advance when a depth camera is used as the imaging unit 10, data generated separately by image analysis of the base video, or data provided separately. Data obtained from a 3D scanner or the like can be used.

An example of depth-based removal processing includes processing for removing a portion of a base image having depth information of a predetermined distance or more based on depth information of the base image.
For example, if a location with depth information of 50 cm or more is targeted for removal from the imaging unit 10, only images of locations with depth information of less than 50 cm are extracted from the imaging unit 10 in the base video after removal processing. Become something.

For example, when the imaging unit 10 is assumed to be a depth camera that photographs the front of the HMD worn by the user, as shown in FIG. , only the hand B of the user is extracted.

Note that the locations extracted by depth-based removal processing are not limited to the user's body, so controllers held by the user and objects around the user (chairs, desks, ladders, food, etc.) can also be extracted. .

<4.2> Chroma removal process (Figure 6)
The chroma removal process is a process in which a base video to be removed is removed based on the value of color space information of the base video.

Chroma system removal processing is based on well-known color space information such as RGB, RGBA, CMY, HSV, HLS, etc., and by setting a predetermined range among the elements and numerical ranges defined in each color space, a specific homogeneous color is removed. This is done by removing the part that corresponds to the color.
For example, when performing chroma removal processing using HSV color space information, the HSV color space information includes hue (hue: 0° to 360°), saturation (saturation: 0% to 100%), and brightness (value: This information includes parameters (0% to 100%), and by setting the numerical range of each parameter, parts corresponding to a specific homogeneous color are removed.

When performing the chroma removal process, it is desirable to install a background material C exhibiting a uniform color in advance at a location included in the angle of view of the imaging unit 10 provided at the base.

<4.3> Combinations of each removal process (Figure 7)
In the present invention, the implementation details, the order of implementation, and the number of times of implementation of the above-described "arbitrary part removal process" are not particularly limited, and can be determined as appropriate depending on the application of the system according to the present invention.
As shown in Figure 7, by performing depth removal processing and then chroma removal processing on one base image that is the target of removal processing, it is possible to clearly remove images that cannot be clearly removed by depth removal processing. It is also possible to more clearly remove the gaps between the user's fingers and the floor area around the user's feet, which were previously absent.

<5> Storage section (Figure 1)
The storage unit 60 has a function of storing composite materials other than the base video (hereinafter also referred to as "material video").
In addition to the base video, the material videos stored in the storage unit 60 include videos taken in advance of real locations, CG videos produced in advance, virtual videos (VR videos) that provide a VR space, or any of these. A combination of images can be used.

<5.1> Selection of material video In addition, when generating a composite video for each user to experience, the same material video may be provided for each composite video, or different material videos may be provided, and the present invention It may be determined as appropriate depending on the purpose of the multi-site space sharing system.
Furthermore, the present invention does not exclude performing the above-described "arbitrary portion removal processing" on the material video.

<6> Synthesis section (Figure 1)
The compositing unit 30 has a function of generating a composite video using a plurality of base videos as part or all of the composite material.
The "multiple base videos" include both base videos captured by the imaging unit 10 and base videos subjected to removal processing by the processing unit 20.
Therefore, for all base videos, the base video after the removal process may be used as the composite material, or for some base videos, the base video after the removal process is used as the composite material, and the remaining base videos are used by the processing section. It can also be used as a synthetic material as it is without going through 20.
Further, the composite material may also include the material video stored in the storage unit 60 described above.
The composition in the composition section 30 may be done by simply superimposing each composite material, or by using the position information obtained from the measurement section 50, the depth information linked to the base video, etc. The synthetic materials may be superimposed by calculating the position in the VR space.

<7>Display section (Figure 1)
The display section 40 has a function of displaying the composite video generated by the composition section 30 to the user.
The display unit 40 is not limited to general displays, monitors, projectors, etc., but can also be used for head-mounted displays, goggles, and smartphones that can be housed in a housing and turned into goggles, which can be used for spatial experiences such as VR, AR, and XR. A mobile terminal or the like can be used.

<1> Overall configuration (Figure 8)
FIG. 8 is an image diagram of the configuration when the multi-site space sharing system according to Configuration Example 1 described above is utilized in a medical education field.
Each base includes a head-mounted display Y1 equipped with a first camera X1 that is a depth camera, a second camera X2 that photographs the user U1 (U2) wearing the head-mounted display Y1, and an information processing device Z. It is equipped with
Each head-mounted display Y1 has a built-in tracker (not shown), and appropriately acquires positional information of the user U1 (U2) wearing the head-mounted display Y1 from the position of the head-mounted display Y1.
In this embodiment, the first camera X1 and the second camera X2 at each base function as the photographing unit 10, and the information processing device Z functions as at least the processing unit 20, the composition unit 30, and the storage unit 60, The head-mounted display Y1 is configured to function as a display section 40 and a measurement section 50.

In addition, in the present invention, instead of the configuration shown in FIG. 8 described above, as in the configuration example 2 described above, the processing unit 20, the synthesis unit 30, and the storage unit 60 are installed in a server installed in a separately provided data center. You may also assign functions.

Next, the flow of generating and displaying a composite image on the base 1 side will be explained.
Note that in the present invention, the following processes can be rearranged in order or performed in parallel as long as there is no contradiction in operation.
(1) The base video captured by the first camera Chroma system removal processing) is performed, and a post-removal base image in which only the surroundings of the user U1 are extracted is generated and used as a composite material.
(2) Next, the information processing device Z of the base 1 receives the base video captured by the second camera X2 of the base 2 via the information processing device Z of the base 2. In this embodiment, since depth information is not linked to the image taken by the second camera X2, only chroma removal processing is applied to the base image taken by the second camera A post-removal base video with U2 extracted is generated and used as a composite material.
(3) Furthermore, in the information processing device Z of base 1, an image of a virtual space displaying a patient placed on an operating table is stored as a composite material.
(4) The information processing device Z at base 1 generates a composite video by appropriately combining the composite materials of (1), (2), and (3) above. At this time, since depth information is not linked to the base image after the removal process in (2) above, a virtual display frame is provided in advance on the image in the virtual space in (3), and this virtual display frame is It is assumed that the base images after the removal process in (2) above are combined.
(5) The composite video generated by the information processing device Z at the base 1 is displayed on the head-mounted display Y1 worn by the user U1 so that the display mode is changed based on the position information of the user U1.

<2> Example of composite video (Figure 9)
FIG. 9 shows an image diagram of a composite video displayed on each user's head-mounted display Y1 in the multi-site space sharing system according to this embodiment.

<2.1> Composite video on the base 1 side FIG. 9(a) is an image diagram of the composite video visually recognized by the user U1 at the base 1.
In this composite image, a material image D consisting of an image of a virtual space displaying an operating table and a patient placed on the operating table according to (3) above, and a material image D on the near side across the operating table in the virtual space, The surrounding images of the user U1 included in the base image after the removal process according to (1) above are combined, and the above ( The user U2's video included in the base video after the removal process related to 2) is combined.
Furthermore, when the user U1 moves closer to the operating table, the display of the composite image is changed so that the user U1 moves closer to the operating table based on the position information obtained from the head-mounted display Y1 of the user U1. Ru.

<2.2> Composite video on base 2 side FIG. 9(b) is an image diagram of the composite video visually recognized by user U2 at base 2.
In this composite image, the removed site image, which is obtained from the second camera X2 of the site 1 on the far side of the material image D across the operating table, is combined on the virtual display frame D1.
In addition, the peripheral images of the user U2 will be synthesized on the front side of the material image D across the operating table, but the user U2 has both hands raised, and both hands are within the field of view of the first camera X1. is not displayed, so the hand of the user U2 is not displayed on the composite video.

<3> Supplementary explanation In the above explanation, an operating table and a patient are prepared in a virtual space that is a raw image, but for example, an actual operating table and a model of a patient may be prepared at one of the bases. be able to.
For example, if a physical model is prepared on the base 1 side, the following method etc. can be adopted.
(Method 1) Photograph the actual operating table and patient model with the first camera X1 on the base 1 side, increase the distance to be extracted by depth-based removal processing, and perform removal based on the first camera X1. A method to include a real operating table and patient model in the processed base image.
(Method 2) The video of the actual operating table and patient model taken by the second camera how to.

<4> Summary According to the configuration described above, users in remote locations can share a single space and recognize their own hands, surrounding areas, and the appearance of the other party in the synthesized video in the real video. You will be able to do that. Therefore, it is suitable for applications where it is highly necessary to mutually confirm the actions of each person, such as the medical education described in this embodiment.

<1> Overall configuration (Figure 10)
FIG. 10 is an image diagram of the configuration when the multi-site space sharing system according to configuration example 3 described above is utilized as a service provided by an aquarium.
The base 1 is provided with a display Y2 installed in front of the user U3, a third camera X3 attached to the top of the display Y2 to photograph the user U3, and an information processing device Z.
The base 2 is equipped with a fourth camera X4 that photographs the water tank T inside the aquarium.
Both the third camera X3 and the fourth camera X4 are depth cameras that can link depth information to captured images.
In this embodiment, the third camera X3 and the fourth camera X4 function as the photographing section 10, the information processing device Z functions as at least the processing section 20 and the composition section 30, and the display Y2 functions as the display section 40. Presents a functional configuration.

The flow of generating and displaying a composite video on the base 1 side will be described below.
(1) The base video captured by the third camera A post-removal base image in which only the surroundings of the user U3 are extracted is generated and used as a composite material.
(2) Next, the information processing device Z at base 1 receives the base video captured by the fourth camera The extracted base video after removal processing is generated and used as a composite material.
(3) The information processing device Z at base 1 generates a composite video by appropriately combining the composite materials of (1) and (2) above. Since each video has depth information, it is sufficient to perform the synthesis using a fixed depth position as a reference.

<2> Example of composite video (Figure 11)
FIG. 11 shows an image diagram of the composite video displayed on the display Y2 of the base 1 in the multi-site space sharing system according to this embodiment.
The composite image shown in FIG. 11 includes a video of the aquarium T photographed with depth information associated with it and a video of user U3 photographed with depth information associated with it, according to (2) above. The video is composited.
Since both of the base images in (1) and (2) above have depth information, for example, if a fish moves on the near side of the aquarium T, the fish will be displayed so as to cross in front of the user U3. , when the user U3 extends his hand in front of the fish passing in front of him, the fish is displayed so as to be hidden by the user U3's hand.
Therefore, an image can be displayed on the display Y2 as if the user U3 were in the aquarium T and the fish were moving around the user U3, and the user U3 could enter inside the water layer T and see the fish and the space. You can have a shared experience.

<3> Supplementary explanation In the above explanation, it is assumed that depth information is linked to all base images, but for example, depth information is linked only to the base image on the base 2 side, and It may be configured such that the base video of the base 1 is synthesized at a predetermined depth position in the video.

<4> Summary According to the configuration described above, even in situations where it is difficult to open an aquarium, users in remote areas can be given the opportunity to interact virtually, and the inside of an exhibition tank can be It is possible to provide an immersive experience for the user.
Therefore, it is possible to provide customers with a new experience that is different from the experience that can be provided while the park is open, not only in aquariums but also in facilities such as zoos, amusement parks, and baseball stadiums.

Note that the present invention can also be utilized as a composite video generation system that includes at least the processing section 20 and the composition section 30 described above.
The video data serving as the composite material is not particularly limited, and video data shot in real time or video data shot and stored in advance can be used as appropriate.
Furthermore, the composite video generation system according to this embodiment can further include a measurement section 50 and a storage section 60.
The composite video generation system according to the present embodiment can also be applied to create a composite video by appropriately combining previously photographed data in video creation work.

10 Photographing section 20 Processing section 30 Composition section 40 Display section 50 Measurement section 60 Storage section A1 Base image A2 Base image B after removal processing Hand C Background material U1, U2 User X1 First camera X2 Second camera X3 Third Camera X4 Fourth camera Y1 Head-mounted display Y2 Display Z Information processing device

The present invention relates to a multi-site space sharing system for displaying to a user a composite image using videos taken at multiple sites.

Claims (8)

A multi-site space sharing system that displays a composite image to a user using videos taken at multiple sites, the system comprising:
A photography department, which is placed at least one at each base and acquires footage from each base;
a processing unit that performs a process of removing an arbitrary portion from one or more base videos among the plurality of base videos;
a compositing unit that generates a composite video by using the plurality of base videos, including the base video after the removal process, as part or all of a composite material;
characterized by comprising at least a display unit that displays the composite image;
Multi-site space sharing system. Depth information is linked to at least one of the base images to be removed,
The processing section is
With respect to the base image to be removed that is linked with the depth information,
Depth-based removal processing, which is removal processing based on the depth information, and
Chroma removal processing, which is removal processing based on the value of color space information;
characterized by performing
The multi-site space sharing system according to claim 1. The method further comprises a storage unit that stores a material video that can be used as a part of the composite material by the composition unit,
The multi-site space sharing system according to claim 1. The material video includes a virtual video that provides a VR space.
The multi-site space sharing system according to claim 3. further comprising a measurement unit that measures location information of the user,
The synthesis unit is characterized in that it generates the composite video based on the position information.
The multi-site space sharing system according to claim 1. The display section and the plurality of photographing sections are provided at a plurality of bases,
The display unit is an HMD (head mounted display) worn by a user at each base,
The plurality of photographing departments,
a first camera that is attached to the HMD and can photograph the front of the HMD and acquire depth information;
at least a second camera that photographs the wearer of the HMD,
As the composite material that constitutes the composite image displayed on the HMD of the one base,
a base video obtained by removing an arbitrary portion from the base video taken by the first camera, which is shot at the one base;
A base video obtained by removing an arbitrary part from the base video taken by the second camera, which is shot at another base, is included.
The multi-site space sharing system according to claim 1. One or more of the photographing sections are provided at a plurality of bases, and the display section is provided at at least one of the bases,
The display unit is a display, a monitor, or a projector,
Any one of the photographing units at the base where the display unit is provided is a third camera that photographs the front of the display screen of the display unit,
As the composite material constituting the composite image displayed on the display unit,
A base video obtained by removing an arbitrary part from the base video captured by the third camera;
A base video obtained by the imaging unit installed at another base or a base video obtained by removing an arbitrary part from the base video,
The multi-site space sharing system according to claim 1. A synthetic video generation system,
a processing unit that performs processing to remove an arbitrary portion of one or more video data among a plurality of video data shot with different cameras;
at least a compositing unit that generates one composite video data by using the plurality of video data including the video data after the removal process as part or all of a composite material,
Depth information is linked to at least one of the video data to be removed,
The processing section is
With respect to the video data to be removed to which the depth information is linked,
Depth-based removal processing, which is removal processing based on the depth information, and
Chroma removal processing, which is removal processing based on the value of color space information;
A synthetic video generation system that is characterized by performing the following.

Images