- Number
- 11508125
- Published
- 2022-11-22
- Filed
- 2020-03-12
- Assignee
- LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.
- Inventors
- Latta; Lutz Markus, Wakelin; Ian, Johnston; Darby, Grant; Andrew, Gaeta; John
- CPC
- G06T19/003; G06F16/9577; H04N21/47205; H04L67/10; G06F3/0346; H04N21/23439; H04N21/44029; H04N21/8545; H04N21/21805; H04N21/8541; G06T19/006; H04N21/47217
- Verdict
- Set aside content navigation UI feature, business
- Source
- Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline
Abstract
Systems and techniques are provided for switching between different modes of a media content item. A media content item may include a movie that has different modes, such as a cinematic mode and an interactive mode. For example, a movie may be presented in a cinematic mode that does not allow certain user interactions with the movie. The movie may be switched to an interactive mode during any point of the movie, allowing a viewer to interact with various aspects of the movie. The movie may be displayed using different formats and resolutions depending on which mode the movie is being presented.
Background
FIELD (1) The present disclosure generally relates to providing an interactive media content experience to one or more users. For example, techniques and systems may be provided for navigating a virtual environment of a media content item. BACKGROUND (2) Media content presentation is an ever-evolving industry that provides viewers with many options to enjoy the media content. For example, an item of media content may include a movie or television programming. In some instances, media content may be presented using a virtual reality system that immerses a viewer in a scene of the media content. To provide high quality media content in such a manner, media files for the media content often include large amounts of data that necessitate intensive storage and processing requirements. SUMMARY (3) Techniques and systems are described for presenting media content. In one embodiment, techniques and systems are described for switching between different modes of a media content item. In particular, a media content item may include a movie that has different modes, such as a cinematic mode and an interactive mode. For example, a movie may be presented in a cinematic mode that does not allow certain user interactions with the movie. The movie may be switched to an interactive mode during any point of the movie, allowing a viewer to interact with various aspects of the movie. The movie may be displayed using different formats and resolutions depending on which mode the movie is being pres
Claims
1. A computer-implemented method of exploring a virtual environment presented in an interactive mode of a media content item using a computing device, the method comprising: receiving an input to switch from a cinematic mode, in which a primary story thread of the media content item is displayed, to the interactive mode of the media content item, the input causing the media content item to pause a timeline of the media content item; receiving a selection of an asset in a scene of the virtual environment while a display of the media content item is paused, wherein the asset is a virtual character, wherein the selection of the asset assigns a virtual camera to follow the asset; receiving, by the computing device, a first set of images of the virtual environment of the media content item, the first set of images having been rendered by a cloud server; determining initial positioning information based on a position of the asset in the virtual environment; presenting, by the computing device, the first set of images of the virtual environment, the first set of images representing a first perspective position of the asset in the virtual environment of the media content item; detaching the virtual camera from the asset by receiving an input from an interface of the computing device, the input causing the virtual camera to move away from the selected asset to a desired location in the virtual environment; receiving an input to resume playing the timeline of the media content item; receiving image data from the cloud server, the image data including a position indicator for the selected asset and one or more second images rendered by the cloud server based upon the position indicator, wherein the one or more second images are from an updated position of the asset in the virtual environment, following a movement of the asset as the asset moves during playback of the media content item; and presenting, by the computing device, the one or more second images. ||
6. A computing device for exploring a virtual environment presented in an interactive mode of a media content item using a computing device, the computing device comprising: a memory storing one or more instructions; and one or more processors configured to execute the one or more instructions stored in the memory to perform operations comprising: receiving an input to switch from a cinematic mode, in which a primary story thread of the media content item is displayed, to the interactive mode of the media content item, the input causing the media content item to pause a timeline of the media content item; receiving a selection of an asset in a scene of the virtual environment while a display of the media content item is paused, wherein the asset is a virtual character, wherein the selection of the asset assigns a virtual camera to follow the asset; receiving, by the computing device, a first set of images of the virtual environment of the media content item, the first set of images having been rendered by a cloud server; determining initial positioning information based on a position of the asset in the virtual environment; presenting, by the computing device, the first set of images of the virtual environment, the first set of images representing a first perspective position of the asset in the virtual environment of the media content item; detaching the virtual camera from the asset by receiving an input from an interface of the computing device, the input causing the virtual camera to move away from the selected asset to a desired location in the virtual environment; receiving an input to resume playing the timeline of the media content item; receiving image data from the cloud server, the image data including a position indicator for the selected asset and one or more second images rendered by the cloud server based upon the position indicator, wherein the one or more second images are from an updated position of the asset in the virtual environment, following a movement of the asset as the asset moves during playback of the media content item; and presenting, by the computing device, the one or more second images. ||
11. A non-transitory computer-readable memory storing a plurality of instructions executable by one or more processors of a computing device, the plurality of instructions comprising: instructions that cause the one or more processors to receive an input to switch from a cinematic mode, in which a primary story thread of a media content item is displayed, to an interactive mode of a media content item, the input causing the media content item to pause a timeline of the media content item; instructions that cause the one or more processors to receive a selection of an asset in a scene of a virtual environment of the media content item while a display of the media content item is paused, wherein the asset is a virtual character, wherein the selection of the asset assigns a virtual camera to follow the asset; instructions that cause the one or more processors to receive, by the computing device, a first set of images of the virtual environment of the media content item, the first set of images having been rendered by a cloud server; instructions that cause the one or more processors to determine initial positioning information based on a position of the asset in the virtual environment; instructions that cause the one or more processors to present, by the computing device, the first set of images of the virtual environment, the first set of images representing a first perspective position of the asset in the virtual environment of the media content item; instructions that cause the one or more processors to detach the virtual camera from the asset by receiving an input from an interface of the computing device, the input causing the virtual camera to move away from the selected asset to a desired location in the virtual environment; instructions that cause the one or more processors to receive an input to resume playing the timeline of the media content item; instructions that cause the one or more processors to receive image data from the cloud server, the image data including a position indicator for the selected asset and one or more second images rendered by the cloud server based upon the position indicator, wherein the one or more second images are from an updated position of the asset in the virtual environment, following a movement of the asset as the asset moves during playback of the media content item; and instructions that cause the one or more processors to present, by the computing device, the one or more second images.