VIRTUAL-SCENE CONTROL DEVICE

Number: 20170195527
Published: 2017-07-06
Filed: 2017-03-20
Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.
Inventors: Reynolds; Spencer, Sanders; Michael, Wooley; Kevin, Sullivan; Steve, Schnitzer; Adam
CPC: G06F3/0346; H04N5/2628; G06T15/205; G11B27/00; G06F3/0362; H04N5/2621; G06F3/0202; G06T7/70; G06T13/20; H04N23/66; G06T19/003; H04N23/60; G06F3/04886; G06T15/20; G06F3/041; H04N5/2224; G06F3/04815
Verdict: Medium Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

A handheld virtual-scene control device with an input control and display showing a controlled virtual camera view, used for on-set virtual production.

Abstract

A handheld device includes: an input control configured to control and modify a virtual scene including a virtual camera; and a display that shows a representation of the controlled and modified virtual scene generated by the virtual camera. A system includes: a computer system configured to execute program instructions for generating a virtual scene including a virtual camera; and handheld device configured to communicate with the computer system for controlling and modifying the virtual scene, the handheld device comprising: an input control configured to control and modify the virtual scene; and a display that shows a representation of the controlled and modified virtual scene generated by the virtual camera.

Background

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an example of a system with a handheld device for controlling a virtual scene.

FIGS. 2A-B, 3A-B, 4A-B, 5A-B, 6A-B and 7A-B show examples of controls on a handheld device.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a mode control on a handheld device.

FIGS. 9-10 show another example of a handheld device for controlling a virtual scene.

FIGS. 11A-B and 12 show other examplesof handheld devices for controlling a virtual scene.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a computing system that can be used in connection with computer-implemented methods described in this document.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In some implementations, a virtual setcamera controller functions as a director-friendly interaction device for use with real-time, CGI-driven scenes. While the virtual scene is generated (and possibly manipulated) from a remote workstation, the camera controller is intended to act as a stand-alone device,allowing the director full control over the scene. Scene interaction will include playback controls, timeline manipulation with keying, and asset management. Immediate usage scenarios include pre-visualization scene design and camera blocking, motion capture scene interaction (real-time and/or prerecorded), etc. The device is also designed in a modular sense, such that any (non-critical) sub-component of the device can be added o

Claims

1. A handheld device that allows a user to control a virtual scene generated by a computer system, the virtual scene including one or more characters, a plurality of non-character assets and at least one virtual camera, the plurality ofassets including one or more immoveable objects, moveable objects or self-propelled objects, the handheld device comprising: a body; an I/O channel configured to enable the handheld device to communicate with the computer system that generates the virtual scene; a display mounted on the body and configured to show a representation of the virtual scene as generated by the at least one virtual camera; and one or more input controls operable to enable: (a) a first user-selected mode for recording images with a virtual camera of the at least one virtual camera in the virtual scene using the input controls, and (b) a second user-selected mode for selecting individual ones of the plurality of assets and moving the selected assets within the virtual scene and for selecting between different virtual lensesfor the virtual camera. 10. A handheld device that allows a user to control a virtual scene generated by a computer system, the virtual scene including one or more characters, a plurality of non-character assets and at least one virtual camera, the plurality of assets including one or more immoveable objects, moveable objects or self-propelled objects, the handheld device comprising: a body having a camera form factor including a lens-like portion and a rotatable lens ring coupled to the lens-like portion; an I/O channel configured to enable the handheld device to communicate with the computer system that generates the virtual scene; input controls positioned on the body; a display mounted on the body and configured to show a representation of the virtual scene as generated by the at least one virtual camera; and a mode selection input control operable to place the handheld device into a first mode in which the handheld device is configured to enable the user to record images with a virtual camera of the at least one virtual camera in the virtual scene using the input controls, and a second mode in which the handheld device is configured to enable theuser to use the input controls to select individual ones of the plurality of assets and move the selected assets within the virtual scene and to select between different virtual lenses for the virtual camera. 15. A handheld device that allows a user to control a virtual scene generated by a computer system, the virtual scene including a plurality of virtualassets and at least one virtual camera, the handheld device comprising: a body; an I/O channel configured to enable the handheld device to communicate with the computer system that generates the virtual scene; a display mounted on the body and configured to show a representation of the virtual scene as generated by the at least one virtual camera; and an input control operable to enable (a) a first user selected mode for recording images with a virtual camera of the at least one virtual camera in the virtual scene, and (b) a second user selected mode for selecting between different virtual lenses for the virtual camera.