Abstract: Panoramic content may be characterized by a wide field of view and large image size. Panoramic image may be mapped to cube projection. When encoding/decoding cube-projected images, the disclosure exploits content continuity between cube facets. One facet may be encoded/decoded independently from other facets to obtain a seed facet. One or more transformed versions of the seed facet may be obtained, for example, one corresponding to a 90° counterclockwise rotation, another to a 90° clockwise rotation, and one to an 180° rotation. Transformed versions may be used to form an augmented image. The remained facets of the cube may be encoded using transformed versions within the augmented image. Boundary filtering may be applied to one or more edges of one or more facets.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing a frame packing arrangement for the encoding/decoding of, for example, panoramic content. In one embodiment, the frame packing arrangement utilizes overlapping imaging data so as to enable, for example, a post-decode stitching operation to be performed. The frame packing arrangement may utilize a number of projection formats, such as a cubemap projection, and may utilize any number of differing aspect ratios such as, without limitation, 4×3, 3×2, 4×2, 2×4 aspect ratios. Additionally, the overlapping imaging data may be positioned within the frame packing arrangement chosen so as to improve upon coding efficiency. For example, the overlapping imaging data may be positioned within the frame packing arrangement so as to emphasize image continuity. An encoder apparatus and decoder apparatus for use with the aforementioned frame packing arrangements are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing imaging content using spatially varying encoding quality. Imaging content may be acquired using spherical lenses (e.g., fisheye). When viewing spherical imaging content, spherical to planar image transformations may be utilized. Such transformations (e.g., equirectangular) may be characterized by spatially varying image distortion. Transformed images may be encoded. Encoding process may be configured based on spatially varying encoding quality. Encoding quality may be configured based on the transformation such that portions of the transformed image characterized by greater distortion may be encoded using lower quality (e.g. greater QP values); portions of the transformed image characterized by lower distortion may be encoded using greater quality (e.g. lower QP values).

Abstract: Dual-lens assemblies and cameras including dual lens-assemblies that include a first lens barrel securing a first lens having a first optical axis and a second lens barrel securing a second lens having a second optical axis are disclosed. In one dual-lens assembly, the first optical axis is approximately parallel to and spaced from the second optical axis by a lateral offset, axial lengths of the first lens barrel and the second lens barrel are approximately equal, and the first lens and the second lens are oriented in opposite directions at opposing ends of the first lens barrel and the second lens barrel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing panoramic image and/or video content using spatially selective encoding and/or decoding. Panoramic content may include stitched spherical (360-degree) images and/or VR video. In some implementations, selective encoding functionality may be embodied in a spherical image capture device that may include two lenses configured to capture pairs of hemispherical images. Encoded source images may be decoded and stitched in order to obtain a combined image characterized by a greater field of view as compared to source images. The stitched image may be encoded using a selective encoding methodology including: partitioning a stitched image into multiple portions, determining if a portion is to be re-encoded. If the image portion is to be re-encoded, re-encoding the image portion. If an image portion is not to be re-encoded, copying previously encoded image portion in lieu of encoding.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing a frame packing arrangement for the encoding/decoding of, for example, panoramic content. In one embodiment, an encoder apparatus is disclosed. In a variant, the encoder apparatus is configured to encode Segmented Sphere Projections (SSP) imaging data and/or Rotated Sphere Projections (RSP) imaging data into an extant imaging format. In another variant, a decoder apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the decoder apparatus is configured to decode SSP imaging data and/or RSP imaging data from an extant imaging format. Computing devices, computer-readable storage apparatus, integrated circuits and methods for using the aforementioned encoder and decoder are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for utilizing on-device sensor information to improve video encoding quality are discussed herein. Specifically, the systems and methods may utilize on-device sensor information to efficiently determine whether to encode a particular frame within a set of frames as an intra frame. When captured on video, a particular arrangement of a group of pixels within a frame may comprise a visual representation of an object within the frame. When encoding video footage, motion information characterizing motion of an image capturing device over time may be used to predict the modification of an arrangement of a group of pixels between frames. These predictions may be used to efficiently determine whether to encode a particular frame as an intra frame.

Abstract: Systems and methods for utilizing on-camera sensor information to improve video and/or image encoding quality are discussed herein. Specifically, the systems and methods may utilize on-camera sensor information to efficiently determine whether to encode a particular frame within a set of frames as an intra frame. When captured on video, a particular arrangement of a group of pixels within a frame may comprise a visual representation of an object within the frame. When encoding video footage, motion information characterizing motion of an image capturing device over time may be used to predict displacement of an arrangement of group of pixels between frames. These predictions may be used to efficiently determine whether to encode a particular frame as an intra frame.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the stitch zone calculation of a generated projection of a spherical image. In one embodiment, a computing device is disclosed which includes logic configured to: obtain a plurality of images; map the plurality of images onto a spherical image; re-orient the spherical image in accordance with a desired stitch line and a desired projection for the desired stitch line; and map the spherical image to the desired projection having the desired stitch line. In a variant, the desired stitch line is mapped onto an optimal stitch zone, the optimal stitch zone characterized as a set of points that defines a single line on the desired projection in which the set of points along the desired projection lie closest to the spherical image in a mean square sense.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing panoramic image and/or video content using multi-resolution stitching. Panoramic content may include stitched spherical (360-degree) images and/or VR video. In some implementations, multi-resolution stitching functionality may be embodied in a spherical image capture device that may include two lenses configured to capture pairs of hemispherical images. The capture device may obtain images (e.g., representing left and right hemispheres) that may be characterized by 180-degree (or greater) field of view. Source images may be combined using multi-resolution stitching methodology. Source images may be transformed to obtain multiple image components characterized by two or more image resolutions.

Abstract: A system captures a first hemispherical image and a second hemispherical image, each hemispherical image including an overlap portion, the overlap portion capturing a same field of view, the two hemispherical images collectively comprising a spherical FOV and separated along a longitudinal plane. The system maps a modified first hemispherical image to a first portion of the 2D projection of a cubic image, the modified first hemispherical image including a non-overlap portion of the first hemispherical image, and maps a modified second hemispherical image to a second portion of the 2D projection of the cubic image, the modified second hemispherical image also including a non-overlap portion. The system maps the overlap portions of the first hemispherical image and the second hemispherical image to the 2D projection of the cubic image, and encodes the 2D projection of the cubic image to generate an encoded image representative of the spherical FOV.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing imaging content using spatially varying encoding quality. Imaging content may be acquired using spherical lenses (e.g., fisheye). When viewing spherical imaging content, spherical to planar image transformations may be utilized. Such transformations (e.g., equirectangular) may be characterized by spatially varying image distortion. Transformed images may be encoded. Encoding process may be configured based on spatially varying encoding quality. Encoding quality may be configured based on the transformation such that portions of the transformed image characterized by greater distortion may be encoded using lower quality (e.g. greater QP values); portions of the transformed image characterized by lower distortion may be encoded using greater quality (e.g. lower QP values).

Abstract: Dual-lens assemblies and cameras including dual lens-assemblies that include a first lens barrel securing a first lens having a first optical axis and a second lens barrel securing a second lens having a second optical axis are disclosed. In one dual-lens assembly, the first optical axis is approximately parallel to and spaced from the second optical axis by a lateral offset, axial lengths of the first lens barrel and the second lens barrel are approximately equal, and the first lens and the second lens are oriented in opposite directions at opposing ends of the first lens barrel and the second lens barrel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing video content using spatially adaptive video encoding. Panoramic and/or virtual reality content may be viewed by a client device using a viewport with viewing dimension(s) configured smaller than available dimension(s) of the content. Client device may include a portable media device characterized by given energy and/or computational resources. Video content may be encoded using spatially varying encoding. For image playback, portions of panoramic image may be pre-encoded using multiple quality bands. Pre-encoded image portions, matching the viewport, may be provided and reduce computational and/or energy load on the client device during consumption of panoramic content. Quality distribution may include gradual quality transition area allowing for small movements of the viewport without triggering image re-encoding. Larger movements of the viewport may automatically trigger transition to another spatial encoding distribution.

Abstract: A method and system are described. The method includes capturing a set of images from an array of cameras, each camera of the array of cameras having an overlapping field of view (FOV) with an adjacent camera of the array of cameras. The method further includes synchronously capturing a supplemental image from an additional camera, the additional camera having an at least partially overlapping FOV with every camera of the array of cameras. Supplemental information is extracted by comparing the supplemental image with the set of images. Portions of the set of images are stitched based in part on the supplemental information to produce a combined stitched image, the combined stitched image having a higher resolution than each image of the set of images.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for stitching images, or re-stitching previously stitched images. Specifically, the disclosed systems in one implementation save stitching information and/or original overlap source data during an original stitching process. During subsequent retrieval, rendering, and/or display of the stitched images, the originally stitched image can be flexibly augmented, and/or re-stitched to improve the original stitch quality. Practical applications of the disclosed solutions enable, among other things, a user to create and stitch a wide field of view (FOV) panorama from multiple source images on a device with limited processing capability (such as a mobile phone or other capture device). Moreover, post-processing stitching allows for the user to convert from one image projection to another without fidelity loss (or with an acceptable level of loss).

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing panoramic image and/or video content using spatially selective encoding and/or decoding. Panoramic content may include stitched spherical (360-degree) images and/or VR video. In some implementations, selective encoding functionality may be embodied in a spherical image capture device that may include two lenses configured to capture pairs of hemispherical images. Encoded source images may be decoded and stitched in order to obtain a combined image characterized by a greater field of view as compared to source images. The stitched image may be encoded using a selective encoding methodology including: partitioning a stitched image into multiple portions, determining if a portion is to be re-encoded. If the image portion is to be re-encoded, re-encoding the image portion. If an image portion is not to be re-encoded, copying previously encoded image portion in lieu of encoding.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for stitching images, or re-stitching previously stitched images. Specifically, the disclosed systems in one implementation save stitching information and/or original overlap source data during an original stitching process. During subsequent retrieval, rendering, and/or display of the stitched images, the originally stitched image can be flexibly augmented, and/or re-stitched to improve the original stitch quality. Practical applications of the disclosed solutions enable, among other things, a user to create and stitch a wide field of view (FOV) panorama from multiple source images on a device with limited processing capability (such as a mobile phone or other capture device). Moreover, post-processing stitching allows for the user to convert from one image projection to another without fidelity loss (or with an acceptable level of loss).

Abstract: Systems and methods for utilizing on-camera sensor information to improve video and/or image encoding quality are discussed herein. Specifically, the systems and methods described herein may utilize on-camera sensor information to adaptively adjust an intra frame insertion rate associated with a sequence of frames. The intra frame insertion rate associated with a sequence of frames may be adjusted based on the motion of the image capturing device while capturing the sequence of frames and a predefined motion threshold associated with the intra frame insertion rate of the sequence of frames. In some implementations, the intra frame insertion rate may be adjusted based on the activity being performed during the capture of the sequence of frames. As such, the encoding of one or more frames within a sequence of frames may be adaptively adjusted to better suit the scene depicted by the sequence of frames.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for encoding and decoding image data based on one or more parameters. In one embodiment, various spatial portions or regions of image data (e.g., a still or moving image) are weighted according to the perceived or measured quality. Processing for these weighted regions can be selectively altered or adjusted so as to optimize one or more operational parameters including for example processing and/or memory requirements, or speed.