Abstract: Apparatus and methods for encoding panoramic content, such as by a wide field of view and large image size. In one implementation, a panoramic image may be mapped to a cube, equirectangular or any other projection e.g., icosahedron or octahedron. Projection may be selected adaptively based on evaluation of the panoramic content. Content evaluation may include obtaining rate distortion cost metric for a given projection configuration including projection type, projection arrangement, and projection orientation. Projection configuration with the lowest cost may be selected as target projection for encoding content. As content composition changes (e.g., object motion, texture presence and/or location) projection may be adaptively selected to match changes in the content. Adaptive content selection methodology may provide for a lower encoded bitrate for a given encoded quality and/or higher quality for a given bitrate.

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: A method and system are described. The method includes capturing a set of images from a 2×2 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 a fifth camera, the fifth 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 four 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 providing a rotated spherical viewpoint (RSV). In one or more embodiments, the RSV is implemented using equirectangular projections (ERPs). The RSV methodologies described herein are particularly suitable for panning within virtual reality (VR) or 360° panoramic content as there is minimal, if any, geometric distortions at the edge of a given viewport. Moreover, the RSV methodologies described herein may reduce the bandwidth requirements of, for example, devices operating in a client-server architecture. Additionally, the computation requirements for providing RSV are minimal and can be provided using relatively simple rotation transforms.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for digital video data compression via a scalable, multi-resolution approach. In one embodiment, the video content may be encoded using a multi-resolution and/or multi-quality scalable coding approach that reduces computational and/or energy load on a client device. In one implementation, a low fidelity image is obtained based on a first full resolution image. The low fidelity image may be encoded to obtain a low fidelity bitstream. A second full resolution image may be obtained based on the low fidelity bitstream. A portion of a difference image obtained based on the second full resolution image and the first full resolution may be encoded to obtain a high fidelity bitstream. The low fidelity bitstream and the high fidelity bitstream may be provided to e.g., a receiving device.

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: A system captures a first hemispherical image and a second hemispherical image, each hemispherical image including an overlap portion, the overlap potions 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: Apparatus and methods for projection conversion decoding for applications eco-systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, a decoder apparatus is utilized to read formatting information from an intermediate projection format; convert the intermediate projection format to a display projection format; apply a rotation operation to the display projection format in accordance with the reading of the formatting information; and transmit the display projection format for use by an application. In some implementations, the intermediate projection format has been stabilized prior to encoding in order to improve upon the encoding efficiency for the intermediate projection format. The application of the rotation operation may then be utilized to reverse the stabilized imaging data. Methods and computing systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for encoding panoramic content, such as by a wide field of view and large image size. In one implementation, a panoramic image may be mapped to a cube, equirectangular or any other projection e.g., icosahedron or octahedron. Projection may be selected adaptively based on evaluation of the panoramic content. Content evaluation may include obtaining rate distortion cost metric for a given projection configuration including projection type, projection arrangement, and projection orientation. Projection configuration with the lowest cost may be selected as target projection for encoding content. As content composition changes (e.g., object motion, texture presence and/or location) projection may be adaptively selected to match changes in the content. Adaptive content selection methodology may provide for a lower encoded bitrate for a given encoded quality and/or higher quality for a given bitrate.

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: Apparatus and methods for providing block-based layouts for non-rectangular regions between non-contiguous imaging regions in projections such as, for example, Rotated Sphere Projections (RSP). In one embodiment, methods and apparatus for selecting coding unit block sizes for non-rectangular regions disposed between non-contiguous imaging portions is disclosed.

Abstract: A system receives an encoded image representative of the 2D projection of a cubic image, the encoded image generated from two overlapping hemispherical images separated along a longitudinal plane of a sphere. The system decodes the encoded image to produce a decoded 2D projection of the cubic image, and perform a stitching operation to portions of the decoded 2D projection representative of overlapping portions of the hemispherical images to produce stitched overlapping portions. The system combine the stitched overlapping portions with portions of the decoded 2D projection representative of the non-overlapping portions of the hemispherical images to produce a stitched 2D projection of the cubic image, and encode the stitched 2D projection of the cubic image to produce an encoded cubic projection of the stitched hemispherical images.

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.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for digital video data compression via a scalable, multi-resolution approach. In one embodiment, the video content may be encoded using a multi-resolution and/or multi-quality scalable coding approach that reduces computational and/or energy load on a client device. In one implementation, a low fidelity image is obtained based on a first full resolution image. The low fidelity image may be encoded to obtain a low fidelity bitstream. A second full resolution image may be obtained based on the low fidelity bitstream. A portion of a difference image obtained based on the second full resolution image and the first full resolution may be encoded to obtain a high fidelity bitstream. The low fidelity bitstream and the high fidelity bitstream may be provided to e.g., a receiving device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing a rotated spherical viewpoint (RSV). In one or more embodiments, the RSV is implemented using equirectangular projections (ERPs). The RSV methodologies described herein are particularly suitable for panning within virtual reality (VR) or 360° panoramic content as there is minimal, if any, geometric distortions at the edge of a given viewport. Moreover, the RSV methodologies described herein may reduce the bandwidth requirements of, for example, devices operating in a client-server architecture. Additionally, the computation requirements for providing RSV are minimal and can be provided using relatively simple rotation transforms.

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: A system captures a first hemispherical image and a second hemispherical image, each hemispherical image including an overlap portion, the overlap portions 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: Apparatus and methods for providing in-loop padding techniques for projection formats, such as, Rotated Sphere Projections (RSP). In one embodiment, methods and apparatus for the encoding of video data is disclosed, the video data includes a projection format that has redundant data, the apparatus and methods include obtaining a frame of video data, the frame of video data including reduced quality areas within the frame of video data; transmitting the obtained frame of the video data to a reconstruction engine; reconstructing the reduced quality areas to nearly original quality within the frame by using other portions of the frame of video data in order to construct a high fidelity frame of video data; storing the high fidelity frame of video data within a reference picture list; and using the high fidelity frame of video data stored within the reference picture list for encoding of subsequent frames of the video data. Methods and apparatus for the decoding of encoded video data are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for source dynamic range processing of panoramic and/or spherical imaging content. In one exemplary embodiment, apparatus and methods are disclosed in which capturing the aforementioned panoramic and/or spherical imaging content in a source dynamic range, receiving a viewport position for the panoramic and/or spherical imaging content, stitching (if necessary) the panoramic and/or spherical imaging content in the source dynamic range, and rendering the viewport in the source dynamic range. In a variant, the viewport in the source dynamic range is developed into a display dynamic range, encoded in the display dynamic range and shared with a viewer of the viewport. In another variant, the rendered viewport in the source dynamic range is encoded in the source dynamic range, transmitted and decoded in the source dynamic range and rendered in the display dynamic range.

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.