Abstract: A method for controlling a robotic camera capturing a portion of a playing field is suggested. An image region of interest is determined in a reference image of the playing field. The image region of interest is determined by artificial intelligence. The image region of interest is associated with a physical region of interest on the playing field. From the physical region of interest control parameters for the robotic camera are deducted such that the robotic camera captures the physical region of interest on the playing field. As a result it is achieved that the robotic camera automatically captures the most interesting scene on the playing field. Furthermore, a camera system is suggested that implements the method.

Abstract: A method for operating an automatic camera system comprising a main camera, a robotic camera and a production server is suggested. The method comprises receiving video images from the main camera capturing a scene and determining parameters of the main camera by an algorithm (403,404) while it captures the scene. Based on the parameters of the main camera, parameters for the robotic camera are estimated such that the robotic camera essentially captures the same scene as the main camera but from a different perspective. The robotic camera automatically provides a video stream, e.g. a close-up view of the same scene, i.e. without any human intervention. The images of the robotic camera are made available for a production director who can utilize the close-up images of the robotic camera for the broadcast production without spending additional efforts to prepare the close-up. Furthermore, an automatic camera system is suggested for implementing the method.

Abstract: A video production server comprising at least one processor and a storage is suggested. Software modules composed of executable program code are loaded into a working memory of the at least one processor. Each software module, when executed by the at least one processor, provides an elementary service. A concatenation of elementary services provides for a functionality involving processing of video and/or audio signals needed for producing a broadcast program. The video production server includes a set of software components that runs on conventional hardware. Each functionality of the video production server is achieved by using a specific piece of software that is assembled from reusable functional software blocks and that can run on any compatible hardware platform. Furthermore, a method for operating the video production server and a distributed video production system including the video production server is suggested.

Abstract: A video processing apparatus is suggested which receives a plurality of video input streams such as camera feeds. Among the input streams there is at least one 360° camera feed. The video processing apparatus receives data allowing determining a virtual camera view from the 360° camera feed. The Video processing apparatus comprises a storage in which camera feeds are recorded for later replay. In addition to that, a method for processing video streams is suggested for extracting a virtual camera feed from 360° camera feed. The videos streams and camera feeds are processed to generate replay streams for broadcast and training purposes of sports teams.

Abstract: A method for controlling a robotic camera capturing a portion of a playing field is suggested. An image region of interest is determined in a reference image of the playing field. The image region of interest is determined by artificial intelligence. The image region of interest is associated with a physical region of interest on the playing field. From the physical region of interest control parameters for the robotic camera are deducted such that the robotic camera captures the physical region of interest on the playing field. As a result it is achieved that the robotic camera automatically captures the most interesting scene on the playing field. Furthermore, a camera system is suggested that implements the method.

Abstract: A video production server comprising at least one processor and a storage is suggested. Software modules composed of executable program code are loaded into a working memory of the at least one processor. Each software module, when executed by the at least one processor, provides an elementary service. A concatenation of elementary services provides for a functionality involving processing of video and/or audio signals needed for producing a broadcast program. The video production server includes a set of software components that runs on conventional hardware. Each functionality of the video production server is achieved by using a specific piece of software that is assembled from reusable functional software blocks and that can run on any compatible hardware platform. Furthermore, a method for operating the video production server and a distributed video production system including the video production server is suggested.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Visual Background Extractor (VIBE) consisting in a method for detecting a background in an image selected from a plurality of related images. Each one of said set of images is formed by a set of pixels, and captured by an imaging device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Visual Background Extractor (VIBE) consisting in a method for detecting a background in an image selected from a plurality of related images. Each one of said set of images is formed by a set of pixels, and captured by an imaging device.