NHK Labs develop remote controlled multi-view cameras

NHK’s Science & Technology Research Laboratories (STRL) have developed a remote-controlled, multi-view camera system for providing dynamic images of objects at different positions and while in motion.

Multi-view imaging involves surrounding the objects – such as sports players – with a number of cameras, which can provide a virtual all-round view of them at any point of time.

So far, systems have only been able to capture their objects from a limited number of vantage points, due to the fixed direction of the cameras. NHK, however, has developed a mechanism for ensuring that all of the cameras can maintain the same ‘look-at’ point, by having eight cameras (for pans, tilts and zooms) move in tandem with one main camera. This enables the cameras to keep up with quickly moving players and provide multi-view imaging of the decisive moments in a sporting event.

Added features such as faster image processing and automatic editing and feeds allow for multi-view images to be used quickly during a live telecast of a sporting event. NHK plans to further improve the system by reducing the size of the remote-controlled cameras and applying the technology to a range of programs not limited to sport.

NHK will demonstrate the new system to the public at the NHK Science & Technology Research Laboratories Open House 2013, from May 30th to June 2nd.