METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR STREAMING CONTENT
Methods and apparatus for streaming content corresponding to a 360 degree field of view are described. The methods and apparatus of the present invention are well suited for use with 3D immersion systems and/or head mounted display which allow a user to turn his or her head and see a corresponding scene portion. The methods and apparatus can support real or near real time streaming of 3D image content corresponding to a 360 degree field of view.
1 . A method of delivering content corresponding to a 360 degree scene, the method comprising:
partitioning said 360 degree scene into a plurality of N portions;
determining a current viewing angle of a user; and
determining which of said N portions to stream to a playback device corresponding to said user during a first time interval based on the current viewing angle of said user.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein
determining which of said N portions to stream to a playback device corresponding to said user during a time interval based on the current viewing angle of said user includes:
selecting at least two different portions of said 360 degree scene to be streamed to said user during said first time interval.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein determining which of said N portions to stream to a playback device corresponding to said user during a time interval based on the current viewing angle of said user includes:
determining a number of different portions to stream based on a data rate available for streaming content to the user.
4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein selecting at least two different portions of said 360 degree scene to be streamed to said user during said first time interval includes:
selecting a first scene portion to which said current viewing angle corresponds; and
selecting a second scene portion which is directly adjacent said first scene portion.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein said second scene portion is selected as a function of the viewing angle, said second scene portion being a scene portion adjacent said first scene portion which is closest to the angle within said first scene portion indicated by said viewing angle.