A depth camera based approach for automatic control of video cameras in lecture halls. Issue 3 (9th September 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Winkler, Michael; Michael Höver, Kai; Mühlhäuser, Max
• Editors: Markus Ketterl, Dr; Christopher Brooks, Dr; Florian Schimanke, Mr
• Is Part Of: Interactive technology and smart education. Volume 11:Issue 3(2014)
• Page Start: 169
• Page End: 183
• Publication Date: 2014-09-09
• Subjects: Computer software -- e-learning -- Automatic camera control -- Lecture recording -- Lecture hall -- Depth information based tracking -- Microsoft Kinect; Interactive multimedia -- Periodicals; Educational technology -- Periodicals; 006.7
• DOI: 10.1108/ITSE-06-2014-0012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1741-5659

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: – The purpose of this study is to present a depth information-based solution for automatic camera control, depending on the presenter's moving positions. Talks, presentations and lectures are often captured on video to give a broad audience the possibility to (re-)access the content. As presenters are often moving around during a talk, it is necessary to steer recording cameras. Design/methodology/approach: – We use depth information from Kinect to implement a prototypical application to automatically steer multiple cameras for recording a talk. Findings: – We present our experiences with the system during actual lectures at a university. We found out that Kinect is applicable for tracking a presenter during a talk robustly. Nevertheless, our prototypical solution reveals potential for improvements, which we discuss in our future work section. Originality/value: – Tracking a presenter is based on a skeleton model extracted from depth information instead of using two-dimensional (2D) motion- or brightness-based image processing techniques. The solution uses a scalable networking architecture based on publish/subscribe messaging for controlling multiple video cameras.