Method and apparatus for streaming panoramic video

An apparatus for streaming panoramic video, comprising:

• an encoding device configured to receive a panoramic video stream formed by a sequence of stitched panoramic frames, wherein each stitched panoramic frame is representative of a panoramic view defined by horizontal and vertical dimensions in relation to a central viewing point,
• wherein the encoding device is configured to split the stitched panoramic frames into pieces to create a plurality of split frames and a corresponding plurality of split frame streams relating to split frame portions of the panoramic video stream,
• wherein the encoding device is configured to encode the plurality of split frames for each split frame stream at multiple bitrates to form multiple bitrate encodings corresponding to multiple resolution qualities for each split frame stream, wherein the multiple resolution qualities range from a highest resolution quality to a lowest resolution quality;
• wherein the encoding device is configured to combine the multiple bitrate encodings for the plurality of split frame streams to form a video bunch frame stream, wherein the video bunch frame stream includes the multiple bitrate encodings for each split frame stream based on combining the multiple bitrate encodings;
• and
• a streaming server assembly configured to access the video bunch frame stream and configured to obtain first split frame streams and second split frame streams from the video bunch frame stream, wherein at least the first split frame streams are selected in response to a region of interest received from a viewer client device, wherein the region of interest is representative of at least a portion of the panoramic view, wherein the streaming server assembly is configured to combine the first split frame streams and the second split frame streams to form a customized panoramic video stream, wherein the streaming server assembly is configured to send the customized panoramic video stream to the viewer client device.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing program instructions that, when executed by at least one computer or processor, cause a computer-controlled system to perform a method of streaming panoramic video, the method comprising:

• receiving a panoramic video stream formed by a sequence of stitched panoramic frames at an encoding device, wherein each stitched panoramic frame is representative of a panoramic view defined by horizontal and vertical dimensions in relation to a central viewing point;
• splitting the stitched panoramic frames into pieces to create a plurality of split frames and a corresponding plurality of split frame streams relating to split frame portions of the panoramic video stream;
• encoding the plurality of split frames for each split frame stream at multiple bitrates to form multiple bitrate encodings corresponding to multiple resolution qualities for each split frame stream, wherein the multiple resolution qualities range from a highest resolution quality to a lowest resolution quality;
• combining the multiple bitrate encodings for the plurality of split frame streams to form a video bunch frame stream, wherein the video bunch frame stream includes the multiple bitrate encodings for each split frame stream based on the combining;
• combining first split frame streams of a higher resolution quality and second split frame streams of a lower resolution quality to form a customized panoramic video stream from the video bunch frame stream, wherein at least the first split frame streams are selected in response to a region of interest received from a viewer client device, wherein the region of interest is representative of a least a portion of the panoramic view;
• and
• sending the customized panoramic video stream to the viewer client device.