Viewers of 360-degree videos are located in the middle of a spherical video. From the center of this “video bubble” the viewer is able to immersively watch the filmed environment. Viewers can change the view orientation by looking, or via a control device, so that the viewport changes accordingly. With the help of logs, software developers may observe the actions made by the video viewers and use this information in 360-degree video software development.
“With the help of behavioral data, it is possible for example to produce additional content to the essential parts of the video. In addition, it is possible to reduce network traffic of video transfer by transferring only the essential parts of the video in high quality. In many cases such decisions need to be made in real time,” explains Antti Luoto.
In his dissertation, Luoto discusses the technological aspects of logging focusing on the development of an efficient logging architecture.
“Collection and usage of logs benefit from an efficient IT architecture. The principal elements of such an architecture are distribution, centralized data storage, data communications, and analysis tools,” he says.
In his dissertation, Luoto presents practical solutions for efficient log collection and visualization. The study has novelty in the usage of lightweight communication protocol and development of log-based real-time visualizations drawn over 360-degree videos.
“With the help of lightweight protocol, it possible, for example, to reduce the network traffic required by transferring of log entries and log analysis results. The knowledge presented related to visualization development may be interesting to companies and researchers working in the field of 360-degree videos,” states Luoto.
Additionally, the dissertation explores the reasons for logging 360-degree video viewers based on research literature and the needs of five local companies.
“The most popular reasons for logging 360-degree video users are viewport-adaptive streaming, transmission optimization, and saving bandwidth,” sums Luoto.
Antti Luoto grew up in Mouhijärvi (now part of Sastamala). He worked as a university teacher during his research. He currently lives in Tampere and works as a systems engineer for the government.
Public defense on Friday 1 March
The doctoral dissertation of M.Sc. Antti Luoto in the field of information technology entitled Logging and Analyzing 360-Degree Video Users will be publicly examined at the Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences at Tampere University in room TB109 (address: Korkeakoulunkatu 1, Tampere) at 12:00 on Friday March 1, 2024. The Opponent will be Professor Petri Vuorimaa from Aalto University, Finland. The Custos will be Professor Kari Systä from Tampere University.
The doctoral dissertation is available online The public defence can be followed via a remote connection