Panoramic movie which utilizes a series of captured panoramic images to display movement as observed by a viewer looking in a selected direction
US6654019B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 22, 2001 |
| Grant date | Nov 25, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 8, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N9/8205
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Movement through multi-dimensional space is simulated using a series of panoramic images which are projected or displayed in sequence. The user's direction of view, that is the selected view window, is maintained as the series of images is projected or displayed. Motion in directions other than forward or reverse is simulated by utilizing “branch” points in the sequence. Each path from a branch point simulates motion in a different direction. Branch points are generally indicated to a viewer by visual indicators called “hot spots”; however, branch points may also be hidden and activated in response to the viewer's selected direction of view. If a branch point is indicated by a visual indicator, a user can select motion in a desired direction by clicking on a “hot spot”.In order to conserve storage space, the image representing each panorama can be stored in a compressed format. Only the portion of the panorama necessary to create a “view window” that is, the portion of the image displayed in response to the user's direction of view, is decompressed at view time. An index methodology is used to store the panoramic images. Use of the in…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.