Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Computer graphics processing – Three-dimension
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-06
2002-12-10
Zimmerman, Mark (Department: 2671)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Computer graphics processing
Three-dimension
Reexamination Certificate
active
06492985
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to computer programming and systems; and more particularly, to computerized methods, computer-readable medium containing computer-executable instructions, and apparatus for presenting, manipulating, and serving immersive (i.e., panoramic) images.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The Internet and the World Wide Web (“Web”) have changed the landscape of information delivery and affected numerous faculties of life, including electronic commerce and entertainment. One area that has benefited from this technological development is the ability to deliver and display multimedia experiences across a network, such as the Internet. In particular, these multimedia experiences may include presenting immersive images.
Today, immersive images can be viewed using a Java capable browser or an enhanced browser having an appropriate plugin. A example of an immersive image
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viewable using a Java capable browser or an enhanced browser having an appropriate plugin is illustrated in FIG.
1
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However, there is a large portion of the Internet community which cannot view immersive images today. To view these immersive images, these users would need to expend additional time and expense to replace or upgrade their browser. Moreover, a segment of the Internet community (e.g., WebTV users) cannot upgrade their system to be able to view immersive images using available technology. Needed is a system for presenting immersive images received from a server using generic browsing capabilities.
Moreover, current programs, including Java reviewers, for displaying immersive images do not provide a mechanism to alert a viewer of the currently displayed perspective of the immersive images. This results in the loss of viewing context. Needed is a mechanism for allowing a user to readily orient oneself and determine the perspective of the current view of the immersive image.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, methods and apparatus are disclosed for presenting immersive images (i.e., panoramic images) and/or supporting the presentation of immersive images. Embodiments of the present invention include various elements and limitations, with no one element or limitation contemplated as being a critical element or limitation. Each of the claims individually recite as aspect of the present invention in its entirety. Moreover, embodiments of the present invention include methods, computer-readable medium containing instructions for performing the methods, and computer systems for practicing the present invention. The embodiments described hereinafter embody various aspects and configurations within the scope and spirit of the present invention.
According to a first embodiment of the present invention, a method and computer-readable medium containing executable instructions by a browser are provided for presenting an immersive image comprising a plurality of sub-images. Preferably, the first embodiment comprises: receiving a first set of instructions for presenting a first view of the immersive image, the first view including a first subset having one or more neighboring sub-images from the plurality of sub-images; receiving the first subset of sub-images from one or more local or remote memories, storage devices, or servers; remote memories, storage devices, or servers; and presenting the second view of the immersive image.
In an embodiment, the immersive image consists of a number N sub-images, and the first and second views each consist of non-overlapping portions of the immersive image. In alternative embodiments, the n sub-images may contain overlapping portions of the immersive image. Preferably, the value of n is eight and the value of m is two.
In an embodiment, one or more sub-images with the second subset not residing in a local memory or storage device are received from a remote server. An embodiment further comprises: requesting a second set of instructions for presenting the second view from a remote server; and receiving the second set of instructions for presenting the second view. Preferably, the first and second sets of instructions are HyperText Markup Language (HTML). In an embodiment, the first set of instructions are in HyperText Markup Language (HTML) and include a Java Script code; wherein, in response to the received signal, the Java Script code causes the presentation of the second view to be performed. In an embodiment, the signal is received in response to a selection by a user of the computer system. In an embodiment, the signal is received in response to a timing signal generator. An embodiment further comprises presenting a reference indicator having a plurality of views, wherein a first view of the reference indicator corresponds to the first view of the immersive image, and a second view of the reference indicator corresponds to the second view of the immersive image. Preferably, the second view is determined from a location indicated by the signal and a position of, or a point within, the reference indicator.
According to a second embodiment of the present invention, a method and computer-readable medium containing computer-executable instructions are provided for presenting an immersive image, where the immersive image includes a plurality of sub-images. Preferably, the second embodiment comprises: receiving a first view instructions, the first view instructions referencing a first and second sub-images of the plurality of sub-images; receiving the first and second sub-images; presenting a first view of the immersive image based on the first view instructions and including the first and second sub-images; receiving a signal indicating a request for a second view of the immersive image; requesting a second view instructions from one or more local or remote memories, storage devices, of servers in response to the received signal; receiving the second view instructions, the second view instructions referencing the second sub-image and a third sub-image; receiving the third sub-image; and presenting the second view of the immersive image based on the second view instructions and including the second and third sub-images.
In an embodiment, the first and second view instructions are in HyperText Markup Language (HTML). Preferably, the first, second and third sub-images, the first and second view instructions are received from one or more remote servers. In an embodiment, the signal is received in response to a selection by a user of the computer system. In an embodiment, the signal is received in response to a timing signal generator. In an embodiment, the first and second sub-images consist of non-overlapping neighboring portions of the immersive image. An embodiment further comprises presenting a reference indicator having a plurality of views, wherein a first view of the reference indicator corresponds to the first view of the immersive image, and a second view of the reference indicator corresponds to the second view of the immersive image. Preferably, the second view is determined from a location indicated by the signal and a position of, or a point within, the reference indicator.
According to a third embodiment of the present invention, a method and computer-readable medium containing computer-executable instructions are provided for presenting an immersive image using a browser, wherein, the immersive image including a plurality of sub-images. Preferably, the third embodiment comprises: receiving a first view instructions, the first view instructions including a browser executable code; receiving a first and second sub-images of the immersive image; presenting a first view of the immersive image based on the first view instructions and including the first and second sub-images; receiving a signal indicating a request for a second view of the immersive image; determining by the browser executable code the second view of the immersive image based on the received signal, the second view including the second and third sub-images; requesting a third sub-image of the immersive image from one or more local or remote memories, stor
Molnar Joseph R. S.
Mutz Andrew H.
Sah Adam
Stryker Daniel A.
Unger Trajan E.
Colbert John P.
Internet Pictures Corporation
Moreno Victor C.
Sealey Lance W.
Zimmerman Mark
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