Method and apparatus for creating and displaying interactive three dimensional computer images

• US 20020105513A1
• Filed: 10/12/2001
• Published: 08/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pixel Science, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Pixel Science, Inc.
• Inventors: Chen, Jiunn
• Granted Patent: US 6,762,755 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/419
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 37/04 with cameras or projectors providing touching or overlapping fields of view
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0007 Image acquisition
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/205 Image-based rendering

Abstract

Disclosed is a system and method for creating and displaying interactive three dimensional (3D) computer images. In a preferred embodiment of the system a plurality of digital cameras are positioned in a single arcuate vertical plane, aimed at a center of an object to be imaged in the center of a rotating turntable. Images of the object are captured by each of the cameras after the turntable rotates a certain number of degrees, until the object has rotated a complete 360 degrees. The captured images are then sent to a computer where they are stored and from them, virtual images are created. These original images and virtual images are then compressed and re-sampled in order to be interactive 3D computer images. The 3D images of the object are then displayed and manipulated by the view through using a computer controller, such as a mouse, and various control icons.

Claims

1. A method for creating and displaying interactive three dimensional (3D) computer images, the method comprising:

studio processing an object into images;

computer processing the images to create virtual images;

compressing and re-sampling the computer processed images for interactive 3D display; and

displaying the interactive 3D images.

2. A method for creating and displaying interactive 3D computer images as recited in claim 1, further comprising sphering the interactive 3D images.

3. A method for creating and displaying interactive 3D computer images as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of studio processing the object into images comprises:

centering the object on a turntable;

positioning a plurality of cameras in a same arcuate plane aimed at the object; and

photographing the object with each camera a plurality of times after incrementally rotating the turntable a predetermined distance for each photograph.

4. A method for creating and displaying interactive 3D computer images as recited in claim 3, wherein the step of positioning a plurality of cameras in a same vertical plane aimed at the object comprises:

positioning a first camera at twenty degrees from a horizontal even with a top surface of the turntable;

positioning a second camera at twenty degrees from the first camera;

positioning a third camera at twenty degrees from the second camera; and

positioning a fourth camera at twenty degrees from the third camera.

5. A method for creating and displaying interactive 3D computer images as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of computer processing the images to create virtual images comprises utilizing computer software to create from the images, the virtual images of the object viewed from different perspectives.

6. A method for creating and displaying interactive 3D computer images as recited in claim 2, wherein the step of sphering the interactive 3D images comprises:

inverting and centering the object on the turntable;

studio processing the inverted object into inverted images;

computer processing the inverted images to create virtual inverted images; and

combining the computer processed images of the object with the computer processed images of the inverted object to create a 360 degree spherical view of the object.

7. A method for creating and displaying interactive 3D computer images as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of compressing and re-sampling the computer processed images for interactive 3D display comprises compressing and re-sampling the computer processed images to create a plurality of views of the images for interactive 3D display on a computer display.

8. A method for creating and displaying interactive 3D computer images as recited in claim 7, wherein a plurality of views of the images includes a best view and different sizes.

9. A method for creating and displaying interactive 3D computer images as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of displaying the interactive 3D images comprises:

loading a program code for the displaying the interactive 3D images;

selecting a 3D image to display;

displaying the 3D image;

diagonally rotating the 3D image;

horizontally rotating the 3D image; and

vertically rotating the 3D image.

10. A method for creating and displaying interactive 3D computer images as recited in claim 9, wherein the step of selecting the 3D image to display further comprises selecting a best view.

11. A method for creating and displaying interactive 3D computer images as recited in claim 9, wherein horizontally rotating the 3D image is performed automatically.

12. A method for creating and displaying interactive 3D computer images as recited in claim 11, wherein the step of horizontally rotating the 3D image automatically, further comprises controlling a rotation speed of the 3D image.

13. A method for creating and displaying interactive 3D computer images as recited in claim 9, wherein the step of vertically rotating the 3D image is performed automatically.

14. A method for creating and displaying interactive 3D computer images as recited in claim 13, wherein the step of vertically rotating the 3D image automatically, further comprises controlling a rotation speed of the 3D image.

15. A method for creating and displaying interactive 3D computer images as recited in claim 9, wherein the step of diagonally rotating the 3D image is performed automatically.

16. A method for creating and displaying interactive 3D computer images as recited in claim 15, wherein the step of diagonally rotating the 3D image automatically, further comprises controlling a rotation speed of the 3D image.

17. A method for creating and displaying interactive 3D computer images as recited in claim 9, wherein the step of displaying the interactive 3D images, further comprises magnifying an area of the 3D image by selecting a magnifying control icon and positioning a window over the area of the 3D image to be magnified.

18. A system for creating and displaying interactive three dimensional (3D) computer images, the system comprising:

a turntable for rotating an object;

a plurality of cameras arranged in a same plane aimed at the object, for photographing the object; and

a computer for controlling the cameras, rotating the object, computer processing images of the object, re-sampling and compressing the images and displaying the interactive 3D computer images.