PANORAMIC WORLDVIEW NETWORK CAMERA WITH INSTANT REPLY AND SNAPSHOT OF PAST EVENTS
First Claim
1. A method of viewing images over a network comprising:
- forming a panoramic image from a first camera, the first camera being in signal communication with a first computer operable by a first user, the first computer having a first storage device and a first display;
sending the panoramic image over the network from the first computer to a second computer operable by a second user;
storing the panoramic image on a second storage device associated with the second computer; and
displaying the panoramic image and a subset of the panoramic image on a second display in signal communication with the second computer.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Image viewing system and method for use with a video telephony application. The method includes forming a panoramic image by moving the camera about at least one axis, capturing images from at least two different camera positions, and joining the images together. The method also includes presenting the panoramic image on a visual display device, receiving input from a user indicating that a subset of the panoramic image has been selected, pointing the camera in a direction corresponding to the selected subset, and presenting images from the camera corresponding to the selected subset on the visual display device. The system includes a camera with a controllable pivot assembly that pivots in at least one direction in signal communication with a computer, and a software module that directs the pivot assembly to move the camera and presents images on a display.
24 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of viewing images over a network comprising:
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forming a panoramic image from a first camera, the first camera being in signal communication with a first computer operable by a first user, the first computer having a first storage device and a first display; sending the panoramic image over the network from the first computer to a second computer operable by a second user; storing the panoramic image on a second storage device associated with the second computer; and displaying the panoramic image and a subset of the panoramic image on a second display in signal communication with the second computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An image viewing system for use with a video telephony application, local and remote displays associated with local and remote computers in communication over a network, each of the local and remote computers having a processor, a memory in data communication with the processor, a user input device, and at least one input/output port, the system comprising:
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a camera including a controllable pivot assembly that pivots in at least one direction in signal communication with the local computer; a local software module for storage on and operable by the local computer that directs the pivot assembly to move the camera, captures images from at least two different camera positions to form a panoramic image, joins the captured images into a panoramic image, sends the panoramic image to the remote computer, receives input from a remote user indicating that a subset of the panoramic image has been selected, directs the pivot assembly to point the camera in a direction corresponding to the selected subset, and sends images from the camera corresponding to the selected subset to the remote computer; and a remote software module for storage on and operable by the remote computer that displays a user interface on the remote display, accepts input from the remote user, sends the input to the local computer, and presents the panoramic image and the selected subset of the panoramic image on the remote display. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification