System and method for capturing, combining and displaying 360-degree "panoramic" or "spherical" digital pictures, images and/or videos, along with traditional directional digital images and videos of a site, including a site audit, or a location, building complex, room, object or event

• US 20100231687A1
• Filed: 03/12/2010
• Published: 09/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Chase Real Estate Services Corporation
• Original Assignee: Chase Real Estate Services Corporation
• Inventors: Amory, David, Rockwell, Michael, Yeagley, John, Shuntich, Doug, Amann, William
• Application Number:
  US12/661,227
• Publication Number:
  US 20100231687A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/36
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/698 for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture

Abstract

One embodiment of a system and method for using a 360-degree panoramic camera or 360-degree panoramic video camera for capturing images of a site, location or object, including site audits, may include using such camera at various prescribed heights and locations in conjunction with a processing unit configured to display information and images of the subject site location or object. The processing unit may be configured with a software viewer to display images and information of interest and incorporating icons for purposes of selecting a corresponding point of view or information portal. A compressor unit may be used to receive photographic data from the camera system and interface with the processor. A storage unit may be configured to store captured and combined images of the site, location or object.

Claims

1. A system for capturing, combining and displaying 360-degree panoramic video or 360-degree spherical digital pictures, graphics or videos along with traditional directional digital images or videos of a specific site or object, said system comprising:

a. a 360-degree panoramic camera or 360-degree panoramic video camera with a plurality of lenses for site image capture,

b. an image compressor unit configured to compress images for processing by a processing unit,

c. a processing unit configured to load captured images and for displaying such images on an electronic display, and further configured with an interactive software program panoramic viewer enabling a user to navigate between or among various panoramic images or embedded images and information by selecting color-coded and distinct embedded icons,

d. editing software that may be used to open image data, compress it again and export it to a format readable by a viewer,

e. image data from a site that may be manipulated by the user once in the viewer to include text, graphics and other information by writing an .xml script and creating an associated icon,

f. an electronic display configured to display images and information associated with a site or object,

g. a pointer means which a user can manipulate to point to, select and click on an icon in order to display images and associated information,

h. a storage unit configured to store site images captured and graphic information added,

Whereby a user can view panoramic images of a site or object and also select a particular vantage point, image or information for display.

2. A method for capturing, combining and displaying 360-degree panoramic video or 360-degree spherical digital pictures, graphics or videos along with traditional directional digital images or videos of a specific site or object, said method comprising the steps;

a. capturing images and information associated with a site, location or object independently or in combination of two modes as follows;

1. comprising providing the 360-degree panoramic camera or 360-degree panoramic video camera and recording system using a telescoping pole is moved along a periphery of the subject site wherein images are captured at multiple locations along the periphery at heights of 10′

, 20′ and

greater,

2. comprising providing the 360-degree panoramic camera or 360-degree panoramic video camera and associated recording system is immersed within the site compound or close by the object and includes strategically placing the said camera at discrete locations within a path of travel,

b. obtaining additional photographic images of specific items or conditions at the site using a traditional digital camera or video recorder,

c. gathering data, graphics or other information associated with specific items or conditions at the site,

d. utilizing an interactive, processor based panoramic viewer software application that an operator may manipulate to combine and display panoramic images and wherein a color-coded, distinct set of icons may be embedded and strategically placed which enables the end user to intuitively navigate between and among various 360-degree images of the site captured at predetermined vantage points,

e. utilizing the viewer so that an operator may load and manipulate the 360-degree images captured at a site in combination with additional information and images of specific items and conditions of the site to be identified by creation of a corresponding icon, which thereafter may be selected by an end user viewing an electronic display of the site,

f. displaying electronic images and information of the subject site, location or object within the viewer or by way of pop-up windows in response to a user manipulating a pointer to select an icon or icons on the electronic display associated with a particular vantage point for viewing or to indicate information, text or a graphic representation of a particular item or condition of the subject site,

g. storing the information generated during the 360-degree image capture phase together with the combined information and images inserted by way of the viewer application and identified by associated icons,

Whereby a user can view panoramic images of a site or condition and select among specific icons for displaying of particular information or images associated with the subject.