Sending Three-Dimensional Images over a Network
First Claim
1. A method of streaming over a network a three-dimensional representation of a three-dimensional surface, wherein three-dimensional features of said surface are represented by data which includes elevation information and image data arranged in a hierarchical structure including portions of said surface at a plurality of detail levels comprising:
- retrieving locally stored data that includes elevation information corresponding to a portion of said surface at a certain detail level from a local memory;
determining whether said three dimensional portion of said surface is at a detail level that satisfies a calculated detail level, anddynamically streaming over a network remotely stored additional three dimensional data that includes elevation information of portions of said surface until the calculated detail level is satisfied.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A benefit is obtained for sending digital information over a network. The digital information is representative of three-dimensional images which include photographic images. The receiving computer renders the images from the received digital information, and a viewer at the receiving computer can interactively choose a viewpoint or perspective to view the images on a display of the receiving computer. The benefit to the sender can be monetary compensation and/or increased recognition of the sender, for example.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of streaming over a network a three-dimensional representation of a three-dimensional surface, wherein three-dimensional features of said surface are represented by data which includes elevation information and image data arranged in a hierarchical structure including portions of said surface at a plurality of detail levels comprising:
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retrieving locally stored data that includes elevation information corresponding to a portion of said surface at a certain detail level from a local memory; determining whether said three dimensional portion of said surface is at a detail level that satisfies a calculated detail level, and dynamically streaming over a network remotely stored additional three dimensional data that includes elevation information of portions of said surface until the calculated detail level is satisfied. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for sending information over a network representing at least a portion of a three-dimensional surface comprising:
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a local computer and a remote server communicating via a network; the server having storage capability to store hierarchical sets of information representing three-dimensional features of the portion of the three-dimensional surface at multiple resolution levels; the server adapted to dynamically stream three-dimensional data that includes elevation information and image data from the hierarchical data sets representing said portion of the three-dimensional surface to the local computer based on the changes in viewpoint position within the scene; the local computer adapted to render said particular scene from three-dimensional data that includes elevation information and said image data, representing said portion of the surface. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification