Method and apparatus for providing perceived video viewing experiences using still images

• US 5,764,276 A
• Filed: 10/31/1996
• Issued: 06/09/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Interactive Pictures Corp. (IPIX Corporation)
• Inventors: Martin, H. Lee, Grantham, H. Craig
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US08/742,684
• Time in Patent Office: 586 Days
• Field of Search: 348/13, 348/15, 348/19, 348/36, 348/17, 348/18, 348/384, 348/207, 348/144, 348/578, 348/552, 348/22, 382/232, 382/254
• US Class Current: 725/146
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/40 of multimedia data, e.g. slideshows comprising image and additional audio data retrieval of still image data G06F16/50; retrieval of audio data G06F16/60; retrieval of video data G06F16/70
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 3/12 Panospheric to cylindrical image transformations
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19628 of wide angled cameras and camera groups, e.g. omni-directional cameras, fish eye, single units having multiple cameras achieving a wide angle view
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19682 Graphic User Interface [GUI] presenting system data to the user, e.g. information on a screen helping a user interacting with an alarm system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19689 Remote control of cameras, e.g. remote orientation or image zooming control for a PTZ camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00352 Input means H04N1/00411 takes precedence; input arrangements for computers G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2104 for one or a few pictures
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2158 using a detachable storage unit
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2166 for mass storage, e.g. in document filing systems information retrieval G06F16/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/217 Interfaces allowing access to a single user
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/00 Methods or arrangements for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/58 Means for changing the camera field of view without moving the camera body, e.g. nutating or panning of optics or image sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/698 for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/00 Circuitry of solid-state image sensors [SSIS]; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/2628 Alteration of picture size, shape, position or orientation, e.g. zooming, rotation, rolling, perspective, translation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/002 Special television systems not provided for by H04N7/007 - H04N7/18 still pictures via a television channel H04N1/00098
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

A method and apparatus for sequencing views retrieved from a spherical still image file provide the viewer the perception of video performance with low bandwidth transmission. The method incorporates digital transmission and automatic sequencing of the playback of the view. The apparatus provides video-motion rate images via low bandwidth digital transmissions or small data files from a still image taken of an inanimate environment. The resulting method and apparatus allows the viewer to experience a video display of any environment (for example, real estate locations, malls, museums, and hotels) and view a "video" tour of the location through a low bandwidth transmission.

Claims

1. A device for sequencing images from a single still image data file providing the perception of video from batch data files which comprises:

a camera image capture system for receiving optical images and for producing output corresponding to said optical images;

a lens attached to said camera imaging system for producing hemispherical optical images, for optical conveyance to said camera imaging system;

a positioning device that registers both hemispheres so as to create a set of two hemispheres thereby creating a spherical image of a remote environment;

an image scanning means for receiving said output from said camera imaging system and for digitizing said output signals from said camera imaging system;

a command data file means that sequences said images so as to deliver an apparently video experience;

a data transmission means for sending said image and said command data files to personal computers worldwide;

a personal computer means for executing image transform processes for processing said data in a sequence controlled by said command sequencing data or by user input moving input image according to selected viewing angles and magnification, and for producing sequenced output images;

output display means for user viewing of image sequence;

input means for selecting said viewing angles and magnification with either mouse, keyboard, or other means that controls a hand for navigating the image or a magnifying glass for zooming on the image.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the environments in the image can be distributed via digital networks in a batch operation similar to still images, but can be viewed in a continuous mode similar to video.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the user can take control of the image and control the direction of view in any direction.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein links to audio, flat images, text, graphics, video clips and other spherical photographs can be accomplished.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the techniques applied to still images can be applied to video data files as the bandwidth available for distribution increases.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said input means further provides for input of a selected portion and magnification of said view to said transform processor means by way of a simple pointing user interface where motion direction is controlled by the direction the hand points in and velocity is controlled by the distance from the center of the display.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the transform is performed at rates at or approaching video rates resulting in a sequenced image presentation that provides the user with the perception of video without a continuous update of the input data.