Methodology to optimize and provide streaming object rotation using composite images

• US 8,433,130 B2
• Filed: 01/29/2008
• Issued: 04/30/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vergence Media, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Vergence Media, Inc.
• Inventors: Rau, Aaron, Somberg, Craig, Lin, Tim
• Primary Examiner(s): Desire, Gregory M
• Application Number:
  US12/524,706
• Publication Number:
  US 20100284605A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,918 Days
• Field of Search: 345/419, 382/107, 382/154, 382/293
• US Class Current: 382/154
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/205 Image-based rendering

Abstract

Optimizing and presenting various sequences of images and/or photographs for viewing with a Web browser, is accomplished without the necessity of loading the entire image set, for example in connection with the 3D display of a product of interest. To represent an object that is rotating, a set of images must be taken. These images are taken at various angles, typically using either using a fixed camera or a turntable. The illusion of an object being rotated is created when the captured images based on the angle being viewed are displayed. To ensure a seamless rotation of an object, a technique is taught that significantly concentrates on reducing the loading time of the captured images by prioritizing which images should be transferred first according to their size, and their number of object views or view angles. A seamless rotation is thus achieved while less than the total number of images is loaded. In fact, an embodiment of the invention teaches that, by selectively loading certain images with specific angular values, it is possible to achieve an object rotation, i.e. using horizontal and vertical adjacent images positioning.

Claims

1. A method for optimizing and providing streaming object rotation, comprising the steps of:

capturing images of an object from a plurality of angles that collectively depict three dimensional object rotation;

storing an image reference in a master M×

N matrix to retain adjacent image positioning;

traversing said M×

N matrix from one cell to an adjacent cell referencing corresponding images, wherein an object can appear to rotate;

prioritizing which images should be transferred first when an image transfer is requested;

wherein at least one of the steps above is performed on a computer; and

transferring at least one large composite image composed of several object views.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

representing additional views of a same object at a same longitude and latitude by adding an additional dimension to an original master matrix to create another master, M×

N×

O.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

transferring a single image containing multiple views using said master matrix in conjunction with positioning information of that particular view within said image.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

providing a positioning M×

N matrix; and

traversing said master matrix and referencing positioning information in said positioning matrix;

wherein said object appears to rotate.

5. The method of claim 1, said prioritizing step comprising the step of:

applying a pre-buffer algorithm to prioritize composite image generation and loading based on at least one predetermined criterion.

6. The method of claim 1, said prioritizing step comprising the step of:

applying a priority algorithm to prioritize composite image generation and loading based on at least one predetermined criterion.

7. The method of claim 1, said prioritizing step comprising the step of:

applying an algorithm to specify which views must be contained in a particular composite image and what transfer priority it should receive as a user interacts to rotate an object.

8. A method for optimizing and providing streaming object rotation, comprising the steps of:

using captured three dimensional images of an object from a plurality of angles that collectively depict three dimensional object rotation, wherein each angle of the plurality of angles and the distance of the object are known;

generating composite images and a positioning matrix for said images based on said known plurality of angles and said known distance;

generating a master matrix referencing the positioning matrix; and

wherein at least one step is performed by a processor.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of:

transferring a first composite image, said positioning matrix, said master matrix, and a viewing application to a client computer.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of:

said client using said viewing application to download other composite images based upon priority algorithms and user interaction with said master matrix and said positioning matrix.

11. An apparatus for optimizing and providing streaming object rotation, comprising:

means for capturing images of an object from a plurality of angles that collectively depict three dimensional object rotation;

a master M×

N matrix for storing an image reference to retain adjacent image positioning;

means for traversing said M×

N matrix from one cell to an adjacent cell referencing corresponding images, wherein an object can appear to rotate;

means for prioritizing which images should be transferred first when an image transfer is requested; and

means for transferring at least one large composite image composed of several object views.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:

means for representing additional views of a same object at a same longitude and latitude by adding an additional dimension to an original master matrix to create another master, M×

N×

O.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:

means for transferring a single image containing multiple views using said master matrix in conjunction with positioning information of that particular view within said image.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:

means for providing a positioning M×

N matrix; and

means for traversing said master matrix and referencing positioning information in said positioning matrix;

wherein said object appears to rotate.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, said prioritizing means comprising:

a pre-buffer algorithm to prioritize composite image generation and loading based on at least one predetermined criterion.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, said prioritizing means comprising:

a priority algorithm to prioritize composite image generation and loading based on at least one predetermined criterion.

17. The apparatus of claim 11, said prioritizing means comprising:

an algorithm to specify which views must be contained in a particular composite image and what transfer priority it should receive as a user interacts to rotate an object.

18. An apparatus for optimizing and providing streaming object rotation, comprising the steps of:

means for using captured three dimensional images of an object from a plurality of angles that collectively depict object rotation, wherein each angle of the plurality of angles and the distance of the object are known;

means for generating composite images and a positioning matrix for said images based on said known plurality of angles and said known distance; and

a master matrix of said images referencing the positioning matrix.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising:

means for transferring a first composite image, said positioning matrix, said master matrix, and a viewing application to a client computer.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising:

means for said client using said viewing application to download other composite images based upon priority algorithms and user interaction with said master matrix and said positioning matrix.