Sending three-dimensional images over a network
DCFirst Claim
1. A method of retrieving over a network a three-dimensional representation of a three-dimensional surface, wherein three-dimensional features of said surface are represented by data arranged in a hierarchical structure including portions of said surface at a plurality of detail levels comprising:
- retrieving locally stored data corresponding to a three-dimensional representation of a portion of said surface at a certain detail level from a local memory;
determining whether said portion of said surface is at a detail level that satisfies a calculated detail level, anddynamically requesting over a network remotely stored additional three-dimensional data of portions of said surface until the calculated detail level is satisfied.
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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.
72 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of retrieving over a network a three-dimensional representation of a three-dimensional surface, wherein three-dimensional features of said surface are represented by 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 corresponding to a three-dimensional representation of a portion of said surface at a certain detail level from a local memory; determining whether said portion of said surface is at a detail level that satisfies a calculated detail level, and dynamically requesting over a network remotely stored additional three-dimensional data of portions of said surface until the calculated detail level is satisfied. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. 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 computer communicating via a network; the local computer having storage capability to store sets of information representing physical features of a portion of the three-dimensional surface; the remote computer having storage capability to store hierarchical sets of information representing physical features of the portion of the three-dimensional surface at increasing resolution levels; said local computer adapted to dynamically request sets of information representing three-dimensional features of said portion of the three-dimensional surface from said remote computer of higher and higher resolution until resolution at said local computer satisfies a predetermined level. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of retrieving over a network a three-dimensional representation of a geospatial area, wherein the three-dimensional features of said area are represented by blocks of data corresponding to portions of the area arranged in a hierarchical structure at a plurality of resolution levels comprising:
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retrieving a locally stored block of data corresponding to a portion of the three-dimensional area from a local memory; determining whether said block of the three-dimensional area is at a detail level that satisfies a calculated detail level, and dynamically requesting over a network remotely stored additional blocks of three-dimensional data corresponding to said portion of the three-dimensional area at a higher detail level until the calculated detail level is satisfied. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for sending information representing at least a portion of a three-dimensional surface over a network between a local computer and a remote computer, where
the local computer has storage capability to store sets of information representing physical features of a portion of the three-dimensional surface, and the remote computer has storage capability to store hierarchical sets of information representing physical features of the portion of the three-dimensional surface at increasing resolution levels; the method comprising; dynamically requesting at said local computer, sets of information representing three-dimensional features of said portion of the three-dimensional surface from said remote computer of higher and higher resolution until resolution at said local computer satisfies a predetermined level.
Specification