System and method for combining satellite imagery with virtual imagery

• US 20080043040A1
• Filed: 02/23/2007
• Published: 02/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: William Benman
• Original Assignee: William Benman
• Inventors: Benman, William
• Granted Patent: US 7,755,635 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/633
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/001 Texturing; Colouring; Generation of texture or colour inpainting G06T5/77
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 17/05 Geographic models

Abstract

A system and method for combining computer generated 3D environments (virtual environments) with satellite images. In a specific application, the system enables users to see and communicate with each other as live avatars in the computer generated environment in real time.

Claims

1. A system for providing a computer generated 3D environment with satellite image textures comprising:

first means for providing a 3-dimensional computer generated environment and

second means for applying satellite images as a texture on a surface in said environment.

2. The invention of claim 1 including third means for allowing users to navigate in said environment and see and communicate with each other as live images with associated audio in real time.

3. A method for providing a computer generated 3D environment with satellite image textures comprising the steps of:

providing a 3-dimensional computer generated environment and

applying satellite images as a texture on a surface in said environment.

4. The invention of claim 3 including the step of allowing users to navigate in said environment and see and communicate with each other as live images with associated audio in real time.