US5153716A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Panoramic interactive system
Assignee: Horizonscan Inc
•
Filing: 1991-07-29
•
Granted: 1992-10-06
•
Expires: 2011-07-29
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a method and apparatus for viewing of a panorama or large portion thereof by selectively displaying a portion thereof on a video display device or other means and in a manner that forces the user to change his own orientation to vary the portion of the panorama viewed. Such a method and apparatus coordinates the user's normal feedback responses associated with changing orientation to changes in the portion of the panorama viewed. In a preferred embodiment, a simple apparatus for allowing a user or users to view the recorded panorama is disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Graham T. Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 19:55
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B37/00; G03B37/02; H; H04; H04N; H04N13/00; H04N13/20; H04N13/204; H04N13/207; H04N13/211; H04N13/218; H04N13/221; H04N13/30; H04N13/332; H04N13/344; H04N13/363; H04N13/10; H04N13/106; H04N13/161; H04N13/189; H04N13/398
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A system for viewing of a film recorded panoramic image which is not a video recording comprising: means for receiving and positioning at least one recorded panoramic image in a manner for viewing thereof, and optical means for viewing of a selected segment of the film recorded panoramic image, said viewing means including user controlled movable viewing screen means, said movable viewing screen means displaying the selected segment of the stored panoramic image, said viewing means having sensing means for sensing rotational movement of said viewing means and in accordance with the sensed rotational movement adjusting the selected segment of the stored panoramic image, whereby the user selectively moves said viewing screen means to vary the selected segment of the stored panoramic image displayed by said viewing screen means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
129 words
A system for viewing of a film recorded panoramic image which is not a video recording comprising: means for receiving and positioning at least one recorded panoramic image in a manner for viewing thereof, and optical means for viewing of a selected segment of the film recorded panoramic image, said viewing means including user controlled movable viewing screen means, said movable viewing screen means displaying the selected segment of the stored panoramic image, said viewing means having sensing means for sensing rotational movement of said viewing means and in accordance with the sensed rotational movement adjusting the selected segment of the stored panoramic image, whereby the user selectively moves said viewing screen means to vary the selected segment of the stored panoramic image displayed by said viewing screen means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said viewing screen means is a video display terminal mounted on a rotatable base and including handle means for rotating said rotatable base about a vertical axis, said rotatable base including means for sensing or tracking the rotational position of said base which forms part of said sensing means for sensing rotational movement of said viewing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for viewing is manually drivien by the user and a rotational movement of the viewer directly corresponds to a directional change of the segments viewed as they were recorded.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said sensing means for sensing rotational movement of said viewing means includes a shaft encoder which is rotated with rotation of said base and produces an output signal for varying said selected segment of the real panoramic image viewed.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
95 words
A system for viewing of panoramic type images stored on non video film records comprising: means for receiving and positioning at least one film record in a manner for viewing thereof, an optical lens arrangement viewing a selected portion of said film record and producing an image suitable for viewing by the user, and means for causing relative movement of said optical lens system and said means for receiving and positioning at least one film record along two different axes whereby the selected portion of said film record being viewed is varied along each axes.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
95 words
A system for viewing of panoramic type images stored on non video film records comprising: means for receiving and positioning at least one film record in a manner for viewing thereof, an optical lens arrangement viewing a selected portion of said film record and producing an image suitable for viewing by the user, and means for causing relative movement of said optical lens system and said means for receiving and positioning at least one film record along two different axes whereby the selected portion of said film record being viewed is varied along each axes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
A system for viewing of a panoramic type image stored on a film record as claimed in claim 5 wherein said lens arrangement is vertically adjustable by the user to thereby simulate vertical panning of the record by the user and this vertical adjustability is accommodated by one of said two axes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system for viewing of a panoramic type image stored on a film record as claimed in claim 5 wherein said lens arrangement includes a zoom lens adjustable to accomodate enlarged viewing of a segment of said selected portion of the film record.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
A system as claimed in claim 5 wherein said film has identified locations having further associated panoramic film records associated with each identified location and means for accessing said associated panoramic records when a user indicates by means of a control a desire to view a panoramic record associated with a particular record.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
53 words
A system as claimed in claim 8 including a laser disc player having recorded thereon flythrough segments between identified locations on the panoramic image which are transmitted to the video display terminal when a user indicates by means of the control a desire to view a panoramic record associated with a particular record.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system as claimed in claim 9 wherein said system switches between panoramic records during viewing of a flythrough.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
121 words
A system for viewing of a panoramic type image stored on a non video film record comprising: means for receiving and positioning at least one film record in a manner for viewing thereof, an optical lens arrangement viewing a selected portion of said film record and producing an image suitable for viewing by the user, and means for causing relative movement of said optical lens system and said means for receiving and positioning at least one film record in a manner for viewing thereof whereby the selected portion of said film record being viewed is varied, and wherein said lens arrangement is a zoom lens adjustable to accomodate enlarged viewing of a segment of said selected portion of the film record.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
121 words
A system for viewing of a panoramic type image stored on a non video film record comprising: means for receiving and positioning at least one film record in a manner for viewing thereof, an optical lens arrangement viewing a selected portion of said film record and producing an image suitable for viewing by the user, and means for causing relative movement of said optical lens system and said means for receiving and positioning at least one film record in a manner for viewing thereof whereby the selected portion of said film record being viewed is varied, and wherein said lens arrangement is a zoom lens adjustable to accomodate enlarged viewing of a segment of said selected portion of the film record.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
52 words
A system for viewing of a panoramic type image stored on a film record as claimed in claim 6 said lens arrangement is part of a video camera which produces a video signal of the selected segment of the film record being scanned and transmits the signal to a video display terminal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system for viewing of a panoramic type image stored on a film record as claimed in claim 12 wherein said video camera includes a lens arrangement vertically adjustable by the user to thereby simulate vertical panning of the record by the user.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
51 words
A system for viewing of a panoramic type image stored on a film record as claimed in claim 13 wherein said video display terminal is tiltable in the vertical plane and the angle of tilt of the video display terminal is used to control the vertical position of the video camera.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
A film record of at least one panorama image comprising a length of film having recorded in the length thereof the panorama image and wherein the panorama image is recorded at least 3 times in a continuous sequence without interuption.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
A film record of at least one panorama image comprising a length of film having recorded in the length thereof the panorama image and wherein the panorama image is recorded at least 3 times in a continuous sequence without interuption.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
A film record as claimed in claim 15 wherein there are at least two panorama images stored on the film record in back to back relationship.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
A film record as claimed in claim 15 wherein there are at least two panorama images stored one above the other to define at least panorama tracks spaced in the height of the film.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-10-06 | 1996-04-06 | 1996-10-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-10-06 | 2000-04-06 | 2000-10-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-10-06 | 2004-04-06 | 2004-10-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |