US5894589A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Interactive image display system
Assignee: Intellectual Ventures I LLC
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Filing: 1996-10-31
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Granted: 1999-04-13
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Expires: 2016-10-31
Abstract
Abstract An interactive image display system includes a user interface to select a portion of a wide-angle image sequence. An image processor processes the portion of the wide-angle image sequence selected by the user interface to produce a perspective corrected image sequence. A display device displays the perspective corrected image sequence produced by the image processor. An accounting system monitors a usage parameter associated with the interactive image display system. A controller selectively inhibits an operative feature provided by at least one of the user interface, the image processor, and the display device based upon the usage parameter.
Inventors
- 👤 William Louis Reber
- 👤 Cary Drake Perttunen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 17:10
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/002; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/41; H04N21/414; H04N21/41415; H04N21/47; H04N21/472; H04N21/47202; H04N21/4728; H04N21/60; H04N21/65; H04N21/658; H04N21/6587; H04N5/00; H04N5/44; H04N7/08; H04N7/0806; H04N7/16; H04N7/162; H04N7/163; H04N7/164; H04N7/173; H04N7/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
An image distribution method comprising the steps of: receiving a payment parameter generated using a card reader at a user location; receiving a user-initiated selection of an image available from an image distribution system; communicating the image from the image distribution system to the user location in dependence upon the payment parameter; and inhibiting communication of a subsequent image to the user location until a subsequent payment parameter is received, the subsequent payment parameter generated using the card reader at the user location.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
An image distribution method comprising the steps of: receiving a payment parameter generated using a card reader at a user location; receiving a user-initiated selection of an image available from an image distribution system; communicating the image from the image distribution system to the user location in dependence upon the payment parameter; and inhibiting communication of a subsequent image to the user location until a subsequent payment parameter is received, the subsequent payment parameter generated using the card reader at the user location.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The image distribution method of claim 1 wherein the card reader reads a magnetic strip of a card to generate the payment parameter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The image distribution method of claim 1 wherein the card reader reads a debit card to generate the payment parameter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The image distribution method of claim 1 wherein the card reader reads a credit card to generate the payment parameter, the method further comprising the steps of verifying the credit card, and billing the user for the image.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
An image distribution method comprising the steps of: receiving a user-initiated selection of an image available from an image distribution system; inhibiting communication of the image to a user location; receiving a payment parameter generated using a card reader at the user location; and communicating the image from the image distribution system to the user location upon receiving the payment parameter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
An image distribution method comprising the steps of: receiving a user-initiated selection of an image available from an image distribution system; inhibiting communication of the image to a user location; receiving a payment parameter generated using a card reader at the user location; and communicating the image from the image distribution system to the user location upon receiving the payment parameter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
81 words
An image distribution method comprising the steps of: receiving a payment parameter generated using a card reader at a user location; communicating at least one image from the image distribution system to the user location upon receiving the payment parameter; monitoring a measure of information communicated from the image distribution system to the user location; and inhibiting subsequent communication from the image distribution system to the user location when the measure of information crosses a threshold dependent upon the payment parameter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
81 words
An image distribution method comprising the steps of: receiving a payment parameter generated using a card reader at a user location; communicating at least one image from the image distribution system to the user location upon receiving the payment parameter; monitoring a measure of information communicated from the image distribution system to the user location; and inhibiting subsequent communication from the image distribution system to the user location when the measure of information crosses a threshold dependent upon the payment parameter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The image distribution method of claim 6 wherein the step of inhibiting subsequent communication is performed until a subsequent payment parameter is received from the user location.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
63 words
An image distribution method comprising the steps of: receiving a payment parameter generated using a card reader at a user location; upon receiving the payment parameter, communicating at least one image from the image distribution system to the user location until a measure of information communicated from the image distribution system to the user location crosses a threshold dependent upon the payment parameter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
63 words
An image distribution method comprising the steps of: receiving a payment parameter generated using a card reader at a user location; upon receiving the payment parameter, communicating at least one image from the image distribution system to the user location until a measure of information communicated from the image distribution system to the user location crosses a threshold dependent upon the payment parameter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
An image distribution method comprising the steps of: communicating a wide-angle image from an image distribution system to a user location; and inhibiting a capability to display a perspective corrected image of a portion of the wide-angle image at the user location when a usage parameter crosses a threshold.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
An image distribution method comprising the steps of: communicating a wide-angle image from an image distribution system to a user location; and inhibiting a capability to display a perspective corrected image of a portion of the wide-angle image at the user location when a usage parameter crosses a threshold.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The image distribution method of claim 9 wherein the step of inhibiting includes inhibiting a capability to process the portion of the wide-angle image to form the perspective corrected image.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The image distribution method of claim 9 further comprising the step of receiving a payment parameter, wherein the threshold is dependent upon the payment parameter.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The image distribution method of claim 11 wherein the threshold is based upon a number of sessions which is purchased.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The image distribution method of claim 9 wherein the usage parameter includes a measure of time.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-04-12 | 2002-10-12 | 2003-04-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-04-12 | 2006-10-12 | 2007-04-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-04-12 | 2010-10-12 | 2011-04-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |