Abstract: A mobile device which supports apparatus for site imaging while in transit is disclosed. The mobile device comprises a plurality of wheels, an imaging unit having at least one camera and supported above the head of an operator, a control unit for monitoring and controlling operation of each camera and of generated image data so as to produce an interactive movie, a steering device for navigating the mobile device within the site, a measuring device for measuring the relative displacement of the mobile device, a computer for determining the relative location and orientation of the mobile device within the site and for processing data, and a monitor. In one embodiment, two of the wheels are self-aligning caster wheels, and a mechanism and method for preventing drifting during the initial advancement of the mobile device are provided. A rotating mechanism is actuated until each caster wheel achieves a trailing position.

Abstract: A method for producing an interactive virtual movie which simulates the walking of a user within a real site and exploring the same. A scanning apparatus defines minimal conditions for the capturing of a new photograph, including one or more of: (i) displacement of the apparatus by a distance D; (ii) change of the apparatus orientation by an angle ?°; or (iii) change of the orientation of the camera with respect to the apparatus by an angle of ?°. A photograph is captured each time the apparatus exceeds one of the predefined minimal conditions, wherein the measurements of the variables is reset after each capturing. The method also includes storing the captured photographs and forming open chains of those photographs captured during a common route photographing session, and forming closed chains, of photographs captured during a common junction photographing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for transferring an interactive walkthrough movie located at a server via a network and displaying the same at a user station, which comprises: (a) a display unit at the user station for displaying movie frames; (b) a control device at the user station for enabling the user to navigate within the movie; (c) a map of the movie describing the links between the individual movie frames and the index of each movie frame, said map also maintains at any given time the present virtual location of the user within the map; and (d) a prediction unit for receiving inputs from said map and from a user control device, and based on said inputs predicting those future frames that may be required for view by the user, and instructing the server to convey said predicted future frames to the user station.

Abstract: Method for producing an interactive virtual movie, which simulates walking of a user within a real site, comprising: (a) Defining first minimal conditions: (b) Defining second minimal conditions; (c) Moving a scanning apparatus along routes within the site, measuring the x,y, displacement, and angular orientation of the scanning apparatus at any given time, and creating a new node at least whenever such first minimal conditions are met; (d) Obtaining an image data at each node location reflecting a camera unit field of view, and associating the image data and its orientation with the x,y. coordinates of the present node; (e) Finding and registering neighborhood links between pairs of nodes, each link satisfies at least said second minimal conditions; and (f) Further associating with each created link an exit angular orientation and entry angular orientation to nodes of each pair.

Abstract: A mobile device which supports apparatus for site imaging while in transit is disclosed. The mobile device comprises a plurality of wheels, an imaging unit having at least one camera and supported above the head of an operator, a control unit for monitoring and controlling operation of each camera and of generated image data so as to produce an interactive movie, a steering device for navigating the mobile device within the site, a measuring device for measuring the relative displacement of the mobile device, a computer for determining the relative location and orientation of the mobile device within the site and for processing data, and a monitor. In one embodiment, two of the wheels are self-aligning caster wheels, and a mechanism and method for preventing drifting during the initial advancement of the mobile device are provided. A rotating mechanism is actuated until each caster wheel achieves a trailing position.