Abstract: A system and method for distributing image sequences to multiple clients according to individual or grouped client requests. In a preferred embodiment, an innovative media server includes image processing nodes which modify an image sequence as received from a wide-angle source, according to a request from a client or client characteristics. Requests can be grouped and/or compressed so as to reduce necessary bandwidth.

Abstract: A method of modeling of the visible world using full-surround image data includes steps for selecting a view point within a p-surface, selecting a direction of view within the p-surface, texture mapping full-surround image data onto the p-surface such that the resultant texture map is substantially equivalent to projecting full-surround image data onto the p-surface from the view point to thereby generate a texture mapped p-surface, and displaying a predetermined portion of the texture mapped p-surface. An apparatus for implementing the method is also described.

Abstract: A method of modeling of the visible world using full-surround image data includes steps for selecting a view point within a p-surface, selecting a direction of view within the p-surface, texture mapping full-surround image data onto the p-surface such that the resultant texture map is substantially equivalent to projecting full-surround image data onto the p-surface from the view point to thereby generate a texture mapped p-surface, and displaying a predetermined portion of the texture mapped p-surface. An apparatus for implementing the method is also described.

Abstract: A method of modeling of the visible world using full-surround image data includes steps for selecting a view point within a p-surface, selecting a direction of view within the p-surface, texture mapping full-surround image data onto the p-surface such that the resultant texture map is substantially equivalent to projecting full-surround image data onto the p-surface from the view point to thereby generate a texture mapped p-surface, and displaying a predetermined portion of the texture mapped p-surface. An apparatus for implementing the method is also described.

Abstract: A method of modeling of the visible world using full-surround image data includes steps for selecting a view point within a p-surface, selecting a direction of view within the p-surface, texture mapping full-surround image data onto the p-surface such that the resultant texture map is substantially equivalent to projecting full-surround image data onto the p-surface from the view point to thereby generate a texture mapped p-surface, and displaying a predetermined portion of the texture mapped p-surface. An apparatus for implementing the method is also described.

Abstract: The principle purpose of the present invention is to provide an image processing system which uses the two methods to form visible stimuli which depict visual shape. In particular, the present invention either transforms a first visible configuration to a second visible configuration that depicts (in one of the two possible ways given) the visual shapes induced by the first visible configuration, or it determines the visible configuration necessary to depict the desired visual configuration. Using the present invention, it is possible to transform a full 360 degrees of visible space (i.e., front, back, up, down, right and left directional views) onto a single display surface.

Abstract: A method of modeling of the visible world using full-surround image data includes steps for selecting a view point within a p-surface, selecting a direction of view within the p-surface, texture mapping full-surround image data onto the p-surface such that the resultant texture map is substantially equivalent to projecting full-surround image data onto the p-surface from the view point to thereby generate a texture mapped p-surface, and displaying a predetermined portion of the texture mapped p-surface. An apparatus for implementing the method is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for modeling the visible world using a spherical data set includes a first device means for generating the spherical data set, the first device having a wide angle lens which is pivotable around a predetermined focal point, a second device for selecting a viewpoint within a p-surface, a third device for texture mapping selected data of the spherical image data onto the p-surface such that the resultant texture map is substantially equivalent to projecting the selected data onto the p-surface from the viewpoint to thereby generate a texture mapped p-sphere, and a fourth device for displaying a predetermined portion of the texture mapped p-sphere. A memory which stores a seamless spherical image data set formed from N circular image data sets captured by a single lens, where the circular image data sets are taken from a single focal point of the lens, and where N is a positive integer greater than 1 is also described.

Abstract: A method of modeling of the visible world using a spherical image data set includes steps for generating the spherical image data set, selecting a viewpoint within a p-surface, and texture mapping selected data from the spherical image data set onto the p-surface such that the resultant texture map is substantially equivalent to projecting the selected data onto the p-surface from the viewpoint to thereby generate a texture mapped p-surface. According to one aspect of the invention, the method also includes a step for either rotating the texture mapped p-surface or changing the direction of view to thereby expose a new portion of the texture mapped p-surface. According to another aspect of the invention, a first the texture mapped p-sphere is replaced by a second texture mapped p-sphere by interactively selecting the new viewpoint from viewpoints within the second texture mapped p-sphere.

Abstract: A method for generating a seamless spherical image combines at least two images separately captured from a single focal point and different directions of view. A spherical image data set produced by using a programmed computer to digitally stitch together at least two digital images that represent the visible world as seen from a fixed focal point and at least two respective directions of view is also described.

Abstract: A method of modeling of the visible world using full-surround image data includes steps for selecting a view point within a p-surface, and texture mapping full-surround image data onto the p-surface such that the resultant texture map is substantially equivalent to projecting full-surround image data onto the p-surface from the view point to thereby generate a texture mapped p-surface. According to one aspect of the invention, the method also includes a step for either rotating the texture mapped p-surface or changing the direction of view to thereby expose a new portion of the texture mapped p-surface. According to another aspect of the invention, a first the texture mapped p-sphere is replaced by a second texture mapped p-sphere by interactively selecting the new viewpoint from viewpoints within the second texture mapped p-sphere. A corresponding apparatus is also described.

Abstract: The principle purpose of the present invention is to provide an image processing system which uses the two methods to form visible stimuli which dipict visual shape. In particular, the present invention either transforms a first visible configuration to a asecond visible configuration that depicts (in one of the two possible ways given) the visual shapes induced by the first visible configuration, or it determines the visible configuration necessary to depict the desired visual configuration. Using the present invention, it is possible to transfrom a full 360 degrees of visible space (i.e., front, back, up, down, right and left directional views) onto a single display surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating spherical data sets, includes a spherical mirror disposed at a predetermined view point, a camera including a long lens, focused on the spherical mirror, which camera generates an image data stream; and a processor, which receives said image data stream, and which generates the spherical data sets responsive to the image data stream. According to one aspect of the present invention, the camera includes first and second cameras generating respective first and second image data streams. According to another aspect of the present invention, the spherical mirror, said camera, and the processor define a unitary structure. A method for generating the spherical data sets is also described.

Abstract: The principle purpose of the present invention is to provide an image processing system which uses the two methods to form visible stimuli which depict visual shape. In particular, the present invention either transforms a first visible configuration to a second visible configuration that depicts (in one of the two possible ways given) the visual shapes induced by the first visible configuration, or it determines the visible configuration necessary to depict the desired visual configuration. Using the present invention, it is possible to transform a full 360 degrees of visible space (i.e., front, back, up, down, right and left directional views) onto a single display surface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for producing a three-hundred and sixty degree spherical visual data set using at least one lens. The lens encompasses a field of view of not less than one-hundred and eighty degrees. The field of view is represented by a hemisphere defined by a half-space which is, in turn, defined by a first plane having an origin point through which a vertical axis of the plane extends. The apparatus includes a mounting support member and a plumbing device. The mounting support member positions at least one camera having the at least one lens. The mounting support member is aligned with the vertical axis and rotatable in first and second directions through at least one-hundred and eighty degrees from a first position to a second position. The plumbing device is mounted to one of the camera, lens and mounting means and maintains the vertical axis plumb.

Abstract: The principle purpose of the present invention is to provide an image pressing system which uses the two methods to form visible stimuli which depict visual shape. In particular, the present invention either transforms a first visual configuration to a second visible configuration that depicts (in one of the two possible ways given) the visual shapes induced by the first visible configuration, or it determines the visible configuration necessary to depict the desired visual configuration. Using the present invention, it is possible to transform a full 360 degrees of visible space (i.e., front, back, up, down, right and left directional views) onto a single display surface.