The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 25, 2003
Filed:
Apr. 03, 2001
Edward Driscoll, Jr., Portola Valley, CA (US);
Howard Morrow, San Jose, CA (US);
Alan J. Steinhauer, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Willard Curtis Lomax, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Be Here Corporation, Pleasanton, CA (US);
Abstract
An electronic image distribution apparatus for distributing panoramic images is disclosed. The central feature of the system is a panoramic image server coupled to a source of panoramic image information. The source of panoramic image frames may be a panoramic image storage device or a panoramic camera system. The panoramic image server converts the panoramic image frames into a format that is more conducive for electronic transmission. Specifically, the panoramic image server extracts a subset of each panoramic image frame and compresses that subset of the panoramic image. The panoramic image server may also geometrically transform the subset of the panoramic image frame. The compressed subset of a panoramic image frame is transmitted across a transmission medium to a client system. The client system decompresses the subset of panoramic image frame and displays the subset of the panoramic image frame. To conserve bandwidth, the panoramic image server compresses a large portion of the panoramic image frame and leaves a smaller portion of the panoramic image frame. The smaller portion of the panoramic image frame is later expanded by the client system.