Method and apparatus for accessing multi-dimensional mapping and information

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing an interactive mapping and panoramic imaging application for utilization by a computer user is provided. A plurality of panoramic images are stored on a panoramic database, each panoramic image corresponding to a geographical location. A panoramic image is displayed on a screen and is navigable in response to input by the user. The panoramic image has embedded hotspots corresponding to selected panoramic images of geographically adjacent locations. Also displayed on the screen, simultaneously with the panoramic image, is a map image corresponding with the panoramic image. The map image is stored on a map database, and the map is navigable in response to input by the user. The map has embedded hotspots corresponding to the plurality of panoramic images. Also displayed on the screen, simultaneously with the panoramic image and the map image, is a text panel displaying textual information corresponding to the displayed panoramic image. The text panel is capable of receiving textual input from the user for activating a search of a text database having a plurality of text data corresponding to the plurality of panoramic images. The displayed panoramic image, the displayed map image and the displayed textual information are updated in response to the user activating a hotspot, such that the displayed panoramic image, the displayed map image and the displayed textual information correspond to one another.