Inventors:
Laban Phelps Jackson - Knoxville TN
Alexis S. Pecoraro - Knoxville TN
Peter Hansen - Knoxville TN
Martin L. Bauer - Oak Ridge TN
H. Lee Martin - Knoxville TN
Assignee:
Ipix Corporation - Oakridge TN
International Classification:
H04N 530
US Classification:
348207, 348143, 348335, 348 36, 382293, 345850
Abstract:
Apparatus for interactive display of any portion of a spherical image preferably comprises a personal computer or other digital processor apparatus for storing digital data representative of at least one image having a 180 degree or greater field of view (or hemispherical image). In order to view a selected image portion without warp or distortion at the seam between opposite hemispherical images, edge filtering is applied to eliminate a halo effect. Moreover, an opposite hemispherical image may either be obtained by creating a mirror image of a first hemispherical image or by capturing a second hemispherical image by means of an oppositely directed camera and storing the digital image. Equations for image transformation are based on a lens characteristics including the lens radius R. An input interface preferably comprises a display including a magnification region and a directional cursor for pointing the direction to a next spherical image. âHot spotsâ can be linked to audio, text, graphics, or other media or trigger a charge for a pay event or identify program links to the next spherical image.