Sending three-dimensional images over a network

Abstract

A benefit is obtained for sending digital information over a network. The digital information is representative of three-dimensional images which include photographic images. The receiving computer renders the images from the received digital information, and a viewer at the receiving computer can interactively choose a viewpoint or perspective to view the images on a display of the receiving computer. The benefit to the sender can be monetary compensation and/or increased recognition of the sender, for example.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of obtaining a benefit for sending digital information over a communication network, comprising: 
 (A) providing at least one first database that includes digital information representative of three-dimensional images including photographic images,    (B) receiving requests over the communication network for at least some of the digital information in the database,    (C) sending the requested digital information over the communication network, and    (D) receiving a benefit for sending the requested digital information.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein step (A) further comprises providing the digital information which is associated with at least one of a plurality of travel courses stored in a second database.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein step (D) comprises receiving the benefit which includes monetary compensation.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein step (D) comprises receiving the benefit which includes increased recognition of an entity that performs steps (A), (B), and (C).  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein step (D) comprises receiving the benefit which includes monetary compensation derived from advertising.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising providing at least one second database that includes digital information representative of a plurality of travel courses and each travel course is associated with at least some of the digital information stored in the first databases.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein step (C) further includes sending software to convert the requested digital information into the images.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein each of the travel courses includes: 
 land routes with indoor and outdoor travel themes; and  
 air routes with outdoor travel themes.  
 
     
     
         9 . A system for providing three-dimensional images, comprising: 
 A) at least one first database comprising digital information representing three-dimensional images including photographic images;    B) an input module configured to receive requests over a communication network for at least some of the digital information in the first database; and    C) an output module configured to send the requested digital information over the communication network, wherein a benefit is received for sending the requested digital information over the communication network.    
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  further comprising at least one second database that includes digital information representative of a plurality of travel courses where each travel course is associated with at least some of the digital information stored in the first database  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the output module is further configured to send software to convert the requested digital information into the three-dimensional images.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the digital information included in the first database is associated with at least one of a plurality of travel courses stored in a second database.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the input module comprises a software program running on a computer server.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the output module comprises a software program running on a computer server.  
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10  wherein each of the travel courses includes: 
 land routes with indoor and outdoor travel themes; and  
 air routes with outdoor travel themes.  
 
     
     
         16 . A system for sending digital information over a communication network, comprising: 
 A) a database including digital information representative of three-dimensional images including photographs;    B) a computer server in communication with the database and with the communication network, the server comprising 
 a) an input module configured to receive requests over the communication network for at least some of the digital information in the database, and  
 b) an output module configured to send the requested digital information over the communication network;  
   C) a client computer for allowing an end user to send requests over the communication network for at least some of the three-dimensional images and for allowing the end user to receive the digital information representing the requested three-dimensional images; and    D) an e-commerce business for receiving the end user's requests over the communication network and redirecting the end user's requests to the computer server so the computer server can send the digital information representing the requested three-dimensional images to the end user's client computer.    
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16  wherein an operator of the system receives a benefit for sending the requested digital information.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the benefit includes monetary compensation.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the benefit includes increased recognition of the operator.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the benefit includes monetary compensation derived from advertising.