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.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of streaming over a network a three-dimensional representation of a three-dimensional surface, wherein three-dimensional features of said surface are represented by data which includes elevation information and image data arranged in a hierarchical structure including portions of said surface at a plurality of detail levels comprising:
 retrieving locally stored data that includes elevation information corresponding to a portion of said surface at a certain detail level from a local memory;   determining whether said three dimensional portion of said surface is at a detail level that satisfies a calculated detail level, and   dynamically streaming over a network remotely stored additional three dimensional data that includes elevation information of portions of said surface until the calculated detail level is satisfied.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 dynamically streaming from the server of labels and annotations data associated with the portion of said surface. 
 Displaying the labels and annotations data overlaid on the three-dimensional surface. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 dynamically streaming from the server of vector data associated with the portion of said surface. 
 Displaying the vector data overlaid on the three-dimensional surface 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 dynamically streaming from the server of three-dimensional polygonal data associated with the portion of said surface. 
 Displaying the three-dimensional polygonal data on the three-dimensional surface. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  whereby the labels and annotations that are overlaid on the three-dimensional surface are used as advertisements. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 Rendering a three-dimensional representation of said portions of said surface at the local computer, and 
 Repetitively performing all of these steps as the viewpoint in the scene changes position. 
 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the three-dimensional representation is received at a particular computer in a network of computers. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the calculated detail level is based on a the viewpoint position in the scene. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the additional data is compressed. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising streaming and caching excess three-dimensional or image information not currently needed. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said streaming includes providing one or more coordinates along with detail level information. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein at least some of said data contains color attributes. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said three-dimensional data and said image data depends on a specific area and scene selected by a user. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the user at said local computer connects to the server, and the local computer receives sufficient data to render said specific area and scene selected by the user. 
     
     
         15 . A system for sending information over a network representing at least a portion of a three-dimensional surface comprising:
 a local computer and a remote server communicating via a network;   the server having storage capability to store hierarchical sets of information representing three-dimensional features of the portion of the three-dimensional surface at multiple resolution levels;   the server adapted to dynamically stream three-dimensional data that includes elevation information and image data from the hierarchical data sets representing said portion of the three-dimensional surface to the local computer based on the changes in viewpoint position within the scene;   the local computer adapted to render said particular scene from three-dimensional data that includes elevation information and said image data, representing said portion of the surface.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein said local computer is adapted to iteratatively request sets of information representing three-dimensional features of said portion of the three-dimensional surface from said remote computer of higher and higher resolution until resolution of said portion at said local computer satisfies a predetermined level. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15  further comprising a cache memory and cache manager. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15  wherein said hierarchically stored sets of information are compressed. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15  wherein at least some of said sets of information contain color attributes.