GB2387244A

GB2387244A - Combining textual, visual and audio data in an Internet-based system

Info

Publication number: GB2387244A
Application number: GB0204170A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony David Clarke
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-02-22
Filing date: 2002-02-22
Publication date: 2003-10-08
Also published as: GB0204170D0

Abstract

An internet-based interactive mapping, visualization and information system utilizes textual, audio and video data to present a two or three dimensional environment to a user. The user is able to view the environment in a 360 degree field. Within the system, the user's viewpoint is established at a pre-determined location on the Earth's surface, or within a Virtual Reality environment, and the system enables the user to move across or through maps or presented environments by interacting with on-screen images and controls. An integrated database enables the user to establish contact with a provider of products or services through the use of visual indicators, which may include graphical representations of products, services or companies.

Description

238 7244

Request for Grant of a Patent Title A method and process for combining textual, visual and audio data to increase productivity of Internet based systems.

Description

The invention is the inventive manner in which several technologies have been integrated and enhanced to create a new solution of greater value than the previously existing component parts. It is a process designed to increase productivity, principally within, although not exclusive to, the Travel Industry.

The invention is an Internet based method that allows users to travel by virtual means to destinations, interact with the desired destination and obtain services at or from that point. It may be viewed on fixed, portable, hand held computer devices or in an immersive travel dome.

The solution involves combining interactive geographic maps, which may be of either real world scenes or of virtual reality scenes or of both and is capable of utilising either two and or three-dimensional data. This data may be in the form of two-dimensional maps and or three-dimensional virtual models i.e. modelled in computer software.

They may be textured with either hand drawn elements or high-resolution satellite digital images.

Using patent pending technology the user is enabled to use these media type to virtually travel through or over these maps to a viewpoint at a pre determined location on the Earth's surface, or similarly to a location within a Virtual Reality environment and is able to move across or through said maps or environments in a multidimensional manner by interacting with the on screen images and controls.

During the "journeys and upon arrival at the destination, the viewer is able to observe, interact with, move through and generally explore his surroundings with full global vision. Viewing during the "journey" and at the location, is achieved by the use of either individual or multiple spherical rotographic images or multiple spherical rotographically images being run sequentially thus giving the effect of being able to view inside three dimensional video along a pre determined path. Alternatively, this can be under free control if the environment has been constructed using three-dimensional modelling techniques or similar. In a static environment this can also be achieved in stereovision.

Utilizing an integrated database the viewer is further enabled to make contact with any provider of products or services evident within the viewers field of view, or beyond,

through the use of visual indicators. These providers of services are notated in the database from which they can also be extracted by conventional sort methods. This textual database is further enhanced by graphical representations of those products, services or companies specific to the area being viewed any or all of which may be digitally connected directly to those providers. These links are hyperlinks to the service provider's external websites or to materials supplied by the provider and hosted on the inventor's web site. Moving from one location at a destination to another location dynamically resets the graphical representations being displayed around the rotographs to be representative of the services available at the new location being currently displayed.

Anthony David Clarke 4 New Mill Wainstalls Halifax West Yorkshire HX2 7UW

United Kingdom 20th February 2002 480 Words

Claims

1 An Internet based method that allows users to travel by virtual means to any destination on the Earths surface and to be able to view with three hundred and sixty degree global vision the destination to which he or she has journeyed.

2 An Internet based method as claimed in Claims that allows the traveller to view that

destination by virtue of any type of any interactive device including but not solely confined to fixed or portable or hand held or immersive dome devices.

3 An Internet based method as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 where the virtual travel experience includes interactive navigable geographic maps which may be of either two or three dimensional composition and of a virtual or real nature.

4 An Internet based method as claimed in Claim 3 where the method of viewing can be either mono or stereo and may be either from a static or moving location.

5 An Internet based method as claimed in any preceding claim that includes the provision for the viewer to make conta* with any provider of products or services evident at the destination within the field of view or beyond through the use of visual

or audible indicators.

6 An Internet based method substantially as herein described and as more fully described in"the Description".