# US 10,311,636 B1 · Layered panoramas for virtual reality (VR)

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- Number: US 10,311,636 B1
- Document ID: US10311636B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 15/223,638
- Filed: 2016-07-29
- Granted: 2019-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2016-07-29
- Assignees: EVOX Productions, LLC
- Applicants: EVOX Productions, LLC
- Inventors: David Falstrup; Ryan Murray; Alex McClain; Pat Hadnagy; Thom Denick; Claudia Nefately Ambriz
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10311636B1

## CPC

- G06T 19/003: {Navigation within 3D models or images}
- G06F 3/012: {Head tracking input arrangements}
- H04N 13/117: the virtual viewpoint locations being selected by the viewers or determined by viewer tracking
- H04N 13/207: using a single two-dimensional [2D] image sensor
- H04N 13/344: with head-mounted left-right displays
- H04N 23/50: Constructional details
- H04N 23/698: for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture
- G06T 2219/2008: Assembling, disassembling
- G06T: IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION

## Abstract

A method for the production of immersive virtual reality experiences designed for viewing in virtual reality head-mounted displays (HMD). This unique layered panorama process is a cubic or spherical mapped content method for presentation of pre-rendered images viewed from a fixed point of view in a head mounted display for virtual reality (VR) applications, a method that by mapping/layering all visual elements onto a mono or stereoscopic spherical or cubic panorama surface creates a seamless visual integration.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for creating layered stereoscopic panoramic photography of a vehicle used in conjunction with graphic user interface elements, the method comprising:
a. creating a first left panoramic layer using six stereo left images of a virtual showroom to form a left cube having portions of the virtual showroom on a left front face, a left right face, a left left face, a left back face, a left top face, and a left bottom face;
b. creating a first right panoramic layer using six stereo right images of a virtual showroom to form a right cube having portions of the virtual showroom on a right front face, a right right face, a right left face, a right back face, a right top face, and a right bottom face;
c. creating a second left panoramic layer of an interior of said vehicle using panoramic images with a camera at a given height, lighting at a given intensity, and lens at a given diameter;
d. creating a second right panoramic layer of said interior of said vehicle using panoramic images with said camera at a given height, lighting at a given intensity, and lens at a given diameter;
e. creating a third left panoramic layer of an exterior of said vehicle by taking photos of said vehicle as it rotates with said camera at a given height, lighting at a given intensity, and lens at a given diameter;
f. creating a third right panoramic layer of said exterior of said vehicle by taking photos of said vehicle as it rotates with said camera at a given height, lighting at a given intensity, and lens at a given diameter;
g. using matching camera height, lighting, and lens diameter from said first left panoramic layer, shoot at least one left graphic user interface element;
h. using matching camera height, lighting, and lens diameter from said first right panoramic layer shoot, at least one right graphic user interface element;
i. creating a fourth left panoramic layer with said at least one left graphic user interface element for a user help file;
j. creating a fourth right panoramic layer with said at least one right graphic user interface element for a user help file;
k. creating a fifth left panoramic layer with said at least one left graphic user interface element to view said interior of said vehicle;
l. creating a fifth right panoramic layer with said at least one right graphic user interface element to view said interior of said vehicle;
m. align and aim a virtual camera at a center of said left cube and said right cube;
n. using at least two said left panoramic layers, align said at least two left panoramic layers on said left front face of said left cube; and
o. using at least two right panoramic layers, align said at least two right panoramic layers on said right front face of said right cube.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method for creating layered stereoscopic panoramic photography in claim 1, further comprising: sync a shutterbox script to a rotating anchor object.

### Claim 3

A method for creating stereoscopic panoramic photography of a vehicle for the exterior of a car utilizing lights, right and left spin computers, a computer, a stage, a stage wall, a grey horizon wall, a turntable, and a ramp, the method comprising:
a. photographing an exterior of said vehicle including placing stage lights as follows:
(i) first stage light with 1 kilowatt of power at approximate location 315 degrees and lamp positioned to illuminate stage wall at 45 degrees,
(ii) second stage light with 2 kilowatts of power at approximate location 360 degrees and lamp positioned to illuminate horizon wall at 225 degrees,
(iii) third stage light with 1 kilowatt of power at approximate location 45 degrees and lamp positioned to illuminate stage wall at 315 degrees,
(iv) fourth stage light with 1 kilowatt of power at approximate location 60 degrees and lamp positioned to illuminate stage wall at 315 degrees,
(v) fifth stage light with 1 kilowatt of power at approximate location 130 degrees and lamp positioned to illuminate stage wall at 210 degrees,
(vi) sixth stage light with 1 kilowatt of power at approximate location 150 degrees and lamp positioned to illuminate stage wall at 220 degrees,
(vii) seventh stage light with 2 kilowatts of power at approximate location 180 degrees and lamp positioned to illuminate horizon wall at 300 degrees,
(viii) eighth stage light with 1 kilowatt of power at approximate location 200 degrees and lamp positioned to illuminate stage wall at 135 degrees;
b. drive a car vehicle onto a turntable and take photos for both left camera and right camera and save to output files;
c. creating panoramic photo:
(i) mask the car vehicle including the car vehicle under carriage, tires, and antennas,
(ii) mask out the vehicle windows for all photos and save as separate files,
(iii) select a paintbrush and begin painting out irregularities of the cars' vehicle's shadow,
(iv) save and upload output files; and
d. final inspection including:
(i) check to see if the camera reflection is visible and if so, remove reflection,
(ii) apply the adjustment layers to the images and save and upload output files.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method for creating layered stereoscopic panoramic photography in accordance with claim 3, further comprising: said panoramic images are obtained from a 35 mm camera.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The method for creating layered stereoscopic panoramic photography in accordance with claim 3, further comprising: said 35 mm camera is controlled by a rig.

### Claim 6

A method for creating layered stereoscopic panoramic photography of a vehicle used in conjunction with graphic user interface elements, the method comprising:
a. creating a first left panoramic layer using six stereo left images of a virtual showroom to form a left cube having portions of the virtual showroom on a left front face, a left right face, a left left face, a left back face, a left top face, and a left bottom face;
b. creating a first right panoramic layer using six stereo right images of a virtual showroom to form a right cube having portions of the virtual showroom on a right front face, a right right face, a right left face, a right back face, a right top face, and a right bottom face;
c. creating a second left panoramic layer of an interior of said vehicle using a set of left images with a camera at a given height, lighting at a given intensity, and lens at a given diameter;
d. creating a second right panoramic layer of said interior of said vehicle using a set of right images with said camera at a given height, lighting at a given intensity, and lens at a given diameter;
e. using at least two left panoramic layers, align said at least two left panoramic layers on said left front face of said left cube; and
f. using at least two right panoramic layers, align said at least two right panoramic layers on said right front face of said right cube.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method for creating layered stereoscopic panoramic photography in accordance with claim 6, further comprising: said virtual showroom contains a horizon wall, a turntable and a ramp.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The method for creating layered stereoscopic panoramic photography in accordance with claim 6, further comprising: said panoramic images are obtained from a 35 mm camera.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method for creating layered stereoscopic panoramic photography in accordance with claim 8, further comprising: said 35 mm camera is controlled by a rig.

### Claim 10 (depends on 6)

The method for creating layered stereoscopic panoramic photography in accordance with claim 6, further comprising: creating a third left panoramic layer of an exterior of a said vehicle by taking a plurality of photos of said vehicle as it rotates a selected degrees using panoramic images with said camera at a given height, lighting at a given intensity, and lens at a given diameter.

### Claim 11 (depends on 6)

The method for creating layered stereoscopic panoramic photography in accordance with claim 6, further comprising: creating a third right panoramic layer of said exterior of a said vehicle by taking a plurality of photos of said vehicle as it rotates by said selected degrees using panoramic images with said camera at a given height, lighting at a given intensity, and lens at a given diameter.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The method for creating layered stereoscopic panoramic photography of claim 10 wherein the plurality of photos is 36 photos.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The method for creating layered stereoscopic panoramic photography of claim 11 wherein the plurality of photos is 36 photos.