Navigable telepresence method and system utilizing an array of cameras

A method of providing users with real time views of a remote environment, the method comprising:

• receiving electronic images of the environment from an array of cameras, the array including at least one camera path through the environment;
• receiving a first input from a first user interface device associated with a first user, the first input indicating movement along a first path;
• receiving a second input from a second user interface device associated with a second user, the second input indicating movement along a second path;
• obtaining a first mixed image by mixing, with a first processing element, a first image with a second image in accordance with the first input;
• obtaining a second mixed image by mixing, with a second processing element, a third image with a fourth image in accordance with the second input;
• providing the first user with the first mixed image in substantially real time, thereby simulating movement along the first path;
• and
• providing the second user with the second mixed image substantially in real time and simultaneous to providing the first user with the first mixed image, thereby independently and simulating movement along the second path.

A method for providing a user with views of an environment from a plurality of cameras in accordance with user inputs, the method comprising:

• electronically receiving user inputs indicative of a view from a desired camera;
• identifying permissible cameras, the views from which are capable of being provided to the user;
• and
• determining whether the desired camera is one of the permissible cameras;
• and
• if the desired camera is not one of the permissible cameras, preventing the user from obtaining the view from the desired camera.

A device for providing a user with a display of an environment in response to user inputs, the system comprising:

• an array of cameras, each camera having an associated view of the environment and an associated camera output representing the associated view;
• memory storing an additional source output;
• and
• at least one processing element coupled to the memory for receiving the additional source output, the processing element configured to interpret user inputs and select, based on the user inputs, a camera output to provide to the user, the additional source output to provide to the user, or both a camera view and the additional source output to provide to the user.

A method of providing a user with a view of an environment, the method comprising:

• receiving electronic images of the environment from an array of cameras;
• receiving via a telecommunication link user inputs indicative of movement through the array;
• selecting camera images based on the user inputs;
• retrieving additional source output from memory based on user input indicating a desire to view the additional source output;
• and
• providing the user with an additional source output at one or more points in the array.

A method for seamless viewing of an environment, the method comprising:

• receiving electronically a first image from an array of cameras, the first image having a first field of view;
• receiving electronically a second image from the array, the second image having a second field of view that overlaps the first field of view;
• receiving electronically a third image from the array, the third image having a third field of view that overlaps the second field of view;
• displaying the first, second, and third images in sequence to obtaining a seamless view through the environment.

A telepresence system for providing a user with a display of an environment, the system comprising:

• an array of cameras, each camera having an associated view of the environment and an associated camera output representing the associated view;
• an electronic storage device;
• and
• at least one processing element coupled to the array for receiving camera outputs, the processing element also coupled to the electronic storage device, the processing element configured to electronically store outputs from cameras and an indication of which camera each output is associated with on the electronic storage device, thereby allowing subsequent retrieval of the stored outputs and viewing of the environment.