US 2010/0250120 A1 · MANAGING STORAGE AND DELIVERY OF NAVIGATION IMAGES

Abstract

The storage and/or transmission of image bubbles may be managed for effective use of space and/or time. In one example, a street-view application allows a user to navigate through an image at ground level. The application makes use of panoramic images called “bubbles,” which are captured at spatial intervals. The user can navigate through the images by changing position, or by changing the direction of view. Various aspects of how the bubbles are stored or transmitted may be controlled, in order to make effective use of the bandwidth that is available to transmit the bubbles. Examples of these aspects may include: how much of a given bubble is transmitted; the resolution at which the bubble is transmitted; and/or the spatial frequency at which the user moves through the bubbles.

Claims20

Dependent claims

One or more computer-readable storage media that store executable instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform acts comprising:

receiving a first indication of a geographic position;
receiving a second indication of a view direction;
receiving a third indication of a speed of motion;
based on criteria comprising:
(a) said first indication, (b) said second indication, (c) said third indication, and (d) an amount of data transmission bandwidth that is available, choosing one or more aspects of image delivery, said aspects comprising:
a first resolution;
a field of view;
and
a frame rate;
and
providing a plurality of portions of panoramic images at said first resolution, wherein each portion of a panoramic image comprises said field of view, wherein said portions of said panoramic images are delivered in succession at said frame rate.

8 more elements

A method of providing a street-level view, the method comprising:

using a processor to perform acts comprising:
receiving a first indication of a geographic position along a street;
receiving a second indication of a direction;
receiving a third indication of a speed of travel;
determining an amount of bandwidth that is available to transmit data;
retrieving, from a database, a first file that contains panoramic images captured along said street, each of said panoramic images being captured through a first angle;
choosing an arc of said panoramic images to serve, said arc having an second angle that is less than said first angle;
choosing a first resolution and a frame rate such that transmission portions of said panoramic images at said first resolution and at said frame rate does not exceed said bandwidth;
serving, to an application, a plurality of images, at said first resolution, wherein said plurality of images constitute portions of said panoramic images that correspond to said arc, wherein said plurality of images are served at said frame rate.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Managing storage and delivery of navigation images

Life of this patent

Managing storage and delivery of navigation images

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20