Method for virtualizing an environment

A method of gathering optical information within an environment using an apparatus comprising a platform mounted on a plurality of wheels on which said platform can roll, motor means for rotating at least one said wheel, circuit means for delivering power to said motor means from a power source, a switch for controlling the delivery of power to said wheels through said circuit, an essentially vertical positioning shaft mounted on said platform, a camera, structurally connected to said shaft, for gathering images in the form of environmental picture elements, range gathering means for finding the distances of said images from said camera for computation of the coordinates of said images in real space in said environment, means for rotating said camera relative to said platform for orienting said camera within said environment, camera elevation control means for translationally moving said camera along said shaft and relative to said platform for positioning said camera within said environment, computer means having programming and zoom means on said camera, comprising the steps of:

• rotationally moving said camera relative to said platform with said means for rotationally moving said camera to a series of different rotational positions,
• and moving said camera to a series of different locations within said environment by operating said motor to rotate said at least one wheel to thereby move said platform within said environment,
• measuring the distance of each said image from said camera,
• operating said zoom means on said camera so that the environmental picture element captured is in correct proportion to other environmental picture elements in said environment,
• recording images in the form of environmental picture elements within said environment with said camera,
• storing said images within said computer means,
• operating said camera elevation control means for positioning said camera within said environment to achieve useful camera perspectives,
• storing and reconciling said images, said distances of said images from said camera and corresponding positions and orientations of said camera within said environment as data for computing said coordinates of said images in real space,
• combining said data to create and store in a database a topographic, three dimensional virtual image.