Method for generating and interactively viewing spherical image data

A method comprising:

• taking N different circular images from a common focal point with a wide angle lens;
• digitizing the N circular images to thereby generate N circular image data sets, respectively;
• combining the N circular image data sets in such a manner as to form a seamless spherical data set;
• selecting a viewpoint within a p-surface;
• texture mapping selected data of the spherical data set onto said p-surface such that the resultant texture map is substantially equivalent to projecting the selected data onto the p-surface from said viewpoint to thereby generate a texture mapped p-sphere;
• and
• displaying a predetermined portion of said texture mapped p-sphere.

A method comprising:

• capturing at least two circular images from a single focal point and different directions of view;
• digitizing each of the at least two circular images to thereby generate at least two respective image data sets;
• and,
• generating a spherical image data set by combining the at least two respective image data sets.

A method comprising:

• using a camera to take a first circular picture from a focal point and a first direction of view;
• pivoting the camera about a fixed pivot axis;
• using the camera to take a second circular picture from the focal point and a second direction of view opposite to the first direction of view;
• digitizing the first and second circular pictures to thereby generate first and second digital pictures;
• and,
• combining the first and second digital pictures to produce a digital spherical data set.

A method comprising:

• precisely aligning a camera with respect to a first direction of view;
• taking a first circular picture with the camera from a prescribed point;
• aligning the camera with respect to a second direction of view substantially co-linear with the first direction of view;
• taking a second circular picture with the camera from the prescribed point;
• using the first and second circular pictures to generate a substantially seamless spherical data set.

A method for generating a substantially seamless spherical image data set using a camera equipped with a wide angle lens, comprising:

• taking N different circular images from a common point within the wide angle lens;
• digitizing the N circular images to thereby generate N circular image data sets, respectively;
• and
• combining the N circular image data sets to minimize coincidence between the N circular image data sets to thereby form the substantially seamless spherical image data set.

A method for generating a seamless spherical image data set using a digital camera equipped with a wide angle lens, comprising:

• capturing a sequence of N circular image data sets sufficient to form the seamless spherical image data set through the wide angle lens, each of the N circular image data sets representing a unique direction of view, and all of the respective directions of view intersecting a common point within the wide angle lens;
• and
• processing the N circular image data sets to eliminate redundant circular image data to thereby form the seamless spherical image data set,
• where N is a positive integer greater than 1.