Patent ID: 6230167
Filing Date: 2001-05-08
Classification: G06T

Abstract:
A method for defining a hotlink area in a panoramic scene comprising the steps of:providing a first environment map comprising a plurality of elements of a first non-planar three-dimensional surface each associated with a color value representing color of the corresponding element, wherein said first environment map represents a mapping of said panoramic scene onto elements of said first environment map, and wherein said first environment map is rendered according to varying positions and fields of view to provide a view of said panoramic scene as seen from different orientations and fields of view;generating a second environment map comprising a plurality of elements of a second non-planar and three-dimensional surface, wherein said elements of said second environment map correspond to said elements of said first environment map according to a mapping function, and wherein at least one element of said second environment map is associated with hotlink data identifying an action to be performed upon user selection of at least one element of said first environment map that corresponds to said at least one element of said second environment map, wherein said second environment map represents a mapping of at least one hotlink area in said panoramic scene onto elements of said second non-planar three-dimensional surface, wherein said second environment map is rendered according to varying positions and fields of view to provide a view of said at least one hotlink area in said panoramic scene as seen from different orientations and fields of view.