Claims
- 1. A method for producing a three-hundred and sixty degree visual data set using at least one lens of a camera which encompasses a field of view of not less than one-hundred and eighty degrees, said field of view being represented by a hemisphere having a base which defines at least a half-space which is in turn defined by a first plane having an origin point through which a vertical axis of said first plane extends, said first plane coinciding with said base of said hemisphere and said origin point coinciding with a center of said hemisphere, said method comprising the steps of:
- (i) getting said vertical axis plumb with respect to a first predetermined plane of reference;
- (ii) maintaining the plumbness of said vertical axis with respect to the first predetermined plane of reference;
- (iii) aligning the lens such that said first plane corresponds to a second predetermined plane of interest;
- (iv) shooting a picture using said camera;
- (v) pivoting the lens substantially one-hundred and eighty degrees around the vertical axis; and
- (vi) repeating steps (i) through (iv).
- 2. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of aligning a fixed light source with said first plane after the step of aligning the lens.
- 3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein a monopod is used to support the lens.
- 4. A method for producing a three-hundred and sixty degree visual data set using at least one lens of a camera which encompasses a field of view of not less than one-hundred and eighty degrees, said field of view being represented by a hemisphere having a base which defines at least a half-space which is in turn defined by a first plane having an origin point through which a vertical axis of said first plane extends, said first plane coinciding with said base of said hemisphere and said origin point coinciding with a center of said hemisphere, wherein a tripod is used to support the lens, said method comprising the steps of:
- (i) getting said vertical axis plumb with respect to a first predetermined plane of reference, wherein the step of getting said vertical axis plumb further comprises the steps of:
- delineating a first line on the ground representing an intersection of said first plane with the ground;
- placing a first leg and a second leg of said tripod on a second line parallel to said first line; and
- adjusting a third leg of said tripod such that the vertical axis is plumb with said predetermined plane of reference;
- (ii) maintaining the plumbness of said vertical axis with respect to the first predetermined plane of reference;
- (iii) aligning the lens such that said first plane corresponds to a second predetermined plane of interest;
- (iv) shooting a picture using said camera;
- (v) pivoting the lens substantially one-hundred and eighty degrees around the vertical axis; and
- (vi) repeating steps (i) through (iv).
- 5. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein the step of pivoting the lens further comprises the step of:
- pivoting said tripod one-hundred and eighty degrees so that the first and second legs are placed on a third line parallel to said first line.
- 6. A method for producing a three-hundred and sixty degree visual data set using at least one lens of a camera supported by a tripod which encompasses a field of view of not less than one-hundred and eighty degrees, said field of view being represented by a hemisphere having a base which defines at least a half-space which is in turn defined by a first plane having an origin point through which a vertical axis of said first plane extends, said first plane coinciding with said base of said hemisphere and said origin point coinciding with a center of said hemisphere, said method comprising the steps of:
- (i) getting said vertical axis plumb with respect to a first predetermined plane of reference, said step (i) further comprising steps for:
- delineating a first line on the ground representing an intersection of said first plane with the ground;
- placing a first leg and a second leg of said tripod on a second line parallel to said first line; and
- adjusting a third leg of said tripod such that the vertical axis is plumb with said predetermined plane of reference;
- (ii) maintaining the plumbness of said vertical axis with respect to the first predetermined plane of reference;
- (iii) aligning the lens such that said first plane corresponds to a second predetermined plane of interest;
- (iv) aligning a fixed light source with said first plane;
- (v) shooting a picture using said camera;
- (vi) pivoting the lens substantially one-hundred and eighty degrees around the vertical axis;
- (vii) pivoting said tripod one-hundred and eighty degrees so that the first and second legs are placed on a third line parallel to said first line; and
- (vii) repeating steps (i) through (iv), wherein:
- said steps (iii) and (iv) are performed in the stated order, and
- said steps (vi) and (vii) are performed in any order.
Parent Case Info
This application claims benefit of use Provisional Appl. No. 60/006,800 filed Nov. 15, 1995.
US Referenced Citations (10)
Non-Patent Literature Citations (3)
Entry |
Photosphere Omniview Document, Nov. 2, 1995, pp. 1-3. |
Apple Quick Time VR Document, Nov. 28, 1995. |
Frequently Asked Questions About Photospheres, Omniview Inc,http://www.usit.net/hp/omniview/faq.htm, pp. 1-3, Nov. 2, 1995. |