I
`
`, djpy OF PAPER~;
`ORIGINALLY FILED
`
`..... -.
`
`t:;.
`rJ:l'
`!Ii. Df~"'''''S··
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`In Re The Application Of:
`
`Shmuel PeJeg, et aL
`
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`For: System and Method for Generating and Displaying Panoramic Images and Movies
`
`Serial No. 09/396,248
`
`Examiner: Behrooz M. Senfi
`
`Filed: September 16, 1999
`
`Art Unit 2613
`
`I
`I I r
`
`Richard A. Jordan
`P. O. Box 81363
`Wellesley Hills, MA 02481-0004
`(781) 431-1357
`~eptember 5, 2002
`
`RECEIVED
`SEP 1 62002
`TeChnOlogy Center 2600
`I hereby certify that the following correspondence dated September 5, 2002, is being
`deposited with the United States.postai Service as first class mail ip. an envelope addressed to:
`Commissioner of Patents And Trademarks, Washington"D .C. 20231, or facsimile transmitted to the
`Patent and Trademark Office, on September 5, 2002.
`
`Certific~te of Mailing C?r Transmission
`
`Respectfully submitted
`
`Richard A. Jordan
`Register. No. 27,807
`
`Honorable Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks
`Washington, D.C. 20231
`
`Sir:
`
`Response To Office Action
`
`This Response to Office Action is in response to the Office Action mailed June 5, 2002.
`
`Serial No. 09/396,248
`Filing Date September 16, 1999
`
`Response To Office Action
`MailinglFax Date September 5,2002
`
`-1-
`
`Petition for Inter Partes Review of 
`U.S. Pat. No. 7,477,284
`IPR2013‐00327
`EXHIBIT
`Sony‐
`
`

`

`""II'
`
`.
`
`*'.0' ••
`
`•
`
`•
`
`YIS-002
`
`A. Clean Version Of Amended Portion(s) Of Application
`
`In the Claims
`
`The following are all claims that are to be pending in the above-referenced application as a
`
`result of this Response to Office Action. Claims 1 through 27 have been cancelled, and claims 28-
`
`127 have been added.
`
`1 \
`
`2
`
`3
`
`4
`
`5
`
`~. A system for generating a stereoscopic panoramic mosaic image pair comprising:
`A.
`a strip generator module configured to generate two series of image strips, all of said image
`
`strips in each series comprising strips of a series of images of a scene as would be recorded
`
`by a camera from a respective series of positions relative to the scene, the image strips of the
`
`respective series representing strips of the respective images displaced from one another by
`
`at least one selected displacement; and
`
`B.
`
`a mosaic image generator module configured to mosaic the respective series of images strips
`
`together thereby to construct two panoramic mosaic images, the panoramic mosaic images
`
`comprising the stereoscopic panoramic mosaic image pair providing a stereoscopic image
`
`,
`1 'd- ~. A system as defined in claim ~ in which the series of positions define a path at least a portion
`of which corresponds to a curved arc. ,
`
`of the scene as recorded over the path.
`
`10
`
`2
`
`1 fA ~. A system as defined in claim ~ in which the series of positions define a path at least a portion'
`
`2 ) of which corresponds to a straight line.
`
`I ' \ \ . A system as defined in claim ~ ~n which the series of positions define a translation relative to
`
`2
`
`the scene.
`
`Serial No, 09/396,248
`Filing Date September 16, 1999
`
`Response To Office Action
`Mailing/Fax Date September 5, 2002
`
`

`

`•
`
`•
`
`\
`.
`m~
`/
`\Q
`, ~. A system as defined in claim '\ in which the series of positions define a change in angular
`orientation relative to the scene.
`
`2
`
`2
`
`respective image.
`
`\
`\p \3, A system as defined in claim ~ in which the image strips are parallel to an axis defined for the
`I 1 \. A system as defined in claim ~ which the axis is horizontal.
`1 i ,5. A system as defined in claim \3 in which the axis is vertical.
`\
`~ \ . A system as defined in claim \8 in which the strip generator module includes a camera
`\, G\
`:1\'\.7
`\ \) J,\' A system as defmed in claim 1 in which the camera is configured to record a plurality of image
`\
`\\ ~. A system as defined in claim'v in which the strip generator module includes a plurality of
`
`2
`
`configured to record at least one image strip.
`
`2
`
`strips from both series,
`
`o.
`
`\
`
`.
`
`2
`
`3
`
`cameras configured to record at least image strips from both series, the plurality of cameras being
`
`disposed at respective positions along the path.
`
`I 'o-~. A system as defined in claim \~WhiCh the strip generator module further includes
`
`2
`
`3
`
`4
`
`5
`
`A.
`
`a reflector configured to reflect images of the scene to the camera for recording thereby of
`
`at least the image strips; and
`
`B.
`
`a reflector position control module configured to position the reflector at at least one position
`
`to facilitate definition of the path.
`
`If!) ~. A system as defined in claim ~ ~ £:h the reflector has at least one flat portion.
`I t'~ A system as defined in claim ~ i~ ~h the reflector has at least one curved portion.
`
`Serial No. 09/396,248
`Filing Date September 16, 1999
`
`-3-
`
`(}~
`
`Response To Office Action
`MailinglFax Date September 5, 2002
`
`

`

`... .
`
`.. I , ,I'
`
`•
`
`•
`
`~
`m~
`I
`'O~. A system as defined in claim ~ in which the reflector position control module is configured to
`
`2
`
`position the reflector at a plurality of positions to facilitate definition of the path.
`
`\
`\\0 ~. A system as defined in claim ~~ in which the strip generator module is configured to generate
`.
`lP
`0~. A system as defined in claim ~ in\hich the strip generator module is configured to generate
`
`at least one image strip using a selected computer graphics methodology.
`
`a plurality of image strips, at least one of the plurality of image strips being generated using the
`
`selected computer graphics methodology.
`\
`~
`\ \) ~. A system as defined in claim 2~ in which the strip generator module is configured to generate
`the two series of image strips such that the displacement varies as between at least two images.
`
`.
`
`\\~ A system as defined in claim ~ ~hiCh the strip generator module includes
`
`A.
`
`B.
`
`a camera configured to record a plurality of images; and
`
`a strip selector module configured to select at least two image strips from respective ones of
`
`the images, one ofthe selected image strips from each of the images being-associated with
`
`one of the respective series, the strip selector module being configured to control the
`
`locations in the respective images from which the image strips are selected thereby to
`
`provide the respective displacements.
`
`2
`
`2
`
`3
`
`2
`
`3
`
`4
`
`5
`
`6
`
`7
`
`2
`
`3
`
`locations in the respective images from which the image strips are selected by controlling the
`
`separations of the image strips in the respective images.
`
`fdJ~. A system as defined in claim ~ JCh the strip selector module is configured to control the
`-(6
`I t} ~. A system as defined in claim ~ in which the strip generator module is configured to generate
`\
`I ~ A system as defined in claim ~ in which:
`
`2
`
`at least some of said image strips using a selected computer graphics methodology.
`
`Serial No_ 09/396,248
`Filing Date September 16, 1999
`
`Response To Office Action
`MailinglFax Date September 5, 2002
`
`-4-
`
`~I
`
`

`

`" .
`
`,>' . .
`
`•
`
`•
`
`YIS-002
`
`2
`
`3
`
`4
`
`5
`
`6
`
`7
`
`8
`
`A.
`
`the strip generator module is further configured to generate a third series of image strips, all
`
`of said image strips in said third series comprising strips of a series of images of a scene as
`
`would be recorded by a camera, the image strips ofthe third series being displaced from the
`
`image strips of the other two series by another selected displacement; and
`
`B.
`
`the mosaic image generator module is further configured to mosaic the third series of images
`
`strips together thereby to construct a third panoramic mosaic image, a selected two of the
`
`panoramic mosaic images comprising the stereoscopic panoramic mosaic image pair.
`
`2
`
`3
`
`A.
`
`the strip generator module is further configured to generate camera position information
`
`representing positions of the camera associated with the respective image strips; and
`
`B.
`
`the mosaic image generator module is further configured to use the camera position
`
`I rp~. A system as defined in claim ~ ~ which:
`~ i 4
`~ ~ 5
`\
`~
`I ~~. A system as defined in claim \8 in which the mosaic image generator inodule is configured to
`
`information in constructing the panoramic mosaic images.
`
`2
`
`3
`
`generate at least one of the panoramic mosaic images by measuring image motion between
`
`successive image strips using a selected computer vision technique.
`
`4 ~ ~. A system for generating a stereoscopic panoramic mosaic image pair comprising:
`
`5
`
`6
`
`7
`
`8
`
`9
`
`10
`
`11
`
`A.
`
`a strip generator module configured to generate two series of image strips, all of said image
`
`strips in each series comprising strips of a series of images of a scene as would be recorded
`
`by a camera from a respective series of positions relative to the scene, the image strips of the
`
`respective series representing strips ofthe respective images displaced from one another by
`
`at least two selected displacements;
`
`B.
`
`a mosaic image generator module configured to mosaic the respective series of images strips
`
`together thereby to construct two panoramic mosaic images, the panoramic mosaic images
`
`12
`
`13
`
`comprising the stereoscopic panoramic mosaic image pair providing a stereoscopic image
`/
`~
`I ~ \ A system as defined in claim ~ in which the strip generator module includes
`
`ofthe scene.
`
`Serial No. 09/396,248
`Filing Date September 16, 1999
`
`Response To Office Action
`MailinglFax Date September 5, 2002
`
`-5-ffi
`
`

`

`•
`
`•
`
`YIS-002
`
`a camera configured to record a plurality of images; and
`
`a strip selector module configured to select at least two image strips from respective ones of
`
`the images, one of the selected image strips from each of the images being associated with
`
`one of the respective series, the strip selector module being configured to control the
`
`locations in the respective images from which the image strips are selected thereby to
`
`provide the respective displacements.
`
`" .
`
`.'. "
`
`A.
`
`B.
`
`2
`
`3
`
`4
`
`5
`
`6
`
`7
`
`2
`
`at least some of said image strips using a selected computer graphics methodology.
`
`I ~~. A system as defined in claim ~ ~~hiCh the strip generator module is configured to generate
`11h~. A system as defined in claim ~ ~iCh:
`
`2
`
`3
`
`fl;~ ;
`
`6
`
`7
`
`A.
`
`the strip generator module is further configured to generate a third series of image strips, all
`
`of said image strips in said third series comprising strips of a series of images of a scene as
`
`would be recorded by a camera, the image strips of the third series being displaced from the
`
`image strips of the other two series by another selected displacement; and
`
`B.
`
`the mosaic image generator module is further configured to mosaic the third series of images
`
`strips together thereby to construct a third panoramic mosaic image, a selected two of the
`
`8
`
`panoramic mosaic images comprising the stereoscopic panoramic mosaic image pair.
`
`1 !f\, A system for displaying a stereo panoramic image to a viewer, said system comprising:
`
`A.
`
`B.
`
`c.
`
`2
`
`3
`
`4
`
`5
`
`6
`
`7
`
`8
`
`a panoramic screen;
`
`a plurality of projectors each disposed to project a respective portion of one of a plurality
`
`panoramic images in overlapping fashion on the screen, each panoramic image being for
`
`viewing by a respective one of a viewer's eyes; and
`
`a viewing arrangement for facilitating transmission ofa respective one of said images to each
`
`of the viewer's eyes thereby to facilitate stereoscopic viewing of the panoramic image
`
`defined by the panoramic images.
`
`c
`
`~~
`1 ~~" A system as defined in claim" in which:
`2' V A.
`
`the respective panoramic images are polarized with orthogonal polarizations; and
`
`Serial No. 09/396,248
`Filing Date September 16, 1999
`
`Response To Office Action
`MailinglFax Date September 5,2002
`
`-6-
`
`

`

`•
`
`.'
`
`YIS-002
`
`the viewing arrangement comprises a pair oflenses polarized with corresponding orthogonal
`
`polarizations.
`
`, ..
`
`3
`
`4
`
`"
`
`B.
`
`I ~h'h
`~\ ~.
`1 J\ -',Asystemas eme mcaIm_,mw IC:
`
`dfi' d'
`
`2
`
`3
`
`A.
`
`B.
`
`the respective panoramic images are of different colors; and
`
`the viewing arrangement comprises a pair of lenses having the corresponding colors.
`
`I 0l~. A system for displaying a stereo panoramic image to a viewer, said system comprising:
`
`A.
`
`B.
`
`c.
`
`2
`
`3
`
`4
`
`5
`
`6
`d\ \ 7
`'''4 (
`8
`
`a panoramic screen;
`
`.
`
`a plurality ofprojectors each configured to project a respective portion of a panoramic image
`
`on the screen, the panoramic image comprising altern,ating portions of panoramic images
`
`each to be altematingly viewed by respective ones of a viewers eyes; and
`
`a viewing arrangement for facilitating alternating transmission of the respective alternating
`
`portions to respective ones ofthe viewer's eyes thereby to facilitate stereoscopic viewing of
`
`the panoramic image. ~
`
`1 ~ ~. A system as defined in claim ~ in which the viewing arrangement comprises a pair of lenses,
`
`2'
`
`each lens being associated with a shutter, the shutters being configured to alternatingly open and
`
`3
`
`close in synchrony with the display of the respective alternating portions.
`
`1 rlX·~ A method of generating a stereoscopic panoramic mosaic image pair comprising the steps of:
`2 <J A.
`3
`
`each series comprising strips of a series of images of a scene as would be recorded by a
`
`a strip generation step of generating two series of image strips, all of said image strips in
`
`4
`
`5
`
`6
`
`7
`
`8
`
`9
`
`10
`
`camera from a respective series of positions relative to the scene, the image strips of the
`
`respective series representing strips ofthe respective images displaced from one another by
`
`at least one selected displacement; and
`
`B.
`
`a mosaic image generation step of mosaicing the respective series of images strips together
`
`thereby to construct two panoramic mosaic images, the panoramic mosaic images comprising
`
`the stereoscopic panoramic mosaic image pair providing a stereoscopic image of the scene
`
`as recorded over the path.
`
`Serial No. 09/396,248
`Filing Date September 16, 1999
`
`Response To Office Action
`MailinglFax Date September 5, 2002
`
`-7-
`
`

`

`" . '. '
`
`•
`
`•
`
`YIS-002
`
`2
`
`of which corresponds to a straight line.
`
`2
`
`respective image.
`
`~q
`I
`f:J?~. A method as defined in claim ~ in which the series of positions define a path at least a portion
`2
`of which corresponds to a circular arc.
`~~. A method as defined in claim \~hiCh the series of positions define a path at least a portion
`1/).,~~. A method as defined in claim ~ ~1iCh the series ofpositions define a translation relative to
`0~
`2 J the scene.
`1 ~~. A method as defmed in claim ~ in which the series of positions define a change in angular
`orientation relative to the scene. 17] L\
`,~ I tfJ\ 'iti.. A method as defined in claim ,\1 in Whi.· ch the image strips are parallel to an axis defined for the
`PI
`~f 2
`I ~. A method as defined in claim ~ ~ which the axis is horizontal.
`1 . ~ ~ A system as defined in claim ~\~\ the axis is vertical.
`1 J\~. A method as defined in claim ~ in which the strip generation step includes the step of using a
`I ~ ~. A method as defmed in claim ~ i:Jru1"he strip generation step includes the step of using a
`1 ~ ~. A method as defined in claim ~ ;t~ the strip generation step includes the step of using a
`
`2
`
`camera configured to record at least one image strip.
`
`2
`
`camera configured to record a plurality of image strips from both series.
`
`2
`
`plurality of cameras configured to record at least image strips from both series, the plurality of
`
`3
`
`cameras being disposed at respective positions along the path.
`
`Serial No. 09/396,248
`Filing Date September 16, 1999
`
`Response To Office Action
`Mailing/Fax Date September 5, 2002
`
`-8-
`
`

`

`" .
`
`•
`
`•
`
`l\ ~
`~
`YIS-002
`~), A method as defined in claim ~ in which the strip generation step further includes the steps of
`A.
`using a reflector configured to reflect images of the scene to the camera for recording
`
`2
`
`3
`
`4
`
`thereby; and
`
`B.
`
`positioning the reflector at at least one position to facilitate definition of the path.
`
`P\'< 'V. A method as defined in claim ~ *6Ch the reflector has at least one flat portion.
`·0
`).\/\
`o ~. A method as defined in claim ~ in ~ch the reflector has at least one flat portion.
`
`I ~\ A method as defined in claim \2~hiCh the reflector positioning step includes the step of
`1 ~~. A method as defined in claim ~ ~Ch the strip generation step includes the step of
`~12 generating at least one image strip using a :ected computer graphics methodology.
`I (,b~. A method as defmed in claim ~ ~lch the strip generation step includes the step of
`
`2
`
`positioning the reflector at a plurality of positions to facilitate definition of the path.
`
`2 J generating a plurality of image strips; at least one of the plurality of image strips being generated
`3
`using the selected computer graphics methodology.
`
`~~. A method as defined in claim.~ ~ lCh the strip generation step includes the step of
`
`2
`
`generating the two series of image strips such that the displacement varies as between at least two
`
`3
`
`images.
`
`I 9-~. A method as defined in claim ~ i2~h the strip generation step includes the steps of
`
`2
`
`A.
`
`using a camera to record a plurality of images; and
`
`3
`
`4
`
`5
`
`6
`
`7
`
`B.
`
`a strip selection step of selecting at least two image strips from respective ones of the images,
`
`one of the selected image strips from each of the images being associated with one of the
`
`respective series, the strip selection step including the step of controlling the locations in the
`
`respective images from which the image strips are selected thereby to provide the respective
`
`displacements.
`
`Serial No. 09/396,248
`Filing Date September 16, 1999
`
`-9-
`
`MailinglFax Date September 5, 2002
`
`s~ Response To Office Action
`
`

`

`",
`
`'
`
`•
`•
`I ~~. A method as defined in claim ¥~iCh the strip selection step includes the step of controlling
`
`YIS-002
`
`2
`
`3
`
`the locations in the respective images from which the image strips are selected by controlling the
`
`separations of the image strips in the respective images,
`
`&~. A method as defmed in claim \8~\WhiCh the strip generation step includes the step of
`2 Ir. generating at least some of said image s~s using a selected computer graphics methodology.
`!jJ ~. A method as defined in claim ~ ~ which:
`
`2
`
`3
`
`A.
`
`the strip generation step includes the step of generating a third series of image strips, all of
`
`said image strips in said third series comprising strips of a series of images of a scene as
`
`would be recorded by a camera, the image strips of the third series being displaced from the
`
`image strips of the other two series by another selected displacement; and
`
`B.
`
`the mosaic image generation step includes the step of mosaicing the third series of images
`
`7
`
`strips together thereby to construct a third panoramic mosaic image, a selected two of the
`
`panoramic mosaic images CO;~ing the stereoscopic panoramiC. mosaic image pair.
`
`8 ...1()
`I VJ'V~' A method as defined in claim q in which:
`
`2 "-' A.
`
`the strip generation step includes the step of generating camera position information
`
`representing positions of the camera associated with the respective image strips; and
`
`B.
`
`the mosaic image generation step includes the step of using the camera position information
`
`3
`
`4
`
`5
`
`2
`
`3
`
`g ~. A method as defined in claim ~ in which the mosaic image generation step includes the step of
`
`in constructing the panoramic mosaic images.
`
`'1;''-\
`
`generate at least one of the panoramic mosaic images by measuring image motion between
`
`successive image strips using a selected computer vision technique.
`
`~ \ . A method for generating a stereoscopic panoramic mosaic image pair comprising:
`
`2
`
`3
`
`A.
`
`a strip generation step of generating two series of image strips, all of said image strips in
`
`each series comprising strips of a series of images of a scene as would be recorded by a
`
`Serial No. 09/396,248
`Filing Date September 16, 1999
`
`-lO-s?;
`
`Response To Office Action
`Mailing/Fax Date September 5, 2002
`
`

`

`. . . .
`
`..
`
`I
`
`•
`
`•
`
`YIS-002
`
`4
`
`5
`
`6
`
`7
`
`8
`
`9
`
`camera from a respective series of positions relative to the scene, the image strips of the
`
`respective series representing strips of the respective images displaced from one another by
`
`at least two selected displacements; and
`
`B.
`
`a mosaic image generation step ofmosaicing the respective series of images strips together
`
`thereby to construct two panoramic mosaic images, the panoramic mosaic images comprising
`
`the stereoscopic panoramic mosaic image pair providing a stereoscopic image ofthe scene.
`
`I ~ ~. A method as defined in claim ~ ~~hiCh the strip generation step includes the steps of
`
`2
`
`3
`
`4
`
`5
`
`6
`
`7
`
`2
`
`3
`
`A.
`
`B.
`
`using a camera to record a plurality of images; and
`
`a strip selection step of selecting at least two image strips from respective ones ofthe images,
`
`one of the selected image strips from each of the images being associated with one of the
`
`respective series, the strip selection step including the step of controlling the locations in the
`
`respective images from which the image strips are selected thereby to provide the respective
`
`displacements.
`
`£)~
`0\x. A method as defined in claim S\in which the strip selection step includes the step of controlling
`
`the locations in the respective images from which the image strips are selected by controlling the
`
`separations of the image strips in the respective images.
`
`2
`
`generating at least some of said image strips using a selected computer graphics methodology.
`
`I \Q\~. A method as defined in claim ~ ~1Ch the strip generation step includes the step of
`I ~~. A method as defined in claim ~ 12"1ch:
`
`2
`
`A.
`
`the strip generation step includes the step of generating a third series of image strips, a third
`
`3
`
`4
`
`5
`
`6
`
`series of image strips, all of said image strips in said third series comprising strips of a series
`
`of images of a scene as would be recorded by a camera, the image strips of the third series
`
`being displaced from the image strips of the other two series by another selected
`
`displacement; and
`
`Serial No. 09/396,248
`Filing Date September 16, 1999
`
`Response To Office Action
`MailingIFax Date September 5, 2002
`
`

`

`...
`
`•
`
`•
`
`YIS-002
`
`7
`
`8
`
`9
`
`B.
`
`the mosaic image generation step includes step of mosaicing the third series of images strips
`
`together thereby to construct a third panoramic mosaic image, a selected two of the
`
`panoramic mosaic images comprising the stereoscopic panoramic mosaic image pair.
`
`I 1{9~. A method as defined in claim ~~?hiCh:
`
`2
`
`3
`
`4
`
`5
`
`A.
`
`the strip generation step includes the step of generating camera position information
`
`representing positions of the camera associated with the respective image strips; and
`
`B.
`
`the mosaic image generation step includes the step ofusing the camera position information
`
`in constructing the panoramic mosaic images.
`
`I \Q~\ A method as defined in claim ~ ~!Ch the mosaic image generation step includes the step of
`
`2
`
`3
`
`generate at least one of the panoramic mosaic images by measuring image motion between
`
`successive image strips using a selected computer vision technique.
`
`I ~ ~. A method of displaying a stereo panoramic image to a viewer on a panoramic screen. said
`
`2
`
`3
`
`4
`
`5
`
`6
`
`method comprising the steps of:
`
`A.
`
`c.
`
`using a plurality of projectors each disposed to project a respective portion of one of a
`
`plurality panoramic images in overlapping fashion on the screen; and
`
`using a viewing arrangement to facilitate transmission of a respective one of said images to
`
`each of the viewer's eyes thereby to facilitate stereoscopic viewing of the panoramic image
`
`defined by the respective panoramic images.
`
`7
`
`b
`
`\1>5
`I ~ ~. A method as defmed in claim ~in which:
`
`A.
`
`B.
`
`2
`
`3
`
`4
`
`the respective panoramic images are polarized with orthogonal polarizations; and
`
`the viewing arrangement using step includes the step of using a viewing arrangement that
`
`comprises a pair of lenses polarized with corresponding orthogonal polarizations.
`/ '
`
`I ~ ~ A method as defined in claim '? ~Ch:
`
`2
`
`A.
`
`the respective panoramic images are of different colors; and
`
`Serial No. 09/396,248
`Filing Date September 16, 1999
`
`Response To Office Action
`MailinglFax Date September 5, 2002
`
`

`

`•
`
`•
`
`YIS-002
`
`3
`
`4
`
`B.
`
`the viewing arrangement using step includes the step of using a viewing arrangement that
`
`comprises a pair of lenses having the corresponding colors.
`
`I cd; ~. A method displaying a stereo panorami~ image to a viewer on a panoramic screen, said method
`
`2
`
`3
`
`4
`
`5
`
`6
`
`7
`
`8
`
`comprising the steps of:
`
`A.
`
`using a plurality of projectors each configured to project a respective portion of a panoramic
`
`image on the screen, the panoramic image comprising alternating portions of panoramic
`
`images each to be alternatingly viewed by respective ones of a viewers eyes; and
`
`c.
`
`using a viewing arrangement for facilitating alternating transmission of the respective
`
`alternating portions to respective ones of the viewer's eyes thereby to facilitate stereoscopic
`
`viewing of the panoramic image.
`
`~ 2
`\O~ 3
`
`each lens being associated with a shutter, the method including the step of controlling the shutters
`
`to alternatingly open and close in synchrony with the display of the respective alternating portions.
`
`1 ~ '\'. A computer program product for use in connection with a computer to provide a system for
`2
`generating a stereoscopic panoramic mosaic image pair, the computer program product comprising
`
`3
`
`4
`
`5
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`6
`
`7
`
`8
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`9
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`10
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`11
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`12
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`a computer-readable medium having encoded thereon:
`A.
`
`a strip generator module configured to enable the computer to generate two series of image
`
`strips, all of said image strips in each series comprising strips of a series of images of a scene
`
`as would be recorded by a camera from a respective series of positions relative to the scene,
`
`the image strips ofthe respective series representing strips ofthe respective images displaced
`
`from one another by at least one selected displacement; and
`
`B.
`
`a mosaic image generator module configured to enable the computer to mosaic the respective
`
`series of images strips together thereby to construct two panoramic mosaic images, the
`
`panoramic mosaic images comprising the stereoscopic panoramic mosaic image pair
`
`providing a stereoscopic image of the scene as recorded over the path.
`
`Serial No. 09/396,248
`Filing Date September 16, 1999
`
`-13-
`
`MailinglFax Date September 5,2002
`
`~~ Response To Office Action
`
`

`

`•
`
`•
`
`YIS-002
`
`2
`
`at least a portion of which corresponds to a circular arc.
`
`1'C)
`1 l' ~. A computer program product as defined in claim ~ in which the series ofpositions define a path
`1'0
`I 1/~. A computer program product as defmed in claim \7 in which the series of positions define a path
`2
`at least a portion of which corresponds to a straight line.
`1D ·
`I 1? ~. A computer program product as defined in claim ~ in which the series of positions define a
`~
`I 1\ ~l. A computer program product as defined in claim y1Rhich the series of positions define a
`1D
`L ·
`\1 f'b ~. A computer program product as defined in claim ~ in which the image strips are parallel to
`I) 6
`~( an axis defined for the respective image.
`I~~ ~. A computer program product as defined in claim I ~ in 5hiCh the axis is horizontal.
`I ;jI1~. A computer program product as defined in claim 1\2 ~ DCh the axis is vertical.
`1 ;Al~. A computer program product as defined in claim 9\, the system further including a camera
`2 ' \ V configured to record an image including at least one image strip, the strip generator module being
`3
`further configured to enable the computer to generate the at least one image strip from the image.
`
`2
`
`translation relative to the scene.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`2
`
`change in angular orientation relative to the scene.
`
`.
`
`I ~ I~. A computer program product as defined in claim ~ lQhich tbecamera is cOnfigured to
`
`2
`
`3
`
`4
`
`record a plurality of images each including at least one image strip from both series, the strip
`
`generator module being further configured to enable the computer to generate the respective image
`
`strops from the respective images.
`
`Serial No. 09/396,248
`Filing Date September 16, 1999
`
`Response To Office Action
`MailinglFax Date September 5, 2002
`
`

`

`. ~. )
`
`•
`
`•
`
`,1~ ~~
`1 4J~~. A computer program product as defined in claim I ~6 in which system includes a plurality of
`2
`cameras configured to record at least image strips from both series, the plurality of cameras being
`
`3
`
`disposed at respective positions alongthe path.
`
`1~
`
`I II} ~8. A computer program product as defined in claim ~5 in which
`
`2
`
`3
`
`4
`
`A.
`
`the system further includes a reflector configured to reflect images of the scene to the camera
`
`for recording thereby; and
`
`B.
`
`the strip generator module further includes a reflector position control module configured to
`
`1 \
`+(} ~'. A computer program product as defined in claim I~ in which the reflector has at least one flat
`1J \
`I ~ ~ 0 .. A computer program product as defined in claim I ~8 in which the reflector has at least one flat
`~ ~ ~ru:computer program product as defined in claim I~l LCh the reflector position control
`f) D
`I ~ ~. A computer program product as defined in claim ~ in which the strip generator module is
`
`5
`
`6
`
`2
`
`3
`
`enable the computer to enable the reflector to be positioned at at least one position to
`
`facilitate definition of the path.
`
`portion.
`
`module is configured to enable the computer to enable the reflector to be positioned at a plurality
`
`of positions to facilitate definition of the path.
`
`2
`
`configured to enable the computer to generate at least one image strip using a selected computer
`
`3
`
`graphics methodology.
`
`/ '
`
`fbVJ
`I ~ ~. A computer program product as defined in claim :v in which the strip generator module is
`
`2
`
`3
`
`configured to enable the computer to generate a plurality of image strips, at least one ofthe plurality
`
`of image strips being generated using the selected computer graphics methodology.
`
`Serial No. 09/396,248
`Filing Date September 16, 1999
`
`Response To Office Action
`Mailing/Fax Date September 5, 2002
`
`-15- ~ ,~
`
`

`

`•
`
`YIS-002
`
`•
`1D
`1-4) ~. A computer program product as defined in claim '\7 in which the strip generator module is
`..t6!
`I ~ ~5. A computer program product as defined in claim 1\4 in which:
`
`2
`
`3
`
`configured to enable the computer to generate generate the two series of image strips such that the
`
`displacement varies as between at least two images.
`
`A.
`
`B.
`
`2
`
`3
`
`4
`
`5
`
`6
`
`the system includes a camera configured to record a plurality of images; and
`
`the strip generator module includes a strip selector module configured to enable the computer
`
`to select at least two image strips from respective ones of the images, one of the selected
`
`image strips from each of the images being associated with one ofthe respective series, the
`
`strip selector module being configured to enable the computer to control the locations in the
`
`7
`
`8
`
`respective images from which the image strips are selected thereby to provide the respective
`
`displacements.
`
`configured to enable the computer to control the locations in the respective images from which the
`
`3
`
`image strips are selected by controlling the separations of the image strips in the respective images.
`
`1:;
`f'I \. ..J.. 1 ~ ;~. A computer program product as defined in claim I \5~ which the strip selector module is
`ltlJ'd 2
`. 1>7
`1 ~ }y. A computer program product as defined in claim 1\4 in which the strip generator module is
`D
`-1
`.
`I ~~. A computer program product as defined in claim ~ in which:
`
`2
`
`3
`
`configured to enable the computer to generate at least some of said image strips using a selected
`
`computer graphics methodology.
`
`2
`
`3
`
`4
`
`5
`
`6
`
`7
`
`8
`
`A.
`
`the strip generator module is further configured to enable the computer to generate a third
`
`series of image strips, all of said image strips in said third series comprising strips of a series
`
`of images of a scene as would be recorded by a camera, the image strips of the third series
`
`being displaced from the image strips of the other two series by another selected
`
`displacement; and
`
`B.
`
`the mosaic image generator module is further configured to enable the computer to mosaic
`
`the third series of images strips together thereby to construct a third panoramic mosaic
`
`Serial No. 09/396,248
`Filing Date September 16, 19