Importance

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Abstract

A method and apparatus for simulating movement within a multidimensional space by sampling a prestored panoramic image. The image formed by sampling is displayed on a CRT display screen. Each of the stored images represents the view derived from data stored as a panoramic projection of a flat world in an imaginary space, selected as a function of an observer's position within the imaginary space and orientation with respect to that space. The preferred embodiment selects prestored panoramic image data which has been mapped to a geometric projection surface called a 'keypoint'. The apparatus includes a random access video disc system for storing the keypoint data. The method involves mapping each pixel on the display screen to the imaginary space and thence to the keypoint projection surface in order to retrieve pixel information for display. Each keypoint projection surface represents an entire 360.degree. panoramic view of the imaginary world for all possible orientations of the observer with respect to the closest keypoint.

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First Claim