3D Text Projection in Street View Imagery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for displaying text annotations in immersive panoramic imagery, such as Google Maps' Street View, disrupt the immersive experience by rendering text as a two-dimensional overlay, rather than integrating it into the three-dimensional space of the geographic area.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for rendering text annotations within the three-dimensional space of panoramic imagery, using text effects that align the annotations with the surfaces of objects, such as buildings, to create a more immersive and interactive experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If text annotations are rendered as a two-dimensional overlay above the panoramic imagery, then the text is easily readable and provides helpful information, but the text floats artificially in the display area, undermining the immersive nature of the street level viewing experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions text annotations from a two-dimensional overlay to a three-dimensional representation by projecting text onto the surfaces of objects within the panoramic scene. This dimensionality change allows text to appear as if it is physically located on buildings, signs, or other structures in the environment, maintaining readability while restoring immersion by eliminating the artificial floating appearance of traditional overlays
2Reliability
If text annotations are projected onto three-dimensional surfaces in the panoramic imagery, then the immersive viewing experience is enhanced, but the rendering complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses texturing techniques where two-dimensional text images are copied and mapped onto three-dimensional surface geometries. This approach allows the system to leverage existing 2D text rendering capabilities while projecting them onto 3D surfaces, reducing the need for entirely new 3D text generation algorithms and lowering computational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-processes panoramic imagery to identify surfaces suitable for text projection (such as building facades, signs, and walls) before rendering text annotations. By preparing the surface geometry and identifying appropriate projection targets in advance, the system reduces real-time rendering complexity and improves performance during actual text display operations
Data Source
AI summary
A user interface for viewing imagery associated with a geographic area, such as street level imagery is disclosed. The interface includes at least one text annotation projected in the three-dimensional space defined by the imagery onto a surface, such as a generally vertical surface, of an object depicted in the imagery. For example, the text annotation can be rendered such that the annotation appears to be located along the façade of a building depicted in the imagery. The projection of text annotations in the three-dimensional space can provide a more immersive, augmented reality-style view of the geographic area of interest.