WO2006060846A1

WO2006060846A1 - Method and system for producing a moving picture which pans across an article

Info

Publication number: WO2006060846A1
Application number: PCT/AU2004/001737
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christopher Peter Bryan
Original assignee: Real Estate Media Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2004-12-09
Filing date: 2004-12-09
Publication date: 2006-06-15

Abstract

A method and system of displaying an article to give the impression of panning across the article is disclosed. One or more photographs of the article are taken and a moving picture of an individual photograph is created by tweening across the image of the photograph so that the tweened image can be viewed to give the impression of panning across the image.

Description

Method and System for Producing a Moving Picture which Pans across an Article

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a method and system for displaying an object and in particular, but not exclusively, to a method and system for displaying real estate including homes.

Background of the Invention Traditionally homes and other real estate have been advertised by printed advertisements which show a picture of the home or real estate in question together with a written description. In more modern times advertisements have appears via the Internet by accessing a web page associated with the real estate agent selling the property.

In order to give a better indication than just a mere picture of the real estate such as a home, some attempts have been made to provide moving pictures.

One attempt to do this utilises a 360° camera which takes a 360° photograph so that a plurality of different pictures are retained. Each of the pictures are sequentially displayed to give some indication of moving across the real estate or home in question. However, the results of this technique are not good and the image obtained is generally a sequence of photographs rather than panning of a scene. Another technique is to utilise an actual video clip. However, this technique is somewhat more expensive and may require the viewer to have specialised software available to him or her in order to view the video clip.

Summary of the Invention The object of the invention is to provide a system and method which can show what appears to be a moving picture or panning picture of an object much easier and less expensively than in prior art techniques.

The present invention therefore provides a method of producing a moving picture which pans across an article; comprising: taking one or more photographs of the article; creating data relating to a moving picture of one of the photographs which gives the impression of panning across an image relating to the photographs; and viewing the tweened image to give the impression of panning across the image.

Thus, the image can be viewed over the Internet through a standard web browser or otherwise so as to give the impression of a moving picture attained from the still photograph so that in the case of advertising real estate, a customer has the impression of moving through the premises or around the premises to view the premises.

Preferably the data is created by tweening across the image.

Preferably, the method further comprises creating an audio track and the images which relate to the one or more photographs comprise JPEG images, combining the JPEG images and the audio to create a flash file, locating the flash file in a container which is smaller than the picture size and tweening across each image for a predetermined time period so that when the image is viewed through a smaller window the impression of panning across the image is achieved.

Preferably a plurality of images are tweened to provide a plurality of separate panned images and each panned image is played in sequence by fading the first of the images after it has been played and revealing the next tweened image. The tweening of the image may take place from any direction such as from right to left, left to right, top to bottom or bottom to top so as to produce the impression of panning across the image.

Preferably the flash file is maintained on a first server system and is contained in a HTML document and the file is uploaded to the internet and viewed through a standard web browser.

In the case of real estate advertising, the method further comprises the use of a second server associated with the real estate agent which displays real estate advertisements on a HTML web page, the web page including a region for receiving the flash file by way of link from the server so that the flash file is played in the link at the demand of a user by accessing an interface on the web page. The access may be clicking on the image of the property or the like so that the flash file is played.

In a second embodiment of the invention, rather than create a flash file which is downloaded over the internet to the web page, other techniques for creating the pan picture on the web page are possible.

In a further embodiment the tweened picture may be created automatically using PHP script language so that a plurality of separate data programs are pulled together when the web page is accessed and the interface activated so as to play the pan picture in a particular window in the HTML web page.

The invention may also be said to reside in a system for providing moving pictures which pan across an article, comprising: a server for storing one or more photographs of the article; a program for creating data relating to a moving picture of the photograph which gives the impression of panning across the image of the photograph; and a communication link for downloading the data to a second server so that the second server can be accessed to play the data to give the impression of panning across the image.

Preferably, the system further comprises an audio track and the data comprises JPEG images, the software being for combining the JPEG images and the audio to create a flash file, locating the flash file in a container which is smaller than the picture size and tweening across each image for a predetermined time period so that when the image is viewed through a smaller window the impression of panning across the image is achieved.

Preferably the flash file is maintained on the first server system and is contained in a HTML document and the file is uploaded to the internet and viewed through a standard web browser.

In the case of real estate advertising, the system further comprises the second server associated with the real estate agent which displays real estate advertisements on a HTML web page, the web page including a region for receiving the flash file by way of the communication link from the server so that the flash file is played in the region at the demand of a user by accessing an interface on the web page. The access may be clicking on the image of the property or the like so that the flash file is played.

In a second embodiment of the invention, rather than create a flash file which is downloaded over the internet to the web page, other techniques for creating the data for display on the web page are possible.

In a further embodiment the data may be created automatically from the images using PHP script language so that a plurality of separate data programs are pulled together when the web page is accessed and the interface activated so as to play the data in a window in the HTML web page.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an illustration of a photograph and the panning across the photograph to produce the effect of a moving image;

Figure 2 is a schematic view showing a system according to one embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 3 is a view of a web page for viewing the moving image.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments The preferred embodiment will be described with reference to the selling of real estate. However, the invention has application to the viewing of objects in general.

In the selling of real estate, it is usual for a real estate agent selling a property to engage an advertising company to supply various advertising relating to the real estate, such as billboards, printed advertising media, and the like. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, an advertiser is approached to provide the moving pictures of a home or other real estate which an agent wishes to sell.

Arrangements are made to inspect and photograph the premises. Normally photographs are taken from all angles and include internal and external photographs of the premises. Typically, the photographs are stored on a media card and the photographs are downloaded from the media card to a computer for initial processing, such as to select the photographs which will be used in the advertisement and to make industry accepted enhancements to the photographs if desired.

A script is written relating to each of the premises and, in particular, each of the photographs of each premises. Typically the script is about 40 seconds duration or about 110 words. The photographs are sized to, for example, 500 x 375 pixel/rgb/jpeg format. If desired, a HTML template for a particular real estate agent can be made for that agent, in which the moving picture of the real estate will be displayed and in which other data relating to the agent will also be displayed, such as the agent's name, logos, text features of the premises being sold, including price, etc. , location and so on.

As is shown in Figure 1, a picture of a house is depicted which has been taken in the manner referred to above. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the picture will be panned so as to give the impression that the picture is a moving picture and the person is taking a moving tour around or across the home. This is done by tweening the photograph from one side A of the photograph to the other side B of the photograph. In other words, a small block of the photograph, such as that shown as Al is initially shown, and then the photograph is tweened a small distance to A' ' and so on to An. Typically the tweening of the photograph will take about six seconds. Whilst Figure 1 shows the outside of the premises, the same technique is used for photographing internal features of the home, such as living areas, kitchens, bedrooms and the like. The photograph is provided to the advertising agent' s server 20 where processing and storing of the tweened photograph takes place. An audio track is recorded by an audio artist which explains the tour which is being taken and what the customer is seeing. The audio track may also include music and other sound effects, such as a fire place, splashing in a swimming pool and the like. These effects are timed so that they will be played when the picture is tweened to the relevant portion of the photograph which shows the swimming pool, fire place or the like.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the moving displays are produced as flash files (SWF files) using Macromedia MX and viewed online with a HTML template that is specifically designed for each real estate agent. The template appears on the real estate agent' s server 30. When the audio track has been completed, the JPEG images of the photographs are combined in macromedia flash MX.

The images which are supplied will typically comprise eight different images of a premises which can be each run in turn. One of the images may include a virtual map providing a map showing the general location of the premises concerned and various features around the premises such as parks, gardens, schools, etc. , as well as providing data so that a person can find the location if desired. The map is panned and appears as a moving picture in exactly the same way as the photographic pictures of the premises, and for the purpose of this specification, the reference to photographs of the property should be taken to include such a map. The series of images is placed in a scene along with the audio file. The container the flash file sits in when viewed by the public is 500 pixels wide x 370 pixels high. The pictures are slightly larger than this and each picture is started at one of its furthermost edges and over a period of six seconds, is tweened in the manner referred to above to the opposite furthermost edge. When viewed through a smaller window, such as window 30' at the real estate agent's server 30, the panning effect across the picture is observed. When one picture is completed, it is faded out and the next picture commences .

In order to access the moving picture, a customer will typically click on the website of the real estate agent held at the server 30. The web page shown in Figure 3 will typically be displayed, which is a HTML template, which provides all of the information in desired places, as selected by that real estate agent, and also includes the window 30' for showing the panned image. Normally the web page will include a large number of advertisements or a menu so that a customer can arrive at particular advertisements and then select one for more detailed consideration. Once selected, the web page may appear as shown in Figure 3 which relates to a single premises and gives details of the premises. By clicking on an interface, such as the window 30', the tweened image is played as a flash file in the window 30 ' to give the impression of a moving picture and tour of the premises. Each of the photographs which are taken, such as all eight in the preferred embodiment, are played in sequence with one photo fading out as it completes, and the next being played as a flash file (SWF file) . In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the server 30 is connected to the server 20 by a link (such as the internet) 35 and when the person clicks on the interface to play the SWF file, the SWF file is downloaded from the server 20 by link 35 to the server 30 for display in the window 30 ' and for playing.

Thus, in this embodiment of the invention, the SWF file is uploaded to the Internet and is able to be viewed through a standard web browser. Thus, additional programming or software is not needed in order to enable a real estate agent to view and provide moving images of a piece of real estate, such as a home or the like.

In a second embodiment of the invention, rather than manually create the SWF file which is displayed in the window 30' so that the whole file is ready for download into the window 30 ' , the file can be created automatically from data stored on the server 20 as separate files. The data is all drawn across to create the panned image via the link 35 when called for by accessing the interface, such as by clicking on the window 30'. These programs and data files would be stored in PHP script language and MySqI and can be hosted on any web server that supports these web formats.

Since modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention may readily be effected by persons skilled within the art, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiment described by way of example hereinabove.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. A method of producing a moving picture which pans across an article; comprising: taking one or more photographs of the article; creating data relating to a moving picture of one of the photographs which gives the impression of panning across an image relating to the photographs; and viewing the tweened image to give the impression of panning across the image.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the data is created by tweening across the image.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the method further comprises creating an audio track and the images which relate to the one or more photographs comprise JPEG images, combining the JPEG images and the audio to create a flash file, locating the flash file in a container which is smaller than the picture size and tweening across each image for a predetermined time period so that when the image is viewed through a smaller window the impression of panning across the image is achieved.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein a plurality of images are tweened to provide a plurality of separate panned images and each panned image is played in sequence by fading the first of the images after it has been played and revealing the next tweened image.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein the flash file is maintained on a first server system and is contained in a HTML document and the file is uploaded to the internet and viewed through a standard web browser.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the method further comprises the use of a second server associated with a real estate agent which displays real estate advertisements on a HTML web page, the web page including a region for receiving the flash file by way of link from the server so that the flash file is played in the link at the demand of a user by accessing an interface on the web page.

7. The method of claim 2 wherein the tweened picture may be created automatically using PHP script language so that a plurality of separate data programs are pulled together when the web page is accessed and the interface activated so as to play the pan picture in a particular window in the HTML web page.

8. A system for providing moving pictures which pan across an article, comprising: a server for storing one or more photographs of the article; a program for creating data relating to a moving picture of the photograph which gives the impression of panning across the image of the photograph; and a communication link for downloading the data to a second server so that the second server can be accessed to play the data to give the impression of panning across the image.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the system further comprises an audio track and the data comprises JPEG images, the software being for combining the JPEG images and the audio to create a flash file, locating the flash file in a container which is smaller than the picture size and tweening across each image for a predetermined time period so that when the image is viewed through a smaller window the impression of panning across the image is achieved.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein a plurality of images are tweened to provide a plurality of separate panned images and each panned image is played in sequence by fading the first of the images after it has been played and revealing the next tweened image.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein the flash file is maintained on the first server system and is contained in a HTML document and the file is uploaded to the internet and viewed through a standard web browser.

12. The system of claim 8 wherein the system further comprises the second server associated with a real estate agent which displays real estate advertisements on a HTML web page, the web page including a region for receiving the flash file by way of the communication link from the server so that the flash file is played in the region at the demand of a user by accessing an interface on the web page. The access may be clicking on the image of the property or the like so that the flash file is played.

13. The system of claim 8 wherein the data is created automatically from the images using PHP script language so that a plurality of separate data programs are pulled together when the web page is accessed and the interface activated so as to play the data in a window in the HTML web page.