proj-imim:
RE: Dizzycity hotspots & IPIX patent]
HANSEN, MATT 2001-May-03 19:16:05
I checked DizzyCity out too. I think they're actually just using IBM's HotMedia for the applet which lets you integrate an image from IPIX. HotMedia supports cylindrical panos and spherical panos (which they call IPIX - naturally since IPIX invented them, right???). I think that DizzyCity took their photos and paid the token fees to have them produced through IPIX. Then, rather than using the IPIX applet (as horrid as it is), they use the HotMedia applet for displaying the image.
I'd be very surprised if IPIX were behind it all; it just doesn't have the same look & feel. IPIX (in spite of all of its bad practices) does have a professionally looking website, that I don't think DizzyCity has quite achieved yet. Besides, why would IPIX want to "borrow" the applet from HotMedia, when they can "develop" and patent their own? IPIX would at least have the sense to overwrite their own and HotMedia's splashscreens. They're sly, not stupid.
M@
-----Original Message-----
From: texas360 [mailto:#removed#]
Sent: Thursday, May 03, 2001 10:50 AM
To: KathyW; _DerschForum
Subject: RE: Dizzycity hotspots & IPIX patent]
Hi All, (including those of you in Canada). For your information:
I took a look at dizzycity.com version of Downtown New York City.
http://www.dizzycity.com/ny/StreetNborpage.asp?nborcity=New%20York
For those who have not been there yet. It looks like a hybrid version of
IPIX/ IBM HotMedia. I suspect HotMedia is driving the hotspots. I think
your right... looks like IPIX is involved somewhere here. Notice the
modified IPIX Splash screen. But patenting the concept of hotspot
navigation?
I did read thru the Dizzycity patent pending backgrounder regarding
hotspots navigation. At this point, I can't tell what their proposed Patent
Claims are yet. Anyone have a patent pending number so we can look it up?
This patent pending issue might conflict with US software providers who use
hotspots.... or extend that to image map techniques (most web page creating
software) like MSFrontPage and Macromedia's Dreamweaver. Not to forget
specialty software that provide the same hotspot functions like MGI's
PhotoVista, Reality Studio and Virtual Tour Maker.
http://www.dizzycity.com/ny/corporatebackgrounder.asp
Looks like we need to stimulate some corporate legal review. Oh it looks
like its going to rain again on our parade.
/s/
Dave
Email #removed# <mailto:#removed#> Company
http://360texas.com
-----Original Message-----
From: #removed#
[mailto:#removed#]On Behalf Of KathyW
Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2001 9:29 PM
To: Immersive Imaging
Subject: Re: [Fwd: Dizzycity & IPIX patent]
** Reply to message from gliksman <#removed#> on Wed, 02 May
2001 08:54:50 +0200
> > If the patent is still in the patent office and has not issued yet
> > (it is pending), the best way to put a stop the patent is to make
> > the patent office aware of the prior uses of the same thing that
> > Dizzycity is trying to patent. if anyone sends in a VR of an outdoor
> > setting and the date it was created (as long as the VR has a date
> > earlier than the first document Dizzycity can produce documenting
> > their idea), that should render the patent obvious -making it non
> > patentable.
As far as I can tell from the web site, DizzyCity has only been around since
2001, no press releases prior to that date. Crikey, even the venerable
Wrinkle
(December 21st, 1997 - http://hotspotshawaii.com/wrinkle.html) predates them
by
over 3 years, and that was one hell of a virtual tour!
We have old jobs (too old for even archives) that used still images and
computers (touchscreen driven) with map or diagram based interfaces for a
virtual Australian outback tour (1990) and a factory tour (1991).
So DizzyCity better be pretty specific in their "patent" submission ...
there's
heaps of 360 degree panoramic stuff going back at least 4-5 years that I
know
of, and unstitched sequences taken rotating about a single point (factory
floor)
dating back 10 years.
KathyW.
SuSE Linux 7.0 / IBM JRE1.1.8 / PolarBar Java Mailer 1.19RC11