Spatial referenced photographic system with navigation arrangement

Abstract

An image system which captures, along with the images, information defining both the position and the orientation of the camera along with the distance to the subject. A video camera is attached to three accelerometers, two gyroscopes, and a rangefinder. Data gathered from these devices and defining the pitch, yaw, and roll of the camera, the camera's acceleration, and the distance to the subject is captured and recorded along with video images. The video images are later stored within a computer's data base along with data defining the position and orientation of the camera and the distance to the subject for each image, this latter data being computed from the captured data. The images may then be presented to the user in a three-dimensional display in which the user can navigate through the images using a joystick device, with the images located in positions corresponding to the positions in space of the objects that were imaged.

1. A spatially referenced photographic system comprising:
 a data base containing plural images of objects and also containing information corresponding to said images defining the position at which each image was originally viewed and the orientation of the image with respect to that position,  
 image presentation and navigation means for displaying the images to a user and for facilitating the user in navigating among said images by receiving spatial movement commands from the user, as indicated by said spatial movement commands;  
 wherein said image presentation and navigation means includes means for displaying, along with an image, a view of the camera path and an indication of the camera position and orientation when the image was recorded,  
 wherein camera position and orientation is indicated by a mark on the path oriented as the camera is oriented to point where the camera was pointing; and  
 wherein the view is a plan view and wherein the mark bears an indication thereon of the yaw angle of the camera.  
 
     
     
       2. A spatially referenced photographic system comprising:
 a data base containing plural images of objects and also containing information corresponding to said images defining the position at which each image was originally viewed and the orientation of the image with respect to that position;  
 image presentation and navigation means for displaying the images to a user and for facilitating the user in navigating among said images by receiving spatial movement commands from the user, as indicated by said spatial movement commands;  
 wherein said image presentation and navigation means includes means for displaying, along with an image, a view of the camera path and an indication of the camera position and orientation when the image was recorded; and  
 wherein a mark appears in said image of a location associated with another image such that the user may signal a desire to navigate forward to view said another image in a simple manner.  
 
     
     
       3. A spatially referenced photographic system in accordance with  claim 2  wherein the path also bears an indication of the location of said another image. 
     
     
       4. A spatially referenced photographic system comprising:
 a data base containing plural images of objects and also containing information corresponding to said images defining the position at which each image was originally viewed and the orientation of the image with respect to that position;  
 image presentation and navigation means for displaying the images to a user and for facilitating the user in navigating among said images by receiving spatial movement commands from the user, as indicated by said spatial movement commands; and  
 wherein said image presentation and navigation means provides the user with navigation controls for moving backward, in response to the actuation of which controls said means selects an image captured at a generally backward camera position having an orientation similar to that of an image the user is currently viewing.  
 
     
     
       5. A spatially referenced photographic system comprising:
 a data base containing plural images of objects and also containing information corresponding to said images defining the position at which each image was originally viewed and the orientation of the image with respect to that positions  position;  
 image presentation and navigation means for displaying the images to a user and for facilitating the user in navigating among said images by receiving spatial movement commands from the user, as indicated by said spatial movement commands; and  
 wherein said image presentation and navigation means provides the user with navigation controls for rotating left or right, in response to the actuation of which controls said means selects an image captured at a generally left-rotated or right-rotated camera position having a position fore-, aft-,  forward, backward, and side-to-side similar to that of an image the user is currently viewing.  
 
     
     
       6. A spatially referenced photographic system in accordance with  claim 5  wherein the image which the user is currently viewing bears marks indicating left and right possible rotations which thereby indicate the general location of the viewpoint of said image captured at said generally left-rotated or right-rotated camera positions. 
     
     
       7. A spatially referenced photographic system in accordance with  claim 6  wherein the user signals a desire to move generally left or right by mouse clicking on said indicating marks. 
     
     
       8. A spatially referenced photographic system comprising:
 a data base containing plural images of objects and also containing information corresponding to said images defining the position at which each image was originally viewed and the orientation of the image with respect to that position;  
 image presentation and navigation means for displaying the images to a user and for facilitating the user in navigating among said images by receiving spatial movement commands from the user, as indicated by said spatial movement commands; and  
 wherein said image presentation and navigation means provides the user with navigation controls for moving forward and simultaneously rotating to the left or to the right, in response to the actuation of which controls said means selects an image captured at a generally forward camera position having an angular orientation rotated to the left or to the right of that of an image the user is currently viewing.  
 
     
     
       9. A spatially referenced photographic system comprising:
 a data base containing plural images of objects and also containing information corresponding to said images defining the position at which each image was originally viewed and the orientation of the image with respect to that position;  
 image presentation and navigation means for displaying the images to a user and for facilitating the user in navigating among said images by receiving spatial movement commands from the user, as indicated by said spatial movement commands;  
 said image presentation and navigation means providing the user with navigation controls, in response to the actuation of which controls said presentation and navigation means selects an image captured at a position generally shifted from that of an image the user is currently viewing, as indicated by the user actuation of said controls.  
 
     
     
       10. A spatially referenced photographic system comprising:
   at least one data base containing images of objects and information corresponding to the images, the information defining a position at which a respective image was captured and at least a yaw orientation of the respective image with respect to the position, wherein the information is derived from camera position and orientation information automatically recorded substantially simultaneously with recording of the respective image;        a computing device in communication with the at least one data base, the computing device configured to provide images for display via an interface corresponding to the images of objects and to provide for display with the images for display via the interface a plan view of a camera path corresponding to the images and an indication of a position at which a displayed image was captured and a yaw orientation of the displayed image with respect to that position;        the computing device configured to receive spatial movement commands via the interface, the computing device configured to be in communication with a selection program operable to retrieve images from the at least one data base in response to the spatial movement commands and to provide the retrieved images, the plan view, the indication of the position at which a displayed image was captured, and the yaw orientation of the displayed image for display via the interface.     
     
     
       11. The spatially referenced photographic system of  claim 10  wherein the indication comprises a designation on the plan view of the camera path. 
     
     
       12. The spatially referenced photographic system of  claim 10  wherein the computing device is configured to provide designated positions for which corresponding images are available and to receive spatial movement commands including selection of a designated position via the interface in response to which the selection program is configured to retrieve an image from the data base captured at a position corresponding to a selected designated position for display via said interface. 
     
     
       13. The spatially referenced photographic system of  claim 10  wherein the computing device is configured to provide navigation controls overlayed on the displayed image, wherein the computing device is configured to provide images in response to receiving spatial movement commands via the navigation controls, the images captured at one or more positions generally shifted from that of a prior displayed image portion as indicated by the spatial movement commands. 
     
     
       14. The spatially referenced photographic system of  claim 10  wherein the computing device is configured to provide navigation controls overlayed on the displayed image, wherein the computing device is configured to provide images in response to receiving spatial movement commands via the navigation controls, the images captured at a same position as a prior displayed image and having a yaw orientation rotated left or right of the prior displayed image as indicated by the spatial movement commands. 
     
     
       15. The spatially referenced photographic system of  claim 10  wherein the computing device is configured to provide navigation controls overlayed on the displayed image, wherein the computing device is configured to provide images in response to receiving spatial movement commands via the navigation controls, the images captured at a position generally shifted forward or backward from a prior displayed image and having a yaw orientation rotated left or right of the prior displayed image as indicated by the spatial movement commands. 
     
     
       16. The spatially referenced photographic system of  claim 10  wherein the computing device is configured to provide navigation controls overlayed on the displayed image, wherein the computing device is configured to provide images in response to receiving spatial movement commands via the navigation controls, the images captured at a same position as a prior displayed image and having a pitch orientation rotated upward or downward of the prior displayed image as indicated by the spatial movement commands. 
     
     
       17. The spatially referenced photographic system of  claim 10  wherein the computing device is configured to provide interactive zoom in and zoom out controls overlayed on the displayed image, wherein the computing device is configured to provide images in response to receiving zooming commands via the zoom in and zoom out controls via the interface, the images captured at a same position as a prior displayed image and depicting a closer or further away field of view than that of the prior displayed image as indicated by the zooming commands. 
     
     
       18. The spatially referenced photographic system of  claim 10  wherein the computing device is configured to provide via the interface multiple images aligned in a panorama to provide a wider field of view. 
     
     
       19. The spatially referenced photographic system of  claim 10  wherein the computing device is configured to provide one or more launch pad controls and to receive control signals in response to selection of at least one of the one or more launch pad controls, wherein the computing device is configured to execute an associated application program in response receiving the control signals. 
     
     
       20. The spatially referenced photographic system of  claim 10  wherein the computing device is configured to provide an overlay item projected as a region onto the displayed image via the interface, the overlay item comprising an indication of a point or area of interest on the displayed image with respect to which one or more associated images are available, wherein the computing device is configured to provide a new image corresponding to the overlay item in response to receiving signals indicating selection of the region. 
     
     
       21. The spatially referenced photographic system of  claim 10  wherein the computing device is configured to provide an overlay item projected onto the plan view, the overlay item comprising an indication of a point or area of interest with respect to which one or more associated images are available, wherein the computing device is configured to provide a new image corresponding to the overlay item in response to receiving signals indicating selection of the overlay item. 
     
     
       22. A spatially referenced photographic system comprising:
   at least one data base containing images of objects and information corresponding to the images, the information defining a position at which a respective image was captured and at least a yaw orientation of the respective image with respect to the position, wherein the information is derived from camera position and orientation information automatically recorded substantially simultaneously with recording of the respective image;        a computing device in communication with the data base, the computing device configured to receive spatial movement commands and provide the images in response to receiving the spatial movement commands;        wherein the computing device is configured to provide, along with a provided image, navigation controls at least for rotating left or right, the computing device configured to provide in response to receiving spatial movement commands via the navigation controls a selected image captured at a position generally shifted from that of the provided image, as indicated by the spatial movement commands,        wherein the computing device is configured to provide in response to actuation of the navigation controls for rotating left or right a selected image captured at a generally left - rotated or right - rotated camera position having a position forward, backward, and side - to - side similar to that of the provided image.     
     
     
       23. The spatially referenced photographic system of  claim 22  wherein the computing device is configured to provide, along with the provided image, a view of the camera path and an indication of the position and yaw orientation of the provided image. 
     
     
       24. The spatially referenced photographic system of  claim 22  wherein the computing device is configured to provide, along with the provided image, navigation controls for moving forward and simultaneously rotating to the left or to the right, the computing device configured to provide in response to actuation of the navigation controls a selected image captured at a generally forward camera position having an angular orientation rotated to the left or to the right of that of the provided image. 
     
     
       25. The spatially referenced photographic system of  claim 22  wherein the computing device is configured to provide, along with the provided image, navigation controls for moving backward, the computing device configured to provide in response to actuation of the navigation controls a selected image captured at a generally backward camera position having an orientation similar to that of the provided image. 
     
     
       26. The spatially referenced photographic system of  claim 22  wherein the provided image includes designations indicating left and right possible rotations corresponding to a general location of a viewpoint of an image captured at generally left- rotated or right - rotated camera positions.   
     
     
       27. The spatially referenced photographic system of  claim 26  wherein the computing device is configured to provide the image captured at generally left- rotated or right - rotated camera positions in response to receiving signals indicating selection of one of the designations.   
     
     
       28. The spatially referenced photographic system of  claim 22  wherein the computing device is configured to provide, along with the provided image, navigation controls for moving forward and simultaneously rotating to the left or to the right, the computing device configured to provide in response to the actuation of the navigation controls an image captured at a generally forward camera position having an angular orientation rotated to the left or to the right of the provided image. 
     
     
       29. The spatially referenced photographic system of  claim 22  wherein the computing device is configured to provide multiple images for display via the interface aligned in a panorama to provide a wider field of view. 
     
     
       30. The spatially referenced photographic system of  claim 22  wherein the computing device is configured to provide an overlay item projected as a region onto the provided image via the interface, the overlay item comprising an indication of a point or area of interest on the provided image with respect to which one or more associated images are available, wherein the computing device is configured to provide a new image corresponding to the overlay item in response to receiving signals indicating selection of the region. 
     
     
       31. The spatially referenced photographic system of  claim 22  wherein the computing device is configured to provide an overlay item projected onto a plan view of a camera path, the overlay item comprising an indication of a point or area of interest with respect to which one or more associated images are available, wherein the computing device is configured to provide a new image corresponding to the overlay item in response to receiving signals indicating selection of the overlay item. 
     
     
       32. The spatially referenced photographic system of  claim 22  wherein the computing device is configured to provide one or more launch pad controls and to receive control signals in response to selection of at least one of the one or more launch pad controls, wherein the computing device is configured to execute an associated application program in response receiving the control signals. 
     
     
       33. A spatially referenced photographic system comprising:
   a data base containing images of objects and information corresponding to the images, the information defining a position at which a respective image was captured and at least a yaw orientation of the respective image with respect to the position;        a computing device in communication with the data base, the computing device configured to receive spatial movement commands and provide images for display corresponding to the images of objects in response to receiving the spatial movement commands;        wherein the computing device is configured to provide for display, in combination with a displayed image of the images for display, a plan view of a camera path corresponding to the displayed image and an indication on the plan view of a position and yaw orientation corresponding to the displayed image.     
     
     
       34. The spatially referenced photographic system of  claim 33  wherein the computing device is configured to provide, along with the displayed image, navigation controls for moving forward and simultaneously rotating to the left or to the right, the computing device configured to provide in response to actuation of the navigation controls a selected image captured at a generally forward camera position having an angular orientation rotated to the left or to the right of that of the displayed image. 
     
     
       35. The spatially referenced photographic system of  claim 34  wherein the computing device is configured to provide, along with the displayed image, navigation controls for moving backward, the computing device configured to provide in response to actuation of the navigation controls a selected image captured at a generally backward camera position having an orientation similar to that of the displayed image. 
     
     
       36. The spatially referenced photographic system of  claim 35  wherein the computing device is configured to provide, along with the displayed image, navigation controls for rotating left or right, the computing device configured to provide in response to actuation of the navigation controls for rotating left or right an image captured at a generally left- rotated or right - rotated camera position having a position forward, backward, and side - to - side similar to that of the displayed image.   
     
     
       37. The spatially referenced photographic system of  claim 36  wherein the displayed image includes designations indicating left and right possible rotations corresponding to a general location of a viewpoint of an image captured at generally left- rotated or right - rotated camera positions.   
     
     
       38. The spatially referenced photographic system of  claim 37  wherein the computing device is configured to provide the image captured at generally left- rotated or right - rotated camera positions in response to receiving signals indicating selection of one of the designations.   
     
     
       39. The spatially referenced photographic system of  claim 36  wherein the computing device is configured to provide, along with the displayed image, navigation controls for moving forward and simultaneously rotating to the left or to the right, the computing device configured to provide in response to the actuation of the navigation controls an image captured at a generally forward camera position having an angular orientation rotated to the left or to the right of the displayed image. 
     
     
       40. The spatially referenced photographic system of  claim 39  wherein the computing device is configured to provide multiple images aligned in a panorama to provide a wider field of view. 
     
     
       41. The spatially referenced photographic system of  claim 36  wherein the computing device is configured to provide an overlay item projected as a region onto the displayed image, the overlay item comprising an indication of a point or area of interest on the displayed image with respect to which one or more associated images are available, wherein the computing device is configured to provide a new image corresponding to the overlay item in response to receiving signals indicating selection of the region. 
     
     
       42. The spatially referenced photographic system of  claim 41  wherein the computing device is configured to provide an overlay item projected onto the plan view, the overlay item comprising an indication of a point or area of interest with respect to which one or more associated images are available, wherein the computing device is configured to provide a new image corresponding to the overlay item in response to receiving signals indicating selection of the overlay item. 
     
     
       43. The spatially referenced photographic system of  claim 33  wherein the computing device is configured to provide one or more launch pad controls and to receive control signals in response to selection of at least one of the one or more launch pad controls, wherein the computing device is configured to execute an associated application program in response receiving the control signals. 
     
     
       44. A spatially referenced photographic system comprising:
   a data base containing images of objects and information corresponding to the images, the information defining a position at which a respective image was captured and at least a yaw orientation of the respective image with respect to the position, wherein the information is derived from camera position and orientation information automatically recorded substantially simultaneously with recording of the respective image;        a computing device in communication with the data base, the computing device configured to receive spatial movement commands and provide images for display corresponding to the images of objects in response to receiving the spatial movement commands via an interface;        wherein the computing device is configured to provide an overlay item projected onto a displayed image, the overlay item comprising a selectable indication of a point or area of interest for a displayed image of the images for display with respect to which one or more associated images are available for display in response to selection of the overlay item; and        wherein the computing device is configured to provide, along with the displayed image, navigation controls for rotating left or right, the computing device configured to provide in response to actuation of the navigation controls for rotating left or right an image captured at a generally left - rotated or right - rotated camera position having a position forward, backward, and side - to - side similar to that of the displayed image.     
     
     
       45. The spatially referenced photographic system of  claim 44  wherein the overlay item comprises a frame, wherein the computing device is configured to provide a new image corresponding to the overlay item in response to receiving signals indicating selection of the frame. 
     
     
       46. The spatially referenced photographic system of  claim 44  wherein the computing device is configured to provide a designation on at least one of the displayed image and the plan view of a position at which the displayed image was captured and a yaw orientation of the displayed image with respect to that position. 
     
     
       47. The spatially referenced photographic system of  claim 44  wherein the computing device is configured to provide, along with the displayed image, navigation controls for moving forward and simultaneously rotating to the left or to the right, the computing device configured to provide in response to actuation of the navigation controls a selected image captured at a generally forward camera position having an angular orientation rotated to the left or to the right of that of the displayed image. 
     
     
       48. The spatially referenced photographic system of  claim 44  wherein the computing device is configured to provide, along with the displayed image, navigation controls for moving backward, the computing device configured to provide in response to actuation of the navigation controls a selected image captured at a generally backward camera position having an orientation similar to that of the displayed image. 
     
     
       49. The spatially referenced photographic system of  claim 44  wherein the displayed image includes designations indicating left and right possible rotations corresponding to a general location of a viewpoint of an image captured at generally left- rotated or right - rotated camera positions.   
     
     
       50. The spatially referenced photographic system of  claim 49  wherein the computing device is configured to provide the image captured at generally left- rotated or right - rotated camera positions in response to receiving signals indicating selection of one of the designations.   
     
     
       51. The spatially referenced photographic system of  claim 44  wherein the computing device is configured to provide, along with the displayed image, navigation controls for moving forward and simultaneously rotating to the left or to the right, the computing device configured to provide in response to the actuation of the navigation controls an image captured at a generally forward camera position having an angular orientation rotated to the left or to the right of the displayed image. 
     
     
       52. The spatially referenced photographic system of  claim 44  wherein the computing device is configured to provide multiple images aligned in a panorama to provide a wider field of view. 
     
     
       53. The spatially referenced photographic system of  claim 44  wherein the computing device is configured to provide a plan view overlay item projected as a region onto a plan view displayed in combination with the displayed images, the plan view overlay item comprising an indication of a point or area of interest on the plan view with respect to which one or more associated images are available, wherein the computing device is configured to provide a new image corresponding to the plan view overlay item in response to receiving signals indicating selection of the region. 
     
     
       54. The spatially referenced photographic system of  claim 44  wherein the computing device is configured to provide a new image corresponding to the overlay item in response to receiving signals indicating selection of the overlay item. 
     
     
       55. A method comprising:
   capturing images of objects;        recording camera position and orientation information automatically and substantially simultaneously with capturing the images of objects;        storing in at least one data base the images of objects and information corresponding to the images, the information defining a position at which a respective image was captured and at least a yaw orientation of the respective image with respect to the position, wherein the information is derived from the camera position and orientation information substantially simultaneously with capturing the images of objects;        providing via an interface for simultaneous display images for display corresponding to the images of objects and a plan view of a camera path corresponding to the images for display from the data base with a computing device in communication with the database;        the computing device providing for display on at least one of a displayed image of the images for display or the plan view an indication of the position at which the displayed image was captured.     
     
     
       56. The method of  claim 55 , said computing device providing an indication of the yaw orientation of the displayed image. 
     
     
       57. The method of  claim 55 , the computing device providing designated portions of the plan view and retrieving and providing an image from the data base captured at a position corresponding to a selected designated position for display via said interface in response to receiving signals indicating selection of the selected designated position. 
     
     
       58. The method of  claim 55 , the computing device providing navigation controls overlayed on the displayed image and providing images in response to receiving spatial movement commands via the navigation controls, the images captured at a position generally shifted from that of a prior displayed image as indicated by the spatial movement commands. 
     
     
       59. The method of  claim 55 , the computing device providing navigation controls overlayed on the displayed image and providing images in response to receiving spatial movement commands via the navigation controls, the images captured at a position generally shifted from that of a prior displayed image portion as indicated by the spatial movement commands. 
     
     
       60. The method of  claim 55 , the computing device providing, along with the provided image, navigation controls for moving forward and simultaneously rotating to the left or to the right and providing in response to actuation of the navigation controls a selected image captured at a generally forward camera position having an angular orientation rotated to the left or to the right of that of the provided image. 
     
     
       61. The method of  claim 55 , the computing device providing, along with the provided image, navigation controls for moving backward and providing in response to actuation of the navigation controls a selected image captured at a generally backward camera position having an orientation similar to that of the provided image. 
     
     
       62. The method of  claim 55 , the computing device providing, along with the provided image, navigation controls for rotating left or right and providing in response to actuation of the navigation controls for rotating left or right an image captured at a generally left- rotated or right - rotated camera position having a position fore - , aft - , and side - to - side similar to that of the provided image.   
     
     
       63. The method of  claim 55 , the computing device providing on the displayed image designations indicating left and right possible rotations corresponding to a general location of a viewpoint of an image captured at generally left- rotated or right - rotated camera positions.   
     
     
       64. The method of  claim 63 , the computing device providing the image captured at generally left- rotated or right - rotated camera positions in response to receiving signals indicating selection of one of the designations.   
     
     
       65. The method of  claim 55 , the computing device providing, along with the provided image, navigation controls for moving forward and simultaneously rotating to the left or to the right and providing in response to the actuation of the navigation controls an image captured at a generally forward camera position having an angular orientation rotated to the left or to the right of the provided image. 
     
     
       66. The method of  claim 55 , the computing device providing multiple images aligned in a panorama to provide a wider field of view. 
     
     
       67. The method of  claim 55 , the computing device providing an overlay item projected as a region onto the provided image via the interface, the overlay item comprising an indication of a point or area of interest on the provided image with respect to which one or more associated images are available, and also providing a new image corresponding to the overlay item in response to receiving signals indicating selection of the region. 
     
     
       68. The method of  claim 55 , the computing device providing an overlay item projected onto the plan view, the overlay item comprising an indication of a point or area of interest with respect to which one or more associated images are available, and also providing a new image corresponding to the overlay item in response to receiving signals indicating selection of the overlay item. 
     
     
       69. A spatially referenced photographic system comprising:
   a data base containing plural images of objects and also containing information corresponding to said images defining the position at which each image was originally captured and at least the yaw orientation of the image with respect to that position, wherein recorded information from which said position and yaw orientation information may be determined was automatically recorded substantially simultaneously with the recording of the image;        image presentation and navigation means for displaying the images to a user and for facilitating the user in navigating among said images by receiving spatial movement commands from the user, as indicated by said spatial movement commands;        wherein said image presentation and navigation means includes means for displaying, along with an image, a view of the camera path and an indication of the camera position and yaw orientation when the image was recorded;        wherein the view is a plan view and the camera position and yaw orientation is indicated by a mark on the path oriented as the camera was oriented to point where the camera was pointing when the image was recorded.     
     
     
       70. A spatially referenced photographic system comprising:
   a data base containing plural images of objects and also containing information corresponding to said images defining the position at which each image was originally captured and at least the yaw orientation of the image with respect to that position, wherein recorded information from which said position and yaw orientation information may be determined was automatically recorded substantially simultaneously with the recording of the image;        image presentation and navigation means for displaying the images to a user and for facilitating the user in navigating among said images by receiving spatial movement commands from the user, as indicated by said spatial movement commands;        wherein said image presentation and navigation means includes means for displaying, along with an image, a view of the camera path and an indication of the camera position and yaw orientation when the image was recorded; and        wherein a mark appears in said image of a location associated with another image such that the user may signal a desire to navigate forward to view said another image in a simple manner.     
     
     
       71. A spatially referenced photographic system in accordance with  claim 70  wherein the path also bears an indication of the location of said another image. 
     
     
       72. A spatially referenced photographic system comprising:
   a data base containing plural images of objects and also containing information corresponding to said images defining the position at which each image was originally captured and at least the yaw orientation of the image with respect to that position, wherein recorded information from which said position and yaw orientation information may be determined was automatically recorded substantially simultaneously with the recording of the image;        image presentation and navigation means for displaying the images to a user and for facilitating the user in navigating among said images by receiving spatial movement commands from the user, as indicated by said spatial movement commands; and        wherein said image presentation and navigation means provides the user with navigation controls for moving backward, in response to the actuation of which controls said means        selects an image captured at a generally backward camera position having an orientation similar to that of an image the user is currently viewing.     
     
     
       73. A spatially referenced photographic system comprising:
   a data base containing plural images of objects and also containing information corresponding to said images defining the position at which each image was originally captured and at least the yaw orientation of the image with respect to that position, wherein recorded information from which said position and yaw orientation information may be determined was automatically recorded substantially simultaneously with the recording of the image;        image presentation and navigation means for displaying the images to a user and for facilitating the user in navigating among said images by receiving spatial movement commands from the user, as indicated by said spatial movement commands; and        wherein said image presentation and navigation means provides the user with navigation controls for rotating left or right, in response to the actuation of which controls said means selects an image captured at a generally left - rotated or right - rotated camera orientation having a position forward, backward, and side - to - side similar to that of an image the user is currently viewing.     
     
     
       74. A spatially referenced photographic system in accordance with  claim 73  wherein the image which the user is currently viewing bears marks indicating left and right possible rotations which thereby indicate the general location of the viewpoint of said image captured at said generally left- rotated or right - rotated camera positions.   
     
     
       75. A spatially referenced photographic system in accordance with  claim 74  wherein said indicating marks permit the user to signal a desire to move generally left or right by mouse clicking on said indicating marks. 
     
     
       76. A spatially referenced photographic system comprising:
   a data base containing plural images of objects and also containing information corresponding to said images defining the position at which each image was originally captured and at least the yaw orientation of the image with respect to that position, wherein recorded information from which said position and yaw orientation information may be determined was automatically recorded substantially simultaneously with the recording of the image;        image presentation and navigation means for displaying the images to a user and for facilitating the user in navigating among said images by receiving spatial movement commands from the user, as indicated by said spatial movement commands; and        wherein said image presentation and navigation means provides the user with navigation controls for moving forward and simultaneously rotating to the left or to the right, in response to the actuation of which controls said means selects an image captured at a generally forward camera position having an angular orientation rotated to the left or to the right of that of an image the user is currently viewing.     
     
     
       77. A method comprising:
   providing for display from a computing device images from a data base containing plural images of objects and also containing information corresponding to the images defining a position at which individual images were originally captured and at least a yaw orientation of the individuals images with respect to that position, wherein recorded information from which the position and yaw orientation information can be determined was automatically recorded substantially simultaneously with recording of the image;        facilitating navigation among the images provided for display by providing for display with the images navigation controls at least for rotating left and right and receiving spatial movement commands via the navigation controls;        selecting an image captured at a position generally shifted from that of a previously provided image as indicated the spatial movement commands;        providing for display with the navigation controls the image captured at a position generally shifted from that of the previously provided image;        providing for display in response to receiving spatial movement commands for rotating left or right a selected image captured at a generally left - rotated or right - rotated camera position having a position forward, backward, and side - to - side similar to that of the previously provided image.