W@nderland: image-based constructable virtual space on the WWW

The conventional approaches for constructing real-space-based 3D space on the WWW are very costly in initial modeling and in network access in its operation. The image based rendering (IBR) approach focuses on more convenient handling of the real space, but the obtained space is usually constrained by the difficulty in image analysis. As a result, the number of people who use virtual space on the WWW is still limited. In order to relax the modeling cost and the accessing cost through the WWW to let everyone enjoy easy construction and easy browsing of real and attractive virtual space, the authors propose a simple approach where they use scenic images such as those taken by a digital camera without distorting them. In the system, users can browse and construct real and attractive virtual space on the WWW more easily than ever.