Graphic display method and apparatus for rotating an object in three-dimensional space
US5588097A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 24, 1993 |
| Grant date | Dec 24, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 24, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/04845
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A semitransparent spherical surface having as its center O, a fixed point in an object being displayed on a screen of a tablet, is generated so as to enclose the object. Then, three degrees of freedom for orientation are determined by pen-manipulation on the spherical surface. That is, a plurality of points (P0-P3) on the spherical surface are specified in a predetermined order. Points P0 and P1 specify two polar surface coordinate positions on the spherical surface for rotation of the object in a polar coordinate system and simultaneously specify a rotation axis OP1 connecting the center O to point P1. Then a rotation angle .alpha. about this axis OP1 is specified by the specification of points P2 and P3. Then, calculations for rotating the object to the specified orientation are performed, and the rotated object is displayed. According to this method, the object in three-dimensional space can be rotated to an arbitrary orientation in a desired manner.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.