Three dimensional computer graphics tool facilitating movement of displayed object
US5861889A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 19, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jan 19, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 19, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S715/976
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Method and apparatus are provided for rotating a displayed object, the displayed object appearing on a screen of a display device of a three dimensional computer graphics system. When displayed object object appears on the display screen, a user input device (e.g., mouse) prompts the additional display of an object movement reference frame on the display screen. The object movement reference frame preferably takes the form of a spherical contour line and various "handles" which provide a user-friendly three dimensional spherical depiction. The object movement reference frame is preferably superimposed with respect to the displayed object. The "handles" of the object movement reference frame include a plurality of object image handles which are generally classified as planar handles and knob handles. A "handle set" is comprised of paired or connected object image handles, such as a knob handle connected by a radial connector to a planar handle. The "handles" of the object movement reference frame also include frame handles. The frame handles facilitate, among other things, movement of the sphere relative to the displayed object.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.