Systems, methods and computer program products for compass navigation of avatars in three dimensional worlds
US6144381A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 14, 1997 |
| Grant date | Nov 7, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 14, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/04815
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system, method, or computer program product for navigating an object in a virtual reality world in accordance with the present invention provides for receiving a pivot control signal from a user via a graphic user interface (GUI) control, and pivoting the object in response to the pivot control signal. The GUI control preferably comprises a compass control configured for receiving the pivot control signals from a user through a point and click device such as a mouse. By clicking on the compass control interface, the user can cause the object, such as an avatar, to rotate a relative number of degrees from its original direction substantially instantaneously, or alternatively, the user may depress a mouse button and drag the pointer about the compass control so as to cause the object to turn under essentially real time control of the user while displaying a view of the object during the pivot. Further, an incoming stimulus indicator may be provided in the compass control so that the user can pivot to face the incoming stimulus.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.