Method and apparatus for facilitating navigation in three-dimensional graphic scenes
US6271854A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 15, 1997 |
| Grant date | Aug 7, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 15, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/04815
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for facilitating navigation in three-dimensional graphics scenes. As a user changes from one viewing position to another within these 3D scenes, an opportunistic control button is displayed on the computer screen for selection via a user-input device, such as a mouse. Selection of this control button enables the user to assume the viewing position that was observed immediately preceding the user's current viewing position. In one embodiment, the control button appears on the display directly under the cursor (i.e., mouse pointer) at the time that the current viewing position appears, regardless of where the cursor is located on the screen. Advantageously, the user is able to assume previously viewed positions within 3D scenes with relative ease.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.