Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Computer graphics processing – Three-dimension
Reexamination Certificate
1996-02-14
2001-11-06
Herndon, Heather R. (Department: 2176)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Computer graphics processing
Three-dimension
C707S793000, C707S793000, C345S182000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06313836
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to the field of computer systems. More particularly, this invention relates to a computer-controlled system for annotating a three-dimensionally displayed and manipulable model and for linking multimedia functions to the annotated model by means of three-dimensional pointers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The advance in computer graphics have extended the range of capabilities for users. Objects or models can now be displayed in three-dimensional (“3-D”) representation on a computer-controlled display system, for example, in wireframe, solid, and/or shaded forms.
FIG. 1
shows a prior art computer-controlled display system
10
that displays an object
11
in 3-D form.
Manipulation of the displayed 3-D objects or models is typically achieved utilizing 3-D or two-dimensional input controllers, such as cursor control devices. The displayed 3-D model can be moved and/or rotated on the display by the input controller. This allows the user to view the 3-D model from various perspective views.
Disadvantages are, however, associated with such prior art arrangement. One disadvantage is that the user typically cannot link information to the displayed 3-D model electronically. Typically, when such a need arises, the displayed 3-D model is printed on a sheet of paper. The user then makes an indication mark near an area of interest of the model on the paper to associate information to the marked area. The information can be a text on the same sheet of paper or on a different sheet of paper, or graphics on a separate sheet of paper. This typically causes inconvenience for viewers of the 3-D model to exchange information with respect to the model. In addition, because information cannot be linked to the 3-D model electronically, the viewers of the model typically have to communicate with each other in an inefficient manner.
Another disadvantage is that it is typically difficult for viewers of the displayed 3-D model at various locations to exchange information with respect to the 3-D model in a consistent environment. For example, because information cannot be electronically linked to the 3-D model. When a viewer wants to exchange information with respect to the 3-D model with another viewer at a remote location, the viewer who initiates the exchange (i.e., the sender) has to send the model and the information separately to the receiving viewer (i.e., the receiver). When the receiver receives the 3-D model and the related information, the receiver may not view the 3-D model with the information in the same manner as desired by the sender. This inconsistency may cause misunderstanding and miscommunication between the sender and the receiver with respect to the 3-D model and the information.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
One of the objects of the present invention is to allow exchange of information with respect to a 3-D model displayed on a display system.
Another object of the present invention is to allow multimedia functions to be linked to a 3-D model displayed on a display system.
Another object of the present invention is to allow a 3-D model displayed on a display system to be annotated by means of 3-D pointers.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a 3-D model with a sequence of representations that are linked with a pointer associated with the 3-D model, wherein when the pointer is activated, the 3-D model changes its representation in accordance with the sequence of representations.
A further object of the present invention is to allow a specific view representation (including, specific view orientation, display attribute (e.g., color), geometric transformation (e.g., rotation), and display form (e.g., wireframe)) of a 3-D model annotated with 3-D pointers to be preserved such that viewers of the model can communicate with each other with respect to the model in a consistent environment.
A computer implemented method of annotating a geometric figure displayed and manipulable in three-dimensional representation on a display of a computer system is described. A three dimensionally displayed and manipulable pointer is positioned to point at an area of the geometric figure using a control device. The geometric figure is displayed in a particular view orientation when the pointer is positioned to point at the geometric figure. The pointer is then oriented three-dimensionally such that the pointer can point at the area of the geometric figure at a desired angle. The particular view orientation of the geometric figure with the pointer is then preserved such that the particular view orientation of the geometric figure with the pointer can later be retrieved.
A computer implemented method of associating multimedia functions with a geometric figure displayed and manipulable in three-dimensional representation on a display of a computer system is described. A pointer is positioned to point at an area of the geometric figure using a control device. The pointer is also displayed and manipulable in three-dimensional representation on the display. The pointer is activated by attaching a marker to the pointer using the control device. When the pointer is activated, the pointer can be associated with a multimedia function such that when the pointer is again activated, the associated multimedia function is executed.
A computer-controlled display system is also described. The display system includes a processor, a display coupled to the processor, and a memory coupled to the processor for storing data. The memory stores a first data for displaying a geometric object on the display three-dimensionally. The memory also stores a second data for displaying a pointer on the display. The second data is linked to the first data. The second data is also linked to a multimedia function. When the processor accesses the memory for the first data, the first and second data are obtained by the processor from the memory to display the geometric figure with the pointer pointing at the geometric figure on the display. When the pointer is activated, the processor accesses the memory for the multimedia function via the second data.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows below.
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Carey Richard J.
Dennis Douglas S.
Russell, Jr. Sanford H.
Blakely & Sokoloff, Taylor & Zafman
Burwell J. R.
Herndon Heather R.
Silicon Graphics Inc.
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