Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Computer graphics processing – Graph generating
Reexamination Certificate
1997-09-26
2001-07-03
Zimmerman, Mark (Department: 2671)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Computer graphics processing
Graph generating
C345S428000, C345S474000, C345S950000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06256043
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to the integration of computer graphics and video to provide a realistic three dimensional virtual reality experience.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The display of a three dimensional world to a viewer requires considerable computation power, and it is typically costly to develop the necessary highly detailed models required for doing so. In order to simplify the problem, a portion of the world that is in the distance may be represented in only two dimensions as a video displayed on a surface, e.g., a screen. By video it is meant the common usage of the term, such as the placing or projecting of predefined images on the surface, e.g., the electronic version of filmed moving pictures. Thus, such a world is essentially truncated in length to the screen on which the video is displayed. A great reduction in computation power and cost can be achieved by such an arrangement.
In U.S. patent application Ser. No. (case Carraro-Ensor 2-7) it was recognized that a limitation of such a world occurs when an object within the field represented by the video undergoes a trajectory that takes it to a location in the world that is not represented by the video but instead is a location in the foreground which is represented by computer graphics, namely, any portion of the object that is no longer on the video screen, disappears. Therefore, when an object within the field represented by the video undergoes a trajectory that takes it, or a portion thereof, to a location in the world that is not represented by the video but instead is a location in the foreground which is represented by computer graphics, such an object or portion is made to continue to be visible to the user and is represented at the foreground location using computer graphic techniques, rather than video. Thus, the video object “pops” out of the video and becomes visible, e.g., in front of, or to the side of, the video screen, rather than becoming invisible because it is no longer on the video screen.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
We have recognized that, for a world that has a portion of the world distant from the point of view of the user represented in only two dimensions as a video on a video screen, when an object on the video screen undergoes a trajectory that takes at least a portion of it to a location in the world that is not represented by the video but instead is a location in the world that is represented by computer graphics, in addition to being able to continue to see such an object when it is popped out from the video into the computer graphics part of the world, it is advantageous for one to be able to interact with such an object. Therefore, in accordance with the principles of the invention, an object which pops out from a video into the computer graphics part of the world may be “investigated” by a viewer of the world. One way that this may be achieved is by receiving an indication of a selection of such an object by a user and, in response thereto, providing the user with additional information about the selected object. Another way that this may be achieved is by receiving an indication of a selection of such an object by a user and, in response thereto, allowing the user to explore within the selected object.
For example, if the user is bicycling down the Champs Elysees in Paris, France, as one approaches La Place de l'Etoile in the center of which is the Arc de Triomphe, built by Napoleon Bonaparte, and the Arc de Triomphe as it is passed by the bicyclist pops out of the video, the user could click on the popped-out Arc de Triomphe which is now in the computer graphics part of the world and obtain historical information about it, e.g., displayed in a window on the screen. Alternatively, if the user is represented in the world as an avatar riding on a bicycle, the user avatar, in response to appropriate commands, such as mouse clicks, could be made to dismount the bicycle and further investigate the Arc de Triomphe, e.g., entering therein, ascending a set of stairs and looking out from one or more viewpoints. The user could then return to his bicycle and continue his journey in the world which has a portion of the world distant from the point of view of the user represented in only two dimensions as a video on the video screen and the remainder of the world as computer graphics.
As another example, the user could enter a store which popped out of the video, and engage in virtual shopping therein. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the particular store which is actually entered may be customized on a per user basis. Thus, for different users who are traversing the same course and seeing the same representations, e.g., an avatar, of a store or vendor cart that popped out from the video, who the particular vendor is that will serve the user and provide him with the virtual shopping service may be different for different users. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the particular vendor may be selected as a function of the actual geographic location of the user, or a particular location that is associated with the user. If two or more users are simultaneously exploring the same world together, e.g., two friends bicycling together, in accordance with an aspect of the invention, each user, or different subsets of the users, may be served by a different vendor, e.g., as a function of specified parameter, such as their individual geographic locations. Alternatively, even if there is more than one user, and such users would otherwise be served by different vendors, e.g., as a function of their respective locations, in accordance with an aspect of the invention, such users could specify that a subset, or all of them, should be served by a single vendor.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, when the proprietor of a virtual store, or his representative, e.g., electronic agent, detects the avatar of one or more persons in the vicinity of, e.g., passing, the avatar of a store for which such proprietor's store corresponds to the virtual store for such passing persons, a message, such as an advertisement, or other communication, such as opening a communication channel, e.g., a chat service or voice communication channel, may be transmitted to, or initiated with, such passing persons. The communication may be general in nature or it may be customized as a function of information available regarding the passing persons. Advantageously, a feeling of community may be engendered in the virtual environment
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Aho Alfred Vaino
Ahuja Sudhir Raman
Carraro Gianpaolo U.
Ensor James Robert
Rosenthal Eugene J.
Lucent Technologies - Inc.
Rosenthal Eugene J.
Stevenson Philip H.
Zimmerman Mark
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