Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Computer graphics processing – Three-dimension
Reexamination Certificate
1997-03-07
2001-05-01
Vo, Cliff N. (Department: 2671)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Computer graphics processing
Three-dimension
C345S427000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06226001
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to user interactive computer supported display technology and particularly to such user interactive systems and methods which are user friendly, i.e. provide even noncomputer literate users with an interface environment which is easy to use and intuitive.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART
The 1990's decade has been marked by a societal technological revolution driven by the convergence of the data processing industry with the consumer electronics industry. This advance has been even further accelerated by the extensive consumer and business involvement in the internet over the past two years. As a result of these changes, it seems as if virtually all aspects of human endeavor in the industrialized world requires human-computer interfaces. As a result of these profound changes, there is a need to make computer directed activities accessible to a substantial portion of the world's population which, up to a year or two ago, was computer-illiterate, or at best computer indifferent. In order for the vast computer supported market places to continue and be commercially productive, it will be necessary for a large segment of computer indifferent consumers to be involved in computer interfaces. Thus, the challenge of our technology is to create interfaces to computers which are as close to the real world as possible.
Industry has been working towards this challenge and there is presently a relatively high degree of realism possible in interfaces. This presents a need and an opportunity for even more realistic interaction techniques to better match the visual metaphors used and to achieve a higher level of ease of use for computer systems. We are striving towards the representation of object as photo realistic, three-dimensional (3D) models rather than as the icons and two-dimensional desktops of conventional computer technology.
Some examples of current technology for the creation of virtual three-dimensional workspace display interfaces are copending application Ser. No. 08/753,081, entitled “CREATING REAL WORLD OBJECTS” and Ser. No. 08/753,076, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAINTAINING SIZE AND POSITION RELATIONSHIPS FOR NONRECTANGULAR REAL WORLD OBJECTS”, assigned to the Assignee of the present application.
A 3D virtual workspace display environment is also described in an article entitled, “RAPID CONTROLLED MOVEMENT THROUGH A VIRTUAL 3D WORKSPACE”, Jock Mackinlay et al., Computer Graphics Publication, Vol. 24, No. 4, August 1990, pp. 171-175, as well as in its related U.S. Pat. No. 5,276,785.
It is clear that current technology in virtual three-dimensional workspaces has provided environments which are user friendly, i.e. make the casual computer user feel more comfortable and at home with the interface. However, researchers in human factors have found downsides to three-dimensional virtual reality displays. Because of the many choices that the user has in wandering down various “streets and roads” or visiting a wide variety of “buildings or stores” or going through many possible “doors”, the user may wander through this reality and perhaps get lost from the track or goal he is pursuing.
The present invention addresses this problem, i.e. that of helping the interactive user in three-dimensional graphic environments to stay focused and relate to the objects he is seeking to relate to in the manner he is seeking to relate to such objects even when these objects are arranged in 3D space in what appears to be infinite configurations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is understood that in order to navigate through three-dimensional space, view the space or relate to objects within the space, a viewpoint is determined within that space. That viewpoint is the virtual position of the viewer or person who is navigating within the three-dimensional space. The viewpoint is commonly defined by its position and its orientation or direction. For purposes of describing this invention, we will use the metaphor of a camera to understand the viewpoint. The camera's position and orientation are where it is and which way it is pointing. Let us refer to another property of a viewpoint which is “field of view”; this is effectively the resulting view from a given viewpoint. A key need of a viewer navigating through virtual three-dimensional space is to stay focused. In order to stay focused, when the viewer addresses an object to which he is trying to relate, he must be presented with a view of that object which best suits the nature of the interaction with the object which he is approaching or addressing. For example, it should be understood that when the viewer is trying to interact with the object in order to appreciate or understand the objects aesthetic qualities, he may require a different view of the object than if he were approaching the object in order to make some changes in the object or input/output specific data in this object.
Copending application, Ser. No. 08/813,891, assigned to the common Assignee of the present application entitled “Viewer Interactive Object in Virtual Three-Dimensional Workspace, Didier D. C. Bardon et al. , provides a solution to this need by providing a display of virtual three-dimensional objects within a workspace together with viewpoint interface means for navigating within the workspace and further provides for means for storing along with each of a plurality of virtual objects which the viewer is to relate to a face view of the object. These views have predetermined angles with respect to the object. The face views are tailored to provide to the viewer a face view of the object best suited to the viewer's interactive purpose.
The above-referenced copending application, Ser. No. 08/813,891, permits a fixed predetermined face view to be stored with each object so as to be available irrespective of relocations of the associated object.
However, one fixed face for each object may not adequately serve the interactive viewer's or user's needs. The user will often need a variety of face views. Such face views may be presented at a variety of angles with respect to the object as well as at a variety of apparent distances for the object from the view point.
A particular face view may be displayed at predetermined apparent distances from the object. These apparent distances being determined by the nature and content of the face view. For example, if the face view is to be presented to the viewer for its aesthetic image content, e.g. a picture of an object, then the particular face view is presented to the viewer at some intermediate distance so that the viewer may appreciate the aesthetic qualities of the image without getting to close. On the other hand, if the face view to be presented to the interactive user is a face view within which the user is to read the material and to make selections, then the images which are presented to the viewer should be at an apparent close distance so that the user may read the textual material and make his choices.
The present invention provides for a data processor controlled display system for displaying a virtual three-dimensional workspace in which three-dimensional objects are represented by stored data which also includes associated data representative of a plurality of different face views for each object, each different face view is at a different predetermined angle with respect to the object.
Interactive user selection means are provided for the user to select one of said plurality of face views associated with each of said objects.
The present invention may be structural so that dependent on the direction of a pointer in the display or even the direction of the field of view with respect to the object or other selecting means provided to the interactive user, the system selects and displays the face view most appropriate to the interaction which the viewer wishes to have with the object. Simply stated, it is within the purview of the present invention to have an object with several sides. Each of the sides has views which are respectively appr
Bardon Didier Daniel Claude
Berry Richard Edmond
Isensee Scott Harlan
Mullaly John Martin
Roberts David John
Emile Volel
International Business Machines - Corporation
Kraft J. B.
Vo Cliff N.
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