Graph-based visual navigation through spatial environments
First Claim
1. A computer system for navigating a virtual environment, the computer system comprising:
- a computer;
a display device connected to the computer;
one or more input devices connected to the computer; and
a computer program executing on the computer, wherein the computer program comprises computer instructions for;
generating a virtual environment from a real environment, the virtual environment comprising a plurality of nodes connected by branches, wherein each node represents an intersection in the real environment and each branch represents a path connecting intersections in the real environment;
displaying a map of at least a portion of the nodes and branches of the virtual environment in a first window of the display device;
displaying a visual representation of the virtual environment in a second window of the display device; and
enabling a user to navigate through the virtual environment by entering navigation commands via at least one input device.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A computer system and method of operation thereof are provided that allow interactive navigation and exploration of spatial environments, both real and virtual. The computer system employs a data architecture comprising a network of nodes connected by branches. Each node in the network represents an intersection in the real environment that allows a user of the computer system to select which path to follow. Likewise, each branch in the network represents a path connecting physical intersections in the real environment. The network is constructed directly from a map of the target environment. Navigation data such as image frame sequences, intersections between paths, and other related information are associated with the elements of the network. This establishes a direct relationship between locations in the environment and the data which represent them. From such an organization, the user may tour the environment, viewing the image sequences associated with each path and choosing among intersecting paths at will. In addition to navigating through the environment, the user may also access auxiliary information that is related to particular points of interest. This auxiliary information can be of varying forms: video, audio, still images, etc. Such information is linked to a point of interest through the associated network element. By associating this information with the virtual environment, the computer system of the present invention is able to provide the observer with an enhanced view of the real environment represented by the virtual environment. The computer system of the present invention is suitable for applications such as developing training materials for complex procedures, building video games or interactive exhibits, authoring stories with multiple alternative endings, creating virtual shopping malls and virtual stores, or allowing virtual visits to remote sites (e.g., museums, historic sites, etc).
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. A computer system for navigating a virtual environment, the computer system comprising:
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a computer;
a display device connected to the computer;
one or more input devices connected to the computer; and
a computer program executing on the computer, wherein the computer program comprises computer instructions for;
generating a virtual environment from a real environment, the virtual environment comprising a plurality of nodes connected by branches, wherein each node represents an intersection in the real environment and each branch represents a path connecting intersections in the real environment;
displaying a map of at least a portion of the nodes and branches of the virtual environment in a first window of the display device;
displaying a visual representation of the virtual environment in a second window of the display device; and
enabling a user to navigate through the virtual environment by entering navigation commands via at least one input device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A computer system for composing a virtual environment, the computer system comprising:
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a computer;
a display device connected to the computer;
one or more input devices connected to the computer; and
a computer program executing on the computer, wherein the computer program comprises computer instructions for;
generating a virtual environment from a real environment, the virtual environment comprising a plurality of nodes connected by branches;
enabling a user to associate an intersection of the real environment with a node of the virtual environment; and
enabling a user to associate a visual representation of a path connecting intersections of the real environment with a branch of the virtual environment. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. A method for navigating a virtual environment generated from a real environment, the virtual environment comprising a plurality of nodes connected by branches, wherein each node represents an intersection in the real environment and each branch represents a path connecting intersections in the real environment, the method comprising:
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displaying a map of at least a portion of the nodes and branches of the virtual environment in a first window of a display device;
displaying a visual representation of the virtual environment in a second window of the display device; and
a user navigating through the virtual environment by entering navigation commands via at least one input device connected to the display device. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 29, 30)
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16. A method for composing a virtual environment, the method comprising:
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generating a virtual environment from a real environment, the virtual environment comprising a plurality of nodes connected by branches;
a user associating an intersection of the real environment with a node of the virtual environment; and
the user associating a visual representation of a path connecting intersections of the real environment with a branch of the virtual environment.
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19. A computer-readable storage medium comprising computer instructions for:
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generating a virtual environment from a real environment, the virtual environment comprising a plurality of nodes connected by branches, wherein each node represents an intersection in the real environment and each branch represents a path connecting intersections in the real environment;
displaying a map of at least a portion of the nodes and branches of the virtual environment in a first window of a display device;
displaying a visual representation of the virtual environment in a second window of the display device; and
enabling a user to navigate through the virtual environment by entering navigation commands via at least one input device.
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25. A computer-readable storage medium comprising computer instructions for:
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generating a virtual environment from a real environment, the virtual environment comprising a plurality of nodes connected by branches;
enabling a user to associate an intersection of the real environment with a node of the virtual environment; and
enabling the user to associate a visual representation of a path connecting intersections of the real environment with a branch of the virtual environment.
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28. A computer system for navigating a virtual environment, the computer system comprising:
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a computer;
a display device connected to the computer;
one or more input devices connected to the computer; and
a computer program executing on the computer, wherein the computer program comprises computer instructions for;
displaying a map of at least a portion of a virtual environment generated from a real environment in a first window of the display device;
displaying a visual representation of the virtual environment in a second window of the display device; and
highlighting a branch in the map displayed in the first window while a visual representation of a corresponding path in the real environment is displayed in the second window;
detecting that a user has selected an intersection on the map;
in response to the user selecting the intersection, displaying a corresponding visual representation of the intersection in the virtual environment in the second window;
highlighting an icon displayed in the first window and corresponding to an element of the virtual environment associated with multimedia data while the element is displayed in the second window;
detecting that a user has selected a visual representation of an element of the virtual environment associated with multimedia data; and
in response to the user selecting the element, displaying the multimedia data in a window of the display device.
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31. A method of navigating a virtual environment generated from a real environment, the method comprising:
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displaying a map of at least a portion of the virtual environment in a first window of a display device of a computer;
displaying a visual representation of the virtual environment in a second window of the display device; and
highlighting a branch in the map displayed in the first window while a visual representation of a corresponding path in the real environment is displayed in the second window;
detecting that a user has selected an intersection on the map;
in response to the user selecting the intersection, displaying a corresponding visual representation of the intersection in the virtual environment in the second window;
highlighting an icon displayed in the first window and corresponding to an element of the virtual environment associated with multimedia data while the element is displayed in the second window;
detecting that a user has selected a visual representation of an element of the virtual environment associated with multimedia data; and
in response to the user selecting the element, displaying the multimedia data in a window of the display device.
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32. A computer-readable storage medium comprising computer instructions for:
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displaying a map of at least a portion of a virtual environment generated from a real environment in a first window of a display device of a computer;
displaying a visual representation of the virtual environment in a second window of the display device; and
highlighting a branch in the map displayed in the first window while a visual representation of a corresponding path in the real environment is displayed in the second window;
detecting that a user has selected an intersection on the map;
in response to the user selecting the intersection, displaying a corresponding visual representation of the intersection in the virtual environment in the second window;
highlighting an icon displayed in the first window and corresponding to an element of the virtual environment associated with multimedia data while the element is displayed in the second window;
detecting that a user has selected a visual representation of an element of the virtual environment associated with multimedia data; and
in response to the user selecting the element, displaying the multimedia data in a window of the display device.
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33. A computer system for navigating a virtual environment, the computer system comprising:
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a server computer;
a global-area network;
at least one client computer connected to the server computer via the global-area network;
a display device connected to the client computer;
one or more input devices connected to the client computer; and
a computer program executing on the client computer, wherein the computer program comprises computer instructions for;
retrieving a virtual environment generated from a real environment from a storage of the server computer;
displaying a map of at least a portion of the virtual environment in a first window of the display device;
displaying a visual representation of the virtual environment in a second window of the display device; and
enabling a user to navigate through the virtual environment by entering navigation commands via at least one input device. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36)
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34. A method of selling goods on-line, the method comprising:
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generating a virtual store environment generated from a real store environment, the virtual environment comprising a plurality of nodes connected by branches, wherein each node represents an intersection in the real environment and each branch represents a path connecting intersections in the real environment;
displaying a map of at least a portion of the nodes and branches of the virtual store environment in a first window of a display device of a computer;
displaying a visual representation of the virtual store environment in a second window of the display device;
a user navigating through the virtual store environment by entering navigation commands via at least one input device connected to the display device;
a user selecting for purchase at least one item displayed in the second window; and
completing a purchase transaction on-line to transfer ownership of the selected item to the user.
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Specification