NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR A 3D VIRTUAL SCENE

• US 20090083626A1
• Filed: 08/28/2008
• Published: 03/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
• Inventors: White, Thomas, Fitzmaurice, George, Khan, Azam, Matejka, Justin, Mordatch, Igor, Kurtenbach, Gord
• Granted Patent: US 9,122,367 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/704
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/954 Navigation, e.g. using categorised browsing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04815 Interaction with a metaphor-based environment or interaction object displayed as three-dimensional, e.g. changing the user viewpoint with respect to the environment or object
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0489 using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04895 Guidance during keyboard input operation, e.g. prompting
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/003 Navigation within 3D models or images
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72466 with selection means, e.g. keys, having functions defined by the mode or the status of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72469 for operating the device by selecting functions from two or more displayed items, e.g. menus or icons

Abstract

A navigation system for navigating a three-dimensional (3D) scene that includes a model or object with which a user can interact. The system accommodates and helps both novice and advanced users. To do this, the system provides a rewind function where view waypoints are stored as navigation occurs and the user can move the view back to one of the rewind points.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

saving rewind information during navigation as a scene is navigated; and

allowing a user to rewind the navigation using the rewind information while presenting the rewind information.

2. A method, comprising:

saving a waypoint as a user operates navigation tools; and

saving a waypoint periodically when one of the navigation tools allows way points before end of tool operation.

3. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein the saving a waypoint as a user operates navigation tools comprises saving the waypoint each time a mouse button is released.

4. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein the saving a waypoint as a user operates navigation tools comprises saving the waypoint each time ends an operation of a navigation tool

5. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein the waypoints are saved at equal time intervals when the navigation tool allows way points before end of tool operation.

6. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein the saving a waypoint comprises:

capturing a camera view position and a camera orientation at a current view location; and

creating a thumbnail image of a current view at the current view location.

7. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein the saving a waypoint comprises saving the camera view position, camera orientation and the thumbnail image in a rewind history list.

8. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein each camera and viewport combination has a separate saved navigation history.

9. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein the rewind information comprises an exact movement path.

10. A method of saving rewind history information during navigation of a three dimensional scene, comprising:

detecting start of a navigation tool operation;

determining whether the tool allows waypoints during operation;

comparing an elapsed time since a waypoint was saved with a threshold time when the tool allows waypoints during operation;

saving a waypoint comprising a view position and a view orientation at a current view location and a thumbnail image of a current view at the current view location when the tool allows waypoints during operation; and

detecting an end of the navigation tool operation and saving a waypoint.

11. A method, comprising:

allowing a user to initiate a rewind; and

rewinding to a prior navigation point responsive to user action.

12. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein the rewinding comprises rewinding a single waypoint.

13. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein the rewinding comprises rewinding responsive to a cursor movement.

14. A method as recited in claim 13, further comprising displaying a rewind cursor relative to displayed waypoints.

15. A method as recited in claim 14, wherein each of the waypoints comprises a prior navigation position, a view orientation at the prior navigation position and a displayed thumbnail image of the a scene view at the prior navigation position and orientation.

16. A method as recited in claim 15, further comprising animating a view to the prior navigation position and the view orientation at the prior navigation position to the cursor movement.

17. A method as recited in claim 16, further comprising discarding waypoints later in time when one of the waypoints is selected.

18. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein the rewinding comprises:

displaying a horizontally displayed set of thumbnail images;

allowing a user to specify a position on the horizontally displayed set; and

displaying a view corresponding to the position.

19. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein different visual representations and styles for presenting waypoints.

20. A method of rewinding through a rewind history information of navigation of a three dimensional scene, comprising:

detecting a mouse button activation;

determining whether the mouse button has been held down less than a threshold;

rewinding to an immediate prior view in the rewind history when the button has been held down less than the threshold;

displaying a set of prior view thumbnail images when the button has not been held down less than the threshold; and

animating the view to prior views corresponding to the thumbnail images as the user moves a cursor relative to the thumbnail images.

21. A method of saving rewind history information during navigation of a three dimensional scene and rewinding through a rewind history information, comprising:

detecting start of a navigation tool operation;

determining whether the tool allows waypoints during operation;

comparing an elapsed time since a waypoint was saved with a threshold time when the tool allows waypoints during operation;

saving a waypoint comprising a view position and a view orientation at a current view location and a thumbnail image of a current view at the current view location when the tool allows waypoints during operation;

detecting an end of the navigation tool operation and saving a waypoint.

detecting a mouse button activation indicating a rewind;

determining whether the mouse button has been held down less than a threshold;

rewinding to an immediate waypoint when the button has been held down less than the threshold;

displaying a set of view thumbnail images corresponding to the waypoints when the button has not been held down less than the threshold; and

animating the view to corresponding to the waypoints as the user moves a cursor relative to the thumbnail images.

22. An apparatus, comprising:

a display; and

a computer saving rewind information during navigation as a scene is navigated and allowing a user to rewind the navigation using the rewind information while presenting the rewind information.

23. A computer readable storage for controlling a computer apparatus comprising a program saving rewind information during navigation as a scene is navigated and allowing a user to rewind the navigation using the rewind information while presenting the rewind information.

24. An apparatus, comprising:

a display showing a navigation rewind responsive to rewind information saved during navigation as a a scene is navigated and responsive to a user initiating rewind of the navigation using the rewind information.