NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR A 3D VIRTUAL SCENE

• US 20090083674A1
• 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: Fitzmaurice, George, Matejka, Justin, Kurtenbach, Gord
• Granted Patent: US 10,162,474 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/851
• 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 the capability of tapping a hotkey to activate and deactivate tools.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

detecting activation of a trigger key; and

determining whether to activate, deactivate or keep active a tool responsive to trigger key activation.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the determining is while no mouse buttons are activated.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the tool is a last used navigation tool.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the trigger key is one of cntrl+shift and Alt.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the determining comprises:

determining whether the tool is active;

when the tool is active, deactivating the tool when the key is held down for less than a threshold time;

when the tool is inactive, activating the tool and deactivating the tool when the key is held down for greater than a threshold time.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising activating a tool selection menu when an active tool is deactivated.

7. A method., comprising:

detecting activation of a trigger key; and

activating, deactivating or keeping a tool active responsive to the detection, comprising;

determining whether the last used tool is active;

determining whether to deactivate the last used tool when the last used tool is determined to be active comprising;

detecting release of the trigger key;

comparing a key hold down time to a threshold;

keeping the tool active when the hold down time is greater than the threshold; and

deactivating the active tool when the hold down time is not greater than the threshold;

determining whether to activate the last used tool when the last used tool is determined to be inactive comprising;

activating the last used tool;

detecting release of the trigger key;

comparing the key hold down time to the threshold;

keeping the tool active when the hold down time is not greater than the threshold; and

deactivating the active tool when the hold down time is greater than the threshold.

8. An apparatus, comprising:

a display; and

a computer detecting activation of a trigger key and determining whether to activate, deactivate or keep active a tool active on the display responsive to trigger key activation.

9. A computer readable storage for controlling a computer apparatus comprising a program detecting activation of a trigger key and determining whether to activate, deactivate or keep active a tool active on the display responsive to trigger key activation.

10. An apparatus, comprising:

a display showing a tool as active responsive to detecting activation of a trigger key and determining whether to activate, deactivate or keep active a tool active responsive to trigger key activation.