Navigation system for a 3D virtual scene

• US 20090083678A1
• 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, Khan, Azam, Matejka, Justin, Kurtenbach, Gord
• Granted Patent: US 9,280,257 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/858
• 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 cursor wrapping around the view id the 3D scene with continued motion of the cursor in the direction of movement by the user.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

determining whether a cursor has moved to an out-of-view position beyond a view boundary of a view of a three dimensional scene; and

positioning the cursor on an opposite side of the view from the out-of-view position in a new position and within the view.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the new position is axially aligned with the out-of-view position.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising continuing cursor motion from the new position in a same direction as cursor motion at the out-of-view position.

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

comparing x axis cursor position value to view width;

comparing x axis cursor position value to zero;

comparing y axis cursor position value to view height; and

comparing y axis cursor position value to zero.

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

setting x axis cursor position value to zero when the x axis cursor position value is greater than view width;

setting x axis cursor position value to view width when the x axis cursor position value is less than zero;

setting y axis cursor position value to zero when the y axis cursor position value is greater than view height; and

setting y axis cursor position value to view height when the x axis cursor position value is less than zero.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein auxiliary information moves with cursor.

7. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein a view boundary of a view of a three dimensional scene can be changed.

8. A method, comprising:

determining whether a cursor has moved to an out-of-view position beyond a view boundary of a view of a two dimensional scene; and

positioning the cursor on an opposite side of the view from the out-of-view position in a new position and within the view.

9. A method of three dimensional scene cursor wrapping, comprising:

wrapping a cursor around a view when the cursor moves beyond a boundary of the view of a three dimensional scene, comprising;

setting x axis cursor position value to zero when the x axis cursor position value is greater than view width;

setting x axis cursor position value to view width when the x axis cursor position value is less than zero;

setting y axis cursor position value to zero when the y axis cursor position value is greater than view height; and

setting y axis cursor position value to view height when the x axis cursor position value is less than zero.

10. An apparatus, comprising:

a display; and

a computer determining whether a cursor has moved to an out-of-view position beyond a view boundary of a view of a three dimensional scene on the display and positioning the cursor on an opposite side of the view from the out-of-view position in a new position and within the view.

11. A computer readable storage for controlling a computer apparatus, comprising:

a program determining whether a cursor has moved to an out-of-view position beyond a view boundary of a view of a three dimensional scene on the display and positioning the cursor on an opposite side of the view from the out-of-view position in a new position and within the view.

12. An apparatus, comprising:

a display showing positioning of a cursor on an opposite side of a view from an out-of-view position in a new position and within the view when it is determined that the cursor has moved to the out-of-view position beyond a view boundary of the view of a three dimensional scene on the display.