Swoop Navigation
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for navigating a virtual camera in a three dimensional environment, comprising:
- (A) determining a target in the three dimensional environment;
(B) determining a distance between a first location of a virtual camera and the target in the three dimensional environment;
(C) determining a reduced distance;
(D) determining a tilt according to the reduced distance; and
(E) positioning the virtual camera at a second location determined according to the tilt, the reduced distance and the target.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention relates to navigating in a three dimensional environment. In an embodiment, a target in the three dimensional environment is selected when a virtual camera is at a first location. A distance between the virtual camera and the target is determined. The distance is reduced, and a tilt is determined as a function of the reduced distance. A second location of the virtual camera is determined according to the tilt, the reduced distance, and the position of the target. Finally, the camera is oriented to face the target. In an example, the process repeats until the virtual camera is oriented parallel to the ground, and the distance is close to the target. In another example, the position of the target moves.
61 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for navigating a virtual camera in a three dimensional environment, comprising:
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(A) determining a target in the three dimensional environment; (B) determining a distance between a first location of a virtual camera and the target in the three dimensional environment; (C) determining a reduced distance; (D) determining a tilt according to the reduced distance; and (E) positioning the virtual camera at a second location determined according to the tilt, the reduced distance and the target. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for navigating a virtual camera in a three dimensional environment, comprising:
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a target module that determines a target in the three dimensional environment; a tilt calculator module that, when activated, determines a distance between a first location of a virtual camera and the target in the three dimensional environment, determines a reduced distance and determines a tilt as a function of the reduced distance; and a positioner module that, when activated, positions the virtual camera at a second location determined according to the tilt, the reduced distance, and the target; and a controller module that repeatedly activates the tilt calculator and the positioner module until the distance between the virtual camera and the target is below a threshold. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A computer-implemented method for navigating a virtual camera in a three dimensional environment, comprising:
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(A) determining a target in the three dimensional environment; (B) updating swoop parameters of the virtual camera, the swoop parameters including a tilt value relative to a vector directed upwards from the target, an azimuth value relative to the vector, and a distance value between the target and the virtual camera; and (C) positioning the virtual camera at a new location defined by the swoop parameters. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29)
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30. A system for navigating a virtual camera in a three dimensional environment, comprising:
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a target module that determines a target in the three dimensional environment; a tilt calculator module that updates swoop parameters of the virtual camera, the swoop parameters including a tilt value relative to a vector directed upwards from the target, an azimuth value relative to the vector, and a distance value between the target and the virtual camera; and a positioner module that positions the virtual camera at a new location defined by the swoop parameters.
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Specification