Two-dimensional emulation of three-dimensional trackball
First Claim
1. A method for rotating an object displayed in three-dimensional representation on a computer controlled video display system having a computer and a video display, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a reference circle;
providing a user actuated input controller for selectively positioning a reference indicator recognized by the computer;
signaling the computer to activate a control movement mode wherein the movement of the reference indicator in the control movement mode is for rotating the displayed object about an axis that is determined by the direction of the control movement of the reference indicator and the location of the control movement of the reference indicator relative to the reference circle;
moving the reference indicator in the control movement mode using the input controller by moving said input controller in two-dimensions to provide a defined movement; and
rotating the displayed object about any arbitrary axis in 3-dimensional space when said reference indicator is within said reference circle, said rotating being in accordance with the defined movement in the control movement mode.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A technique using a 2-dimensional input controller such as a mouse, a 2-D trackball, a joystick, a touch screen, a touch tablet or a digitizer for rotating an object displayed by a computer controlled video display system in 3-dimensional representation. A user visible reference circle is provided, and a pointer associated with the 2-D input controller is moved by the user relative to the reference circle in a control movement mode. Movement of the pointer within the reference circle produces rotation of the displayed object about arbitrary axes in 3-dimensional space, while movement of the pointer on or outside the reference circle produces rotation about a 3-dimensional axis that is oriented toward the viewer.
80 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for rotating an object displayed in three-dimensional representation on a computer controlled video display system having a computer and a video display, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a reference circle; providing a user actuated input controller for selectively positioning a reference indicator recognized by the computer; signaling the computer to activate a control movement mode wherein the movement of the reference indicator in the control movement mode is for rotating the displayed object about an axis that is determined by the direction of the control movement of the reference indicator and the location of the control movement of the reference indicator relative to the reference circle; moving the reference indicator in the control movement mode using the input controller by moving said input controller in two-dimensions to provide a defined movement; and rotating the displayed object about any arbitrary axis in 3-dimensional space when said reference indicator is within said reference circle, said rotating being in accordance with the defined movement in the control movement mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for rotating an object displayed in 3-dimensional representation on a computer controlled video display system having a computer and a video display, the method comprising the steps of:
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displaying a reference circle on the video display; providing a pointer control device for selectively positioning a pointer displayed on the video display; signaling the computer to activate a control movement mode wherein movement of the displayed pointer in the control movement mode is for rotating the displayed object about an axis that is determined by the direction of the control movement of the pointer and the location of the control movement of the pointer relative to the reference circle; moving the pointer in the control movement mode using the pointer control device; and rotating the displayed object in accordance with the movement of the pointer in the control movement mode. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for rotating an object displayed in three-dimensional representation on a computer controlled video display system having a computer and a video display, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a reference circle; providing a user actuated input controller for selectively positioning a reference indicator recognized by the computer; signalling the computer to activate a control movement mode wherein the movement of the reference indicator in the control movement mode is for rotating the displayed object about an axis that is determined by the direction of the control movement of the reference indicator and the location of the control movement of the reference indicator relative to the reference circle; moving the reference indicator in the control movement mode using the input controller by moving said input controller in two dimensions to provide a defined movement; and rotating the displayed object about any arbitrary axis in three-dimensional space when said reference indicator is within said reference circle, said rotating being in accordance with the defined movement in the control movement mode, wherein the rotation of the displayed object is defined solely by the direction of the movement of the reference indicator and the location of the control movement of the reference indicator relative to the reference circle, said arbitrary axis being user defined. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28)
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- 18. A method as in clam 14 wherein said input controller is a two-dimensional input controller, and wherein the reference circle is displayed on the video display.
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29. A method for rotating an object displayed in three-dimensional representation on a computer controlled video display system having a computer and a video display, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a reference circle; providing a user actuated input controller for selectively positioning a reference indicator recognized by the computer; signaling the computer to activate a control movement mode wherein the movement of the reference indicator in the control movement mode is for rotating the displayed object about an axis that is determined by the direction of the control movement of the reference indicator and the location of the control movement of the reference indicator relative to the reference circle; moving the reference indicator in two dimensions in the control movement mode to provide a defined movement; and rotating the displayed object about any arbitrary axis in 3-dimensional space when said reference indicator is within said reference circle, said rotating being in accordance with the defined movement in the control movement mode.
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30. A method for rotating an object displayed in three-dimensional representation on a computer controlled video display system having a computer and a video display, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a bounded reference region substantially resembling a circle; providing a user actuated input controller for selectively positioning a reference indicator recognized by the computer; signaling the computer to activate a control movement mode wherein the movement of the reference indicator in the control movement mode is for rotating the displayed object about an axis that is determined by the direction of the control movement of the reference indicator and the location of the control movement of the reference indicator relative to the bounded reference region; moving the reference indicator in the control movement mode using the input controller by moving said input controller in two dimensions to provide a defined movement; and rotating the displayed object about any arbitrary axis in three-dimensional space when said reference indicator is within said bounded reference region, said rotating being in accordance with the defined movement in the control movement mode, wherein the rotation of the displayed object is defined solely by the direction of the movement of the reference indicator and the location of the control movement of the reference indicator relative to said bounded reference region, said arbitrary axis being user defined.
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Specification