Method and system for providing preferred face views of objects in a three-dimensional (3D) environment in a display in a computer system

• US 5,973,697 A
• Filed: 01/27/1997
• Issued: 10/26/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Berry, Richard Edmond, Roberts, David John, Isensee, Scott Harlan, Mullaly, John Martin, Bardon, Didier Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Phu K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vo, Cliff N.
• Application Number:
  US08/789,345
• Time in Patent Office: 1,002 Days
• Field of Search: 345/419, 345/420, 345/418, 345/429
• US Class Current: 345/418
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/10 Geometric effects

Abstract

A system and method for utilizing face viewpoints of objects in a 3D environment includes three aspects. In a first aspect, the system and method is directed to defining a plurality of optimized viewpoints of an object referred to hereinafter as face viewpoints. In a second aspect a method and system is disclosed that provides for a preferred face viewpoint of the plurality of face viewpoints. Finally, the third aspect provides for a system and method for determining a navigation path to the preferred face viewpoint.

Claims

1. A method for providing an optimized face viewpoint of an object in a three-dimensional environment on a display in a computer system, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a plurality of defined face viewpoints for an object, the face viewpoints being optimized viewpoints of the object;

(b) calculating a path to a preferred face viewpoint; and

(c) moving a user viewpoint to the preferred face viewpoint.

2. The method of claim 1 in which the providing step (a) further comprises the steps of:

(a1) determining if the user has selected direct navigation to the object;

(a2) determining if a preferred face viewpoint is defined for the object if direct navigation is selected; and

(a3) proceeding to step (b) if the preferred face viewpoint is defined for the object.

3. A method for providing an optimized face viewpoint of an object in a three dimensional environment on a display in a computer system, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a plurality of defined face viewpoints for an object, the face viewpoints being optimized viewpoints for the object;

(b) calculating a path to each of a plurality of face viewpoints of the object;

(c) determining a path to the closest face viewpoint of the object; and

(d) moving a user viewpoint to the closest face viewpoint of the object.

4. The method of claim 3 in which the providing step (a) further includes the steps of:

(a1) determining if the user has selected direct navigation to the object;

(a2) determining if a preferred face viewpoint is defined for the object if direct navigation is selected; and

(a3) proceeding to step (b) if the preferred face viewpoint is not defined for the object.

5. A system for providing an optimized face viewpoint of an object in a three-dimensional environment on a display in a computer system, the system comprising:

means for providing a plurality of defined face viewpoints for an object the face viewpoints being optimized viewpoints of the object;

means for calculating a path to a preferred face viewpoint; and

means for moving a user viewpoint to the preferred face viewpoint.

6. The system of claim 5 in which the providing means further comprises:

means for determining if the user has selected direct navigation to the object;

means for determining if a preferred face viewpoint is defined for the object if direct navigation is selected; and

means for proceeding to calculate a path to the preferred face viewpoint if the preferred face viewpoint is defined for the object.

7. A system for providing an optimized face viewpoint of an object in a three dimensional environment on a display in a computer system, the system comprising:

means for providing a plurality of defined face viewpoints for an object the face viewpoints being optimized viewpoints of the object;

means for calculating a path to each of a plurality of face viewpoints of the object;

means for determining a path to the closest face viewpoint of the object; and

means for moving a user viewpoint to the closest face viewpoint of the object.

8. The system of claim 7 in which the providing means further includes:

means for determining if the user has selected direct navigation to the object;

means for determining if a preferred face viewpoint is defined for the object if direct navigation is selected; and

means for proceeding to calculate a path to the preferred face viewpoint if the preferred face viewpoint is not defined for the object.