Automatic pointer positioning for 3D computer modeling
First Claim
1. In a computer graphics modeling system, a method of accurately positioning a three dimensional pointer on a point of a three dimensional object shown on a display, the method comprising the following steps:
- monitoring the position of a three dimensional pointer arbitrarily movable in two dimensions across the screen of the display;
receiving a signal from a user indicating that the pointer is two dimensionally coincident with a two dimensional projected view of a geometric point of the three dimensional object;
responsive to the signal, determining a third dimensional position of the geometric point; and
moving the pointer to the three dimensional position of the geometric point.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In a computer graphics modeling system, a method for accurately positioning a cursor on a geometric point of a three dimensional object (such as an object vertex) shown in a two dimensional projected view. The system monitors the position of a movable pointer on a two dimensional projected view of the three dimensional object. When the user desires to accurately position the cursor on the object, the user signals the system via an input device or other means. The system receives the signal, which indicates that the pointer is preliminarily aligned with a geometric point on the object. In response to the signal, the system determines the position of a nearest geometric point to the pointer and moves the pointer to the spatial coordinates of the point'"'"'s position. To aid in identifying geometric points, they are visibly different in the projected view from non-geometric points. In another embodiment, the cursor is positioned in three dimensions by computing the coordinates of a three dimensional point on an object surface which coincides in two dimensions with the coordinates of the pointer. The three dimensional coordinates of the pointer are then reset to the three dimensional coordinates of the object point.
31 Citations
9 Claims
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1. In a computer graphics modeling system, a method of accurately positioning a three dimensional pointer on a point of a three dimensional object shown on a display, the method comprising the following steps:
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monitoring the position of a three dimensional pointer arbitrarily movable in two dimensions across the screen of the display; receiving a signal from a user indicating that the pointer is two dimensionally coincident with a two dimensional projected view of a geometric point of the three dimensional object; responsive to the signal, determining a third dimensional position of the geometric point; and moving the pointer to the three dimensional position of the geometric point. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A computer graphics modeling system for accurately positioning a three dimensional pointer on a point of a three dimensional object shown on a display, comprising:
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means for monitoring the position of a three dimensional pointer arbitrarily movable in two dimensions across the screen of the display; means for receiving a signal from a user indicating that the pointer is two dimensionally coincident with a two dimensional projected view of a geometric point of the three dimensional object; means responsive to the signal for determining a third dimensional position of the geometric point; and means for moving the pointer to the three dimensional position of the geometric point.
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Specification