Avatar pointing mode
First Claim
1. A method of enabling precise interaction with one or more objects in a virtual reality (VR) space generated by a computer system comprising the steps of:
- receiving a user input from a first user to establish a pointing mode of an avatar representing the first user in the VR space;
displaying a visual indicator on the first user'"'"'s viewing device while the pointing mode is established, a location of the visual indicator being responsive to a pointing device of the first user;
moving the pointing device, by the first user, to cause the location of the visual indicator on the first user'"'"'s viewing device to refer to an object in the VR space; and
providing an image of a virtual pointing object in the VR space on at least one other viewing device, wherein the virtual pointing object points from the avatar representing the first user to the location referred to by the visual indicator.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of interacting with one or more objects in a virtual reality (VR) space. A user input establishes a pointing mode, whereupon a visual indicator, such as a pointer, is displayed on the user'"'"'s viewing device, and the visual indicator is moved on the viewing device to refer to an object in the VR space, in response to actuation of a pointing device such as a mouse, joystick or pen. An image of the user'"'"'s avatar may also be displayed in the VR space, and the avatar may have an appendage or pointing appliance to point to a target in the 3-D space. A user can point in this manner with high precision, as well as draw illustrations, etc. Other users (viewers) of the same VR space can see the first user'"'"'s avatar pointing to the target. Another viewer'"'"'s display can be dynamically adjusted to present an appropriate perspective of the VR space to show the target.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of enabling precise interaction with one or more objects in a virtual reality (VR) space generated by a computer system comprising the steps of:
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receiving a user input from a first user to establish a pointing mode of an avatar representing the first user in the VR space; displaying a visual indicator on the first user'"'"'s viewing device while the pointing mode is established, a location of the visual indicator being responsive to a pointing device of the first user; moving the pointing device, by the first user, to cause the location of the visual indicator on the first user'"'"'s viewing device to refer to an object in the VR space; and providing an image of a virtual pointing object in the VR space on at least one other viewing device, wherein the virtual pointing object points from the avatar representing the first user to the location referred to by the visual indicator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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8. A computer system comprising:
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a plurality of display devices; at least one pointing device usable by a first user of said system; at least one processor for carrying out program instructions, connected to a first one of said display devices and said pointing device; and a memory for storing program instructions, said program instructions comprising; means for generating a virtual reality (VR) space; means for receiving a user input from the first user to establish a pointing mode of an avatar representing the first user in the VR space; means for displaying a visual indicator on said first display device, a location of the visual indicator being responsive to the pointing device usable by the first user; means for moving the pointing device, by the first user, to cause the location of said visual indicator on said first display device to refer to an object in said VR space; and means for providing an image of a virtual pointing object in the VR space on at least one other of the plurality of display devices, wherein the virtual pointing object points from the avatar representing the first user to the location referred to by the visual indicator. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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19. A computer program product comprising:
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a storage medium adapted to be read by a computer; and program instructions stored on said storage medium, said program instructions comprising; computer-readable program code means for generating a virtual reality (VR) space; computer-readable program code means for receiving a user input from a first user to establish a pointing mode of an avatar representing the first user in the VR space; computer-readable program code means for displaying a visual indicator on a display device of the first user, a location of the visual indicator being responsive to a pointing device usable by the first user; computer-readable program code means for moving the pointing device, by the first user, to cause the location of the visual indicator on the display device of the first user to refer to an object in the VR space; and computer-readable program code means for providing an image of a virtual pointing object in the VR space on at least one other display device, wherein the virtual pointing object points from the avatar representing the first user to the location referred to by the visual indicator. - View Dependent Claims (18, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification