Graphic data generating apparatus, graphic data generation method, and medium of the same

• US 6,518,989 B1
• Filed: 09/24/1998
• Issued: 02/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Ishikawa, Masayuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Kincaid, Kristine
• Assistant Examiner(s): JOSEPH, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US09/155,282
• Time in Patent Office: 1,601 Days
• Field of Search: 345/333, 345/334, 345/339, 345/352, 345/420, 345/355, 345/356, 345/357, 345/759, 345/754, 345/765, 345/764, 345/769, 345/810, 345/814, 345/848, 345/850-855, 345/706, 345/787, 345/763, 345/757, 345/753, 345/751, 345/733, 345/849, 707/501, 707/513
• US Class Current: 715/848
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/00 Manipulating 3D models or images for computer graphics
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2210/61 Scene description

Abstract

Mismatch of types of input and output data are prevented when forming a routing operation to establish correspondence between nodes building a three-dimensional virtual space. In editing work, if a user sets a type of output data of field values of nodes on the output side, a routing editing tool lists the nodes which may receive that output data in one view. When the user selects one of the displayed nodes and tries to select names of fields of the selected node, the routing editing tool lists in the view only the names of fields of the type of input data which the field values of the selected node can receive. The routing editing tool thereby generates routing text described so as to allow transfer of an event between fields of nodes matching with the data type selected by the user.

Claims

1. A method for editing data used in creating a three-dimensional virtual reality environment, which data comprise routing information for events to be transferred between nodes, the method comprising:

a first step of extracting selectable node names or field names of an event output portion of a route window opened on a screen of a display device and displaying the node names or field names in a single view;

a second step of displaying the node names and field names of an event output portion of the route window selected by a first selection operation from the single view;

a third step of extracting selectable node names of an event input portion of the route window and displaying the same in a single view;

a fourth step of extracting only the selectable field names of an event input portion and not extracting field names that are not the selectable field names of the event input portion, in response to a second selection operation for display of a node name of the event input portion selected from the single view and field names of the node name of the event input portion and displaying the same in a single view;

a fifth step of displaying field names of the node of the event input portion selected by a third selection operation from the single view; and

a sixth step of generating a routing text corresponding to the selected names of the nodes and names of the fields for transfer of the event.

2. A graphic data generating method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a step of referring to a data type preset for the selected field name for the display between the second step and the third step.

3. A graphic data generating method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

selecting routing information in a window of the display device; and

deleting the routing information.

4. A graphic data generating method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the steps are performed by a user'"'"'s interaction with information displayed on the display device.

5. A graphic data generating apparatus for editing data used in creating a three-dimensional virtual reality environment, which data comprise routing information for events to be transferred between nodes, the apparatus comprising:

display processing means for displaying a three-dimensional object in an editing window of a display device;

operation instructing means for giving a routing operation instruction for an object displayed on the display device; and

route-editing means for route-editing for content in accordance with the instruction from the operation instructing means, wherein the route-editing means comprises means for;

extracting selectable node names or field names of an event output portion of a route window opened on a screen of the display device and displaying the selectable node names or field names in a single view;

displaying the node names and field names of an event output portion selected by a first selection operation from the single view;

extracting selectable node names of an event input portion and displaying the selectable node names in a single view;

extracting only the selectable field names of an event input portion and not extracting field names that are not the selectable field names of the event input portion, in response to a second selection operation for display of a node name of the event input portions selected from the single view and field names of the node name of the event input portion and displaying the field names in a single view;

displaying field names of the node of the event input portion selected by a third selection operation from the single view; and

generating routing text corresponding to the selected names of the nodes and names of the fields for transfer of the event.

6. A graphic data generating apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein the route-editing means refers to a data type preset for the selected field name for the display after displaying the node names and field names of the event output portion selected by the first selection operation from the single view and before extracting selectable node names of the event input portion and displaying the selectable node names in the single view.

7. An information providing medium for providing a program executing a graphic data generating method for editing data used in creating a three-dimensional virtual reality environment, which data comprise routing information for events to be transferred between nodes, the program comprising:

a first step of extracting selectable node names or field names of an event output portion of a route window opened on a screen of a display device and displaying the node names or field names in a single view;

a second step of displaying the node names and field names of an event output portion of the route window selected by a first selection operation from the single view;

a third step of extracting selectable node names of an event input portion of the route window and displaying the same in a single view;

a fourth step of extracting only the selectable field names of an event input portion and not extracting field names that are not selectable field names of the event input portion, in response to a second selection operation for display of a node name of the event input portion selected from the single view and field names of the node name of the event input portion and displaying the same in a single view;

a fifth step of displaying field names of the node of the event input portion selected by a third selection operation from the single view; and

a sixth step of generating a routing text corresponding to the selected names of the nodes and names of the fields for transfer of the event.

8. An information-providing medium as set forth in claim 7, wherein the program further comprises a step of referring to a data type preset for the selected field name for the display between the second step and the third step.

10. An information-providing medium as set forth in claim 7, wherein the route-editing processing is performed by a user'"'"'s interaction with information displayed on the display device.

11. An information-providing medium as set forth in claim 7, wherein the program is provided in a computer system.

12. An information-providing medium as set forth in claim 7, wherein the program is transferred over a network including a server apparatus.

9. A graphic data generating apparatus for editing data used in creating a three-dimensional virtual reality environment, which data comprise routing information for events to be transferred between nodes, the graphic data generating apparatus comprising:

display processing means for displaying a three-dimensional object in an editing window of a display device;

operation instructing means for giving a routing operation instruction for an object displayed on the display device;

node preparing means for preparing a node generating an event to be generated in response to an operation instruction from the operation instructing means to an object displayed on the display device;

data type describing means for describing a type of data to be transferred between the object and the node; and

routing means for routing which establishes a correspondence between the object and the node compatible with the described type of data.