Viewer interactive three-dimensional objects and two-dimensional images in virtual three-dimensional workspace

• US 6,734,884 B1
• Filed: 04/04/1997
• Issued: 05/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Activision Publishing Incorporated (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Berry, Richard Edmond, Isensee, Scott Harlan
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Cao (Kevin)
• Application Number:
  US08/826,618
• Time in Patent Office: 2,594 Days
• Field of Search: 345/848, 345/853, 345/762, 345/765, 345/744, 345/854, 345/863
• US Class Current: 715/848
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/205 Image-based rendering
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/003 Navigation within 3D models or images

Abstract

A system, method and computer program are provided for a virtual three-dimensional workspace wherein certain three-dimensional objects represent or serve as proxies for a variety of user interactive application programs. Such objects may be selected or triggered by the user to bring forth planar two-dimensional interactive user interfaces having images resembling those of their respective representative 3D objects so that a user may intuitively note the resemblance and select the appropriate object to result in the planar two-dimensional interactive interface appearing in front of the three-dimensional workspace. This two-dimensional planar interface remains active and unaffected by changes to its representative three-dimensional object during the course of navigation or otherwise.

Claims

1. A data processor controlled display system for displaying a virtual three-dimensional workspace comprising:

means for displaying a plurality of virtual three-dimensional objects in said workspace;

means for storing for each of said virtual objects, at least one planar two-dimensional image of said virtual object;

user interactive means for selecting one of said virtual objects;

means responsive to said selecting means for displaying the two-dimensional image of said selected object;

user interface means for navigating away from said selected virtual object within said three-dimensional workspace, and

means for user interactive input to said displayed two-dimensional image, said input means remaining interactive after the user has navigated away from said selected virtual object.

2. A data processor implemented method for displaying a virtual three-dimensional workspace comprising:

displaying a plurality of virtual three-dimensional objects in said virtual workspace;

storing for each of said virtual objects, at least one planar two-dimensional image of said virtual object;

user interactively selecting one of said virtual objects;

displaying the two-dimensional image of said selected object in response to said user selection;

navigating away from said selected virtual object within said three-dimensional workspace; and

user interactively inputting to said displayed two-dimensional image after the user has navigated away from said selected virtual object.

3. A computer readable program having data structures included on a computer readable medium which causes the display on a data processor controlled display of a virtual three-dimensional workspace comprising:

means for displaying a plurality of virtual three-dimensional objects in said workspace;

means for storing for each of said virtual objects, at least one planar two-dimensional image of said virtual object;

user interactive means for selecting one of said virtual objects;

means responsive to said selecting means for displaying the two-dimensional image of said selected object;

user interface means for navigating away from said selected virtual object within said three-dimensional workspace, and

means for user interactive input to said displayed two-dimensional image, said input means remaining interactive after the user has navigated away from said selected virtual object.