3-dimensional-model-processing apparatus, 3-dimensional-model processing method and program-providing medium

• US 6,992,666 B2
• Filed: 05/15/2001
• Issued: 01/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Abe, Yuichi, Segawa, Hiroyuki, Shioya, Hiroyuki, Hiraki, Norikazu
• Primary Examiner(s): Eisen, Alexander
• Assistant Examiner(s): Abdulselam, Abbas
• Application Number:
  US09/859,020
• Publication Number:
  US 20020008720A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,722 Days
• Field of Search: 345/158, 345/531, 345/419, 345/420, 345/157, 345/161, 345/473, 345/156, 345/51, 463/32, 463/31, 463/37, 463/38, 715/848, 700/97, 700/98, 700/182
• US Class Current: 345/419
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence

Abstract

Disclosed is a 3-dimensional model-processing apparatus capable of processing a 3-dimensional model appearing on a display unit including a sensor for generating information on the position and the posture, which can be controlled by the user arbitrarily, and control means for carrying out a grasp-state-setting process of taking a relation between the sensor-generated information on the position and the posture of the sensor and information on the position and the posture of the 3-dimensional model appearing on the display unit as a constraint relation on the basis of a relation between the 3-dimensional position of the 3-dimensional model appearing on the display unit and the 3-dimensional position of a tool appearing on the display unit for the sensor or on the basis of a relation between the 3-dimensional posture of the 3-dimensional model appearing on the display unit and the 3-dimensional posture of the tool appearing on the display unit for the sensor.

Claims

1. A 3-dimensional model-processing apparatus capable of processing a 3-dimensional model appearing on a display unit comprising:

a user controllable 3-dimensional sensor capable of generating information on a position and a posture of an appearance on the display unit; and

a controller having a grasp-state-setting process of taking a relation between said sensor-generated information on a position and a posture of said 3-dimensional sensor and information on a position and a posture of said 3-dimensional model appearing on said display unit as a constraint relation on the basis of one of (a) a relation between a 3-dimensional position of said 3-dimensional model appearing on said display unit and the 3-dimensional position of a 3-dimensional tool appearing for said 3-dimensional sensor on said display unit and (b) a relation between a 3-dimensional posture of said 3-dimensional model appearing on said display unit and a 3-dimensional posture of said 3-dimensional tool appearing for said 3-dimensional sensor on said display unit,

wherein said controller has a configuration for selecting a 3-dimensional model crossed by a straight optical beam generated in a specific direction by said tool appearing on said display unit and for carrying out said grasp-state-setting process on said selected 3-dimensional model.

2. A 3-dimensional model-processing apparatus capable of processing a 3-dimensional model appearing on a display unit comprising:

a user controllable 3-dimensional sensor capable of generating information on a position and a posture of an appearance on the display unit; and

a controller having a grasp-state-setting process of taking a relation between said sensor-generated information on a position and a posture of said 3-dimensional sensor and information on a position and a posture of said 3-dimensional model appearing on said display unit as a constraint relation on the basis of one of (a) a relation between a 3-dimensional position of said 3-dimensional model appearing on said display unit and the 3-dimensional position of a 3-dimensional tool appearing for said 3-dimensional sensor on said display unit and (b) a relation between a 3-dimensional posture of said 3-dimensional model appearing on said display unit and a 3-dimensional posture of said 3-dimensional tool appearing for said 3-dimensional sensor on said display unit,

wherein said controller has a configuration for selecting a 3-dimensional model hit by a flying object emanating in a specific direction from said tool appearing on said display unit and for carrying out said grasp-state-setting process on said selected 3-dimensional model.

3. A 3-dimensional model-processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said controller has a configuration which is used for executing control to display said flying object on said display unit as a flying object emanating from said tool appearing on said display unit along either a predetermined straight line or a predetermined curved line.

4. A 3-dimensional model-processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said controller has a configuration which is used for executing control to display said flying object stuck on a surface of a 3-dimensional model appearing on said display unit when said flying object hits said 3-dimensional model.

5. A 3-dimensional model-processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said controller has a configuration which is used for:

executing control to display said flying object stuck on a surface of a 3-dimensional model appearing on said display unit when said flying object hits said 3-dimensional model; and

carrying out processing to move said 3-dimensional model with said flying object stuck on said surface thereof to a position of said tool.

6. A 3-dimensional model-processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said controller has a configuration which is used for:

constraint relation on the basis of one of (a) a relation between a 3-dimensional position of said 3-dimensional model appearing on said display unit and the 3-dimensional position of a 3-dimensional tool appearing for said 3-dimensional sensor on said display unit and (b) a relation between a 3-dimensional posture of said 3-dimensional model appearing on said display unit and a 3-dimensional posture of said 3-dimensional tool appearing for said 3-dimensional sensor on said display unit;

wherein said controller has a configuration for executing control to display a specific 3-dimensional model subjected to said grasp-state-setting process by distinguishing said specific 3-dimensional model from other 3-dimensional models appearing on said display unit.

7. A 3-dimensional model-processing apparatus capable of processing a 3-dimensional model appearing on a display unit comprising:

a user controllable 3-dimensional sensor capable of generating information on a position and a posture of an appearance on the display unit; and

controller having a grasp-state-setting process of taking a relation between said sensor-generated information on a position and a posture of said 3-dimensional sensor and information on a position and a posture of said 3-dimensional model appearing on said display unit as a constraint relation on the basis of one of (a) a relation between a 3-dimensional position of said 3-dimensional model appearing on said display unit and the 3-dimensional position of a 3-dimensional tool appearing for said 3-dimensional sensor on said display unit and (b) a relation between a 3-dimensional posture of said 3-dimensional model appearing on said display unit and a 3-dimensional posture of said 3-dimensional tool appearing for said 3-dimensional sensor on said display unit,

wherein said controller has a configuration for identifying the area of a 3-dimensional model appearing on said display unit by recognizing a bounding-box area comprising said 3-dimensional model, an internal area of said 3-dimensional model or a bounding sphere displayed as a smallest sphere including said 3-dimensional model.

8. A 3-dimensional model-processing apparatus capable of processing a 3-dimensional model appearing on a display unit comprising:

a user controllable 3-dimensional sensor capable of generating information on a position and a posture of an appearance on the display unit; and

a controller having a grasp-state-setting process of taking a relation between said sensor-generated information on a position and a posture of said 3-dimensional sensor and information on a position and a posture of said 3-dimensional model appearing on said display unit as a

allowing a user to arbitrarily control information on a position and a posture of an appearance on the display unit, which is generated by a 3-dimensional sensor; and

carrying out a grasp-state-setting process of taking a relation between said sensor-generated information on a position and a posture of said 3-dimensional sensor and information on a position and a posture of said 3-dimensional model appearing on said display unit as a constraint relation on either the basis of a relation between a 3-dimensional position of said 3-dimensional model appearing on said display unit and the 3-dimensional position of a 3-dimensional tool appearing for said 3-dimensional sensor on said display unit or on the basis of a relation between a 3-dimensional posture of said 3-dimensional model appearing on said display unit and a 3-dimensional posture of said 3-dimensional tool appearing for said 3-dimensional sensor on said display unit,

wherein carrying out said grasp-state-setting process comprises;

selecting a 3-dimensional model hit by a flying object emanating in a specific direction from said tool appearing on said display unit; and

carrying out said grasp-state-setting process on said selected 3-dimensional model.

9. A 3-dimensional model-processing method capable of processing a 3-dimensional model appearing on a display unit comprising:

allowing a user to arbitrarily control information on a position and a posture of an appearance on the display unit, which is generated by a 3-dimensional sensor; and

carrying out a grasp-state-setting process of taking a relation between said sensor-generated information on a position and a posture of said 3-dimensional sensor and information on a position and a posture of said 3-dimensional model appearing on said display unit as a constraint relation on either the basis of a relation between a 3-dimensional position of said 3-dimensional model appearing on said display unit and the 3-dimensional position of a 3-dimensional tool appearing for said 3-dimensional sensor on said display unit or on the basis of a relation between a 3-dimensional posture of said 3-dimensional model appearing on said display unit and a 3-dimensional posture of said 3-dimensional tool appearing for said 3-dimensional sensor on said display unit,

wherein carrying out said grasp-state-setting process comprises;

selecting a 3-dimensional model crossed by a straight optical beam generated in a specific direction by said tool appearing on said display unit; and

carrying out said grasp-state-setting process on said selected 3-dimensional model.

10. A 3-dimensional model-processing method capable of processing a 3-dimensional model appearing on a display unit comprising:

executing control to display said flying object stuck on a surface of a 3-dimensional model appearing on said display unit when said flying object hits said 3-dimensional model; and

carrying out processing to return said flying object from a stuck position on said surface of said 3-dimensional model to a position of said tool when a cancel input is received by said 3-dimensional sensor provided in advance.

11. A 3-dimensional model-processing method according to claim 10, wherein at carrying out said grasp-state-setting process, control is executed to display said flying object on said display unit as a flying object emanating from said tool appearing on said display unit along either a predetermined straight line or a predetermined curved line appearing on said display unit.

12. A 3-dimensional model-processing method according to claim 10, wherein at carrying out said grasp-state-setting process control is executed to display said flying object stuck on a surface of a 3-dimensional model appearing on said display unit when said flying object hits said 3-dimensional model.

13. A 3-dimensional model-processing method according to claim 10, wherein carrying out said grasp-state-setting process comprises:

executing control to display said flying object stuck on a surface of a 3-dimensional model appearing on said display unit when said flying object hits said 3-dimensional model; and

carrying out processing to move said 3-dimensional model with said flying object stuck on said surface thereof to a position of said tool.

14. A 3-dimensional model-processing method according to claim 10, wherein carrying out said grasp-state-setting process comprises:

executing control to display said flying object stuck on a surface of a 3-dimensional model appearing on said display unit when said flying object hits said 3-dimensional model; and

carrying out processing to return said flying object from a stuck position on said surface of said 3-dimensional model to a position of said tool when a cancel input is received by said 3-dimensional sensor provided in advance.

15. A 3-dimensional model-processing method capable of processing a 3-dimensional model appearing on a display unit comprising:

allowing a user to arbitrarily control information on a position and a posture of an appearance on the display unit, which is generated by a 3-dimensional sensor; and

carrying out a grasp-state-setting process of taking a relation between said sensor-generated information on a position and a posture of said 3-dimensional sensor and information on a position and a posture of said 3-dimensional model appearing on said display unit as a constraint relation on either the basis of a relation between a 3-dimensional position of said 3-dimensional model appearing on said display unit and the 3-dimensional position of a 3-dimensional tool appearing for said 3-dimensional sensor on said display unit or on the basis of a relation between a 3-dimensional posture of said 3-dimensional model appearing on said display unit and a 3-dimensional posture of said 3-dimensional tool appearing for said 3-dimensional sensor on said display unit,

wherein at carrying out said grasp-state-setting process the area of a 3-dimensional model appearing on said display unit is identified by recognizing a bounding-box area comprising one of said 3-dimensional model, an internal area of said 3-dimensional model and a bounding sphere displayed as a smallest sphere including said 3-dimensional model.

16. A 3-dimensional model-processing method capable of processing a 3-dimensional model appearing on a display unit comprising:

allowing a user to arbitrarily control information on a position and a posture of an appearance on the display unit, which is generated by a 3-dimensional sensor; and

carrying out a grasp-state-setting process of taking a relation between said sensor-generated information on a position and a posture of said 3-dimensional sensor and information on a position and a posture of said 3-dimensional model appearing on said display unit as a constraint relation on either the basis of a relation between a 3-dimensional position of said 3-dimensional model appearing on said display unit and the 3-dimensional position of a 3-dimensional tool appearing for said 3-dimensional sensor on said display unit or on the basis of a relation between a 3-dimensional posture of said 3-dimensional model appearing on said display unit and a 3-dimensional posture of said 3-dimensional tool appearing for said 3-dimensional sensor on said display unit,

wherein at carrying out said grasp-state-setting process control is executed to display a specific 3-dimensional model subjected to said grasp-state-setting process by distinguishing said specific 3-dimensional model from other 3-dimensional models appearing on said display unit.