Systems and methods for sculpting virtual objects in a haptic virtual reality environment
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for modifying a virtual object in a haptic virtual environment, the apparatus comprising:
- a memory for storing code that defines a set of instructions; and
a processor for executing the set of instructions to;
(a) generate a virtual object in a haptic virtual environment;
(b) determine a position of a virtual tool in the haptic virtual environment corresponding to a location of a user in real space;
(c) modify the virtual object according to a movement of the user in real space;
(d) determine a force feedback according to the position of the virtual tool in relation to the virtual object;
(e) send the force feedback to the user through a haptic interface device; and
(f) update the force feedback according to the movement of the user in real space, wherein the code comprises instructions to modify the virtual object at a slower rate than updating the force feedback.
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Abstract
A user of a virtual object or computer model uses a haptic interface device in the real world to manipulate a virtual tool in a virtual environment to interact and modify the virtual object. The user uses the virtual tool in a sculpting mode to modify the shape of the virtual object by adding, removing, or modifying the material of the object. The user feels an interaction force from the virtual tool as it interacts with and modifies the virtual object. The designer can set geometric constraints, such as a constraint point, constraint line, or constraint surface, to limit or guide the movement of the virtual tool.
275 Citations
27 Claims
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1. An apparatus for modifying a virtual object in a haptic virtual environment, the apparatus comprising:
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a memory for storing code that defines a set of instructions; and a processor for executing the set of instructions to; (a) generate a virtual object in a haptic virtual environment; (b) determine a position of a virtual tool in the haptic virtual environment corresponding to a location of a user in real space; (c) modify the virtual object according to a movement of the user in real space; (d) determine a force feedback according to the position of the virtual tool in relation to the virtual object; (e) send the force feedback to the user through a haptic interface device; and (f) update the force feedback according to the movement of the user in real space, wherein the code comprises instructions to modify the virtual object at a slower rate than updating the force feedback. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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11. An apparatus for smoothing a region of a virtual object in a haptic virtual environment, the apparatus comprising:
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a memory for storing code that defines a set of instructions; and a processor for executing the set of instructions to; (a) generate a virtual object in a haptic virtual environment; (b) determine a position of a virtual tool in the haptic virtual environment in response to a location of a user in real space; (c) determine a force feedback according to the position of the virtual tool in relation to the virtual object; (d) send the force feedback to the user through a haptic interface device; (e) update the force feedback according to a movement of the user in real space; (f) select a region of the virtual object according to a movement of the virtual tool; and (g) smooth the selected region of the virtual object without substantially changing the shape of the virtual object. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. An apparatus for modifying a virtual object in a haptic virtual environment, the apparatus comprising:
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a haptic interface device for sensing a user control of a virtual sanding tool; a memory for storing code that defines a set of instructions; and a processor for executing the set of instructions to; (a) generate a virtual object in a haptic virtual environment; and (b) modify the virtual object based at least in part on the user control of the virtual sanding tool. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification