Constrained virtual camera control
First Claim
1. A system for manipulating one object relative to another object in a computer generated environment comprising:
- a selection device for selecting an object in a computer-generated environment, wherein an object ray is defined as extending at least between a position of the object and a current camera position of a virtual camera;
a navigation device separate from the selection device and configured for manipulation of the virtual camera in the computer-generated environment to define a desired perspective for the virtual camera; and
a camera control system for (i) translating the virtual camera in the computer-generated environment in response to the manipulation, (ii) defining, in response to the translation, a desired ray in the computer-generated environment, the desired ray defined so that the position lies on the desired ray, and so that the desired ray corresponds to the desired perspective, and (iii) adjusting the virtual camera, in response to defining the desired ray, so that the object ray aligns with the desired ray, the adjustment placing the virtual camera in a second camera position.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method is described that includes receiving, from a first device, input used to select a first object in a computer-generated environment. The first device has at least two degrees of freedom with which to control the selection of the first object. The method also includes removing, in response to the selection of the first object, at least two degrees of freedom previously available to a second device used to manipulating a second object in the computer-generated environment. The removed degrees of freedom correspond to the at least two degrees of freedom of the first device and specify an orientation of the second object relative to the selected first object. Additionally, the method includes receiving, from the second device, input including movements within the reduced degrees of freedom used to manipulate a position of the second object while maintaining the specified orientation relative to the selected first object.
14 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A system for manipulating one object relative to another object in a computer generated environment comprising:
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a selection device for selecting an object in a computer-generated environment, wherein an object ray is defined as extending at least between a position of the object and a current camera position of a virtual camera; a navigation device separate from the selection device and configured for manipulation of the virtual camera in the computer-generated environment to define a desired perspective for the virtual camera; and a camera control system for (i) translating the virtual camera in the computer-generated environment in response to the manipulation, (ii) defining, in response to the translation, a desired ray in the computer-generated environment, the desired ray defined so that the position lies on the desired ray, and so that the desired ray corresponds to the desired perspective, and (iii) adjusting the virtual camera, in response to defining the desired ray, so that the object ray aligns with the desired ray, the adjustment placing the virtual camera in a second camera position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for manipulating a virtual camera with regard to an object in a computer-generated environment using at least one device, the method comprising:
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displaying a view of the computer-generated environment that includes the object at a position, the view generated using the virtual camera at a first camera position in the computer-generated environment; defining an object ray in the computer-generated environment, the object ray extending at least between the position and a current camera position; receiving input corresponding to (i) user selection of the object in the computer-generated environment using the at least one pointing device, and (ii) a user dragging motion with the at least one pointing device during the user selection, the user dragging motion defining a desired perspective for the virtual camera; translating the virtual camera in the computer-generated environment in response to the input; defining, in response to the translation, a desired ray in the computer-generated environment, the desired ray defined so that the position lies on the desired ray, and so that the desired ray corresponds to the desired perspective; adjusting the virtual camera, in response to defining the desired ray, so that the object ray aligns with the desired ray, the adjustment placing the virtual camera in a second camera position; and displaying an updated view of the computer-generated environment that includes the object at the position, the view generated using the virtual camera having the second camera position in the computer-generated environment. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A computer program product tangibly embodied in a non-transitory machine-readable storage device, the computer program product including instructions that, when executed, perform a method for manipulating a virtual camera with regard to an object in a computer-generated environment using a pointing device, the method comprising:
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displaying a view of the computer-generated environment that includes the object at a position, the view generated using the virtual camera at a first camera position in the computer-generated environment; defining an object ray in the computer-generated environment, the object ray extending at least between the position and a current camera position; receiving input corresponding to (i) user selection of the object in the computer-generated environment using the at least one pointing device, and (ii) a user dragging motion with the at least one pointing device during the user selection, the user dragging motion defining a desired perspective for the virtual camera; translating the virtual camera in the computer-generated environment in response to the input; defining, in response to the translation, a desired ray in the computer-generated environment, the desired ray defined so that the position lies on the desired ray, and so that the desired ray corresponds to the desired perspective; adjusting the virtual camera, in response to defining the desired ray, so that the object ray aligns with the desired ray, the adjustment placing the virtual camera in a second camera position; and displaying an updated view of the computer-generated environment that includes the object at the position, the view generated using the virtual camera having the second camera position in the computer-generated environment.
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Specification