Control of vehicles in three dimensional space
First Claim
1. One or more tangible computer readable media storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by a data processing device, cause a system to perform:
- graphically rendering a virtual environment using a physics engine;
simulating a vehicle within the virtual environment using the physics engine;
while maintaining the vehicle in a first directional heading, receiving user input identifying a second directional heading;
pivoting a camera angle about the vehicle to the second directional heading;
causing the vehicle to alter course from the first directional heading to the second directional heading; and
maintaining the camera angle at the second directional heading while graphically rendering rotation of the vehicle as the vehicle alters course to the second directional heading.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems for controlling vehicles within graphically simulated environments are described herein. A video game such as a vehicle-based combat game may have vehicles (such as airplanes) operating in a simulated three dimensional space. In a destination based control mode, users may partially control vehicles using two-dimensional input devices by inputting a new destination for the vehicle to go to, and the game'"'"'s control logic may then automatically calculate how to control the vehicle toward the new heading. Fight and assault (bombing) control sub-modes may be provided. In addition, in an immediate control mode, a user may provide input that indicates a direction and speed of rotation, to provide more direct control of a vehicles control systems and/or control surfaces.
8 Citations
21 Claims
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1. One or more tangible computer readable media storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by a data processing device, cause a system to perform:
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graphically rendering a virtual environment using a physics engine; simulating a vehicle within the virtual environment using the physics engine; while maintaining the vehicle in a first directional heading, receiving user input identifying a second directional heading; pivoting a camera angle about the vehicle to the second directional heading; causing the vehicle to alter course from the first directional heading to the second directional heading; and maintaining the camera angle at the second directional heading while graphically rendering rotation of the vehicle as the vehicle alters course to the second directional heading. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method comprising:
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graphically rendering a virtual environment for output to a display screen using a physics engine executing on a computing device; simulating a vehicle within the virtual environment using the physics engine; while maintaining the vehicle in a first directional heading, receiving user input identifying a second directional heading; pivoting a camera angle about the vehicle to the second directional heading; causing the vehicle to alter course from the first directional heading to the second directional heading; and maintaining the camera angle at the second directional heading while graphically rendering rotation of the vehicle as the vehicle alters course to the second directional heading. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus, comprising:
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a processor; and memory storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, configure the apparatus to perform; graphically rendering a virtual environment using a physics engine; simulating a vehicle within the virtual environment using the physics engine; while maintaining the vehicle in a first directional heading, receiving user input identifying a second directional heading; pivoting a camera angle about the vehicle to the second directional heading; causing the vehicle to alter course from the first directional heading to the second directional heading; and maintaining the camera angle at the second directional heading while graphically rendering rotation of the vehicle as the vehicle alters course to the second directional heading. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification