Systems and methods to transition between viewpoints in a three-dimensional environment
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for transitioning between viewpoints in a three-dimensional environment, the method comprising:
- obtaining, by one or more computing devices, data indicative of an origin position and a destination position of a virtual camera in the three-dimensional environment, wherein a viewpoint of the virtual camera defines a portion of the three-dimensional environment displayed to a user, and wherein a visible distance is associated with the viewpoint of the camera, the visible distance correlated to a size of a visible area visible from the viewpoint;
determining, by the one or more computing devices, a distance between the origin position and the destination position of the virtual camera;
determining, by the one or more computing devices based at least in part on the distance between the origin position and the destination position of the virtual camera, a peak visible distance that is descriptive of a size of a peak visible area;
identifying, by the one or more computing devices, a peak position at which the viewpoint of the virtual camera corresponds to the peak visible distance, the peak position including a peak altitude;
determining, by the one or more computing devices, a parabolic camera trajectory that traverses the origin position, the peak position, and the destination position; and
transitioning, by the one or more computing devices, the virtual camera from the origin position to the destination position along the parabolic camera trajectory.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods to transition between viewpoints in a three-dimensional environment are provided. One example method includes obtaining data indicative of an origin position and a destination position of a virtual camera. The method includes determining a distance between the origin position and the destination position of the virtual camera. The method includes determining a peak visible distance based at least in part on the distance between the origin position and the destination position of the virtual camera. The method includes identifying a peak position at which the viewpoint of the virtual camera corresponds to the peak visible distance. The method includes determining a parabolic camera trajectory that traverses the origin position, the peak position, and the destination position. The method includes transitioning the virtual camera from the origin position to the destination position along the parabolic camera trajectory. An example system includes a user computing device and a geographic information system.
57 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for transitioning between viewpoints in a three-dimensional environment, the method comprising:
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obtaining, by one or more computing devices, data indicative of an origin position and a destination position of a virtual camera in the three-dimensional environment, wherein a viewpoint of the virtual camera defines a portion of the three-dimensional environment displayed to a user, and wherein a visible distance is associated with the viewpoint of the camera, the visible distance correlated to a size of a visible area visible from the viewpoint; determining, by the one or more computing devices, a distance between the origin position and the destination position of the virtual camera; determining, by the one or more computing devices based at least in part on the distance between the origin position and the destination position of the virtual camera, a peak visible distance that is descriptive of a size of a peak visible area; identifying, by the one or more computing devices, a peak position at which the viewpoint of the virtual camera corresponds to the peak visible distance, the peak position including a peak altitude; determining, by the one or more computing devices, a parabolic camera trajectory that traverses the origin position, the peak position, and the destination position; and transitioning, by the one or more computing devices, the virtual camera from the origin position to the destination position along the parabolic camera trajectory. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A computer system to transition between viewpoints in a three-dimensional environment, the system comprising:
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at least one processor; and at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor cause the computer system to; obtain data indicative of an origin position and a destination position of a virtual camera in the three-dimensional environment, wherein a viewpoint of the virtual camera defines a portion of the three-dimensional environment displayed to a user; determine a distance between the origin position and the destination position of the virtual camera; determine, based at least in part on the distance between the origin position and the destination position of the virtual camera, a peak visible distance that is descriptive of a size of a peak visible area; identify a peak position at which the viewpoint of the virtual camera corresponds to the peak visible distance, the peak position including a peak altitude; identify a parabolic camera trajectory that traverses the origin position the peak position, and the destination position, wherein the parabolic camera trajectory includes a camera ascent portion and a camera descent portion; and transition the virtual camera from the origin position to the destination position along the parabolic camera trajectory. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A computer system, comprising:
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a user computing device; and a geographic information system server; wherein at least one of the user computing device and the geographic information server comprise a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors cause the at least one of the user computing device and the geographic information server to; obtain data indicative of an origin position and a destination position of a virtual camera in the three-dimensional environment, wherein a viewpoint of the virtual camera defines a portion of the three-dimensional environment displayed to a user, and wherein a visible distance is associated with the viewpoint of the camera, the visible distance correlated to a size of a visible area visible from the viewpoint; determine a distance between the origin position and the destination position of the virtual camera; determine, based at least in part on the distance between the origin position and the destination position of the virtual camera, a peak visible distance that is descriptive of a size of a peak visible area; identify a peak position at which the viewpoint of the virtual camera corresponds to the peak visible distance, the peak position including a peak altitude; identify a parabolic camera trajectory that traverses the origin position, the peak position, and the destination position; and transition the virtual camera from the origin position to the destination position along the parabolic camera trajectory. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification