Three-dimensional object display system, three-dimensional object display method and recording medium recording a three-dimensional object display program

• US 20010050687A1
• Filed: 03/19/2001
• Published: 12/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: Iida, Kazue, Nakayama, Kenya
• Granted Patent: US 6,879,322 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/581
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/206 Drawing of charts or graphs

Abstract

A three-dimensional object display system for displaying a plurality of objects in an apparent three-dimensional space display according to a plurality of object attributes used as criteria for selecting one or more objects, the system including an object data storage unit that stores information corresponding to the plurality of object attributes and to display data for each object and a three-dimensional space data production unit that searches the object data storage unit, calculates coordinate values for three-dimensional space in which to position each object based on the plurality of object attribute values selected from among the object attributes for each object according to results of the search of the object data storage unit, and produces three-dimensional space data for displaying each object according to results of the calculation of the coordinate values for the three-dimensional space.

Claims

1. A three-dimensional object display system for displaying a plurality of objects in an apparent three-dimensional space display according to a plurality of object attributes used as criteria for selecting one or more objects, the system comprising:

an object data storage unit that stores information corresponding to the plurality of object attributes and to display data for each object; and

a three-dimensional space data production unit that searches the object data storage unit, calculates coordinate values for three-dimensional space in which to position each object based on the plurality of object attribute values selected from among the object attributes for each object according to results of the search of the object data storage unit, and produces three-dimensional space data for displaying each object according to results of the calculation of the coordinate values for the three-dimensional space.

2. The three-dimensional object display system as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein the three-dimensional space data production unit encloses each of the objects positioned in the apparent three-dimensional space display within a frame of a uniform size and further reduces and enlarges the frame and the objects enclosed therein depending on a distance of the three-dimensional space from a vantage point outside the three-dimensional space.

3. The three-dimensional object display system as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein the three-dimensional space data production unit disperses the positional coordinates of each object positioned within the apparent three-dimensional space display in a case in which such object data would otherwise be displayed in an overlapped state because the objects have identical or contiguous coordinates.

4. The three-dimensional object display system as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein the three-dimensional space data production unit comprises:

a dividing unit that divides the three-dimensional space into movable planes or solid spaces; and

a display unit that selects and highlights object data positioned within the divided planes or solid spaces.

5. A three-dimensional object display system comprising:

a server that provides object information, the server comprising;

an object data storage unit that stores information corresponding to the plurality of object attributes and to display data for each object; and

a three-dimensional space data production unit that searches the object data storage unit, positions the object data in three-dimensional space by matching values for three types of object attributes selected from among a plurality of object attributes stored in the object data storage unit for each object to each of three coordinate axes in three-dimensional space, and displays the object according to a predetermined vantage point; and

a client terminal that selects an object from the object information provided, the client comprising;

a notifying unit that selects the object attributes of a displayed object and notifies the server;

a receiving unit that receives the three-dimensional space data produced by the server; and

a vantage point changing unit that changes the vantage point with respect to the displayed three-dimensional space,

the server and the client terminal being connected to the system via a network.

6. A three-dimensional object display method for displaying a plurality of objects in an apparent three-dimensional space display according to a plurality of object attributes used as criteria for selecting one or more objects, the method comprising the steps of:

searching an object data storage unit that stores information corresponding to the plurality of object attributes and to display data for each object; and

producing three-dimensional space data for positioning each object by calculating coordinate values for the three-dimensional space in which to position each object based on the plurality of object attribute values selected from among the object attributes for each object according to results of the search of the object data storage unit so as to display each object according to results of the calculation of the coordinate values for the three-dimensional space.

7. A computer-readable medium storing program code for causing a computer to display a plurality of objects in an apparent three-dimensional space display according to a plurality of object attributes used as criteria for selecting one or more objects, the program comprising:

a first program code unit searching an object data storage unit that stores information corresponding to the plurality of object attributes and to display data for each object; and

a second program code unit for producing three-dimensional space data for positioning each object by calculating coordinate values for the three-dimensional space based on the plurality of object attribute values selected from among the object attributes for each object according to results of the search of the object data storage unit so as to display each object according to results of the calculation of the coordinate values for the three-dimensional space.

8. A computer-implemented method for causing a plurality of objects to be displayed in an apparent three-dimensional space display according to a plurality of object attributes used as criteria for selecting one or more objects, the method comprising the steps of:

searching an object data storage unit that stores information corresponding to the plurality of object attributes and to display data for each object; and

producing three-dimensional space data for positioning each object by calculating coordinate values for the three-dimensional space in which to position each object based on the plurality of object attribute values selected from among the object attributes for each object according to results of the search of the object data storage unit so as to display each object according to results of the calculation of the coordinate values for the three-dimensional space.

9. A computer specially configured by executing program code stored on a computer-readable medium for causing a plurality of objects to be displayed in an apparent three-dimensional space display according to a plurality of object attributes used as criteria for selecting one or more objects, the program comprising:

a first program code unit searching an object data storage unit that stores information corresponding to the plurality of object attributes and to display data for each object; and

a second program code unit for producing three-dimensional space data for positioning each object by calculating coordinate values for the three-dimensional space based on the plurality of object attribute values selected from among the object attributes for each object according to results of the search of the object data storage unit so as to display each object according to results of the calculation of the coordinate values for the three-dimensional space.