US5903271A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Facilitating viewer interaction with three-dimensional objects and two-dimensional images in virtual three-dimensional workspace by drag and drop technique
Assignee: Activision Publishing Inc
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Filing: 1997-05-23
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Granted: 1999-05-11
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Expires: 2017-05-23
Abstract
Abstract A system, method and computer program for a virtual three-dimensional workspace wherein certain three-dimensional objects represent or serve as proxies for a variety of user interactive application programs. Such objects may be selected or triggered by the user to bring forth planar two-dimensional interactive user interfaces having images resembling those of their respective representative 3D objects so that a user may intuitively note the resemblance and select the appropriate object to result in the planar two-dimensional interactive interface appearing in front of the three-dimensional workspace. This two-dimensional planar interface remains active and unaffected by changes to its representative three-dimensional object during the course of navigation or otherwise. A drag and drop technique facilitates viewer interaction between images in a two-dimensional workplane with three-dimensional objects in the virtual three-dimensional workspace.
Inventors
- 👤 Didier Daniel Claude Bardon
- 👤 Richard Edmond Berry
- 👤 Scott Harlan Isensee
- 👤 David John Roberts
- 👤 John Martin Mullaly
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 20:58
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; G06F3/04815
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A data processor controlled display system for displaying a virtual three-dimensional workspace comprising: means for displaying a plurality of user interactive virtual three-dimensional objects in said workspace; means for displaying a two-dimensional workplane within said three-dimensional workspace; means for displaying a plurality of user interactive two-dimensional images in said workplane; means for user-interactive selection of one of said two-dimensional images and for moving at least a portion of said selected images to one of said three-dimensional objects, and means responsive to said movement for initiating a user-interactive function.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
A data processor controlled display system for displaying a virtual three-dimensional workspace comprising: means for displaying a plurality of user interactive virtual three-dimensional objects in said workspace; means for displaying a two-dimensional workplane within said three-dimensional workspace; means for displaying a plurality of user interactive two-dimensional images in said workplane; means for user-interactive selection of one of said two-dimensional images and for moving at least a portion of said selected images to one of said three-dimensional objects, and means responsive to said movement for initiating a user-interactive function.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The processor controlled display system of claim 1 further including: means for user interactive selection of one of said three-dimensional objects and moving at least a portion of said selected object to one of said two-dimensional images, and means responsive to said movement for utilizing a user-interactive function.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The processor controlled display system of claim 1 where said means for user-interactive selection of one of said two-dimensional images and for moving at least a portion of said selected objects to one of said three-dimensional images, occurs by means of the Drag-and-Drop technique, for initiating said user-interactive function.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The processor controlled display system of claim 2 where said means for user-interactive selection of one of said three-dimensional objects and moving at least a portion of said selected object to one of said two-dimensional images, occurs by means of said "Drag-and-Drop" technique, for initiating said user-interactive function.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The processor controlled display system of claim 1 further including means for changing a displayed three-dimensional object without changing the corresponding two-dimensional image of said changed object.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The processor controlled display system of claim 5 wherein said means for changing said three-dimensional object change the size of said object.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The processor controlled display system of claim 1 further including: viewer interface means for navigating within said three-dimensional workspace; and said means for user input to said two-dimensional image remains active after the user has navigated away from said selected virtual object.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
86 words
A data processor implemented method for displaying a virtual three-dimensional workspace comprising: displaying a plurality of virtual three-dimensional objects in an environmentally associated with said virtual workspace; displaying a two-dimensional workplace within said three-dimensional workspace; displaying a plurality of user interactive two-dimensional images in said workplane; providing for user-interactive selection of one of said two-dimensional images and for moving at least a portion of said selected images to one of said three-dimensional objects, and providing a means responsive to said movement for initiating a user-interactive function.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
86 words
A data processor implemented method for displaying a virtual three-dimensional workspace comprising: displaying a plurality of virtual three-dimensional objects in an environmentally associated with said virtual workspace; displaying a two-dimensional workplace within said three-dimensional workspace; displaying a plurality of user interactive two-dimensional images in said workplane; providing for user-interactive selection of one of said two-dimensional images and for moving at least a portion of said selected images to one of said three-dimensional objects, and providing a means responsive to said movement for initiating a user-interactive function.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The display method of claim 8, further, providing for user-interactive selection of one of said three-dimensional object and for moving at least a portion of said selected object to one of said two-dimensional images and providing a means responsive to said movement for initiating a user-interactive function.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
The display method of claim 8 wherein the user-interactive selection of one of said two-dimensional images and moving at least a portion of said selected image to one of said three-dimensional objects, occurs by means of the Drag-and-Drop technique, for initiating a user-interactive function.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
The display method of claim 8 wherein the user-interactive selection of one of said three-dimensional object and moving at least a portion of said selected object to one of said two-dimensional images, occurs by means of the Drag-and-Drop technique, for initiating a user-interactive function.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The display method of claim 8 further including means for changing a displayed three-dimensional object without changing the corresponding two-dimensional image of said changed object.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The display method of claim 8 further including the step of the user interactively providing input to said displayed two-dimensional image.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 8 further including the step of changing a displayed three-dimensional object without changing the corresponding two-dimensional image of said changed object.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said three-dimensional object and its two-dimensional image are displayed simultaneously.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said step of changing said three-dimensional object changes the size of said object.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said step of changing said three-dimensional object changes the position of said object in said workspace.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said two-dimensional image provides the interactive user interface to an application program stored in said data processor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 8 further including the steps of navigating the user view within said three-dimensional workspace away from the selected virtual object while maintaining the user interactive input to said two-dimensional image.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
104 words
A computer readable program having data structures included on a computer readable medium which causes the display on a data processor controlled display of a virtual three-dimensional workspace comprising: means for displaying a plurality of user interactive virtual three-dimensional objects in said workspace; means for displaying a two-dimensional workplace within said three-dimensional workspace; means for displaying a plurality of user interactive two-dimensional images in said workplane; means for user-interactive selection of one of said two-dimensional images and for moving at least a portion of said selected objects to one of said three-dimensional images, and means responsive to said movement for initiating a user-interactive function.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
104 words
A computer readable program having data structures included on a computer readable medium which causes the display on a data processor controlled display of a virtual three-dimensional workspace comprising: means for displaying a plurality of user interactive virtual three-dimensional objects in said workspace; means for displaying a two-dimensional workplace within said three-dimensional workspace; means for displaying a plurality of user interactive two-dimensional images in said workplane; means for user-interactive selection of one of said two-dimensional images and for moving at least a portion of said selected objects to one of said three-dimensional images, and means responsive to said movement for initiating a user-interactive function.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
47 words
A computer readable program of claim 20 further including: means for user interactive selection of one of said three-dimensional objects and moving at least a portion of said selected object to one of said two-dimensional images, and means responsive to said movement for utilizing a user-interactive function.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
48 words
A computer readable program of claim 20 where said means for user-interactive selection of one of said two-dimensional images and for moving at least a portion of said selected objects to one of said three-dimensional images, occurs by means of the Drag-and-Drop technique, for initiating said user-interactive function.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
47 words
A computer readable program of claim 20 where said means for user-interactive selection of one of said three-dimensional objects and moving at least a portion of said selected object to one of said two-dimensional images, occurs by means of the Drag-and-Drop technique, for initiating said user-interactive function.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer program of claim 20 further including user interactive means for user input to said displayed two-dimensional image.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-05-10 | 2002-11-09 | 2003-05-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-05-10 | 2006-11-09 | 2007-05-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-05-10 | 2010-11-09 | 2011-05-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |