The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 07, 2000
Filed:
May. 14, 1997
David Bruce Lection, Raleigh, NC (US);
Karen Ruth Kluttz, Raleigh, NC (US);
Abbott Purdy Brush, II, Woodbridge, CT (US);
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
A system, method, or computer program product for navigating an object in a virtual reality world in accordance with the present invention provides for receiving a pivot control signal from a user via a graphic user interface (GUI) control, and pivoting the object in response to the pivot control signal. The GUI control preferably comprises a compass control configured for receiving the pivot control signals from a user through a point and click device such as a mouse. By clicking on the compass control interface, the user can cause the object, such as an avatar, to rotate a relative number of degrees from its original direction substantially instantaneously, or alternatively, the user may depress a mouse button and drag the pointer about the compass control so as to cause the object to turn under essentially real time control of the user while displaying a view of the object during the pivot. Further, an incoming stimulus indicator may be provided in the compass control so that the user can pivot to face the incoming stimulus.