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:
Aug. 07, 2001
Filed:
Oct. 20, 1999
Augusto Op Den Bosch, Duluth, GA (US);
Adrian Ferrier, Avondale Estates, GA (US);
Spectra Precision Software , Inc., Atlanta, GA (US);
Abstract
The invented system and method provide the capability to permit user-defined objects to be displayed in a virtual environment application (VEA). An externally-rendered object (ERO) includes at least one graphic instruction defining an object. The ERO is dynamically linked to the VEA so that the ERO can be rendered in the VEA preferably along with a virtual environment generated by the VEA. The ERO thus provides the user with the capability to customize the VEA without changing the source code thereof, and without using a complicated communication protocol between the VEA and ERO that would otherwise be required. The ERO can be used in a wide range of specific implementations. For example, the ERO can represent a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) operating in a virtual environment representing undersea topography. The ERO could also represent a drill operating in an undersea environment for oil exploration, for example.