Human-Computer Interface Including Efficient Three-Dimensional Controls

Abstract

The present invention provides a method of human-computer interfacing that provides efficient implementation of intuitive controls in a three-dimensional space. The method comprises providing a three-dimensional space, characterized by x and y dimensions, together defining a plane approximately orthogonal to the user's direction of view into the space. A z dimension, approximately parallel to the direction of view, further characterizes the three-dimensional space. Objects in the space can be defined by x, y, and z coordinate sets. A control is provided having x and y coordinate sets as any other object. The z coordinate set of the control, however, spans a range of values, giving the control an increased depth. The control's range of z can be infinite, making the control accessible at all depths, or can be a finite range, making the control accessible only from that range of depths. Movement of a cursor into the region corresponding to the control initiates interaction with the user according to the control. The increased depth makes it easier for the user to access the control, since it reduces the precision of depth perception required to find the control. Once the user is in the region corresponding to the control, the effective depth for interaction can be relative to the depth when the user entered the control region, providing control interaction independent of entering depth.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM[0001]This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 831,682, filed Apr. 22, 2004, which application was a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 690,343, filed on Oct. 17, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,727,924, issued Apr. 27, 2004, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates to the field of human-computer interfaces, specifically those relating to multidimensional displays and navigation, interaction with multidimensional environments and objects, and methods of intuitively interfacing therewith.[0003]Computing technology has seen a many-fold increase in capability in recent years. Processors work at ever higher rates; memories are ever larger and always faster; mass storage is larger and cheaper every year. Computers now are essential elements in many aspects of life, and are often used to present three dimensional worlds to users, in everythin...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The present invention provides a method of human-computer interfacing that provides efficient implementation of intuitive controls in a three-dimensional space. The method comprises providing a three-dimensional space, characterized by x and y dimensions, together defining a plane approximately orthogonal to the user's direction of view into the space. A z dimension, approximately parallel to the direction of view, further characterizes the three-dimensional space. Objects in the space can be defined by x, y, and z coordinate sets. A control is provided having x and y coordinate sets as any other object. The z coordinate set of the control, however, spans a range of values, giving the control an increased depth. The control's range of z can be infinite, making the control accessible at all depths, or can be a finite range, making the control accessible only from that range of depths. Movement of a cursor into the region corresponding to the control initiates interaction with the user according to the control. The increased depth makes it easier for the user to access the control, since it reduces the precision of depth perception required to find the control. Once the user is in the region corresponding to the control, the effective depth for interaction can be relative to the depth when the user entered the control region, providing control interaction independent of entering depth.

[0009]The present invention also can comprise haptic feedback to further enhance the human-computer interface. Haptic feedback can provide force feedback allowing the user's sense of touch to enhance control of the interface. The ability to readily find controls, without fine precision depth perception, combined with consistent haptic feedback, can provide an efficient and intuitive human-computer interface. The present invention can also comprise a plurality of controls, each corresponding to its range of z coordinates. The interface can provide a set of controls, easy to find and intuitive to use, to the user. Different ranges of z coordinates can allow the set of controls available to the user to be specific to the region of the space. For example, the interface can provide one set of controls when the user is outside a specific region, and another when the user navigates inside the region.

[0010]The interface can further provide haptic feedback communicating transitions into a control region of the space. The user can feel such transitions in advance, and is allowed to avoid unwanted transitions into a control's region by controlling the cursor responsive to the haptic feedback.

Problems solved by technology

The increased depth makes it easier for the user to access the control, since it reduces the precision of depth perception required to find the control.

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