2-D Layout Application for 3-D Viewpoint Navigation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3-D visualization systems are difficult to navigate and require significant skill and training, with limited flexibility and interprocess communication capabilities, making it hard for users to easily control and recall specific viewpoints, especially across multiple computers.
Innovation Solution
An open interface using HTML web pages for viewpoint navigation control, allowing users to interact with a 2-D layout to control a 3-D visualization environment through HTTP communication between a web browser and a 3-D visualization application, enabling intuitive and flexible viewpoint selection and navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional 3-D visualization controls are used, then viewpoint navigation capability is provided, but ease of operation deteriorates due to required skill and training
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a 2-D layout application as an intermediary between the user and the 3-D visualization system. This 2-D interface serves as a mediator that translates simple user selections into complex 3-D viewpoint changes, eliminating the need for users to directly manipulate complex 3-D controls while maintaining full navigation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a 2-D copy or representation of the 3-D environment that users can interact with more easily. This 2-D layout replicates the essential navigation information in a simplified format, allowing users to select viewpoints through familiar 2-D interface elements rather than complex 3-D controls.
2Adaptability or versatility
If built-in visual query module is used, then viewpoint selection capability is provided, but adaptability deteriorates due to lack of external integration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the viewpoint navigation system universal by implementing it as a separate 2-D layout application that can interface with multiple 3-D visualization systems through standard HTTP communication. This multi-functional approach allows the same 2-D interface to work across different platforms and applications, greatly enhancing adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
By using HTTP as an intermediary communication protocol, the system enables flexible integration between the 2-D layout application and various 3-D visualization systems. This mediator layer allows external processes and networked computers to interact with the viewpoint navigation without requiring proprietary integrations.
3Ease of manufacture
If proprietary closed application is used, then viewpoint control capability is provided, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to source code access limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adopts web-based technologies (HTML, JavaScript) that are universally accessible and easily modifiable. These lightweight, open standards replace proprietary software components, allowing anyone to create or modify 2-D layout applications without requiring access to source code of closed systems. The use of standard web technologies makes the system easy to manufacture and distribute.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for supplying an open interface (e.g., web pages) for viewpoint navigation control of a three-dimensional (3-D) visualization of an object that is simple to create and fast and easy to use. This viewpoint navigation control application allows users to control the viewpoint in a 3-D environment by interacting with (e.g., clicking on) a 2-D hyperlink layout within a web browser (or other 2-D viewer with hyperlink capability). Position and orientation data for a selected viewpoint are transferred as part of a command message sent to the 3-D visualization application through an application programming interface when users select a hyperlink from a web page displayed by the 2-D layout application. The 3-D visualization application then retrieves data and displays a view of at least a portion of the 3-D model of the object with the predefined viewpoint specified in the command message.