Patent ID: 9339724
Filing Date: 2016-05-17
CPC Classification: A63F

Claim Text:
1. A method of allowing a video game user to both (a) target a location in a three-dimensional (3D) virtual world and (b) pan a view presented from a virtual camera in a desired direction to reveal additional portions of the 3D virtual world with a three-dimensional video game computer graphics display system that includes at least one processor, the method comprising: displaying, on a display in a display area, an image of the 3D virtual world viewed through the virtual camera that has a viewing orientation; defining the display area as having an inner region and an outer region; accepting a user provided input that indicates a position within the display area; controlling a targeting position on said display that is at least in part responsive where the user input indicates within the display area, said targeting position indicating a location within the 3D virtual world; determining that the controlled targeting position is located within the inner region or the outer region; targeting different locations within the 3D virtual world without panning the virtual camera when the targeting position is located within the inner region; and panning, via the at least one processor, the virtual camera to a different viewing orientation to reveal additional portions of the 3D virtual world for display on the display area in accordance with determination that the controlled targeting position is located within the outer region while concurrently targeting different locations within the 3D virtual world, where the virtual camera is controlled to not pan based on determination that the controlled targeting position is located within the inner region and/or not within the outer region.