Patent ID: 9626786
Date: 2017-04-18
CPC Classifications: G06F,G06T,G11B,H04N

Claim:
1. A handheld device that allows a user to control a virtual scene generated by a computer system, the virtual scene including one or more characters, a plurality of non-character assets and at least one virtual camera, the plurality of assets including one or more immovable objects, moveable objects or self-propelled objects, the handheld device comprising: a body having a camera form factor including a lens-like portion and a rotatable lens ring coupled to the lens-like portion; an I/O channel configured to enable the handheld device to communicate with the computer system that generates the virtual scene; input controls positioned on the body; a display mounted on the body and configured to show a representation of the virtual scene as generated by the at least one virtual camera; and a mode selection input control operable to place the handheld device into a first mode in which the handheld device is configured to enable the user to record images with a virtual camera of the at least one virtual camera in the virtual scene using the input controls, and a second mode in which the handheld device is configured to enable the user to use the input controls to select individual ones of the plurality of assets and move the selected assets within the virtual scene; wherein when the device is in the first mode, the rotatable lens ring can be used by the user to control a zoom level of the virtual camera, and when the device is in the second mode, the user can use the input controls to select between different virtual lenses for the virtual camera.