Patent ID: 6144381
Filing Date: 2000-11-07
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A method for navigating an object in a three dimensional virtual world, comprising the steps of:displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) control for navigating an object in the three dimensional virtual world, wherein the GUI control provides directional information associated with the object;displaying, on the GUI control, directional information associated with an incoming stimulus vector of another object in the three dimensional virtual world;receiving a pivot control signal from a user via the graphical user interface control;determining an angular value utilizing the pivot control signal, wherein the angular value includes an indication of pivot direction; andpivoting the object in response to the pivot control signal; andwherein the step of displaying a graphical user interface control comprises the step of providing a compass control for receiving the pivot control signal that identifies a click point on the compass GUI control and wherein said step of determining the angular value includes the step of calculating an angle about a center point of the compass GUI control, wherein the angle is defined by the center point of the compass GUI control, a top-most point on the outer radius of the compass GUI control, and the click point on the compass GUI control.