Patent ID: 8081186

Claim:
At least one computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method for implementing a set of indicators configured for indicating a position and relative zoom level of a field of view in a corresponding spatial environment, the set of indicators comprising: a spherical indicator rendered on a two-dimensional display, the spherical indicator including: a circle including an oval between the two horizontal-most points of the circle, the circle representing a sphere of the spherical indicator, the oval representing a celestial equator of the spherical indicator, and a line between the two vertical-most points of the circle, the line representing a celestial pole of the spherical indicator, and a center point of the spherical indicator from which a rectangular projection of the field of view is rendered within the spherical indicator, wherein the area of the rectangular projection of the field of view provides an indication of a relative zoom level, and a North indication associated with the celestial pole, and a Right Ascension indication associated with the rectangular projection of the field of view, and a Declination indication associated with the rectangular projection of the field of view; and a local field of view indicator rendered on the two-dimensional display, the local field of view indicator including: a rectangular area configured to present a representation of an object of the corresponding spatial environment and to provide a preview of the field of view, and a representation of the field of view in the form of a rectangle oriented within the rectangular area within the corresponding spatial environment relative to the representation of the object, the representation of the field of view corresponding to the rectangular projection of the field of view, wherein the rectangular area of the representation of the field of view provides an indication of the relative zoom level of the field of view in the corresponding spatial environment, and a presentation of a name of the object.