Patent ID: 8576253

Claim:
A computer-implemented method of simulating grasping of a virtual object, comprising: receiving a user input corresponding to a simulated grasping gesture that includes at least two simulated contacts with the virtual object, the simulated grasping gesture comprising a simulated application of multiple persistent contacts on two or more places on a virtual object, the virtual object comprising at least a three-dimensional virtual object, and the user input comprising a two-dimensional (2D) input; modeling the simulated grasping gesture as a simulation of frictional forces on the virtual object by representing the multiple persistent contacts on two or more places on the virtual object as exerting normal forces that persist on the object, the normal forces being proportional to an incursion of one or more of the multiple persistent contacts within the virtual object on the two-dimensional (2D) input; determining a simulated physical effect on the virtual object by the frictional forces so that the virtual object is modeled as behaving as though grasped at the two or more places on the virtual object, wherein behaving as though grasped at the two or more places comprises moving the virtual object to restore mechanical equilibrium when the simulated contacts move; and displaying, using at least one microprocessor, a visual image of the virtual object moving according to the simulated physical effect.