Patent ID: 8630458

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for navigating a virtual camera within a virtual three-dimensional environment using a mobile device, the mobile device displaying an image plane of the virtual three-dimensional environment from the perspective of the virtual camera, the method comprising: receiving, from at least one sensor on the mobile device, an indication that the mobile device has pivoted about a first rotation axis, wherein the first rotation axis is parallel to a plane encompassing a display screen of the mobile device; capturing a plurality of images of the user while the user faces the display screen of the mobile device; tracking a change in a user's position in relation to the mobile device as the mobile device is pivoted about the first rotation axis, wherein the change in the user's position is determined from the plurality of images of the user; determining a location of the first rotation axis based on the change in the user's position in relation to the mobile device; determining whether the first rotation axis is closer to the user than the mobile device; and executing one of a plurality of different actions to navigate within the three-dimensional environment, a first action executed if the first rotation axis is closer to the user and a second action executed if the first rotation axis is closer to the mobile device.