Multiscale three-dimensional orientation

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10140000-B2
Application number	US-201113193531-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 28, 2011
Priority date	Jul 30, 2010
Publication date	Nov 27, 2018
Grant date	Nov 27, 2018

Abstract

A multiscale data engine is configured to generate a three-dimensional (3D) environment based on a multiscale 3D dataset. The multiscale data engine is also configured to generate a spatial hierarchy within the 3D environment by selectively grouping 3D objects within the 3D environment. The multiscale data engine is further configured to identify specific 3D objects within the 3D environment in response to input received from an end-user and based on spatial properties associated with the 3D objects. The multiscale data engine is also configured to generate various navigation graphical user interfaces (GUIs) that allow the end-user to navigate the 3D environment.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. A computer-implemented method for generating a navigation graphical user interface (GUI) for navigating a three-dimensional (3D) environment associated with a multiscale 3D dataset, the method comprising:
receiving a current position within the 3D environment, wherein a visible portion of the 3D environment is rendered for display based on a perspective from the current position, and a first group of 3D objects is located within a non-visible portion of the 3D environment; and
causing both a directional object indicator and a first 3D thumbnail image representing the first group of 3D objects to be displayed within the visible portion of the 3D environment, wherein the directional object indicator indicates a direction in which the first group of 3D objects is located relative to the current position, and the first 3D thumbnail image representing the first group of 3D objects is displayed proximate to the directional object indicator,
wherein the first group of 3D objects includes 3D objects selected based on at least one of:
an angular distance between the 3D objects from the perspective from the current position being less than a first angular threshold, and
linear distances between the current position and each 3D object included in the group of 3D objects being within a first linear threshold of each other.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the position of the directional object indicator within the visible portion of the 3D environment is constrained to a circular boundary also residing within the visible portion, and further comprising:
receiving an updated position within the 3D environment;
repositioning the directional object indicator on the circular boundary based on the updated position; and
reorienting the directional object indicator to indicate the location of the first group of 3D objects within the non-visible portion of the 3D environment relative to the updated position.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the position of the directional object indicator within the visible portion of the 3D environment is constrained to a spherical boundary also residing within the visible portion.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 , further comprising:
receiving an updated position within the 3D environment;
repositioning the directional object indicator on the spherical boundary based on the updated position; and
reorienting the directional object indicator to indicate the location of the first group of 3D objects within the non-visible portion of the 3D environment relative to the updated position.

5. The computer implemented method of claim 3 , further comprising projecting the spherical boundary onto a two-dimensional (2D) plane residing within the visible portion of the 3D environment, and causing the directional object indicator to appear on the 2D plane, wherein the directional object indicator indicates the distance between the current position and the first group of 3D objects.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the directional object indicator comprises a 3D cone, and a tip of the 3D cone points in the direction in which the first group of 3D objects is located within the non-visible portion of the 3D environment relative to the current position.

7. A non-transitory computer-readable medium including instructions that, when executed by a processing unit, cause the processing unit to generate a navigation GUI for navigating a 3D environment associated with a multiscale 3D dataset, by performing the steps of:
receiving a current position within the 3D environment, wherein a visible portion of the 3D environment is rendered for display based on a perspective from the current position, and a first group of 3D objects is located within a non-visible portion of the 3D environment; and
causing both a directional object indicator and a first 3D thumbnail image representing the first group of 3D objects to be displayed within the visible portion of the 3D environment, wherein the directional object indicator indicates a direction in which the first group of 3D objects is located relative to the current position, and the first 3D thumbnail image representing the first group of 3D objects is displayed proximate to the directional object indicator,
wherein the first group of 3D objects includes 3D objects selected based on at least one of:
an angular distance between the 3D objects from the perspective from the current position being less than a first angular threshold, and
linear distances between the current position and each 3D object included in the group of 3D objects being within a first linear threshold of each other.

8. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 7 , wherein the position of the directional object indicator within the visible portion of the 3D environment is constrained to a circular boundary also residing within the visible portion, and further comprising:
receiving an updated position within the 3D environment;
repositioning the directional object indicator on the circular boundary based on the updated position; and
reorienting the directional object indicator to indicate the location of the first group of 3D objects within the non-visible portion of the 3D environment relative to the updated position.

9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 7 , wherein the position of the directional object indicator within the visible portion of the 3D environment is constrained to a spherical boundary also residing within the visible portion.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9 , further comprising the steps of:
receiving an updated position within the 3D environment;
repositioning the directional object indicator on the spherical boundary based on the updated position; and
reorienting the directional object indicator to indicate the location of the first group of 3D objects within the non-visible portion of the 3D environment relative to the updated position.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9 , further comprising projecting the spherical boundary onto a 2D plane residing within the visible portion of the 3D environment, and causing the directional object indicator to appear on the 2D plane, wherein the directional object indicator indicates the distance between the current position and the first group of 3D objects.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 7 , wherein the directional object indicator comprises a 3D cone, and a tip of the 3D cone points in the direction in which the first group of 3D objects is located within the non-visible portion of the 3D environment relative to the current position.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 7 , wherein the first 3D thumbnail image of the first group of 3D objects is displayed in response to a cursor being placed over the directional object indicator.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 7 , further comprising the steps of:
determining that a second 3D object has moved from the visible portion of the 3D environment to the non-visible portion of the 3D environment; and
in response, causing a second directional object indicator to be displayed within the visible portion of the 3D environment, wherein the second directional object indicator indicates a direction in which the second 3D object is located relative to the current position.

15. A computing device that generates a navigation GUI for navigating a 3D environment associated with a multiscale 3D dataset, the computing device comprising:
a memory that inclu

Assignees

• Grossman Tovi
• Khan Azam
• Glueck Michael
• Mccrae James
• Autodesk Inc

Inventors

• Grossman Tovi
• Khan Azam
• Glueck Michael
• Mccrae James

Classifications

• G06F3/04845 Primary

  for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour · CPC title

• G06F2203/04802

  3D-info-object: information is displayed on the internal or external surface of a three dimensional manipulable object, e.g. on the faces of a cube that can be rotated by the user · CPC title

• G06F3/04815

  Interaction with a metaphor-based environment or interaction object displayed as three-dimensional [3D], e.g. changing the user viewpoint with respect to the environment or object · CPC title

• G06T19/003

  Navigation within 3D models or images · CPC title