User interface facilitating control in a virtual three-dimensional environment

Abstract

A computer interface makes it easier to control a 3D virtual device on a display screen with a 2D pointing device such as a mouse. A virtual device having an associated movement and underlying function is rendered on a display screen. A cursor is moved to the device, and if it is selected, a graphical user interface (GUI) is displayed including a control icon with the cursor automatically pre-positioned in relation to the control icon. If the control icon is adjusted the virtual device is moved on the display screen and the function associated with the device is performed. Upon de-selection of the device the GUI disappears from the display screen. In the preferred embodiment, the cursor is moved with a mouse and the device is selected with a mouse button. The cursor is then automatically positioned in overlapping registration with the control icon upon the selection of the device. The control icon may be a slider, knob, switch or any other type of implement appropriate to the control of the virtual device. The invention is particularly useful in controlling devices such as forward-back levers wherein at least a portion of the movement of the device is visualized as into or out of the display screen.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.