Apparatus and method for controlling navigation in 3-D space

A method for controlling the dimensional appearance of a first image on a display device, comprising the steps of:

• (a) displaying a second image associated with said first image, wherein said second image includes indicia representing at least two spacial dimensions and said second image includes indicia for representing a plurality of modes including a plurality of speed modes;
• and
• (b) altering the appearance of said first image in response to:
• selecting the indicia for a turn and move mode of said plurality of modes, wherein selecting the indicia for said turn and move mode alters the appearance of said first image by depicting rotation of said first image translational movement of said first image;
• and
• selecting the indicia for a speed mode alters the appearance of said first image by depicting movement of said first image in a first dimension at a particular speed.

A computer program product having a computer readable medium having computer program logic recorded thereon for controlling the dimensional appearance of a first image on a display device, said computer program product comprising:

• (a) means for displaying a second image associated with said first image, wherein said second image includes indicia representing at least two spacial dimensions and said second image includes indicia for representing a plurality of modes including a plurality of speed modes;
• and
• (b) means for altering the appearance of said first image in response to:
• selecting the indicia for a turn and move mode of said plurality of modes, wherein selecting the indicia for said turn and move mode alters the appearance of said first image by depicting rotation of said first image translational movement of said first image;
• and
• selecting the indicia for a speed mode alters the appearance of said first image by depicting movement of said first image in a first dimension at a particular speed.

A graphical user interface system, comprising:

• (a) at least one computer having at least one memory;
• (b) at least one input device;
• (c) at least one display device;
• (d) means operably connecting said computer, memory, input device, and display device for communication therebetween;
• (e) means for communicating a first image and a second image stored within said memory via said communication means for display on said display device, wherein said second image includes indicia representing at least two spacial dimensions and said second image includes indicia for representing a plurality of modes including a plurality of speed modes;
• and
• (f) means stored within said memory and executable by said computer for altering the appearance of said first image in response to:
• selecting the indicia for a turn and move mode of said plurality of modes, wherein selecting the indicia for said turn and move mode alters the appearance of said first image by depicting rotation of said first image and depicting translational movement of said first image;
• and
• selecting the indicia for a speed mode alters the appearance of said first image by depicting movement of said first image in a first dimension at a particular speed.