System and method for permitting three-dimensional navigation through a virtual reality environment using camera-based gesture inputs

A method for constructing three-dimensional images using camera-based gesture inputs of a user of a computer system having a computer-readable memory and video image display connected to a microprocessor using a program stored in the computer-readable memory, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving video signals indicative of the gestures of the system user and an interaction area surrounding the system user;
• processing the video signals in the microprocessor to determine the three-dimensional positions of the body and principle body parts of the system user;
• using the microprocessor to construct three-dimensional images of the system user and interaction area on the video image display based upon the received video signals;
• and
• utilizing the microprocessor to display on the video image display three-dimensional graphical objects superimposed to appear as if they occupied the interaction area, wherein movement by the system user causes apparent movement by the superimposed, three-dimensional objects displayed on the video image display.

A computer-readable memory device for storing a program that constructs three-dimensional images using camera-based gesture inputs of a user of a computer system having a video image display connected to a microprocessor using instructions stored in the computer-readable memory device, the computer-readable memory device comprising:

• instructions for receiving video signals indicative of gestures of the system user to determine the three-dimensional positions of the body and principle body parts of the system user;
• instructions for constructing three-dimensional images of the system user and interaction area on the video image display based upon the received video signals;
• and
• instructions for displaying, on the video image display, three-dimensional graphical objects superimposed to appear as if they occupied the interaction area, wherein movement by the system user causes apparent movement by the superimposed, three-dimensional objects displayed on the video image display.

A computer program product for constructing three-dimensional images using camera-based gesture inputs of a user of a computer system having a video image display connected to a microprocessor, the computer program product comprising:

• means for receiving video signals indicative of gestures of the system user to determine the three-dimensional positions of the body and principle body parts of the system user;
• means for constructing three-dimensional images of the system user and interaction area on the video image display based upon the received video signals;
• and
• means for displaying, on the video image display, three-dimensional graphical objects superimposed to appear as if they occupied the interaction area, wherein movement by the system user causes apparent movement by the superimposed, three-dimensional objects displayed on the video image display.