Method and input device for controlling the position of an object to be graphically displayed in virtual reality

• Main Authors: Arbter, Klaus, Landzettel, Klaus, Hirzinger, Gerd
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 08.04.2003

The invention relates to a method for controlling the position of an object to be displayed in virtual reality on a display device of a graphics unit by way of a human-machine interface, with one or more stationary electronic cameras recording one or more unique marking symbols located on a side of the object facing the camera(s), and the images being evaluated with a computer in accordance with image-processing methods to yield the spatial position of the object, which is transmitted to the graphics unit, the associated object being correspondingly displayed, in the predetermined position of the object, as virtual reality on the display device. In virtual reality, the position of a graphically-displayed object () in a three-dimensional view on a display device () of a graphics workstation is controlled by way of a human-machine interface, in which the hand () of an operator can displace and rotate an input medium in an arbitrary spatial direction. One or more stationary electronic cameras records or record one or more unique marking symbols () provided on the underside of a material, easy-to-handle model object () serving as an input medium, the underside facing the camera(s). The unique marking symbols () are evaluated with a computer according to image-processing methods such that the spatial position of the model object and the recognition thereof are the result of the evaluation.The result of the evaluation is transmitted to a graphics unit (graphics workstation, PC graphics). The associated object is displayed, in the position of the model object as predetermined by the operator's hand, as virtual reality on the display device () of the graphics unit. The invention can be used, for example, in the advertising field for displaying advertised products in desired positions.