Graphical user interface widgets viewable and readable from multiple viewpoints in a volumetric display

Abstract

The present invention is a widget display system for a volumetric or true three-dimensional (3D) display that provides a volumetric or omni-viewable widget that can be viewed and interacted with from any location around the volumetric display. The widget can be viewed from any location by duplicating the widget such that all locations around the display are within the viewing range of the widget. A widget can be provided with multiple viewing surfaces or faces making the widget omni-directional. A widget can be continuously rotated to face all of the possible locations of users over a period of time. User locations can be determined and the widget can be oriented to face the users when selected.

1 . A method, comprising: 
 producing and displaying a three-dimensional scene in a volumetric display; and    producing and displaying a volumetric interface element in the volumetric display.    
     
     
         2 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the volumetric element comprises an omni-directional element.  
     
     
         3 . A method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein an omni-directional element comprises a multisided element with contents replicated on each side.  
     
     
         4 . A method as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the multisided element comprises one of a cube, a globe and a hexagonal solid, the multisided element having faces each with a viewing range and the viewing ranges of the faces covering the viewpoints of users around the volumetric display.  
     
     
         5 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the volumetric element comprises a rotating face rotating into view of the users.  
     
     
         6 . A method as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the rotating face comprises one of a face revolving continuously through 360 degrees and a face rocking back and forth through a predetermined number of degrees.  
     
     
         7 . A method as recited in  claim 6 , further comprising orienting the rotating face toward a user selecting the volumetric element.  
     
     
         8 . A method as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the volumetric element further comprises a stationary control associated with the rotating face.  
     
     
         9 . A computer readable storage controlling a computer or via producing a three-dimensional scene in a volumetric display, and producing a volumetric interface element in the volumetric display.