Spatial exploration field of view preview mechanism

Abstract

Indicators operable to preview or show the position and relative zoom level of a field of view within a virtual space. Virtual space exploration took typically make use of a field of view for limiting a user's view of the virtual space and zooming in on a portion of the virtual space. A spherical indicator is provided to show the current position of the field of view within the virtual space, as well as provide an indication of level of zoom. A local field of view indication is also provided to show the current position of the field of view, as well as provide an indication of level of zoom, with respect to a nearby object within the virtual space. Such indicators may be useful in exploring outer space as well as landscapes and any other spaces.

1 . A method comprising simultaneously displaying on a display device a set of indicators comprising a spherical indicator and a field of view (“FOV”) indicator, the set of indicators configured for indicating a position and zoom level of a FOV in a spatial environment, the spherical indicator configured for projecting a rectangular projection of the FOV from a center point of the spherical indicator, an area of the rectangular projection indicating the zoom level, the local FOV indicator configured for presenting a rectangular representation of the FOV within a rectangular area of the FOV indicator, wherein the rectangular representation of the local FOV indicator corresponds to the rectangular projection of the spherical indicator. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the FOV is configured for narrowing and widening in response to the zoom level increasing and decreasing respectively. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a size of the rectangular projection of the spherical indicator corresponds to the zoom level. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a size of the rectangular representation of the local FOV indicator corresponds to the zoom level. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the spatial environment comprises any real space or imaginary space. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising exploring the spatial environment by moving the FOV. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising exploring the spatial environment by changing the zoom level. 
     
     
         8 . At least one computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method for simultaneously displaying a set of indicators configured for indicating a position and relative zoom level of a field of view in a corresponding spatial environment, the set of indicators comprising a spherical indicator and a field of view (“FOV”) indicator, the set of indicators configured for indicating a position and zoom level of a FOV in a spatial environment, the spherical indicator configured for projecting a rectangular projection of the FOV from a center point of the spherical indicator, an area of the rectangular projection indicating the zoom level, the local FOV indicator configured for presenting a rectangular representation of the FOV within a rectangular area of the FOV indicator, wherein the rectangular representation of the local FOV indicator corresponds to the rectangular projection of the spherical indicator. 
     
     
         9 . The at least one computer-readable media of  claim 8  wherein the FOV is configured for narrowing and widening in response to the zoom level increasing and decreasing respectively. 
     
     
         10 . The at least one computer-readable media of  claim 8  wherein a size of the rectangular projection of the spherical indicator corresponds to the zoom level. 
     
     
         11 . The at least one computer-readable media of  claim 8  wherein a size of the rectangular representation of the local FOV indicator corresponds to the zoom level. 
     
     
         12 . The at least one computer-readable media of  claim 8  wherein the spatial environment comprises any real space or imaginary space. 
     
     
         13 . The at least one computer-readable media of  claim 8 , the method further comprising exploring the spatial environment by moving the FOV. 
     
     
         14 . The at least one computer-readable media of  claim 8 , the method further comprising exploring the spatial environment by changing the zoom level. 
     
     
         15 . A system comprising a computer configured for simultaneously displaying a set of indicators comprising a spherical indicator and a field of view (“FOV”) indicator, the set of indicators configured for indicating a position and zoom level of a FOV in a spatial environment, the spherical indicator configured for projecting a rectangular projection of the FOV from a center point of the spherical indicator, an area of the rectangular projection indicating the zoom level, the local FOV indicator configured for presenting a rectangular representation of the FOV within a rectangular area of the FOV indicator, wherein the rectangular representation of the local FOV indicator corresponds to the rectangular projection of the spherical indicator. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the FOV is configured for narrowing and widening in response to the zoom level increasing and decreasing respectively. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15  wherein a size of the rectangular projection of the spherical indicator corresponds to the zoom level. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15  wherein a size of the rectangular representation of the local FOV indicator corresponds to the zoom level. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the spatial environment comprises any real space or imaginary space. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 5 , the computer further configured for exploring the spatial environment by moving the FOV or by changing the zoom level.