Claims
- 1. A method of issuing commands to a computer by a user interfacing with a virtual reality environment, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) detecting direction of gaze within the virtual reality environment, wherein detecting direction of gaze comprises detecting a point of focus within a displayable portion of the virtual reality environment;
- b) determining whether the direction of gaze intersects a virtual button;
- c) causing a perceptible change in the virtual button; and
- d) sending a command corresponding to the virtual button to the computer.
- 2. The method of claim 1 additionally comprising the step of providing a confirming signal.
- 3. The method of claim 2 additionally comprising the step of causing another perceptible change in the virtual button.
- 4. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of providing a confirming signal comprises providing a signal selected from the group consisting of depressing a switch, releasing a switch, manipulating a foot pedal, giving a voice command, depressing a key, waiting for a predetermined period, manipulating a touch pad, and manipulating a mouse.
- 5. The method of claim 1 additionally comprising the step of providing a panel of virtual buttons to the virtual reality environment.
- 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of providing a panel of virtual buttons comprises providing a panel of virtual buttons that moves with the user in the virtual reality environment.
- 7. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of providing a panel of virtual buttons comprises providing a panel of virtual buttons for which a set of commands corresponding to the virtual buttons of the panel changes according to a predetermined hierarchy of commands.
- 8. The method of claim 7 wherein providing a panel of virtual buttons for which a set of commands corresponding to the virtual buttons of the panel changes according to a predetermined hierarchy of commands comprises providing at least one virtual button with a corresponding command which changes the panel of virtual buttons to correspond to a set of commands within the hierarchy different than a current set of commands.
- 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of detecting direction of gaze comprises detecting direction of gaze by means of head-tracking device.
- 10. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of causing a perceptible change comprises causing a change selected from the group consisting of color, shape, size, and combinations thereof.
- 11. An apparatus for issuing commands to a computer by a user interfacing with a virtual reality environment, comprising: means for detecting direction of gaze within the virtual reality environment; means for determining whether the direction of gaze intersects a virtual button; means for causing a perceptible change in the virtual button; and means for sending a command corresponding to the virtual button to the computer.
- 12. The apparatus of claim 11 additionally comprising means for providing a confirming signal.
- 13. The apparatus of claim 12 additionally comprising means for causing another perceptible change in the virtual button.
- 14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said means for providing a confirming signal comprises means for providing a signal selected from the group consisting of a switch, a foot pedal, a voice command receptor, a key, a timer, a touch pad, and a mouse.
- 15. The apparatus of claim 11 additionally comprising means for providing a panel of buttons to the virtual reality environment.
- 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said means for providing a panel of buttons comprises means for providing a panel of buttons that moves with the user in the virtual reality environment.
- 17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said means for providing a panel of buttons comprises means for providing a panel of buttons for which a set of commands corresponding to the buttons of the panel changes according to a predetermined hierarchy of commands.
- 18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said means for providing a panel of virtual buttons for which a set of commands corresponding to the virtual buttons of the panel changes according to a predetermined hierarchy of commands comprises means for providing at least one virtual button with a corresponding command which changes the panel of virtual buttons to correspond to a set of commands within the hierarchy different than a current set of commands.
- 19. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said means for detecting direction of gaze comprises a head-tracking device.
- 20. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said means for causing a perceptible change comprises means for causing a change selected from the group consisting of color, shape, size, and combinations thereof.
- 21. A method of issuing commands to a computer by a user interfacing with an immersive virtual reality environment, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) detecting direction of gaze within the immersive virtual reality environment, wherein detecting direction of gaze comprises detecting a point of focus within a displayable portion of the immersive virtual reality environment;
- b) determining whether the direction of gaze intersects a virtual button;
- c) causing a perceptible change in the virtual button; and
- d) sending a command corresponding to the virtual button to the computer.
Government Interests
The Government has rights to this invention pursuant to Contract No. DE-AC04-94AL85000 awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy.
US Referenced Citations (11)