Technique for enhanced perception of 3-D structure in point clouds

摘要

In one embodiment, a user's perception of three-dimensional (3-D) structure of points in a point cloud is enhanced by use of a flashlight virtual object. The flashlight virtual object has a field of view that includes an inner cone that encloses an inner zone and an outer cone that encloses an outer zone. A current position and orientation of the flashlight virtual object within the 3-D space of the point cloud is found. It is determined whether the any points of the point cloud fall within the inner cone of the flashlight virtual object, and, if so, the points of the point cloud that fall within the inner cone are highlighted. It is further determined whether any points of the point cloud fall within the outer cone of the flashlight virtual object, and, if so, the points of the point cloud that fall within the outer cone are highlighted.

主权项

1. A method for enhancing a user's perception of three-dimensional (3-D) structure of points in a point cloud, comprising:
displaying at least a portion of the point cloud within a user interface of an application shown on a display screen of an electronic device, each point of the point cloud associated with a position in 3-D space; imposing a flashlight virtual object within 3-D space of the portion of the point cloud displayed within a user interface, the flashlight virtual object having a field of view that includes an inner cone that encloses an inner zone and an outer cone that encloses an outer zone, the inner zone and the outer zone disposed adjacent to, and on opposing sides of, a location where the inner zone and the outer zone meet; determining a current position and orientation of the flashlight virtual object within the 3-D space; determining whether any points of the point cloud fall within the inner zone of the flashlight virtual object, and, if so, highlighting the points of the point cloud that fall within the inner zone in the user interface; and determining whether any points of the point cloud fall within the outer zone of the flashlight virtual object, and, if so, highlighting the points of the point cloud that fall within the outer zone in the user interface.