After skimming the patent, I don't think the intention was to patent the matrix math you speak of. In fact, they cite the venerable reference by Foley and Van Dam(1983) and others as the source for alot of the 3d math.
I think what they wanted dibs on was spherical panning where (I think) the user specifies a radial distance between the view camera and the object origin, along with a pan attribute (known nowadays as a translation).
If you were to think about it, this is just a specific application of the world view/perspective matrix model that is used in open gl/directx. Also, there are many ways to mathematically get the equivalent camera postions without specifying a radius/pan parameter (quaternions for example) so I don't know how they could enforce this patent without source code/fishing.
I think this effect has to do with relative accelerations and inertia or something. I'm sure someone can explain it better but here is an example.
Think about when you're in a car and chugging up a steep hill, notice that the pull of gravity into your seat lessens before you hit the summit and not at the summit.
They didn't even bother to remove the blue screen background. And did you notice how the thing swung back and forth as if on a string?
Seriously, I think that this is a very cool thing. Though I have this bad feeling in the back of my head about how it can be used to invade our privacy. Floating cameras recording our every move ala Half Life 2, Star Wars, 1984 anyone?
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I think what they wanted dibs on was spherical panning where (I think) the user specifies a radial distance between the view camera and the object origin, along with a pan attribute (known nowadays as a translation).
If you were to think about it, this is just a specific application of the world view/perspective matrix model that is used in open gl/directx. Also, there are many ways to mathematically get the equivalent camera postions without specifying a radius/pan parameter (quaternions for example) so I don't know how they could enforce this patent without source code/fishing.
Great, now the anecdote about going blind comes through. Thanks a lot technology! Next Palm will announce a new line of hairy palms.
I think this effect has to do with relative accelerations and inertia or something. I'm sure someone can explain it better but here is an example. Think about when you're in a car and chugging up a steep hill, notice that the pull of gravity into your seat lessens before you hit the summit and not at the summit.
your mile high club status to the 6 mile high club! Oh who am I kidding... with this audience...
Maybe if SCO buys one of those licenses for $699 they can distribute it legally...oh wait.
Seriously, I think that this is a very cool thing. Though I have this bad feeling in the back of my head about how it can be used to invade our privacy. Floating cameras recording our every move ala Half Life 2, Star Wars, 1984 anyone?
Where is my supah suit?!? Where...Is...My...Supah...Suit!?!? You tell me where that suit is, Woman!!!!