Animated Content Window Layering with Clipping Masks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for embedding animated content into computer applications often result in reduced interactive areas, as the animated content window resides on top of the application, limiting user interaction, and alternative approaches like writing to an off-screen buffer are slow and impractical.
Innovation Solution
A method and graphical interface that involves creating an animated content window below the application window, using clipping masks to inhibit objects below from overwriting the animated content, and allowing objects above to draw over it, enabling efficient on-screen drawing and display of animated content without reducing the interactive area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the animated content window is placed on top of the computer application window, then the animated content can be drawn efficiently on-screen, but the interactive area of the computer application is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional layering approach by placing the animated content window below the application window instead of above it. This allows the application window and its interactive elements to remain on top, preserving the full interactive area while still displaying animated content efficiently through the use of clipping masks and layered rendering.
2Ease of operation
If the animated content is written to an off-screen buffer, then the interactive area is maintained, but the performance drops significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a clipping mask as an intermediary element that enables efficient on-screen rendering of animated content without requiring off-screen buffers. The clipping mask acts as a mediator between the animated content window and the application window, allowing the graphics system to efficiently manage which pixels are visible and which should be obscured, maintaining both performance and interactivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a dimensional solution by creating multiple windows at different z-order positions (above and below the application window) and using clipping masks to control visibility. This multi-dimensional approach allows simultaneous achievement of efficient on-screen drawing and full interactive area by managing spatial relationships rather than compromising performance.
3Device complexity
If objects below the animated content are allowed to draw over it, then the layered structure is simple, but the animated content cannot be displayed properly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the drawing process by introducing clipping masks that divide the display area into visible and obscured regions. This segmentation allows objects below the animated content window to draw without overwriting the animated content in protected areas, while still permitting interaction in appropriate regions. The clipping masks create logical boundaries that maintain both display integrity and interactive functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of displaying a computer application comprising a plurality of objects within an initially transparent application window comprises creating an animated content window below the application window for each animated content object of the computer application and directing the player responsible for playing the animated content object to draw the animated content directly therein. The objects of the computer application are examined and a clipping mask for each animated content object corresponding generally to the animated content window created therefor is defined. Starting from bottom to top, an object from the list is selected. If the selected object is not an animated content object, the object is drawn within the application window except in areas corresponding to the clipping masks. If the selected object is an animated content object, the clipping mask defined for animated content object is removed, thereby to allow selected objects in the list above the animated content object to be drawn thereover.