Animation Object Copying via Press-and-Hold Gesture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current animation creation applications lack an efficient method for copying objects within their user interface, particularly in virtual-space and timeline areas, which hinders user convenience and productivity.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where a user can copy an object by pressing and holding an input control for a predefined duration, with the object being assigned to the cursor and pasted at another location upon releasing the control, and allowing gestures to terminate the copying procedure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional copy-paste method is used in animation creation applications, then the user must release the input device between copying and pasting operations, but this increases the number of操作步骤 and reduces user convenience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the copy and paste operations into a single continuous gesture. The user presses and holds an input control while moving the cursor to the source object, holds for a predefined duration to copy, then moves to the destination and releases to paste - all in one uninterrupted action. This eliminates the need to release the input device between copy and paste, merging two separate operations into one fluid gesture that improves ease of operation and reduces time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of the user's intent to copy by monitoring the duration the input control is held. When the holding duration exceeds a predefined threshold, the system automatically initiates the copy operation and assigns the copied object to the cursor, preparing the system state in advance for the paste operation. This preliminary action eliminates the need for separate select-copy-paste steps.
2Measurement precision
If the copy operation is initiated by a simple click, then the operation is fast, but it lacks precision in determining user intent to copy versus other actions
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static click detection to a dynamic time-based detection mechanism. Instead of responding to a simple click, the system monitors the duration the input control is held down. The copy operation is triggered only when the holding duration exceeds a predefined threshold, providing precise detection of user intent. This dynamic approach distinguishes between a quick click (no copy) and a deliberate press (copy intended) without adding complex input device requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the time parameter (duration of holding the input control) to determine user intent. By changing from a binary click/don't-click parameter to a continuous time-duration parameter, the system achieves precise detection of copy intent. The predefined duration threshold acts as a parameter boundary that clearly distinguishes copy operations from other interactions, maintaining simplicity while improving precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A first input is received in an animation creation application having a user interface showing a virtual-space area for first objects, and a timeline area for second objects representing events. To generate the first input, a user presses and holds an input control while a cursor is over one of the first or second objects. It is determined whether the input control is held for at least a predefined duration. If so, a copy of the object is assigned to the cursor, and the copy is subsequently pasted at another location in the user interface upon the input control ceasing to be held after the cursor is moved to the other location. If the input control does not remain held for at least the predefined duration the copy of the object is not assigned to the cursor.