Animation Timeline Manipulation in XR Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
User interfaces for manipulating the speed of objects in extended reality (XR) environments are counter-intuitive, making it difficult and time-consuming to adjust the speed of objects moving along a path at various positions.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a graphical user interface (GUI) that displays a timeline with ticks representing distances along the path, where each tick is associated with a respective distance and time, allowing users to input changes to the timeline to adjust the speed of objects moving along the path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional user interfaces are used to manipulate object speed in XR environments, then the system maintains standard interface consistency, but the manipulation becomes counter-intuitive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a visual copy of the animation timeline that mirrors the actual animation progression. This timeline copy allows users to directly manipulate time positions by dragging markers along the timeline, providing an intuitive visual representation that matches the user's mental model of animation timing without requiring complex parameter adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension to the interface by displaying a timeline that extends horizontally across the screen. This transforms the traditional single-point speed adjustment into a spatial distribution of time markers along the timeline, allowing users to manipulate animation timing across multiple time points simultaneously through drag operations
2Ease of operation
If traditional speed manipulation interfaces are used, then the system maintains simple interface structure, but the manipulation becomes difficult and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the continuous animation timeline into discrete segments marked by draggable time markers. Each marker represents a specific time point in the animation, allowing users to independently adjust timing at different positions along the path. This segmentation transforms a complex continuous adjustment problem into manageable discrete operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a timeline intermediary layer between the user and the actual animation object. Instead of directly manipulating object speed parameters, users interact with time markers on the timeline, which then translate their positions into speed adjustments for the animation object. This intermediary provides a more intuitive mediation interface
Data Source
AI summary
In one implementation, a method of manipulating animation timing is provided by a device including one or more processors coupled to non-transitory memory. The method includes displaying, using a display, a timeline for an animation of an object moving along a path, wherein the timeline includes a plurality of ticks, wherein each of the plurality of ticks is associated with a respective distance along the timeline and a respective distance along the path, wherein the respective distance along the timeline is proportional to an amount of time for the object to move the respective distance along the path. The method includes receiving, using one or more input devices, an input within the timeline. The method includes, in response to receiving the input within the timeline, changing the respective distances along the timeline of two or more of the plurality of ticks.