Animation Timeline Synchronization with Media Playback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing presentation applications lack integration between animation actions and media object playback, requiring manual synchronization of animation start times with media content, which is time-consuming and frustrating for users.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves defining forward and reverse triggers within an animation timeline to automatically synchronize animation actions with media object playback, allowing animation actions to start or control media object playback at specific points of interest, such as bookmarks, enabling seamless integration and automation of animation and media playback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual adjustment is used to synchronize animation start with media playback, then synchronization precision can be achieved, but user time consumption and operational complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization precisionVSAvoiduser time consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects media playback progress and triggers animations at the correct moments without requiring manual user adjustment. The animation timeline synchronizes with media playback automatically, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring continuous user intervention for synchronization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Users pre-define trigger conditions and animation parameters before playback begins. The system then automatically executes the synchronized animation based on these pre-configured settings, eliminating the need for real-time manual adjustment during playback while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If manual adjustment is used to synchronize animation start with media playback, then synchronization precision can be achieved, but operational ease deteriorates due to frustrating user experience

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization precisionVSAvoidoperational ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects media playback progress and triggers animations at the correct moments without requiring manual user adjustment. The animation timeline synchronizes with media playback automatically, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring continuous user intervention for synchronization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

An automatic synchronization mechanism acts as an intermediary between media playback and animation triggering. This intermediary automatically translates media playback progress into corresponding animation trigger events, eliminating the need for direct manual user intervention while maintaining precise synchronization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Extent of automation

If integration between animation actions and media playback is added, then automation and ease of operation improve, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation levelVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The animation timeline component is designed to serve multiple functions: it controls animation sequencing, detects media playback progress, automatically triggers animations, and provides user configuration interface. By making this single component multi-functional, the system achieves high automation without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the animation control system with the media playback system into an integrated architecture where the animation timeline serves as a unified controller for both animations and media objects. This merging reduces the need for separate synchronization mechanisms and lowers overall system complexity while maintaining high automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2368175B1Triggering animation actions and media object actions
Publication Date: 2020.02.26 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP2368175B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2368175B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2368175B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A request may be received to trigger an animation action in response to reaching a bookmark during playback of a media object. In response to the request, data is stored defining a new animation timeline configured to perform the animation action when playback of the media object reaches the bookmark. When the media object is played back, a determination is made as to whether the bookmark has been encountered. If the bookmark is encountered, the new animation timeline is started, thereby triggering the specified animation action. An animation action may also be added to an animation timeline that triggers a media object action at a location within a media object. When the animation action is encountered during playback of the animation timeline, the specified media object action is performed on the associated media object.