Automatic Animation Generation for Graphical Objects

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Solution Overview

Problem

Developing smartphone applications often requires complex programming for animation of graphical objects, which can be time-consuming and inefficient, especially for animations involving multiple objects and transitions between scenes.

Innovation Solution

A method for generating animation information for animatable objects in a computer-generated scene, where parameters such as position, size, and opacity are modified over time, allowing for automated animation generation and transition between scenes, including keyframe calculations and interpolation for smooth object movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual programming is used for animation of graphical objects, then precise control over object movement and transformation is achieved, but development time and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoiddevelopment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-defines animation templates with common movement patterns and transformations. Developers can select from pre-configured animation types (e.g., fade in, slide, rotate) without manually programming each animation sequence, thus reducing development time while maintaining control precision through parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system copies and reuses animation templates across multiple objects and scenes. Once an animation is created or selected, it can be replicated and applied to other graphical objects by adjusting parameters such as duration, direction, and timing, eliminating the need to reprogram animations from scratch.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If detailed manual programming is used for each object animation, then customization and specificity are improved, but device complexity and programming effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanimation customizationVSAvoidprogramming complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides dynamic parameter adjustment for animation templates. Developers can modify animation behavior in real-time by changing parameters such as speed, duration, easing functions, and trigger conditions, allowing high customization without increasing programming complexity since the underlying animation logic remains template-based.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows customization of animation through parameter modification rather than code rewriting. Developers can adjust numerical parameters (timing, position, scale) and logical parameters (trigger events, conditional logic) to customize animations while the system handles the complexity of implementing these changes automatically.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If automated animation generation is implemented, then development efficiency is improved, but control over specific object modifications may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevelopment efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides visual feedback and preview capabilities that allow developers to see the effect of automated animation generation in real-time. Developers can adjust parameters and immediately observe changes, maintaining easy control while benefiting from automated generation. The system also provides debugging tools to inspect animation sequences and modify specific object modifications as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Manufacturing precision

If complex animations with multiple objects and scene transitions are created manually, then animation quality and detail are improved, but time consumption and resource usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanimation qualityVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments complex animations into reusable templates and modular components. Instead of programming entire animation sequences manually, developers can assemble complex animations from smaller template building blocks (object entry animations, transition effects, interaction responses), maintaining high animation quality while significantly reducing time consumption through modular composition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10176620B2Automatic animation generation

Publication Date: 2019.01.08 APPLE INC

AI summary

Some embodiments of the invention provide a method that receives a selection of an animation to apply to two or more graphical objects in a scene over a particular time duration. The method identifies parameters for each of the graphical objects. Based on the selected animation, the method generates modifications to at least one parameter for each of the graphical objects over the particular time duration. The parameter of a first graphical object is modified differently than the parameter of a second graphical object. The method stores the modifications as data for the scene.