Dynamic User Interfaces with Programmable Animation Pathways
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current user interfaces are static and limited in presenting information dynamically, constraining creative freedom and user experience, as they often rely on static layouts with animations used only as ornamentations rather than integral components.
Innovation Solution
The development of dynamic and animatable user interfaces that utilize animations, transitions, and user interface element configurations to communicate real-time changes, allowing for the creation of advanced and complex animations by programming animation pathways with varying velocities and associating them with UI elements, enabling seamless integration with existing frameworks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If static user interface layouts are used with ad-hoc animation ornamentations, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but creative freedom and user experience are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static user interface layouts into dynamic systems where animation pathways are programmed as integral components. UI elements can be assigned multiple animation pathways with different velocities and durations, allowing the interface to adapt and respond dynamically to user interactions while maintaining a structured framework for managing this complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments animation control into independent animation pathways that can be individually programmed and managed. Each UI element can have multiple animation pathways assigned, allowing complex animations to be broken down into manageable segments that can be controlled, modified, and executed independently, thereby increasing creative freedom without overwhelming complexity.
2Loss of information
If multiple animation pathways with different velocities are programmed independently, then dynamic information presentation is achieved, but animation synchronization complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where animation pathways report their completion status (percentage completion) to the system. This allows the interface to monitor the state of multiple independent animations and trigger subsequent actions or transitions based on their completion, enabling dynamic information presentation while automatically managing synchronization without manual coordination complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows animation pathways to be pre-programmed with their specific velocities, durations, and trigger conditions before execution. This preliminary configuration enables the system to automatically coordinate multiple animations with different characteristics, reducing the need for real-time synchronization complexity while maintaining high-quality dynamic information presentation.
3Ease of operation
If animations are used as integral components rather than ornamentations, then user engagement is improved, but system resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables selective application of animation pathways to specific UI elements based on their importance and interaction context. Not all UI elements require complex animations - the system can apply animation pathways partially or selectively to enhance user engagement where most beneficial while minimizing unnecessary processing resources spent on animating less critical interface components.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for dynamic user interfaces are provided. A user interface allows a user to receive information about a computer system's state and to make changes to state, such as with touch screen devices. Dynamic user interfaces provide advanced methods of interfacing with the computer system, receiving information, and changing computer state. Advanced methods include improved gestural controls like interrupting or fast-forwarding an animated transition. Advanced methods of receiving information from the computer system are also provided, such as real-time data updates mid-animation and meaning conveyed through motion of and/or configuration change of UI elements. Defined animation pathways in the system can have different relative velocities as a function of percentage completion regardless of the duration(s) of the animation pathways, allowing for more fluid UIs. The methods and systems allow for the rapid creation, management, and iteration of meaningful user interfaces and complex animation types.