Email Animation via Layered Image Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for transmitting dynamic images over electronic communication channels, such as email and websites, are inefficient in terms of bandwidth usage and require complex programming or specific plugins, making them unsuitable for wireless connections and difficult to implement.
Innovation Solution
The method involves capturing multiple photographs of a scene with a camera, editing them to isolate moving elements, and storing them as layers in a graphic file, which is then transmitted with the initial 'naked' photo, allowing for efficient display of a dynamic image by layering and removing elements in sequence, reducing file size and bandwidth requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple images are transmitted to create animations, then the dynamic image quality is improved, but the transmission time and bandwidth usage increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the animation into individual movable elements (objects, characters, background components) that can be transmitted separately as transparent image files with coordinate data, rather than transmitting complete sequential frames. This segmentation allows the receiving device to reconstruct the animation by positioning and moving these elements according to stored coordinate information, dramatically reducing the amount of data that needs to be transmitted while preserving full animation capability.
2Loss of energy
If flash graphics with programming code are used, then the bandwidth usage is reduced, but the device complexity and requirement for specific plugins increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses simple transparent image files (such as GIF or JPEG with transparency) as copies of the animation elements instead of requiring complex flash programming code. These image copies contain embedded coordinate data that specifies positioning and movement information. The receiving device only needs standard image display capabilities to render these files, eliminating the need for specialized flash plugins while achieving similar bandwidth efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complete image frames are transmitted for each animation frame, then the animation quality is maintained, but the file size and transmission bandwidth increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential moving elements from complete image frames and transmits them separately as transparent image files with coordinate data. Instead of transmitting entire frames that contain both static and dynamic content, the method extracts and transmits only the elements that need to move, along with their positioning information. This extraction process significantly reduces file size while maintaining animation quality, as the static background can be represented more efficiently.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a method for providing animation in electronic communications. An image is generated by capturing multiple photographs from a camera or video camera typically fixed in one position. The first photograph is called the “naked photo.” Using a graphics program, photos subsequent to the naked photo are edited to cut an element common to the subsequent photos. The cut images are pasted into the naked photo as layers. The modified naked photo, including the layers, is stored as a web-enabled graphics file, which is then transmitted in conjunction with electronic communication. When the electronic communication is received, the naked photo is displayed and each of the layers is displayed and removed in the order that each was taken with a short delay between photos. In this manner, a movie is generated with much smaller files than is currently possible.