Goal-Based Animation Interpolation for Virtual Agent Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animation techniques for virtual agents in computer-generated environments result in unnatural, jagged motions due to sharp transitions and pauses between movements, especially when interacting with stationary or dynamic targets.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of goal-based, second-order animation techniques that interpolate first-order animation paths to generate smoother, continuous motion paths for virtual agents, reducing or eliminating pauses and enhancing the naturalness of the animation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional first-order animation paths are used to animate virtual agent movements, then the animation can be defined with simple target positions and movement durations, but the resulting motion appears unnatural and jagged with sharp transitions and pauses between movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary interpolation mechanism between discrete first-order animation paths. This intermediary component smoothly transitions between paths by calculating intermediate positions, velocities, and accelerations, thereby eliminating sharp transitions and pauses while maintaining the simplicity of defining individual movements to targets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters from simple position-based first-order animations to second-order animations that incorporate velocity and acceleration parameters. This parameter transformation enables continuous, natural-looking motion by smoothly varying the movement characteristics between targets, resolving the contradiction between ease of definition and naturalness of execution.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple separate animation paths are defined for each movement to a target, then each movement can be precisely controlled, but the overall animation becomes complex and time-consuming to achieve natural transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate first-order animation paths into a unified second-order animation system. Instead of managing separate paths for each movement, the system combines them and uses interpolation to generate smooth transitions, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining precise control over each individual movement through the interpolated paths.
3Reliability
If pauses are included between movements to allow for natural timing, then the animation appears more realistic, but the total animation time increases and the virtual agent appears less responsive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous second-order interpolation that eliminates pauses between movements. The interpolation mathematically ensures continuous position, velocity, and acceleration, allowing the virtual agent to transition smoothly from one target to another without stopping. This maintains realism through natural motion physics while eliminating time loss from pauses, keeping the agent responsive.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-generated environment may include a virtual agent and a plurality of targets. Movements of the virtual agent to the plurality of targets can be defined and the movements of the virtual agent to the plurality of targets may be interpolated, such that to generate an interpolated animation path of movement of the virtual agent to the first target and to the second target.