Graphical Object Animation Using Virtual Destinations
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Solution Overview
Problem
The animation of graphical objects in electronic devices consumes significant memory and processing resources, impacting device performance, especially when displaying a large set of objects where only a subset can be shown at a time.
Innovation Solution
The use of evaluators to control and adjust display characteristics such as position, velocity, acceleration, size, and opacity, allowing for complex visual animation effects and smooth transitions of graphical objects, including updating virtual destinations based on user input during animation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If animation of graphical objects is implemented, then visual effects and user interaction are enhanced, but memory and processing resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the animation system into multiple independent evaluators, each responsible for specific display characteristics (position, velocity, acceleration, size, opacity). This modular approach allows selective execution of animation computations, reducing overall processing resource consumption while maintaining visual effects capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts animation parameters based on current device state and user interaction. Evaluators compute display characteristics in real-time based on current position, velocity, and acceleration, allowing the animation system to adapt its resource consumption to actual needs rather than maintaining constant high-level effects.
2Quantity of substance
If a large set of graphical objects is displayed, then content coverage is improved, but only a subset can be shown at one time requiring panning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces virtual destination as an additional dimensional concept beyond simple position. Objects have both current display position and virtual destination position, allowing the system to manage large datasets by specifying where objects should move to rather than managing all possible positions simultaneously. This reduces display management complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaluator system acts as an intermediary between the large set of graphical objects and the limited display capacity. Evaluators compute intermediate display characteristics (position, velocity, acceleration, size, opacity) that bridge the gap between current state and desired state, simplifying the management of large object sets.
3Ease of operation
If virtual destination is updated mid-animation, then user input responsiveness is improved, but animation smoothness may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically responds to user input by updating virtual destination mid-animation. The evaluator framework allows real-time recalculation of display characteristics based on new virtual destinations while maintaining continuous animation through velocity and acceleration computations, achieving both responsiveness and smoothness.
Solution Approach 2:
The animation system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the current animation state (position, velocity, acceleration) influences how mid-animation updates are handled. The evaluators use current state information to compute smooth transitions to new virtual destinations, ensuring animation continuity while responding to user input.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for animating graphical objects is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a plurality of graphical objects and displaying a subset of the objects in a viewport. In this embodiment, the method may also include calculating a virtual destination for one of the graphical objects based on a received user input, and moving the graphical object to the virtual destination over a period of time. Various additional methods, machine-readable media, and devices for animating graphical objects and controlling operational characteristics of a device are also provided.