Remote Object Transition Animation in Shared User Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Real-time collaborative virtual boards lack animation of object transitions made by remote users, leading to a suboptimal user experience as other users cannot see the transitions made by remote users.
Innovation Solution
Implement an animation module on client devices to receive indications of remote user transitions, create a trajectory, and animate the movement of objects from the origin to the destination location, ensuring all users see the transitions in near real-time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If real-time collaborative editing allows multiple users to edit simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but the user interface lacks natural feel and animation of transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by introducing animated transitions that dynamically respond to user actions. When a user drags an object from one location to another, the system animates the object's movement through intermediate positions rather than instant teleportation. This dynamic animation makes the interface feel more natural and responsive, resolving the contradiction between real-time collaboration capability and user interface naturalness.
2Loss of information
If changes are highlighted briefly to show what has been changed, then information delivery is improved, but the transition animation is not implemented for remote users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements copying by creating a visual replica of the object's movement trajectory. When a remote user transitions an object, the system copies this transition and animates it for local users to observe. The animation system creates a virtual copy of the object that follows the same path and timing as the original object's movement, allowing users to see remote changes without adding complex infrastructure.
3Ease of operation
If animations are added to show remote user transitions, then user experience is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and queuing animation tasks before they need to be rendered. The system captures transition information when it occurs and prepares animation data in advance, then executes animations during appropriate time windows. This batching and pre-preparation approach reduces immediate processing burden while maintaining smooth user experience.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable medium for animating transition of an object in a shared user interface displayed on a client device in response to a remote user performing a transition is disclosed. The method includes retrieving an animation object associated with a transition event, at a client device. The animation object includes an identifier of the object transitioned by the remote user, an origin location of the transitioned object and a destination location of the transitioned object in a user interface. The method further includes determining whether animation is required for the animation object. Upon determining that animation is required, the method further includes animating a transition of the transitioned object to the destination location based on the animation object and updating the position of the transitioned object in a local state cache of the user interface.