Scrolling Visual Content Animation for Type Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing user interface technologies do not effectively inform users of the type of visual content being displayed while conserving display real estate and battery power, especially when scrolling through visual content items like photographs, videos, and cinemagraphs.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that respond to user directional inputs by scrolling visual content items across the display, animating subjects within motion-based content items while scrolling, thereby indicating the type of content without needing additional text or graphics, thus conserving display space and battery power.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If visual content items are displayed statically without animation, then battery power is conserved and display real estate is preserved, but users cannot effectively identify the type of visual content being displayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent type identificationVSAvoidbattery power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the visual content item animate only when scrolled, transforming it from a static to a dynamic state temporarily. This allows the content to reveal its type (photo, video, cinemagraph) through animation while conserving battery power when not in use, as the animation is triggered conditionally based on user interaction rather than continuously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses changes in visual properties (animation state) to indicate content type. By transitioning from static to animated state, the system provides visual feedback about the content type without requiring additional text or graphics, effectively using state changes as information carriers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Loss of information

If additional text or graphics are added to indicate content type, then users can identify the type of visual content, but display real estate is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent type identificationVSAvoiddisplay real estate
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The visual content item itself serves as the indicator of its type through its animation behavior. When scrolled, the content item naturally reveals whether it is a photo, video, or cinemagraph through its animation characteristics, eliminating the need for separate labels or text. The content provides self-identification through its inherent properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses changes in visual state (from static to animated) to convey information about content type. This approach replaces traditional text or graphic indicators with dynamic visual behavior, preserving display real estate while effectively communicating content type information

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

3Loss of information

If visual content items are continuously animated, then users can easily identify content type, but battery power is depleted faster

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent type identificationVSAvoidbattery power loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by triggering animation only during scroll events rather than continuously. The content item alternates between static (power-saving) and animated (information-revealing) states based on user interaction, creating a rhythm of activation that balances information delivery with energy conservation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the animation state based on user interaction. The content item transitions from a static low-power state to a dynamic animated state only when scrolled, allowing the system to adapt power consumption to actual user needs for information

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2921944B1User interface
Publication Date: 2019.01.09 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP2921944B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2921944B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2921944B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus, a method and a computer program are provided. The method comprises: causing a visual content item to be displayed on a display; identifying a directional input from a user; and responding to the directional input by scrolling the visual content item across the display and by animating at least one subject in the visual content item while the visual content item is scrolling across the display.