UI Element Animation Linkage Based on Spatial Distance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional animations on user interfaces (UIs) lack flexibility and do not conform to users' habits, leading to a suboptimal user experience due to monotonous and independent animation effects.
Innovation Solution
Enhance the linkage between animation effects of different UI elements by determining distances and animation effects based on reference points, sizes, and movement directions, using predefined curves like Bessel or elastic force curves, and incorporating delay times to simulate real-world interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If independent animation effects are used for each UI element, then the implementation is simple, but the linkage between UI elements is weak and user experience is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the animation system into independent animation effects for each UI element while introducing a linkage mechanism that selectively connects them. Each UI element maintains its own animation properties (translation, rotation, scaling, fading) that can be independently configured, while the linkage mechanism determines which elements should move together based on spatial relationships and user interaction, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and linkage effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to the animation system by introducing spatial relationship analysis and linkage relationships beyond individual element animations. By calculating distances between UI elements and determining spatial relationships (adjacent, overlapping, contained), the system creates a multi-dimensional animation framework that enhances user experience without overcomplicating individual element implementations
2Loss of information
If animation effects are added to show relationships between UI elements, then user experience improves, but the distance determination and animation coordination become complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating spatial relationships and distances between UI elements before animations are triggered. The system determines which elements are adjacent, overlapping, or contained within each other in advance, and pre-establishes linkage relationships based on these spatial configurations. This preliminary analysis simplifies the real-time animation coordination by having the relationship information ready before user interaction occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary linkage mechanism that mediates between individual UI element animations and the overall visual relationship representation. This linkage mechanism acts as a mediator that translates spatial relationships into coordinated animation behaviors, determining which elements should move together and in what manner based on their relative positions and interactions, thereby simplifying the coordination complexity
3Reliability
If multiple UI elements are made to move with linked animation effects, then the visual representation of relationships is enhanced, but the computational overhead and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by selectively applying linkage animation effects only to UI elements that have significant spatial relationships or functional connections. Rather than making all elements move together, the system identifies and animates only the relevant subset of elements based on distance thresholds and relationship types, reducing computational overhead while maintaining visual accuracy for the most important relationships
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by dynamically adjusting animation parameters such as distance thresholds, linkage strength, and animation duration based on the specific spatial relationships detected. The system modifies these parameters in real-time according to the user's interaction context and the identified relationships between elements, optimizing the balance between visual accuracy and processing efficiency for different scenarios
Data Source
AI summary
M user interface UI elements are displayed on a screen of the electronic device, where M is a positive integer greater than 1. Dragging performed on a first UI element in the M UI elements is detected. In response to the dragging, each of N UI elements on the screen is enabled to move with a corresponding animation effect, where N is a positive integer ranging from 1 to M−1. The enabling the N UI elements to move with corresponding animation effects includes: determining a distance between the first UI element and a second UI element on the UI; determining an animation effect of movement of the second UI element based on the distance; and enabling the second UI element to move with the animation effect, to visually indicate that the second UI element moves with the first UI element.