Animation Using Animation Effect and Trigger Element

• US 20090207175A1
• Filed: 02/15/2008
• Published: 08/20/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Warner, Peter R.
• Application Number:
  US12/032,210
• Publication Number:
  US 20090207175A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/473
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 13/00 Animation
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 13/60 of natural phenomena, e.g. rain, snow, water or plants

Abstract

Among other disclosed subject matter, a computer-implemented method for animating an image element includes determining that a trigger element defined by a trigger element occurs. The method includes, in response to the trigger element, applying an animation effect to a group that comprises at least one image element. A first association between the animation effect and the group is configured for another animation effect to selectively be associated with the group, and a second association between the trigger element and the animation effect is configured for another trigger element to selectively be associated with the animation effect.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for animating an image element, the method comprising:

determining that a trigger event defined by a trigger element occurs; and

in response to the trigger event, applying an animation effect to a group that comprises at least one image element, wherein a first association between the animation effect and the group is configured for another animation effect to selectively be associated with the group, and wherein a second association between the trigger element and the animation effect is configured for another trigger element to selectively be associated with the animation effect.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the image element is at least one of:

an image of an object, a character, and combinations thereof.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the trigger element lacks spatial properties and comprises information configured to feed a parameter to the animation effect regarding the image element.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein the information is contained in at least one of:

a numerical list, an alphabetical list, a random list, an amplitude of audio, input generated using an input device, input generated using a touch screen, and combinations thereof.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the trigger element has at least one spatial property and is configured to feed a parameter to the animation effect regarding the image element, the trigger element triggering the animation effect upon touching the image element.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein the trigger element is one of:

a geometric figure, a circle, a line, an animated sequence, and combinations thereof.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein the trigger element comprises a standard zone that causes the animation effect to be applied, and a dropoff zone that causes the animation effect to be applied to a lesser degree than in the standard zone.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, further comprising changing the spatial property.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, wherein the changing spatial property is one of:

a shape changing size, a moving line, and combinations thereof.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, wherein the spatial property changes in response to a user manipulating the spatial property.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the group includes multiple image elements that are currently in an ordered state, and wherein applying the animation effect causes each of the multiple image elements to undergo motion away from the ordered state.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, wherein the motion is one of:

motion with inertia applied to the multiple image elements, and motion without inertia applied to the multiple image elements.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the animation effect causes the image element to rotate.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the animation effect comprises a wind effect that gives an appearance of blowing on the image element.

15. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the animation effect comprises a fire effect that gives an appearance of burning the image element.

16. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the animation effect causes one of:

a size of the image element to change, a color of the image element to change, and combinations thereof.

17. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein multiple animation effects are associated with the group, each of the animation effects having a particular trigger element.

18. A computer program product tangibly embodied in a computer-readable storage medium and comprising instructions that when executed by a processor perform a method for animating an image element, the method comprising:

determining that a trigger event defined by a trigger element occurs; and

in response to the trigger event, applying an animation effect to a group that comprises at least one image element, wherein a first association between the animation effect and the group is configured for another animation effect to selectively be associated with the group, and wherein a second association between the trigger element and the animation effect is configured for another trigger element to selectively be associated with the animation effect.

19. A computer-implemented method for providing animation of an image element, the method comprising:

obtaining a group comprising at least one image element that is to be animated;

generating a first association for an animation effect to be applied to the obtained group, the first association being configured for another animation effect to selectively be associated with the obtained group; and

generating a second association for a trigger element to trigger the animation effect, the second association configured for another trigger element to selectively be associated with the animation effect.

20. The computer-implemented method of claim 19, further comprising:

associating the other animation effect with the obtained group, wherein the other animation effect is to be triggered at least by the trigger element.

21. The computer-implemented method of claim 19, further comprising:

associating the other trigger element with the animation effect, wherein the animation effect is to be triggered at least by the other trigger element.

22. A computer program product tangibly embodied in a computer-readable storage medium and comprising instructions that when executed by a processor perform a method for providing animation of an image element, the method comprising:

obtaining a group comprising at least one image element that is to be animated;

generating a first association for an animation effect to be applied to the obtained group, the first association being configured for another animation effect to selectively be associated with the obtained group; and

generating a second association for a trigger element to trigger the animation effect, the second association configured for another trigger element to selectively be associated with the animation effect.