CONTROL OF TIMING FOR ANIMATIONS IN DYNAMIC ICONS
First Claim
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1. A method for displaying dynamic icons in a graphical user interface of a computing device, comprising:
- receiving first content to be animated in a first dynamic icon;
starting animation of the first content in the first dynamic icon;
receiving second content to be animated in a second dynamic icon;
checking whether a difference in time overlap of the animations of the first content in the first dynamic icon and the second content in the second dynamic icon is below a predetermined threshold;
if the difference in time overlap exceeds the predetermined threshold, controlling timing of the animation of the second content in the second dynamic icon so as to reduce the time overlap; and
at a time different from a starting time of the animation of the first content in the first dynamic icon and in response to the controlling timing of the animation of the second content in the second dynamic icon, starting animation of the second content in the second dynamic icon.
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Abstract
Dynamic icons are described that can employ animations, such as visual effects, audio, and other content that change with time. If multiple animations are scheduled to occur simultaneously, the timing of the animations can be controlled so that timing overlap of the animations is reduced. For example, the starting times of the animations can be staggered so that multiple animations are not initiated too close in time. It has been found that too much motion in the user interface can be distracting and cause confusion amongst users.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for displaying dynamic icons in a graphical user interface of a computing device, comprising:
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receiving first content to be animated in a first dynamic icon; starting animation of the first content in the first dynamic icon; receiving second content to be animated in a second dynamic icon; checking whether a difference in time overlap of the animations of the first content in the first dynamic icon and the second content in the second dynamic icon is below a predetermined threshold; if the difference in time overlap exceeds the predetermined threshold, controlling timing of the animation of the second content in the second dynamic icon so as to reduce the time overlap; and at a time different from a starting time of the animation of the first content in the first dynamic icon and in response to the controlling timing of the animation of the second content in the second dynamic icon, starting animation of the second content in the second dynamic icon. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus for displaying dynamic icons in a graphical user interface of a computing device, comprising:
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multiple user interface elements capable of animating content; and an animation manager coupled to the multiple user interface elements, the animation manager including a state machine so as to stagger a starting time of when animations are displayed in the user interface elements;
wherein the animation manager uses the state machine to perform a method comprising;receiving first content to be animated in a first user interface element; starting animation of the first content in the first user interface element; receiving second content to be animated in a second user interface element; checking whether a difference in time overlap of the animations of the first content in the first user interface element and the second content in the second user interface element is below a predetermined threshold; if the difference in time overlap exceeds the predetermined threshold, controlling timing of the animation of the second content in the second user interface element so as to reduce the time overlap; and at a time different from a starting time of the animation of the first content and in response to the controlling timing of the animation of the second content, starting animation of the second content in the second user interface element. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A computer-readable medium having instructions encoded thereon which, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform a method comprising:
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receiving first content to be animated in a first dynamic icon; starting animation of the first content in the first dynamic icon; receiving second content to be animated in a second dynamic icon; checking whether a difference in time overlap of the animations of the first content in the first dynamic icon and the second content in the second dynamic icon is below a predetermined threshold; if the difference in time overlap exceeds the predetermined threshold, controlling timing of the animation of the second content in the second dynamic icon so as to reduce the time overlap; and at a time different from a starting time of the animation of the first content in the first dynamic icon and in response to the controlling timing of the animation of the second content in the second dynamic icon, starting animation of the second content in the second dynamic icon. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification