User interface and method for controlling and displaying multimedia motion, visual, and sound effects of an object on a display
First Claim
1. A computer user interface apparatus for controlling a motion effect and a visual effect of an object in a computer system, comprising:
- a memory means, for storing at least one object, including a motion effect and a visual effect, wherein each object includes an object duration between an appearance of the object and a disappearance of the object, the object duration stored in the memory means with the object;
a processor, operatively coupled to the memory means, for retrieving the object from the memory means, and manipulating the object;
a display, operatively coupled to the processor and the memory means, for displaying the object and the motion effect and visual effect of the object;
an electronic pointing means operatively coupled to the processor, for selecting and manipulating the object on the display;
a plurality of motion direction indicating means responsive to selection by the electronic pointing means, and displayable on the display, each motion direction indicating means representing a motion effect with a direction applied to the object by the processor, wherein the motion effect is stored by the processor in the memory means with the object;
a motion direction setting means operatively coupled to the processor the display, and the memory means, for controlling the processor to apply to the object the motion effect stored with the object in the memory, wherein the object is displayed on the display with the stored motion effect;
a plurality of visual effect indicating means responsive to selection by the electronic pointing means, and displayable on the display, each visual effect indicating means representing a visual effect applied to the object by the processor, wherein the visual effect is stored by the processor in the memory means with the object;
a visual effect setting means operatively coupled to the processor, the display, and the memory means, for controlling the processor to apply to the object the visual effect stored with the object in the memory, wherein the object is displayed on the display with the stored visual effect;
means, operatively coupled to the display, and the processor, for displaying on the display a motion control palette including the plurality of motion direction indicating means;
means, operatively coupled to the display, and the processor, for displaying on the display a visual effect palette including the plurality of visual effect indicating means;
duration display means, operatively coupled to the display and the memory means, for displaying on the display an indicator of the object duration of the object;
segmenting means, operatively coupled to the memory means and the display, for segmenting on the display the object duration of the object into a plurality of contiguous time segments, each time segment comprising a beginning time partition and an end time partition, and a segment duration between the time partitions, each time segment including a visual effect applied by the visual effect setting means, the means for segmenting the object duration responsive to selection by the electronic pointing means, and for storing each time segment with the object in the memory means;
first adjusting means, operatively coupled to the memory means and the display, for concurrently adjusting on the display the segment duration of a first time segment and a third time segment separated by a second time segment adjacent to both the first and third time segments, by moving with the electronic pointing means the second time segment toward either the first or third time segment, such that the segment duration of each of the first and third time segments changes relative to the movement of the second time segment, and for storing each time segment with the object in the memory means; and
second adjusting means, operatively coupled to the memory means and the display, for concurrently adjusting on the display the segment duration of both the first and second time segments by moving a time partition separating the first and second time segments with the electronic pointing means, such that the segment duration of each of the first and second time segments changes relative to the movement of the time partition, and for storing each time segment with the object in the memory means.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A multimedia authoring program includes a multimedia effect tool for applying and controlling direction of motion, visual, and sound effects for multimedia objects, including text, graphics, and the like, in a multimedia art work. The tool provides a set of palettes, each including a plurality of icons representing different motion and visual effects. The effects are applied to an object in each of a number of time segments that partition the overall duration of the object. The time segments can be enlarged or reduced as desired. For some time segments, including an entry and an exit time segment, there is an associated motion direction and visual effect palette. The motion direction palette allows selection of an icon representing a particular motion that is applied to the object during the runtime of the multimedia art work, whereby the object moves in the selected direction during the associated time segment. The visual effect palette allows the selection of an icon representing a visual effect that is applied to alter the appearance of the object during the associated time segment. The hold time segment, during which the object is stationary, has a visual effect palette for applying visual effects useful during the stationary positioning of the object. A sound effect applied to the object is controlled with a cue control and an end control for adjusting the beginning and ending points of the sound effect relative to the appearance and disappearance of the object on the display.
-
Citations
31 Claims
-
1. A computer user interface apparatus for controlling a motion effect and a visual effect of an object in a computer system, comprising:
-
a memory means, for storing at least one object, including a motion effect and a visual effect, wherein each object includes an object duration between an appearance of the object and a disappearance of the object, the object duration stored in the memory means with the object; a processor, operatively coupled to the memory means, for retrieving the object from the memory means, and manipulating the object; a display, operatively coupled to the processor and the memory means, for displaying the object and the motion effect and visual effect of the object; an electronic pointing means operatively coupled to the processor, for selecting and manipulating the object on the display; a plurality of motion direction indicating means responsive to selection by the electronic pointing means, and displayable on the display, each motion direction indicating means representing a motion effect with a direction applied to the object by the processor, wherein the motion effect is stored by the processor in the memory means with the object; a motion direction setting means operatively coupled to the processor the display, and the memory means, for controlling the processor to apply to the object the motion effect stored with the object in the memory, wherein the object is displayed on the display with the stored motion effect; a plurality of visual effect indicating means responsive to selection by the electronic pointing means, and displayable on the display, each visual effect indicating means representing a visual effect applied to the object by the processor, wherein the visual effect is stored by the processor in the memory means with the object; a visual effect setting means operatively coupled to the processor, the display, and the memory means, for controlling the processor to apply to the object the visual effect stored with the object in the memory, wherein the object is displayed on the display with the stored visual effect; means, operatively coupled to the display, and the processor, for displaying on the display a motion control palette including the plurality of motion direction indicating means; means, operatively coupled to the display, and the processor, for displaying on the display a visual effect palette including the plurality of visual effect indicating means; duration display means, operatively coupled to the display and the memory means, for displaying on the display an indicator of the object duration of the object; segmenting means, operatively coupled to the memory means and the display, for segmenting on the display the object duration of the object into a plurality of contiguous time segments, each time segment comprising a beginning time partition and an end time partition, and a segment duration between the time partitions, each time segment including a visual effect applied by the visual effect setting means, the means for segmenting the object duration responsive to selection by the electronic pointing means, and for storing each time segment with the object in the memory means; first adjusting means, operatively coupled to the memory means and the display, for concurrently adjusting on the display the segment duration of a first time segment and a third time segment separated by a second time segment adjacent to both the first and third time segments, by moving with the electronic pointing means the second time segment toward either the first or third time segment, such that the segment duration of each of the first and third time segments changes relative to the movement of the second time segment, and for storing each time segment with the object in the memory means; and second adjusting means, operatively coupled to the memory means and the display, for concurrently adjusting on the display the segment duration of both the first and second time segments by moving a time partition separating the first and second time segments with the electronic pointing means, such that the segment duration of each of the first and second time segments changes relative to the movement of the time partition, and for storing each time segment with the object in the memory means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. A user interface for a computer system for controlling a motion effect and a visual effect of an object that is displayable on a display controlled by a computer system, the computer system including a memory for storing the object, the motion effect, and the visual effect, the user interface comprising;
-
a display, operatively coupled to the computer system, for displaying the object; an electronic pointing means coupled to the computer system for selecting one of a plurality of motion direction icons displayed within a motion control palette on the display, each motion direction icon representing a motion effect with a direction relative to the boundary, and selectable by the electronic pointing means, wherein the motion effect is stored in the memory, and for selecting one of a plurality of visual effect icons displayed within a visual effect palette on the display, each visual effect icon representing a visual effect applicable to the object, and selectable by the electronic pointing means, wherein the visual effect is stored in the memory; a motion direction setting means, operatively coupled to the computer system, for applying the stored motion effect to the object on the display; a visual effect setting means, operatively coupled to the computer systems, for applying the stored visual effect to the object on the display; duration display means, operatively coupled to the display, for displaying on the display an indicator of the object duration of the object; segmenting means, operatively coupled to the memory and the display, for segmenting on the display the object duration of the object into a plurality of contiguous time segments, each time segment comprising a beginning time partition and an end time partition, and a segment duration between the time partitions, each time segment including a visual effect applied by the visual effect setting means, the means for segmenting the object duration responsive to selection by the electronic pointing means, and for storing each time segment with the object in the memory; first adjusting means, operatively coupled to the memory and the display, for concurrently adjusting on the display the segment duration of a first time segment and a third time segment separated by a second time segment adjacent to both the first and third time segments, by moving with the electronic pointing means the second time segment toward either the first or third time segment, such that the segment duration of each of the first and third time segments changes relative to the movement of the second time segment, and for storing each time segment with the object in the memory; and second adjusting means, operatively coupled to the memory and the display, for concurrently adjusting on the display the segment duration of both the first and second time segments by moving a time partition separating the first and second time segments with the electronic pointing means, such that the segment duration of each of the first and second time segments changes relative to the movement of the time partition, and for storing each time segment with the object in the memory. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
-
-
9. In a computer based multimedia authoring environment, including an electronic pointing device, a display, and a memory for storing at least one multimedia object, the authoring environment for creating a multimedia art work including the multimedia object, a computer implemented method for applying a multimedia effect to an object comprising the steps of:
-
displaying at least one object on the display; receiving a selection of the object with the electronic pointing device; displaying a plurality of motion direction icons, each motion direction icon representing a motion effect with a direction; receiving a selection of one of the motion direction icons with the electronic pointing device; storing the motion effect with a direction represented by the selected motion direction icon in association with the object in the memory; displaying a motion direction setting icon indicating the stored motion effect for the object; displaying a plurality of visual effect icons, each visual effect icon representing a visual effect altering the appearance of the object; receiving a selection of one of the visual effect icons with the electronic pointing device; storing the selected visual effect with the object in the memory; displayiny a visual effect setting icon indicating the stored visual effect for the object; and concurrently moving the object on the display in the direction represented by the selected motion direction icon and displaying the object with stored visual effect. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. In a computer based multimedia authoring environment, including an electronic pointing device, a display, and a memory for storing at least one multimedia object, the authoring environment for creating a multimedia art work including the multimedia object, wherein each object includes an object duration between an appearance of the object and a disappearance of the object, the object duration including a plurality of contiguous time segments, each time segment comprising a beginning time partition and an end time partition, and a segment duration between the time partitions, a method for applying a multimedia effect to an object comprising:
-
displaying at least one object on the display; selecting the object with the electronic pointing device; displaying a first palette including a plurality of motion direction icons, each motion direction icon representing a motion effect with a direction; selecting a motion direction icon on the first palette with the electronic pointing device; storing the motion effect with a direction represented by the elected motion direction icon in association with the object in the memory; moving the object on the display in the direction represented by the selected motion direction icon; displaying on the display the object duration of the object, including the time segments and time partitions; concurrently adjusting on the display the segment duration of a first time segment and a third time segment separated by a second time segment adjacent to both the first and third time segments, by moving with the electronic pointing device the second time segment toward either the first or third time segment such that the segment duration of each of the first and third time segments changes relative to the movement of the second time segment; and concurrently adjusting on the display the segment duration of both the first and second time segments by moving with the electronic pointing device a time partition separating the first and second time segments with the electronic pointing means, such that the segment duration of each of the first and second time segments changes relative to the movement of the time partition. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
-
-
20. In a computer system comprising a memory adapted to store an object, including a motion effect and a visual effect, a processor operatively coupled to the memory and adapted to retrieve the object from the memory, a display operatively coupled to the processor and the memory, said display adapted to display the object and the motion effect and visual effect of the object, and an electronic pointing device operatively coupled to the processor, and adapted to select and manipulate the object on the display, a computer user interface apparatus for controlling a motion effect and a visual effect of an object, said interface comprising:
-
a motion effect indicator icon stored in the memory and displayed on the display, which in response to a first user input displays a plurality of motion direction icons, and which in response to a second user input that selects one of the displayed motion direction icons, displays the selected motion direction icon; wherein each motion direction icon represents a motion effect with a direction applicable to the object by the processor, each motion direction icon displayed on the display in response to the first user input to the motion effect indicator icon, and responsive to selection by the second user input, wherein the motion effect of a selected motion direction icon is stored by the processor in the memory in association with the object; a plurality of motion direction setting instructions stored in the memory to control the processor to apply to the object the stored motion effect, such that the object is subsequently displayed on the display with the stored motion effect to move the object in the direction represented by the motion direction icon; a visual effect indicator icon stored in the memory and displayed on the display, which in response to a third user input displays a plurality of visual effect icons, and which in response to a fourth user input that selects one of the displayed visual effect icons of a visual effect icons, displays the selected visual effect icon; wherein each visual effect icon represents a visual effect applied to the object by the processor, each visual effect icon displayed on the display in response to the third user input to the visual effect indicator icon, and responsive to selection by the fourth user input, wherein the visual effect of a selected visual effect icon is stored by the processor in the memory in association with the object; and
,a plurality of visual effect setting instructions stored in the memory to control the processor to apply to the object the stored visual effect, wherein the object is displayed on the display with the stored visual effect. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
-
Specification