System supporting animation of graphical display elements through animation object instances
First Claim
1. A computer-readable medium which stores a set of instructions which when executed performs a method for supporting timed modification of element property values, the method comprising:
- an animation object class, from which an animation object is initiated, providing a time-varying value definition and including an interface supporting designating;
animation behavior properties, the animation behavior properties comprising a base property value, a to property specifying an ending animation value, a from property specifying a starting animation value, and a by property specifying a difference between the ending animation value and the starting animation value wherein, to initiate the animation object, the animation object class use a process that receives the base property value and returns a value based on the process'"'"'s internal modifier definition computation of a progress value;
timing properties, the timing properties comprising a current time property configured to provide a current local time to a timeline for the animation object and a parent time line property configured to designate a timeline that is the timing parent of the animation object'"'"'s timeline;
a set of commands controlling the progression of the animation displayed on a display device; and
a set of events for providing notifications relating to the status of the animation object.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A graphical display animation system is disclosed that supports timed modification of element property values of elements within a graphical display. The animation system utilizes a display structure for maintaining a set of elements corresponding to displayed objects within a graphically displayed scene. The elements include a variable property value. The animation system also utilizes a property system that maintains properties associated with elements maintained by the display structure. The properties include dynamic properties that are capable of changing over time—and thus affecting the appearance of the corresponding element on a graphical display. The animation system includes animation classes, from which animation objects are instantiated and associated with an element property at runtime. The animation object instances provide time varying values affecting values assigned to the dynamic properties maintained by the property system.
126 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer-readable medium which stores a set of instructions which when executed performs a method for supporting timed modification of element property values, the method comprising:
an animation object class, from which an animation object is initiated, providing a time-varying value definition and including an interface supporting designating; animation behavior properties, the animation behavior properties comprising a base property value, a to property specifying an ending animation value, a from property specifying a starting animation value, and a by property specifying a difference between the ending animation value and the starting animation value wherein, to initiate the animation object, the animation object class use a process that receives the base property value and returns a value based on the process'"'"'s internal modifier definition computation of a progress value; timing properties, the timing properties comprising a current time property configured to provide a current local time to a timeline for the animation object and a parent time line property configured to designate a timeline that is the timing parent of the animation object'"'"'s timeline; a set of commands controlling the progression of the animation displayed on a display device; and a set of events for providing notifications relating to the status of the animation object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for supporting timed modification of element property values, the method comprising:
an animation object class, from which an animation object is initiated, providing a time-varying value definition and including an interface supporting designating; animation behavior properties, the animation behavior properties comprising a base property value, a to property specifying an ending animation value, a from property specifying a starting animation value, and a by property specifying a difference between the ending animation value and the starting animation value wherein, to initiate the animation object, the animation object class use a process that receives the base property value and returns a value based on the process'"'"'s internal modifier definition computation of a progress value wherein the process comprises a GetValue method; timing properties, the timing properties comprising a current time property configured to provide a current local time to a timeline for the animation object and a parent time line property configured to designate a timeline that is the timing parent of the animation object'"'"'s timeline; a set of commands controlling the progression of the animation displayed on a display device; and a set of events for providing notifications relating to the status of the animation object. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system for supporting timed modification of element property values, the system comprising:
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a memory storage for maintaining a database; and a processing unit coupled to the memory storage, wherein the processing unit is operative to; initiate an animation object from an animation object class; provide a time-varying value definition; and designate via an interface; animation behavior properties, the animation behavior properties comprising a base property value, a to property specifying an ending animation value, a from property specifying a starting animation value, and a by property specifying a difference between the ending animation value and the starting animation value wherein, to initiate the animation object, the animation object class use a process that receives the base property value and returns a value based on the process'"'"'s internal modifier definition computation of a progress value; timing properties, the timing properties comprising a current time property configured to provide a current local time to a timeline for the animation object and a parent time line property configured to designate a timeline that is the timing parent of the animation object'"'"'s timeline; a set of commands controlling the progression of the animation displayed on a display device; and a set of events for providing notifications relating to the status of the animation object.
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Specification