Computer-based training using a graphical user interface

• US 9,971,489 B2
• Filed: 05/15/2014
• Issued: 05/15/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DreamWorks Animation LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Original Assignee: DreamWorks Animation LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Inventors: Ng, Hoyt Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): SALOMON, PHENUEL S
• Application Number:
  US14/278,930
• Publication Number:
  US 20150331597A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,461 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 13/80 2D [Two Dimensional] animation, e.g. using sprites
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/065 Combinations of audio and video presentations, e.g. videotapes, videodiscs, television systems

Abstract

A graphical user interface (GUI) for training includes, in some embodiments, a first group of icons arranged about a first axis, where the first group of icons corresponds to computer-generated animation concepts. The GUI also includes a second group of icons arranged about a second axis that intersects the first axis at a particular icon along the first axis. The second group of icons corresponds to videos that illustrate the computer-generated animation concept associated with the particular icon on the first axis. The GUI can also include a third group of icons arranged about a third axis that intersects the first axis at another icon along the first axis. Horizontal correspondence between icons along the second and third axes indicates logical relationships between the corresponding training content.

Claims

1. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions, wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to display a graphical user interface for training computer-generated animation concepts, the computer-executable instructions comprising instructions for:

displaying, on a screen, a first plurality of icons arranged about a first axis, the first plurality of icons corresponding to a plurality of computer-generated animation concepts;

receiving first data representing a user selection of a first icon of the first plurality of icons, the first icon corresponding to a first computer-generated animation concept of the plurality of computer-generated animation concepts, and in response to the received first data, displaying on the screen a tutorial teaching the first computer-generated animation concept;

displaying, on the screen, a second plurality of icons arranged about a second axis,

wherein the second axis intersects the first axis at the first icon of the first plurality of icons,

wherein the second plurality of icons corresponds to a plurality of videos that illustrate the computer-generated animation concept corresponding to the first icon, and

wherein the plurality of videos comprises portions from a plurality of computer-generated animation titles, and

wherein each icon of the second plurality of icons corresponds to a different computer-generated animation title of the plurality of computer-generated animation titles; and

receiving second data representing a user selection of a second icon of the second plurality of icons, and in response to the received second data, displaying on the screen a video of the plurality of videos, the video corresponding to the first computer-generated animation concept.

2. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the computer-executable instructions comprise instructions for:

displaying, on the screen, a third plurality of icons arranged about a third axis,

wherein the third axis intersects the first axis at a third icon of the first plurality of icons, and

wherein the third plurality of icons corresponds to a plurality of videos that illustrate the computer-generated animation concept corresponding to the third icon.

3. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 2, wherein:

when an icon of the second plurality of icons is aligned on a horizontal axis with an icon of the third plurality of icons, then both icons are associated with portions from the same computer-generated animation title.

4. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 3, wherein the computer-executable instructions comprise instructions for:

receiving third data representing user selection of the first icon; and

in response to the received third data, displaying an instructor-narrated video that teaches a corresponding computer-generated animation concept.

5. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 4, wherein the first axis and the second axis are orthogonal.

6. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 5, wherein the first axis is horizontal and the second axis is vertical.

7. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 3, wherein the computer-executable instructions comprise instructions for:

displaying, on the screen, a fourth plurality of icons arranged about the second axis,

wherein the first axis separates the second plurality of icons and the fourth plurality of icons, and

wherein the fourth plurality of icons corresponds to a plurality of instructor-narrated videos that teach the computer-generated animation concept corresponding to the first icon.

8. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 7, wherein:

each icon in the fourth plurality of icons comprises an instructor-narrated video that teaches an aspect of the computer-generated animation concept corresponding to the first icon.

9. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 7, wherein the second plurality of icons is displayed above the first icon and the fourth plurality of icons is displayed below the first icon.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the second axis intersects each of the second plurality of icons and the first icon, but the second axis is not centered on the given icon, and the second axis is not displayed on the screen.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the icons of the first plurality of icons are organized according to an order in which the corresponding computer-generated animation concepts are used in the creation of a computer-generated animation title.

12. A system for automated training in computer-generated animation, the system comprising:

a display screen operatively coupled with one or more processors, the one or more processors configured to;

display, on the display screen, a first plurality of icons arranged about a first axis, the first plurality of icons corresponding to a plurality of computer-generated animation concepts;

receive first data representing a user selection of a first icon of the first plurality of icons, the first icon corresponding to a first computer-generated animation concept of the plurality of computer-generated animation concepts,

in response to the received first data, display, on the screen, a tutorial module teaching the first computer-generated animation concept;

display, on the display screen, a second plurality of icons arranged about a second axis,

wherein the second axis intersects the first axis at the first icon of the first plurality of icons,

wherein the second plurality of icons corresponds to a plurality of videos that illustrate the computer-generated animation concept corresponding to the first icon, and

wherein the plurality of videos comprises portions from a plurality of computer-generated animation titles, and

wherein each icon of the second plurality of icons corresponds to a different computer-generated animation title of the plurality of computer-generated animation titles; and

receive second data representing a user selection of a second icon of the second plurality of icons, and in response to the received second data, display on the screen a video of the plurality of videos, the video corresponding to the first computer-generated animation concept.

13. The system of claim 12, the one or more processors further configured to:

display, on the screen, a third plurality of icons arranged about a third axis,

wherein the third axis intersects the first axis at a third icon of the first plurality of icons, and

wherein the third plurality of icons corresponds to a plurality of videos that illustrate the computer-generated animation concept corresponding to the third icon.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein:

when an icon of the second plurality of icons is aligned on a horizontal axis with an icon of the third plurality of icons, then both icons are associated with portions from the same computer-generated animation title.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising:

an input device configured to receive third data representing user selection of the first icon, and

wherein the one or more processors are further configured to;

when the third data is received, display an instructor-narrated video that teaches a corresponding computer-generated animation concept.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the first axis and the second axis are orthogonal.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the first axis is horizontal and the second axis is vertical.

18. The system of claim 14, the one or more processors further configured to:

display, on the screen, a fourth plurality of icons arranged about the second axis,

wherein the first axis separates the second plurality of icons and the fourth plurality of icons, and

wherein the fourth plurality of icons corresponds to a plurality of instructor-narrated videos that teach the computer-generated animation concept corresponding to the first icon.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein:

each icon in the fourth plurality of icons comprises an instructor-narrated video that teaches an aspect of the computer-generated animation concept corresponding to the first icon.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the second plurality of icons is displayed above the first icon and the fourth plurality of icons is displayed below the first icon.

21. The system of claim 12, wherein the second axis intersects each of the second plurality of icons and the given icon, but the second axis is not centered on the first icon, and the second axis is not displayed on the screen.

22. The system of claim 12, wherein the icons of the first plurality of icons are organized according to an order in which the corresponding computer-generated animation concepts are used in the creation of a computer-generated animation title.

23. A computer-enabled method for automated training in computer-generated animation, the method comprising:

displaying, on a screen, a first plurality of icons arranged about a first axis, the first plurality of icons corresponding to a plurality of computer-generated animation concepts;

receiving first data representing a user selection of a first icon of the first plurality of icons, the first icon corresponding to a first computer-generated animation concept of the plurality of computer-generated animation concepts, and in response to the received first data, displaying on the screen a tutorial teaching the first computer-generated animation concept;

displaying, on the screen, a second plurality of icons arranged about a second axis,

wherein the second axis intersects the first axis at a first icon of the first plurality of icons,

wherein the second plurality of icons corresponds to a plurality of videos that illustrate the computer-generated animation concept corresponding to the first icon, and

wherein the plurality of videos comprises portions from a plurality of computer-generated animation titles, and

wherein each icon of the second plurality of icons corresponds to a different computer-generated animation title of the plurality of computer-generated animation titles; and

receiving second data representing a user selection of a second icon of the second plurality of icons, and in response to the received second data, displaying on the screen a video of the plurality of videos, the video corresponding to the first computer-generated animation concept.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

displaying, on the screen, a third plurality of icons arranged about a third axis,

wherein the third axis intersects the first axis at a third icon of the first plurality of icons, and

wherein the third plurality of icons corresponds to a plurality of videos that illustrate the computer-generated animation concept corresponding to the third icon.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein:

when an icon of the second plurality of icons is aligned on a horizontal axis with an icon of the third plurality of icons, then both icons are associated with portions from the same computer-generated animation title.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

receiving third data representing user selection of the first icon;

in response to the received third data, displaying an instructor-narrated video that teaches a corresponding computer-generated animation concept.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the first axis and the second axis are orthogonal.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the first axis is horizontal and the second axis is vertical.

29. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

displaying, on the screen, a fourth plurality of icons arranged about the second axis,

wherein the first axis separates the second plurality of icons and the fourth plurality of icons,

wherein the fourth plurality of icons corresponds to a plurality of instructor-narrated videos that teach the computer-generated animation concept corresponding to the first icon.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein:

each icon in the fourth plurality of icons comprises an instructor-narrated video that teaches an aspect of the computer-generated animation concept corresponding to the first icon.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the second plurality of icons is displayed above the first icon and the fourth plurality of icons is displayed below the first icon.

32. The method of claim 23, wherein the second axis intersects each of the second plurality of icons and the first icon, but the second axis is not centered on the first icon, and the second axis is not displayed on the screen.

33. The method of claim 23, wherein the icons of the first plurality of icons are organized according to an order in which the corresponding computer-generated animation concepts are used in the creation of a computer-generated animation title.