Abstract: A key frame animation processing method includes steps of outputting information indicating a time for presenting a key frame for every key frame, and outputting state information of each object in correspondence to the time information of the key frame for every key frame, thereby reducing the quantity of outputted data. The data may be outputted to either a storage medium or a communication medium. This method may include a step of outputting link information as to each object and another object in another key frame in correspondence to the state information of the object. The state information may include only the quantity of a state change. Also disclosed is a method of displaying a key frame animation in real time.

Abstract: A key frame animation processing method includes steps of outputting information indicating a time for presenting a key frame for every key frame, and outputting state information of each object in correspondence to the time information of the key frame for every key frame, thereby reducing the quantity of outputted data. The data may be outputted to either a storage medium or a communication medium. This method may include a step of outputting link information as to each object and another object in another key frame in correspondence to the state information of the object. The state information may include only the quantity of a state change. Also disclosed is a method of displaying a key frame animation in real time.

Abstract: A key frame animation processing method includes steps of outputting information indicating a time for presenting a key frame for every key frame, and outputting state information of each object in correspondence to the time information of the key frame for every key frame, thereby reducing the quantity of outputted data. The data may be outputted to either a storage medium or a communication medium. This method may include a step of outputting link information as to each object and another object in another key frame in correspondence to the state information of the object. The state information may include only the quantity of a state change. Also disclosed is a method of displaying a key frame animation in real time.

Abstract: An animated data converter (42) provided in a server (4) converts frame data managed by an animated data management section (41) into frame data adaptable in the terminal equipment (2), for example, by deleting graphic data which cannot be displayed in the terminal equipment (2). Furthermore, the animated data transmitting section (43) transmits animated data including the frame data to the terminal equipment (2). On the other hand, the terminal equipment (2) receives animated data composed of only self-adaptable graphic data and displays the animated data as received in an animated data display section (22). Therefore, as compared to the case of receiving animated data by the animated data management section (41), the burden of the terminal equipment (2) can be reduced, thereby displaying smoother animation. As a result, it is possible to provide an animation communications system which enables smooth animation to be displayed even in a terminal equipment of low processing speed.

Abstract: A terminal displays icons (111) representative of actions/conditions of expression data, such as animation, sound, or text, on an icon palette (110). Further, on the terminal's display screen, there is provided a control input area (120) where icons (121) and text (122) are displayed in a mixture, allowing the user to input an icon (121) by selecting it from the icons (111) on the icon palette (110) and to input text (122) from a keyboard or the like. The terminal controls the actions/conditions of a character representing the user displayed in the animation display area (100a) based on input results in accordance with the icon (121) and displays the text (122) positioned immediately after the icon (121) in synchronism with the animated character representing the user. In this manner, an expression data control system is realized which is capable of quickly and correctly controlling various expressions, including subtle differences between them.

Abstract: A presenting time for an animation is determined as follows for each of a plurality of frames of the animation in passage of time at a prescribed speed which can be changed as desired. First, for each of the plurality of frames, a signal indicating a timing corresponding to a boundary between adjacent frames is applied. Then, in accordance with the applied timing indication signal, a presenting time is determined and recorded onto a medium corresponding to each frame. A producer operates a keyboard, mouse or the like to input the timing indication signal at an arbitrary timing. In addition, the timing indication signal is input at a timing determined in accordance with the regenerated guide track information while guide track information (information to be referenced for identifying the aforementioned boundary) is regenerated at a regeneration rate in accordance with a prescribed speed.

Abstract: A key frame animation processing method includes steps of outputting information indicating a time for presenting a key frame for every key frame, and outputting state information of each object in correspondence to the time information of the key frame for every key frame, thereby reducing the quantity of outputted data. The data may be outputted to either a storage medium or a communication medium. This method may include a step of outputting link information as to each object and another object in another key frame in correspondence to the state information of the object. The state information may include only the quantity of a state change. Also disclosed is a method of displaying a key frame animation in real time.

Abstract: A key frame animation processing method includes steps of outputting information indicating a time for presenting a key frame for every key frame, and outputting state information of each object in correspondence to the time information of the key frame for every key frame, thereby reducing the quantity of outputted data. The data may be outputted to either a storage medium or a communication medium. This method may include a step of outputting link information as to each object and another object in another key frame in correspondence to the state information of the object. The state information may include only the quantity of a state change. Also disclosed is a method of displaying a key frame animation in real time.