Automated Process Flow Layout Generation with Dynamic Loop Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing design tools for generating process flow layouts require manual manipulation of elements and connectors, making the design process lengthy and cumbersome, especially when creating loops, which can result in inconsistent spacing and confusing layouts.
Innovation Solution
A click-based layout engine dynamically positions elements and connectors, applying spacing rules to automatically format loop elements, allowing users to easily construct and update loops without manual positioning, ensuring consistent spacing and improved clarity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual drag-and-drop operations are used to position elements and connectors, then users can create custom layouts, but the design process becomes lengthy and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-defines loop templates with standard element configurations and connector routing. When a user selects a loop template, the entire loop structure including elements, connectors, and spacing is automatically generated, eliminating the need to manually position each component and significantly reducing design time
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual positioning of elements and connectors is performed, then layout customization is possible, but spacing consistency becomes difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different spacing rules to different regions and elements within the loop based on their specific requirements. Each element type (e.g., decision element, process element) has predefined spacing parameters that ensure consistent and appropriate spacing while still allowing overall layout customization through template selection
3Ease of operation
If manual manipulation of elements and connectors is required, then detailed control over layout is achieved, but the process becomes complex and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses template copying where pre-designed loop patterns are replicated and instantiated. Users select from standardized loop templates that already contain properly configured elements and connectors, allowing rapid deployment of consistent loop structures without manually recreating them each time, thereby simplifying the process and reducing errors
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are some implementations of systems, apparatus, methods and computer program products for generating a layout representing a process flow. Responsive to a first request from a client device to add an instance of a loop element type to a layout represented in a graphical user interface (GUI), the layout is updated such that the layout includes a first loop element defined by a loop element symbol and a loop connector path connected to the loop symbol. Responsive to a second request to add an instance of a second element type to the first loop element, calculating a set of rendering parameters for at least a portion of the layout including the first loop element based, at least in part, on a set of spacing rules and a set of dimensions associated with the second element type. The portion of the layout is updated using the set of rendering parameters such that an updated layout is generated, where the updated layout includes an expanded first loop element defined by the loop symbol and an expanded loop connector path on which a second element of the second element type is positioned, where the expanded loop connector path is connected to the loop symbol. The updated layout may then be provided to the client device.