Automated Color Scheme Transformation for User Interfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for modifying user interfaces to change the color scheme are inefficient and require tedious manual operations, making it difficult to automate the transformation of colors in computer applications, especially when businesses need to impose their branding on applications they do not author.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and system that selects a source color and a replacement color, processing user interface content elements to determine if they fall within a threshold distance of the source color, and converting them to the replacement color for rendering on a display device, using a client-server architecture with a processor executing computer program instructions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If manual color transformation methods are used, then color scheme modification is possible, but the process becomes tedious and requires frequent repetition of steps

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveEase of color scheme modificationVSAvoidTime required for color transformation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automated color transformation by having the computer program itself execute the color modification process without external manual intervention. The transformation manager automatically identifies colors to be transformed, applies the transformation rules, and updates the user interface elements, enabling the system to service itself in the color modification task.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operations (clicking through UI controls, repeatedly applying transformations) with an automated computational system. The transformation manager uses algorithmic processing to identify and transform colors programmatically, substituting the mechanical manual process with an automated software-based system that operates without human intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If automated color transformation is implemented, then efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSpeed of color scheme transformationVSAvoidSystem architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transformation manager serves multiple functions within the system: it identifies colors to be transformed, determines transformation rules, executes the color substitution, and manages the overall transformation process. By consolidating these multiple functions into a single multi-functional component, the system achieves automation and high productivity without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The transformation manager acts as an intermediary component between the user interface elements and the color transformation logic. It mediates the transformation process by receiving transformation requests, coordinating with other system components, and executing the color modifications, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture while enabling automated transformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If precise color matching is required, then color accuracy is improved, but the number of input operations increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveColor identification accuracyVSAvoidNumber of input operations required

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual color selection and matching operations with automated computational color identification. The transformation manager programmatically analyzes user interface elements to identify colors that match transformation criteria, using algorithmic color space analysis instead of manual visual matching, thereby achieving precise color identification without requiring multiple manual input operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates and uses color models or representations (such as color space coordinates and transformation rules) that can be automatically compared and matched. By working with copied color data in a structured format rather than manual color selection, the system achieves precise color matching automatically without requiring users to perform repeated manual input operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP2284736B1System and method for automated color scheme transformation

Publication Date: 2018.12.19 SAP SE

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AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide a system, computer-readable medium and a method for transforming a color scheme. A processor is configured to retrieve from storage data including content elements defining a user interface screen in response to a user selection of a source color and a replacement color. For each content element of the user interface screen, a color of the content element is compared the source color. Based on the comparison, if the color of the content element falls within a predetermined threshold distance of the source color along a color palette, the color of the content element can be converting to the replacement color. After the processing of the content elements, the user interface is displayed on a display device, including the converted color element(s).