CSS Grid Layout Template Engine for Responsive Web Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing web-based applications face challenges in maintaining different layout modules for various layout types, which are expensive and error-prone, and often lack element-level responsiveness and flexibility in adding functionality, while predefined templates are difficult to share with third-party developers.

Innovation Solution

A template engine is added to a CSS grid layout module to dynamically generate different layout types using independently developed templates, enabling element-level responsiveness and allowing third-party developers to easily share and modify templates, while loading additional functionality only when necessary.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate layout modules are maintained for different layout types, then each layout type can be implemented with dedicated functionality, but maintenance cost increases and errors become more frequent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelayout type supportVSAvoidmaintenance error rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal grid layout module that can handle multiple layout types through a standardized interface. The grid layout controller receives layout type identifiers and configures the grid layout accordingly, allowing one module to serve multiple functions. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated modules for each layout type, reducing maintenance complexity while supporting horizontal, vertical, and other layout variations through configuration rather than code duplication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional functionality is added to existing layout modules to meet new layout requirements, then layout versatility improves, but page load time increases and responsiveness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelayout functionalityVSAvoidpage load time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent separates the grid layout functionality into distinct components: a core grid layout module that provides basic grid functionality, a grid layout controller that manages configuration, and template files that define specific layout types. This segmentation allows the core module to remain lightweight and fast-loading, while additional layout capabilities are added through external template files that are loaded only when needed, not increasing the base page load time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent pre-defines layout configurations in external template files (e.g., layout1.xml, layout2.xml) that contain grid layout parameters, row definitions, and column definitions. These templates are prepared in advance but not loaded into memory unless required. The grid layout controller reads and applies these pre-prepared templates dynamically, avoiding the need to include all possible layout functionality in the main page load.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If predefined templates are used for different layout types, then implementation speed improves, but ease of sharing with third-party developers decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelayout implementation speedVSAvoidtemplate shareability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses XML-based template files that define grid layout configurations in a standardized, text-based format. These template files can be easily copied, distributed, and modified by third-party developers without requiring access to proprietary binary formats or complex compilation processes. The grid layout controller reads these standard XML templates and applies them dynamically, enabling straightforward sharing and customization while maintaining fast implementation through template-based generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

4Adaptability or versatility

If element-level responsiveness is implemented in layout types, then layout adaptability to different screen sizes improves, but performance decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelement level responsivenessVSAvoidlayout performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements responsive grid layouts by dynamically configuring grid parameters based on layout type and screen characteristics. The grid layout controller receives responsive layout identifiers and adjusts grid properties such as row heights, column widths, and cell configurations dynamically. This allows elements to respond to different screen sizes through configuration changes rather than complex runtime calculations, maintaining performance while achieving responsiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11151314B2Extensible grid layout

Publication Date: 2021.10.19 SAP SE

AI summary

Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for adding a template engine to a Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) grid layout to display content using different templates. An embodiment operates by generating a grid layout component based on a template. The generated grid layout component defines a layout type based on a cascading style sheet (CSS) grid layout. The embodiment generates a grid component comprising a set of grid cell components based on a view file. Each grid cell component represents a grid cell in the CSS grid layout, and each grid cell component is mapped to one or more rows and one or more columns in the CSS grid layout. The embodiment then displays content of the set of grid cell components using the layout type.