Declarative UI Conversion via Hierarchical Templates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Converting user interfaces between different technologies is cumbersome and requires redevelopment, as existing tools lack efficient methods for switching between declarative formats, especially for user interface technologies with unique strengths and weaknesses.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that automatically convert hierarchical declarative user interface representations from one format to another using reusable templates and template helpers, allowing for mapping and parsing instructions to facilitate the conversion without requiring detailed knowledge of the target technology.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If user interfaces are converted between different technologies using traditional methods, then the conversion can be completed, but the process is cumbersome and requires redevelopment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a copy of the user interface in a platform-independent declarative format that can be transformed into different technology formats. Instead of redrawing or recreating the UI from scratch for each technology, the system copies the structural and visual information into an intermediate representation that can be automatically converted to multiple target formats, significantly reducing conversion time and effort
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a platform-independent declarative format as an intermediary representation between the source UI and target technologies. This intermediary format serves as a universal bridge that captures the essential UI structure, layout, and styling information in a technology-agnostic way, enabling automatic conversion to multiple target formats without direct mapping between each source and target pair
2Adaptability or versatility
If user interfaces are converted between different technologies, then compatibility with different platforms is achieved, but detailed knowledge of the target technology is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system copies UI information into a platform-independent declarative format that abstracts away technology-specific details. This allows converters to work with the intermediate representation without needing deep knowledge of the source or target technologies, as the declarative format standardizes the information structure and eliminates the need for technology-specific conversion expertise
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms UI information into a standardized declarative format that changes the representation parameters from technology-specific to technology-agnostic. By converting UI elements into standardized declarative descriptions with consistent parameters and structure, the system enables automatic conversion across different platforms without requiring operators to understand the nuances of each target technology
3Productivity
If existing conversion methods are used, then conversion between formats is possible, but the process lacks efficiency and requires manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically copies UI information from the source format into the platform-independent declarative format using automated parsing and transformation rules. This eliminates manual copying and intervention, significantly improving conversion efficiency while the standardized nature of the intermediate format keeps the system complexity manageable through consistent processing workflows
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal conversion system where a single platform-independent declarative format can serve as the intermediate representation for converting between multiple different technology formats. This multi-functional approach allows the same conversion infrastructure to handle various source and target formats, improving productivity by eliminating the need for separate conversion tools for each format pair while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized processing
Data Source
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AI summary
A declarative user interface representation in one declarative format can be converted to a declarative user interface representation in a different declarative format. Templates can rely on template helpers for mapping and programmatic extensions to support a wide variety of declarative formats. Complex scenarios such as composition and decomposition of properties across declarative representations can be supported. A hierarchical approach facilitates development and maintenance of solutions.