Declarative UI Framework for Cross-Platform Development

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Solution Overview

Problem

Software developers face challenges in creating software applications that are platform-specific due to the need for different native applications for various operating systems, which is time-consuming and requires proficiency in multiple programming languages, especially imperative programming languages that are not intuitive.

Innovation Solution

A graphical UI design and rendering architecture that uses a unified, declarative representation to enable software developers to design complex GUIs once, which can be easily deployed across multiple platforms, using a single declarative programming language for aspects like layout, styling, and dynamic behavior, eliminating the need for multiple programming languages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If software developers create platform-specific native applications for different operating systems, then the applications can be optimized for each specific platform, but the development time increases and requires proficiency in multiple programming languages

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplatform-specific optimizationVSAvoiddevelopment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal UI framework that can operate across multiple operating systems (iOS, Android, Windows, macOS) using a single codebase. The framework provides platform-agnostic abstractions for common UI patterns while maintaining the ability to leverage native capabilities when needed, thus achieving multi-functionality without requiring separate native applications for each platform.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer (the UI framework) that sits between the application logic and the native operating system interfaces. This mediator handles platform-specific implementations internally, allowing developers to write platform-independent code while the framework translates it into appropriate native UI behaviors, eliminating the need for developers to learn multiple programming languages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If software developers use imperative programming languages to create platform-specific applications, then the applications can leverage native platform capabilities, but the programming becomes less intuitive and more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenative platform capability integrationVSAvoidprogramming complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical, step-by-step imperative programming approach with a declarative programming model. Instead of explicitly coding every UI interaction and state change, developers declare the desired UI structure, styling, and behavior, and the framework automatically generates the appropriate native platform code, significantly reducing programming complexity while maintaining native capability integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the programming paradigm from imperative (command-based) to declarative (statement-based). This parameter change transforms how developers interact with the system: instead of managing explicit state transitions and control flow, developers simply describe the desired end state, and the framework handles the transformation into platform-specific imperative code, reducing complexity while preserving native capability access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If software developers create separate native applications for different platforms, then each application can be optimized for its specific platform, but the development complexity and resource requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplatform optimizationVSAvoiddevelopment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the development of multiple platform-specific applications into a single unified project. The framework combines platform-agnostic UI definitions with automatic platform-specific code generation, allowing developers to maintain one codebase that produces optimized applications for iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS simultaneously, thereby reducing development complexity while preserving platform optimization benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9372675B1Unified declarative model for user interfaces
Publication Date: 2016.06.21 APPIAN CORP
  • US9372675B1 patent drawing
  • US9372675B1 patent drawing
  • US9372675B1 patent drawing

AI summary

In one implementation for providing a user interface of a software application, a request to enable a user to perceive the user interface of the software application may be received. A context and a user interface expression may be determined based on the request. The user interface expression may be evaluated based on the context to generate a user interface definition. The user interface definition may be provided to a user interface renderer. The user interface renderer may be configured to process the user interface definition to enable the user to perceive the user interface.