Extensible Multi-Dimensional Display Property Configurations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing web content development struggles to support multiple contextual environments, such as desktop versus mobile devices, due to differences in display formats and languages, leading to logistical and cost challenges in providing compatible content across various devices and regions.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for storing and retrieving extensible, multi-dimensional display property configurations using a portal server, which reads device settings, organizes filter criteria hierarchically, and matches them with resources to deliver content tailored to specific contextual environments, including wireless mobile access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If web content is developed for a single primary contextual environment (desktop computer), then development complexity is low, but the content cannot be delivered to various contextual environments (mobile devices, wireless devices)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal content delivery system that uses a single HTML template with embedded style sheets that can adapt to multiple device types (desktop, mobile, wireless). The style sheets contain device-specific rules that are automatically applied based on the user agent string, allowing one content source to serve multiple contextual environments without requiring separate development teams for each device type.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects and applies different style sheet rules based on the detected device type. The content delivery mechanism dynamically determines whether to apply desktop, mobile, or wireless styling rules by parsing the user agent string and selectively activating the appropriate style sheet, enabling adaptive content presentation without manual intervention for each device type.
2Adaptability or versatility
If web content is translated to support multiple device formats, then content compatibility improves, but translation difficulty and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces style sheets as an intermediary layer between the HTML content and the various device formats. Instead of translating HTML content for each device type, the style sheets act as a mediator that translates the presentation layer based on device characteristics. This separates content creation from device-specific formatting, dramatically reducing translation difficulty while maintaining full device format compatibility.
3Ease of operation
If content is optimized for desktop display with hundreds of characters per line, then desktop reading experience is good, but mobile device display requires endless scrolling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different stylistic qualities to different device types through device-specific style sheet rules. For desktop devices, the style sheet configures hundreds of characters per line with appropriate font sizes and spacing. For mobile and wireless devices, the style sheet automatically adjusts to fewer characters per line, smaller font sizes, and optimized line spacing. This local customization of display qualities based on device type optimizes reading experience for each device category.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for storing and retrieving extensible multi-dimensional display property configurations. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed for the display of content that is configurable to a variety of contextual environments by reading a plurality of settings that are associated with an electronic device requesting content. The plurality of settings defines the contextual environment of the electronic device. The method continues by incorporating the plurality of settings as values in the list of filter criteria. The list of filter criteria is organized in a hierarchical order and specifies the format within which to present the content to be displayed at the electronic device. Thereafter, the method continues by matching the list of filter criteria with a resource to be displayed with the content. The resource is retrieved from memory for ultimate delivery to the electronic device for display.