Database-Driven Form Customization via Template Copying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for customizing electronic forms require coding, leading to increased workload and development costs, as well as longer implementation times, and are limited in their ability to create complex and irregular forms.
Innovation Solution
A form customization method and device that allows users to create and customize complex electronic forms without programming knowledge by using a database-based system with form, field, and option information tables, enabling drag-and-drop visual positioning and CSS styling for accurate drawing and rendering of forms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If coding and rewriting are used to implement and change electronic forms, then the forms can be customized according to business needs, but the workload of developers, development costs, and implementation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses template copying where pre-defined form templates can be copied and reused multiple times. Users can create a form template once and then copy it to generate multiple instances, avoiding the need to code each form from scratch. This significantly reduces implementation time and developer workload while maintaining full customization capability through template parameters and field configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-defining form templates with common structures, fields, and layouts before actual form creation is needed. These templates contain pre-configured elements that can be directly applied to new forms, eliminating the need for repetitive coding work. The templates are prepared in advance and can be quickly instantiated when business needs arise.
2Adaptability or versatility
If coding and rewriting are used to implement and change electronic forms, then the forms can be customized according to business needs, but the workload of developers and development costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables form templates to be copied and reused across multiple projects and departments. Once a template is created with proper coding and structure, it can be instantiated infinitely without additional coding effort. This copying mechanism dramatically reduces developer workload and makes form creation accessible to non-technical users through a simplified interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates universal form templates that can serve multiple purposes and be adapted to different business scenarios. A single template can be used across different departments and functions by configuring different parameters and fields. This multi-functionality eliminates the need to create separate coded forms for similar purposes, reducing overall development workload and costs.
3Ease of manufacture
If simple and regular form templates are used, then the forms can be drawn and presented easily, but complex and irregular forms cannot be presented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments form templates into independent, configurable fields and elements. Each field can be individually configured with properties like data type, validation rules, and display format. This segmentation allows simple templates to remain easy to create while complex templates can be built by combining and configuring multiple segmented fields in various arrangements, supporting both simplicity and complexity needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic form templates where the structure, fields, and layout can be modified after initial creation. Users can add, remove, or reconfigure fields without rewriting the entire form. This dynamic capability allows templates to start simple and evolve into complex forms as business needs change, maintaining ease of creation while supporting increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A form customization method and device, through establishment of a form information table, a form field information table and a form field option information table, the form information table and form field information table are associated by primary key and foreign key, the form field information table and form field option information table are associated by “foreign key-primary key”, so as to define the form template and complete the form design quickly and conveniently. The form is then rendered by the form template data and the corresponding CSS style. The form customization device mainly includes a form template creation unit, a form template generation and presentation unit and a form template modification unit.