Generic Viewer Framework for Multi-Type Data Editing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Software applications are often limited in their ability to edit and navigate data of varying types, as they are hard-coded to handle specific data formats and layouts, restricting user functionality and flexibility in data presentation and manipulation.
Innovation Solution
A computer system generates views of entities with varying data types for presentation on a generic viewer, using a schema stored in a repository to determine valid edits, navigate between entities, provide hints for display actions, and integrate composed views, allowing for dynamic handling of unknown data types and relationships.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If software applications are hard-coded to handle specific data formats and layouts, then the functionality and data handling capability are reliable and precise, but the adaptability to different data types is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal editor that can handle multiple data types (spreadsheets, presentations, documents, etc.) through a single application interface. The system uses a common data model and rendering engine that adapts to different file formats, allowing one application to perform functions previously requiring multiple specialized programs. This resolves the contradiction by providing broad adaptability without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer consisting of a common data model and rendering engine that sits between the user interface and various file formats. This mediator translates different data types into a unified internal representation, enabling the editor to handle diverse formats without requiring separate handling logic for each type. The intermediary abstracts the complexity while maintaining adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If software applications are designed for specific tasks with hard-coded data types, then the ease of operation is improved for that specific task, but the versatility to handle other data types deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic detection and adaptation mechanisms where the system automatically identifies the data type being edited and configures the appropriate tools and interface elements without requiring manual user specification. The editor self-adjusts based on the detected format, providing ease of operation similar to specialized applications while maintaining versatility to handle multiple data types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic interface that adapts its functionality and layout based on the detected data type. The toolbars, menus, and editing capabilities are dynamically configured to match the requirements of the specific format being edited, providing an optimized user experience for each data type while maintaining a unified application structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If data categorization and display are limited to certain layouts based on data type, then the manufacturing precision of data presentation is maintained, but the adaptability of display formats deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new dimension of adaptability by allowing the same data to be presented in multiple layout formats and visual styles depending on user preference and context. The system maintains the underlying data structure integrity while providing flexible presentation options such as different view modes, formatting styles, and organizational layouts, thereby achieving both precision in data representation and versatility in display formats.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a computer system generates a view of entities associated with varying data types for presentation on a generic viewer. The entities and data types have relationships as defined in a corresponding schema. The schema is stored as data in a repository with the data types. The computer system receives an edit request configured to change various selected entities, where each entity has an associated data type, queries the repository to determine various properties of the selected entities corresponding to the received edit request including the data type, and determines, based on the schema, that the edit is valid based on relationship information stored in the schema. The computer system also sends the validated edit information to the generic viewer for presentation. The generic viewer has no prior knowledge of how to handle the selected entities and corresponding data types.