GUI Layout Builder Using Spring Constraints for Cross-Platform Consistency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current graphical user interface (GUI) layout tools struggle to create cross-platform layouts that adhere to the visual guidelines of different software platforms, resulting in inconsistent 'look and feel' across various underlying platforms.
Innovation Solution
A GUI layout builder tool that generates a hierarchical model of components within a container, using vertical and horizontal layout springs to automatically position components based on visual guidelines, ensuring consistent layout across platforms without requiring developers to know the underlying platform specifics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a visual builder is used to layout user interface components, then the layout process becomes automated and easier, but the spacing between components does not adhere to platform-specific visual guidelines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer (layout spring hierarchy model) between the visual builder and the actual component placement. This intermediary translates generic visual positioning into platform-specific spacing by using spring constraints that encode the desired spacing relationships, allowing the layout to adapt to different platform guidelines without changing the visual builder interface
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters used for positioning components from fixed pixel values to flexible spring constraints with minimum, preferred, and maximum spacing values. This allows the same visual layout to be rendered with different actual spacings depending on the target platform's visual guidelines, resolving the contradiction between ease of creation and precision of spacing
2Manufacturing precision
If developers create layouts for specific platforms, then the layout adheres to that platform's visual guidelines, but the layout cannot be easily adapted to other platforms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal layout representation using layout springs that can function across multiple platforms. The layout spring hierarchy model serves as a platform-independent intermediate representation that can be translated to different target platforms, allowing a single layout design to be adapted to multiple platforms while maintaining each platform's visual guidelines
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the layout specification into two independent parts: the logical structure (layout spring hierarchy defining component relationships and spacing constraints) and the physical rendering (actual pixel placement on target platform). This segmentation allows the logical structure to remain platform-independent while the physical rendering adapts to specific platform requirements
3Manufacturing precision
If platform-specific spacing is enforced, then the visual guidelines are followed precisely, but developers must know platform specifics which complicates the development process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by having the layout spring hierarchy automatically calculate and adjust spacing based on platform guidelines without requiring developer intervention. The system services itself by translating the high-level layout constraints into platform-specific spacing automatically, eliminating the need for developers to learn or manually configure platform-specific spacing rules
Data Source
AI summary
A GUI builder tool in which input of a layout of one or more components in a container component is received and a new cross platform layout of the one or more components in the container component is generated. The cross platform layout includes at least one automatically sized autopad and/or container autopad that defines spacing to properly position the one or more components within the container component. The size of the autopad and/or container autopad is determined upon execution of the cross platform layout on a software platform using a visual guideline for that software platform. In some embodiments, some or all of the components are automatically positioned in the cross platform layout such that a contents of each of the components, such as text, is laid out within the container component along the same baseline.