Interactive Object Property Region for GUI Editing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional graphical user interfaces require users to navigate away from selected objects to access and edit properties, leading to inconvenience and obstruction, as static pop-ups and dialog boxes must be manually accessed and closed, occupying valuable canvas space.
Innovation Solution
An interactive object property region automatically generated near the selected object, allowing users to edit properties without leaving the canvas, with options for persistence and repositioning, enabling direct interaction and reducing the need for menu operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a dialog box is used to change object properties, then property editing capability is provided, but user navigation complexity increases and canvas space is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the property editing functionality from the traditional dialog box and integrates it directly into the object property region. This allows users to edit properties by simply clicking on property values within the object's context, eliminating the need to navigate to separate dialog boxes and reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the property display region and property editing functionality into a single integrated object property region. This combination allows users to view and edit properties in the same location, eliminating the need to switch between different interface elements and reducing navigation steps.
2Ease of operation
If a dialog box is used to change object properties, then property editing capability is provided, but canvas space is occupied and view is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the property editing interface from the traditional large dialog box and embeds it within the compact object property region adjacent to the object. This extraction significantly reduces the space occupied on the canvas while maintaining full property editing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent repositions the property editing interface from a separate full-screen or large dialog box to a compact region adjacent to the object on the canvas. This spatial reorganization allows property editing to occur in-place without obstructing the main canvas view.
3Loss of information
If a static pop-up is used to display object information, then information display is provided, but user interaction capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static pop-up into a dynamic object property region that responds to user interactions. The region can be expanded, collapsed, and modified based on user actions such as hovering over or clicking objects, enabling both information display and interactive property editing.
Solution Approach 2:
The object property region automatically updates and refreshes based on user interactions with objects on the canvas. When users select or modify objects, the property region automatically reflects these changes without requiring manual refresh or additional user actions to update the display.
4Ease of operation
If menu operations are used to access object properties, then property editing capability is provided, but user time and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the object property region adjacent to the object and pre-loads property information before the user needs to edit it. This preliminary preparation eliminates the time-consuming menu navigation steps, allowing users to immediately edit properties by clicking on values within the pre-positioned region.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables users to skip the traditional multi-step menu navigation process by providing direct access to property editing through the object property region. Users can rapidly edit properties by clicking on values within the region, effectively rushing through what would otherwise be a lengthy menu-based process.
Data Source
AI summary
An interactive object property region displayable in a graphical user interface for an application program is disclosed. The interactive object property region is preferably automatically generated in response to a mouse pointer being moved over the object, but may also be affirmatively selected. Preferably, the region is initially positioned proximate to the object when generated. The interactive object property region, preferably a window, displays one or more properties of the selected object, and is interactive in the sense that the user can edit the displayed values in the region without the need to access further menu options in the graphical user interface. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the pointer can be moved from the object to the region to automatically change the displayed properties from a static display to an editable mode. Alternatively, the displayed property as soon as they are generated or can be editable upon affirmative selection.