Localized Exploded View for UI Edge Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Developers face difficulties in inserting objects between nested containers in UI design due to shared edges appearing as single boundaries, which hinders access to virtual space and requires non-WYSIWYG viewing modes with slow recalculations.
Innovation Solution
A localized expanded view of shared edges is provided, allowing developers to select and insert objects by magnifying only the relevant edges without affecting other boundaries, using a pop-up window or adding space buffers, enabling precise placement without switching viewing modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a viewing mode is created to give space buffer to all edges of container objects, then developers can select and insert objects between shared edges, but the view is not WYSIWYG and requires slow recalculations of object sizes and positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing space buffer and exploded view only for the selected edge rather than all edges. When a developer selects a specific shared edge, the system applies the expansion and space buffer locally to that edge only, leaving other edges in their normal state. This resolves the contradiction by enabling object insertion at the selected location without requiring global recalculation of all object sizes and positions, thus maintaining WYSIWYG view and improving recalculation speed.
2Ease of operation
If a viewing mode is created to give space buffer to all edges of container objects, then developers can select and insert objects between shared edges, but the expanded edge view is not a true representation of the UI at runtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by applying the space buffer and exploded view transformation only to the selected edge locally, rather than globally to all edges. This allows the selected edge to be expanded for easy selection and object insertion, while the rest of the UI maintains its accurate WYSIWYG representation. The local application of the transformation preserves the true visual representation of the UI at runtime while still enabling the desired operational capability.
3Ease of operation
If all edges are expanded with space buffer, then developers can access virtual space between objects, but the view becomes complex and not representative of the actual UI layout
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by expanding and applying space buffer only to the selected edge rather than all edges. This creates a localized exploded view that provides access to the virtual space between objects at the selected location, while the rest of the UI remains simple and representative of the actual layout. This resolves the contradiction by providing the necessary operational access without introducing global complexity.
4Productivity
If a localized expanded view of selected edge is provided, then developers can insert objects with fine-grained selection while maintaining WYSIWYG view, but requires precise selection mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by adding visual depth through the exploded view effect. When an edge is selected, it is expanded along the perpendicular dimension, creating a visible gap or space buffer that extends outward from the original edge position. This dimensional expansion makes the selected edge and its associated virtual space clearly detectable and selectable, resolving the difficulty of precise edge selection while maintaining efficient localized recalculation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies color changes by highlighting the selected edge with a distinct visual appearance. The selected edge is differentiated from unselected edges through color or visual styling, making it easy to detect and confirm the selection. This visual feedback mechanism simplifies the detection and measurement of the selected edge, enabling precise selection without increasing recalculation complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing an Integrated Development Environment comprises receiving input from a user identifying an area containing an edge shared by two or more objects, wherein the shared edge includes two or more individual edges corresponding to the objects, and visibly separating the two or more individual edges in a localized exploded view responsive to the receiving.