Logical UI Representation for Cross-Platform Form Rendering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Developers face increased complexity in creating user interface forms for Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems due to the need for multiple forms across various display targets and data sources, which is exacerbated by the introduction of new UI technologies.
Innovation Solution
A logical client is created during design-time to model data structure transformations, comprising a session module and a builder module, allowing the rendering of UI forms on different display targets by instantiating a builder instance that reads and transforms metadata to build a logical UI representation independent of the data source and display target.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple forms are constructed for each display target and data source, then UI forms can be rendered on various platforms, but developer complexity and the number of forms to maintain increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal form construction system where a single logical form definition can be rendered across multiple display targets (Windows UI, web browsers, mobile devices) and data sources (ERP systems, CRM systems, databases). The form builder module automatically adapts the logical form to different display targets without requiring separate form constructions, making the system multi-functional and eliminating the need to maintain multiple platform-specific forms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If new UI technologies are added to support emerging platforms, then platform coverage is expanded, but the complexity of form construction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the form construction process into distinct layers: logical form definition layer, form builder module layer, and display target rendering layer. This segmentation allows new display targets to be added by simply extending the rendering layer without affecting the logical form definitions or the form builder logic, thereby maintaining low construction complexity while expanding platform support.
Solution Approach 2:
The form builder module acts as an intermediary between the logical form definitions and various display targets. It translates platform-independent logical forms into platform-specific rendered forms, allowing new display targets to be integrated through the intermediary without increasing the complexity of form construction for existing platforms.
3Reliability
If each data source has its own approach to constructing UI forms, then data source specificity is maintained, but overall system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal form construction approach that works across multiple data sources (ERP systems, CRM systems, databases) by defining logical forms in terms of data structures rather than data source-specific implementations. The form builder module automatically adapts these logical forms to different data sources, maintaining reliability while eliminating the need for data source-specific form construction approaches.
Data Source
AI summary
User interface (UI) forms are rendered on different types of display targets. To generate a UI form that can be rendered on different types of display targets metadata stored in at least one application is transformed to build a logical user interface (UI) representation. The UI form is rendered on at least one of the different types of display targets based on the logical UI representation. Data and form layout from the at least one application is accessed for representation in the logical UI representation. The rendered UI form is populated with the data represented in the logical UI representation to provide content for the rendered UI form.