Nested Drop Zone Widgets for Contextual Web Layouts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional web building tools are limited in their ability to implement specialized web page layouts and functional content for social media sites, requiring expert programmers to write code for custom configurations.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of nested drop zones in a visual interface builder tool allows users to drag and drop widgets, enabling the creation of specialized web page layouts without coding, with widgets able to contain additional drop zones for further customization and the use of contextual widgets that obtain context information from parent widgets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional web building tools are used, then basic web page construction is possible, but specialized functionality and layout configurations cannot be implemented without expert programmers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespecialized functionality implementationVSAvoidprogramming expertise required

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements nested drop zones where drop zones can be placed inside other drop zones, creating hierarchical structures. This allows complex layouts to be built by nesting functional content within parent containers, enabling specialized configurations without programming. The nested structure permits unlimited levels of nesting, providing versatile layout options while maintaining visual drag-and-drop simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal builder tool that can implement both standard and specialized web page configurations through a single interface. The system provides a library of functional content widgets that can be dragged into drop zones, with the same tool handling everything from basic layouts to complex specialized functionalities, eliminating the need for separate programming expertise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If expert programmers write code for custom configurations, then specialized web page functionality can be implemented, but the process becomes time-consuming and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustom configuration capabilityVSAvoiddevelopment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables non-programmers to self-configure specialized web page functionality through the visual builder interface. Users can drag functional content widgets into nested drop zones and configure parameters through the GUI without requiring programming knowledge. The system automatically generates the necessary code and configurations, allowing users to create custom layouts and functionalities independently and rapidly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent provides a pre-built library of functional content widgets that have already been programmed with specialized functionalities. Users can directly drag these pre-configured widgets into drop zones without needing to write code from scratch. This preliminary preparation of functional content significantly reduces development time while maintaining custom configuration capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If visual builder tools are used, then non-programmers can construct web pages, but only limited functionality included within the tools can be implemented

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual interface capabilityVSAvoidfunctional content flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the web page construction into independent functional content widgets that can be individually selected and placed. Each widget represents a discrete functional unit that can be dragged into appropriate drop zones. This segmentation allows users to build complex functionalities by combining simple, manageable components through the visual interface, maintaining ease of operation while expanding functional versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables functional content to be nested within parent drop zones, allowing complex hierarchical structures to be built visually. Users can place drop zones inside other drop zones and nest functional content within these structures, creating sophisticated layouts and functionalities through the visual builder without programming. The nested structure provides unlimited flexibility in organizing functional content.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS11205036B2Method and system for implementing contextual widgets

Publication Date: 2021.12.21 ORACLE INT CORP

AI summary

An improved approach is described to implement a new type of widget that obtains its context information from another widget. For example, when a contextual widget is dropped into a drop zone, that contextual widget would obtain its context data from its parent drop zone widget. Also described is an improved for visually implementing a web page layout, where the web page layout includes a nested drop zone.