Overlay Interface Translator for Application UI Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face significant time investment and productivity loss when transitioning between different user interfaces across various applications and devices, as they need to learn new interfaces, which can be frustrating and inefficient, especially when switching between word processing applications like Microsoft Word, Open Office, or Google Docs.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for translating user interfaces, which includes an overlay interface generator module and a translator module that allows users to import and overlay a familiar user interface (e.g., Microsoft Word) onto a secondary application (e.g., Open Office or Google Docs), enabling seamless interaction by mapping user control inputs to corresponding commands, thereby maintaining proficiency and productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users switch between different applications and devices, then they can access diverse tools and platforms, but they must learn new user interfaces which increases time investment and reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the familiar application interface (Microsoft Word) that overlays and replaces the actual interface of the secondary application (OpenOffice). This virtual copy includes replicated visual elements, controls, and layout, allowing users to interact with the familiar interface while the underlying application processes commands. The copying principle resolves the contradiction by preserving the familiar interface appearance and behavior, eliminating the need to learn new interfaces while still accessing diverse applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a translation layer that acts as an intermediary between the user and the secondary application. This translation layer captures user inputs from the familiar interface, translates them into corresponding commands for the secondary application, and maps the secondary application's outputs back to the familiar interface. This intermediary resolves the contradiction by decoupling the user's interaction from the actual application being used, allowing users to work with familiar interfaces while accessing diverse applications through the translation mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If users learn new user interfaces for different applications, then they can utilize the full functionality of each application, but their productivity decreases due to the time required to become proficient
Solution Approach 1:
By creating a precise visual and functional copy of the familiar Microsoft Word interface over the secondary application, users can access the full functionality of the secondary application without needing to learn its native interface. The copied interface maintains all familiar controls, menus, and layouts, allowing users to operate with their existing knowledge and skills, thereby maintaining high productivity while accessing diverse application functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The translation layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it translates user inputs from the familiar interface to the secondary application's command set, maps outputs back to the familiar interface, and enables users to work with their preferred application's interface while accessing another application's functionality. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making a single interface solution applicable to multiple different applications, preserving productivity across diverse tools.
3Adaptability or versatility
If users switch to different word processing applications, then they can benefit from different features and platforms, but they experience frustration and inefficiency due to interface differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a pixel-perfect or near-perfect copy of the familiar Microsoft Word interface that overlays the secondary application's native interface. This copied interface includes all visual elements, control placements, and layout structures that users are accustomed to, eliminating the frustration of adapting to new interface designs. Users experience no difference in ease of operation while still benefiting from the secondary application's features and platform capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The translation layer acts as an intermediary that transparently handles all interactions between the user and the secondary application. It converts user actions performed on the familiar interface into equivalent commands for the secondary application, and translates the secondary application's responses back into the familiar interface context. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction by shielding users from interface differences while enabling access to diverse applications, maintaining ease of operation across different platforms.
Data Source
AI summary
A user interface translation system can provide functionality of translating at least a portion of a user interface of a primary application. The user interface translation system may, for instance, add an overlay interface over a portion of the primary application. The primary application can conduct all the processing tasks. The overlay interface can correspond to user interfaces of well-known applications that users may prefer. In certain embodiments, users can select from a list of overlay interfaces. The user interface translation system can receive user control input from the overlay interface and map the received input to a corresponding command for the primary application. The user interface translation system can also train users to adapt to a change in user interface over a period of time or usage.