Runtime User Interface Element Configuration Across Cloud Applications
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Solution Overview
Problem
User interfaces across multiple applications often lack consistency, leading to increased user burden, processor strain, and network overload due to varying designs and functionalities, especially in cloud computing environments where users access numerous applications from different vendors.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows end-users to configure user interface elements at runtime, providing options for consistent presentation across applications, with a configurator that enables selection of configuration options and their application scope, ensuring uniformity in graphical user interface elements across applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users access multiple cloud-based applications from different vendors, then functionality and information availability increase, but user interface consistency deteriorates leading to increased user burden and confusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal user interface configuration system that allows users to define consistent interface elements across multiple different applications. The configuration stored in the data structure is applied universally to all accessed applications, enabling one set of user preferences to control the presentation across diverse software environments, thus reducing user burden while maintaining access to varied functionalities
2Adaptability or versatility
If more commands and options are presented via the user interface, then user functionality increases, but user interface complexity and user overload increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the user interface configuration into distinct controllable elements stored in a data structure. Each interface element (layout, theme, navigation style) can be independently configured and applied selectively. This segmentation allows users to manage complexity by configuring only the aspects they care about, while the system handles the coordination across applications, reducing overall perceived complexity
3Ease of operation
If user interface configuration options are provided at runtime, then user control and customization improve, but processing overhead and network communication increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary configuration of user interface parameters before the actual application execution or access. The user's interface preferences are captured, stored in a data structure, and pre-processed into a format that can be automatically applied when the application starts. This preliminary action reduces runtime processing overhead by avoiding repeated configuration negotiations during application execution
Data Source
AI summary
In some implementations, there is provided an apparatus having at least one data processor and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one data processor, cause requesting a configuration of a user interface element associated with a user interface of an application being executed at, or accessed by, the apparatus; presenting a configuration user interface to enable configuration of the user interface element, the configuration user interface including at least one option for configuring the user interface element and an indication of whether a selected option is to be applied at runtime, to just the application or a plurality of applications; and presenting, during runtime of at least the application, the user interface element in accordance with the at least one option and/or the indication selected via the configuration user interface. Related systems and articles of manufacture are also provided.