Runtime Wrapper for System UI Control Modification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Software developers are limited by the development tools available to them, particularly in modifying system-defined user interface control functionality, often requiring them to create new controls or redesign interfaces to meet specific needs, which can be time-consuming and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A method that allows developers to modify system-defined user interface control functionality by wrapping a system-defined control within a programmer-defined control at runtime, intercepting messages, and providing modified functionality as needed, enabling the extension of existing controls without duplicating functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If developers create new controls or redesign interfaces to meet specific needs, then desired functionality is achieved, but development time and error probability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a wrapper control that encapsulates the system-defined control, allowing the wrapper to contain and extend the functionality of the original control. This nesting approach enables developers to add custom functionality within the existing control structure without creating entirely new controls, thereby reducing development time while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The wrapper control acts as an intermediary between the developer and the system-defined control. It intercepts and modifies messages passed to the underlying control, allowing developers to extend functionality through a intermediate layer without directly modifying or recreating the original control, thus saving development time while achieving desired adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If developers create new controls to meet specific needs, then desired functionality is achieved, but complexity and error probability increase
Solution Approach 1:
By nesting the system-defined control within a wrapper control, the patent maintains a hierarchical structure where the complex functionality is encapsulated inside the simpler wrapper interface. This reduces the apparent complexity to developers while preserving the adaptability needed to meet specific functional requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The wrapper control creates a conceptual copy or representation of the original control's interface while adding extended functionality. This allows developers to work with a simplified copy that inherits from the original, reducing complexity while maintaining the ability to achieve desired adaptability through the wrapper's additional capabilities.
3Loss of time
If developers leverage existing system-defined controls, then development time is reduced, but functionality may not meet specific needs
Solution Approach 1:
The wrapper control serves as an intermediary that sits between the developer's requirements and the existing system-defined control. It allows developers to quickly leverage the existing control's core functionality while the wrapper adds the necessary extensions to meet specific functional needs, thus simultaneously reducing development time and maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The wrapper control implements a universal pattern that can be applied to any system-defined control to extend its functionality. This multi-functional approach allows a single wrapper mechanism to serve multiple purposes across different controls, reducing development time through reuse while maintaining the adaptability to meet specific functional requirements for each control type.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for modifying a system-defined user interface control on a computing device is described. The method includes wrapping, on the computing device, a system-defined control within a programmer-defined control at run-time and modifying functionality of the system-defined control at run-time. Modifying functionality includes intercepting an initial message for a system-defined control, preventing the system-defined control from rendering and rendering a programmer-defined control in place of the system-defined control. Modifying functionality also includes intercepting a message for the system-defined control, determining whether the message requires modified functionality and providing modified functionality if the message requires modified functionality. Modifying functionality also includes sending the message to the system-defined control if the message does not require modified functionality and providing regular functionality if the message does not require modified functionality.