Selective Synchronization of Display Layout Attributes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current digital publishing methods require designers to create separate source and target layouts for different devices, lacking the ability to selectively update attributes of target display elements while maintaining synchronization with source elements.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for selective synchronization of display layouts, allowing designers to specify which attributes of target page elements should be synchronized with corresponding source page elements, enabling updates only for modified attributes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If designers create separate source and target layouts independently, then each layout can be optimized for its specific device, but the design process becomes time-consuming and synchronization between layouts cannot be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelayout adaptation to different devicesVSAvoiddesign process time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the layout attributes into multiple categories (e.g., geometric properties, visual properties, text properties) that can be independently synchronized. This allows selective synchronization of specific attribute groups between source and target layouts, reducing the time required to adapt layouts for different devices while maintaining the ability to optimize each layout for its specific device characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic synchronization preferences that allow designers to specify which attribute groups should be synchronized and which should remain independent. This dynamic control enables efficient updates when propagating design changes across multiple target layouts while preserving device-specific optimizations, significantly reducing the overall design process time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If all attributes of target page elements are synchronized with source page elements, then consistency is maintained, but designers cannot adapt specific attributes for target device requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronization consistencyVSAvoidtarget device adaptation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by allowing different synchronization behaviors for different attribute groups within the same target page element. Designers can specify that certain attribute groups (e.g., geometric properties) remain synchronized with the source layout while other attribute groups (e.g., visual properties) are adapted independently for target device requirements. This enables both consistency and adaptability at the same time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial synchronization by selectively applying synchronization only to specific attribute groups rather than all attributes. This partial action approach maintains consistency for critical attributes while allowing flexibility for device-specific adaptations, resolving the contradiction between synchronization consistency and target device adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Ease of operation

If designers manually update each target layout separately, then complete control over each attribute is maintained, but the workflow becomes inefficient and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign workflow efficiencyVSAvoidsynchronization errors

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms that automatically detect and propagate design changes from source layouts to target layouts based on predefined synchronization preferences. This automated feedback loop reduces manual updates, improves workflow efficiency, and minimizes synchronization errors while maintaining designer control through configurable synchronization rules for different attribute groups.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10878169B2Selective synchronizing of display layouts

Publication Date: 2020.12.29 ADOBE INC

AI summary

A method and apparatus for synchronizing selected attributes of a target page element on a target display layout with modified attributes of a source page element on a source display layout is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a command to synchronize a target display layout, wherein the target display layout comprises at least one target page element linked to a source page element on a source display layout; accessing a plurality of synchronization preferences, wherein the synchronization preferences define at least one selected attribute of a plurality of attributes of a target page element to be synchronized with an attribute of the linked source page element; determining whether the selected attribute of the source page element has been synchronized with the target page element; and updating the target page element when the modified attribute of the source page element has not been synchronized with the target page element.