Server-Side Table Formatting for Cross-Device Readability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The varying display capabilities of different devices, such as desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and mobile phones, make it challenging to format information, particularly tables, for easy reading and viewing across these devices.
Innovation Solution
A server-side process that determines the type of table (data or layout) and adjusts its formatting based on the available screen width of the requesting device, converting tables into single-column formats with inserted lines or reducing columns to facilitate easy viewing, ensuring optimal display on diverse devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If tables are formatted for specific device types, then readability is improved for that device, but the system becomes complex and requires device-specific processing
Solution Approach 1:
The server performs preliminary formatting actions on tables before they are sent to client devices. The server detects the requested device type and pre-processes the table accordingly (converting to single-column format, inserting lines, reducing columns) so that the table is already optimized for the target device when received, eliminating the need for complex device-specific processing at the client side
Solution Approach 2:
The server acts as an intermediary between the table source and the client device. It receives the original table, detects the requested device type, applies appropriate formatting transformations, and sends the formatted table to the client. This intermediary approach centralizes the complexity in the server while keeping client-side processing simple
2Ease of operation
If tables are formatted to fit narrow screens, then viewing ease is improved on mobile devices, but the table structure is simplified and may lose detailed information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the table into single-column segments when the requested device has a narrow screen width. Each original column is processed as a separate unit and reformatted independently, allowing the table to adapt to narrow screens while maintaining the original data structure through sequential column processing
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes formatting parameters based on the requested device type. For narrow screens, it modifies parameters such as column count (reducing to single-column), line insertion frequency, and spacing. These parameter changes allow the table to adapt to different display constraints while preserving the underlying data integrity
3Adaptability or versatility
If the server formats tables before sending to devices, then adaptability across devices is improved, but processing time and server load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The server performs table formatting as a preliminary action before the table is sent to the client device. By detecting the requested device type and applying appropriate formatting transformations in advance, the system ensures the table is ready for optimal display on the target device, reducing the need for additional processing at the client side
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial formatting actions based on the requested device type. Instead of always applying maximum formatting, it selectively applies formatting rules appropriate for the specific device category (mobile, tablet, desktop), balancing processing overhead with the actual needs of the target device
Data Source
AI summary
A server includes a logic subsystem and memory. The memory holds instructions that, when executed by the logic subsystem, cause the logic subsystem to determine if a table is wider than a viewing size of a screen of a requesting device, determine if the table is a data table or a layout table, and format an instance of the table prior to sending that instance of the table to the requesting device. The instance of the table sent to the requesting device is formatted in accordance with a determined viewing size of the screen of the requesting device and in accordance with a determined table type.