Application Interface Display with a Shared Plug-In Sub-Interface Framework

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing application plug-in implementations require separate development of sub-interfaces for different interfaces, leading to low development efficiency due to duplication of efforts.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for displaying application interfaces that combine sub-interfaces from multiple plug-ins into a single interface using a first plug-in, allowing a unified development approach.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If each plug-in provides separate interfaces independently, then each plug-in can implement its specific function, but the same sub-interface needs to be developed multiple times by different plug-ins, resulting in low development efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional independence of plug-insVSAvoidapplication development efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a unified interface management mechanism where a central interface registry stores and manages sub-interfaces that can be shared across multiple plug-ins. Instead of each plug-in independently implementing the same sub-interface, the system allows a single sub-interface implementation to be registered and then referenced by multiple plug-ins, making the interface development process universal and reusable across different functional modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a reference-based mechanism where plug-ins can copy or reference existing sub-interface definitions from the central registry rather than recreating them. This allows sub-interfaces to be defined once and then instantiated or referenced multiple times across different plug-ins, eliminating redundant development while maintaining functional independence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Ease of manufacture

If different plug-ins develop sub-interfaces separately, then each plug-in maintains its own interface implementation, but this leads to duplication of development efforts and increased complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplug-in independenceVSAvoidinterface development complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a central interface registry and management system that acts as an intermediary between plug-ins and sub-interfaces. This intermediary component handles the storage, registration, and distribution of sub-interface definitions, allowing plug-ins to obtain interfaces through reference rather than independent development. This reduces complexity by centralizing interface management while maintaining plug-in independence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the same sub-interface is implemented by multiple plug-ins independently, then each interface can be customized for its specific plug-in, but the development time and effort increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterface customizationVSAvoiddevelopment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a pre-registration mechanism where sub-interface definitions are registered in advance in a central registry before being used by plug-ins. This preliminary action allows the interface structure, properties, and implementations to be established once, and then quickly referenced or instantiated by multiple plug-ins without requiring repeated development cycles, significantly reducing development time while maintaining customization capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4187377B1Application program interface display method and apparatus, and computer device
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 HANGZHOU HIKVISION DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
  • EP4187377B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4187377B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4187377B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a method and an apparatus for displaying an application interface, and a computer device, and belongs to the field of application programs. The method includes: obtaining an interface framework of a target interface, wherein the interface framework comprises display positions for a plurality of sub-interfaces, and the plurality of sub-interfaces are provided by a plurality of plug-ins; obtaining the plurality of sub-interfaces corresponding to the display positions provided by the plurality of plug-ins; and displaying the target interface based on the interface framework and the plurality of sub-interfaces corresponding to the display positions in the interface framework. Therefore, the same sub-interface in different interfaces can be provided by the same plug-in, i.e., the same sub-interface can be developed only once, such that the efficiency of application development is improved.