Smart Handles for Dynamic Layout Editing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing visual design systems lack a straightforward method for designers to make sweeping changes to components without breaking the existing layout, as they often require turning off dynamic layout or removing anchors, which can be complex and labor-intensive, especially when dealing with multiple dynamic layout rules and anchors.

Innovation Solution

The integration of smart handles that allow designers to activate or ignore dynamic layout rules, using a handle module to receive events and coordinate updates, and provide multiple handles for manual modification, including dynamic layout override handles to manipulate components without affecting neighboring elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If designers use existing visual design systems to make sweeping changes to components, then they can modify component positions and sizes, but they must turn off dynamic layout or remove anchors which makes the process complex and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of making sweeping changesVSAvoidcomplexity of handling dynamic layout rules and anchors

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces adjustment handles as intermediary UI elements that mediate between the designer's intent and the complex dynamic layout system. These handles provide a simple interface for making sweeping changes while the system automatically manages the underlying dynamic layout rules and anchors, shielding the user from complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically detects when a designer intends to make sweeping changes and self-adjusts the dynamic layout rules and anchors accordingly. The adjustment handles trigger automatic updates to the layout system, eliminating the need for manual anchor management and mode switching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Stability of the object's composition

If designers activate dynamic layout rules to maintain existing layout, then component positions are automatically adjusted, but designers cannot make sweeping changes without complex anchor management

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of existing layoutVSAvoidease of making sweeping changes

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the adjustment handles dynamic by allowing their behavior to change based on the current state of dynamic layout rules. When dynamic layout is active, the handles are configured to work harmoniously with the rules, enabling sweeping changes that automatically update anchors and maintain layout stability through intelligent coordination rather than conflict.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If designers manually manage anchors and dynamic layout rules, then precise control over component placement is achieved, but the process becomes labor-intensive and complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of component placementVSAvoidproductivity of layout editing

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complex anchor management task from the designer's workflow and handles it automatically through the adjustment handles. The system separates the precision requirement (maintained through automatic anchor updates) from the manual intervention requirement (eliminated by automated handle-based adjustments), allowing precise component placement without manual anchor management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Adaptability or versatility

If designers turn off dynamic layout to make sweeping changes, then they gain freedom to move components, but they lose automatic layout adjustment and must manually manage anchors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefreedom to move componentsVSAvoidcomplexity of anchor management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment handles serve multiple functions: they enable sweeping changes when dynamic layout is off, and they coordinate with dynamic layout rules when it's on. This multi-functionality allows designers to gain freedom to move components while the system automatically manages anchors and layout adjustments, eliminating the need to toggle dynamic layout modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10169307B2Method and system for the use of adjustment handles to facilitate dynamic layout editing

Publication Date: 2019.01.01 WIX COM

AI summary

A website editor implementable on a computing device. The editor includes an editing component to edit a website at least according to dynamic layout rules and smart handles to activate or to ignore the dynamic layout rules on the website.