Spring Object for Dynamic Spatial Relationship Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In page layout and display control programs, manipulating one object can disrupt the spatial relationship with other objects, requiring users to adjust multiple objects to maintain the original layout, which is inefficient and cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a 'spring' object that defines and communicates spatial relationships between objects, allowing for flexible adjustment of distance between them, with attributes such as minimum and maximum margins, and the ability to couple to specific points or frames, enabling intuitive manipulation and preservation of layout.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If one object is moved or resized in the layout, then the position or size of that object is changed, but the spatial relationship with other objects is disrupted requiring additional adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a 'spring' as an intermediary object that couples two layout objects together. This spring maintains a defined distance relationship between the coupled objects, automatically adjusting their positions when one moves. This eliminates the need for manual repositioning of multiple objects and preserves spatial relationships without requiring additional user adjustments.
2Stability of the object's composition
If multiple objects are adjusted to maintain spatial relationships, then the original layout is preserved, but the operation becomes cumbersome and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The spring object provides self-service by automatically maintaining the defined distance between coupled layout objects. When one object moves, the spring automatically adjusts the position of the other object to preserve the spatial relationship. This self-adjusting mechanism eliminates the need for manual intervention to maintain layout stability, making the system both stable and easy to operate.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the distance between objects is fixed to maintain layout, then spatial relationships are preserved, but flexibility in object manipulation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spring object implements dynamic behavior by allowing the distance between coupled objects to change adaptively. While the spring maintains a defined relationship, it dynamically adjusts the actual distance based on the movement of coupled objects. This dynamic characteristic preserves spatial relationships during manipulation while maintaining full flexibility in object positioning and resizing operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an object may be utilized to define, communicate, and/or control a spatial relationship between at least two other objects. Such an object may be somewhat analogous to a spring in that a minimum margin between the two other objects may be defined to allow the two other objects to approach one another until the minimum margin is reached, and a flexible margin may allow movement of the two other objects within the flexible margin relative to each other, optionally up to a maximum distance of separation.