UI Element Ownership Transfer for Smooth Screen Transitions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing graphical user interface (GUI) transition methods result in abrupt view changes when switching between screens, lacking smooth transitions and soft borders, which requires complex programming and detailed knowledge of other views.

Innovation Solution

A navigation service coordinates the transition between source and destination screens by sharing and transferring ownership of UI elements, allowing seamless and smooth transitions without prior knowledge of the destination screen's elements, using a controller management API to manage UI element lifespans.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional view switching is used, then the programming is simple with clear view boundaries, but the transition between screens is abrupt and lacks smooth transitions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmooth transition between screensVSAvoidprogramming complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A navigation service is introduced as an intermediary component that manages UI element ownership and coordinates transitions between views. The navigation service receives notifications when views are about to be destroyed, identifies reusable UI elements, and transfers ownership to incoming views, enabling smooth transitions without requiring complex programming in individual views.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary identification and preservation of UI elements before the actual view transition occurs. When a view is about to be destroyed, the navigation service proactively identifies which UI elements can be reused and prepares them for transfer to the incoming view, ensuring smooth transitions are ready in advance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If views manage their own UI elements independently, then the view lifecycle is simple to manage, but other views cannot access or reuse UI elements from different views

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUI element sharing between viewsVSAvoidview coordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the scattered UI element management across multiple independent views into a unified management system. The navigation service consolidates ownership tracking and coordination functions, allowing UI elements to be shared between views while maintaining a single source of truth for element ownership and lifecycle management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If a view destroys its UI elements when switching, then the view lifecycle is clean and simple, but smooth transitions and soft borders between views cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmooth transitions between viewsVSAvoidview lifecycle management
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The navigation service performs preliminary identification and preservation of UI elements before the outgoing view is destroyed. By proactively saving references to reusable elements and arranging for their transfer to the incoming view, the system enables smooth transitions while maintaining clean view lifecycle management through automatic element disposal when not reused.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3537279B1Coordinating user interface elements across screen spaces
Publication Date: 2023.08.09 HOME BOX OFFICE INC
  • EP3537279B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3537279B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3537279B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The subject disclosure is directed towards transitioning from an existing screen (e.g., a page or the like) to a new screen, in which element(s) / control(s) of the existing screen are shared to the new screen. An existing screen acts as a source screen to provide element-related data (e.g., names) of its existing elements; the existing elements are intersected with those desired by the new / destination screen. The destination screen takes over ownership of any common elements. A navigation service may coordinate the exchange of information and the transition. The transition may include animations and/or other effects to provide a visually smooth transition or the like between screens.