Intelligent UI Element Placement on Web Content

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing web browsers struggle to intelligently place user interface (UI) elements on webpages, often causing these elements to obstruct content or interfere with webpage functionality.

Innovation Solution

The browser is configured to analyze webpage code and intelligently place UI elements within the webpage's layout, ensuring they are integrated and coordinated with the existing content, without obstructing the view or interfering with functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the browser displays additional content in an overlay layer without regard to underlying webpage content, then the additional content can be displayed easily, but the added element may obstruct the view of webpage content and interfere with functionality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of displaying additional contentVSAvoidobstruction of webpage content view

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from simple overlay placement (2D layering) to intelligent positioning that analyzes the 2D layout of underlying webpage elements. The system determines optimal positions for additional content based on the spatial relationships and layout structure of existing webpage content, ensuring the added elements are placed in dimensions where they complement rather than obstruct the original content.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The browser analyzes the rendered webpage layout and uses this feedback information to determine optimal placement positions for additional content elements. The system continuously monitors the webpage structure and adjusts the positioning of overlay elements based on the actual layout configuration, ensuring harmonious integration without obstruction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If the browser positions added elements in the overlay layer without understanding webpage element positions, then the placement process is simple, but the added element may interfere with or disable functionality on the webpage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of placement processVSAvoidfunctionality interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The browser performs preliminary analysis of the webpage layout and identifies potential conflict zones before placing additional content elements. The system pre-determines safe positioning areas that avoid overlapping with interactive elements, ensuring that the placement action itself does not trigger functional interference or disable existing webpage capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary positioning mechanism that acts as a mediator between the additional content elements and the webpage functionality. This intermediary layer analyzes spatial relationships and layout characteristics to determine optimal positions, serving as a buffer that prevents direct interference between overlay elements and underlying webpage functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the browser adds UI elements to enhance functionality, then user experience is improved, but the UI elements may obstruct the intended viewing experience defined by the web developer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctionality enhancementVSAvoidalteration of viewing experience

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality analysis by examining different regions of the webpage layout and determining optimal placement positions for additional UI elements based on local characteristics. The system analyzes the specific context of each webpage region, considering existing content density, user interaction patterns, and visual hierarchy, to place enhancement elements where they add value without disrupting the overall viewing experience defined by the web developer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12282644B2Intelligent placement of a user interface element on content of an application

Publication Date: 2025.04.22 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

Disclosed herein is an application that intelligently places a user interface (UI) element on content of another application such that the UI element appears to be integrated and coordinated with the content of the other application and not merely overlaid on the webpage. The intelligent placement ensures that the UI element neither obstructs the view of pertinent content displayed via the other application nor interferes with the functionality of the other application. Moreover, the intelligent placement ensures that the UI element is completely visible to a user.