UML Stereotype Objects Visualization for Attribute Editing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current UML modeling tools do not allow individual selection and modification of stereotype elements, making it difficult for users to change the attributes associated with applied stereotypes, as they are tied to the name of the element and not directly related to the selected element.
Innovation Solution
A UML software modeling tool that visualizes stereotype applications as distinct objects, allowing users to interact with and modify them by presenting a separate object for each stereotype with relationships to modeling elements, enabling individual selection and attribute modification through a user-interactive interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If stereotype applications are tied to the name of an element in conventional UML tools, then the model structure remains simple and consistent with UML standards, but users cannot individually select or modify stereotype attributes independently from the element name
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the stereotype application into two distinct visual components: the element name and the stereotype attributes. This segmentation allows users to select and modify stereotype attributes independently from the element name, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity by making the previously unified stereotype application into separable, independently selectable components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new visual dimension for displaying stereotype attributes separate from the element name. By presenting stereotype attributes as distinct visual objects in the modeling interface, users can interact with stereotypes in an additional dimensional space, enabling independent selection and modification without complicating the fundamental UML model structure.
2Ease of operation
If users must select a modeling element to modify stereotype attributes, then the interface remains simple, but the operation becomes non-intuitive and awkward because stereotype attributes are not directly related to the selected element
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces visual stereotype objects as intermediaries between the element name and the stereotype attributes. These intermediary objects directly link to the selected element while providing explicit access to stereotype attributes, making the relationship intuitive and direct. Users can select these intermediary objects to modify attributes without the awkwardness of the previous approach where the connection was implicit and indirect.
3Adaptability or versatility
If stereotype applications are rendered as text within guillemets above element names, then the visualization follows UML conventions and maintains compactness, but individual stereotype instances cannot be selected or interacted with separately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the traditional text-based stereotype rendering into distinct visual objects. Instead of displaying all stereotypes as text within guillemets above element names, each stereotype application is divided into separate visual stereotype objects that can be individually selected and interacted with, while maintaining the overall UML model structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional text-based stereotype display to a multi-dimensional visual representation. Stereotype attributes are presented as separate visual objects in the modeling space, allowing users to interact with individual stereotype instances through spatial selection rather than text manipulation, thereby enhancing adaptability while managing visual complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An UML model can be visually rendered upon a canvas of a graphical user interface of a software modeling application. The UML model can include at least one stereotype that extends an UML modeling element. A stereotype application can include values of attributes that are part of the stereotype that is applied on the UML modeling element. The visual rendering can include a stereotype application object which is able to be edited. Editing of the stereotype application object can result in changes to values of attributes of the stereotype application.