Inventions on user configurable GUI- A TRIZ based analysis

Author: Umakant Mishra

Abstract:

The graphic user interface is a revolutionary development over the prior art technique of the command line interface. Using GUI the user can do even complex operations through simple means like clicking buttons or dragging various graphic elements.

Ideally the GUI should contain all those buttons (or menu items or other GUI elements) and only those buttons (or menu items or other GUI elements) that the user needs. Besides the GUI elements should not obscure the display of data, should take no time for searching and should create no confusion in any level of user.

           

Generally the GUI elements are all pre-coded and built into the system by the developer. Even the experienced developer cannot realistically anticipate what options will be required by the users at a future point of time. As it is ultimately the user who knows his requirement, it is better that the user himself configures the GUI according to his requirement.

           

The article discusses the problems involved in implementing user-configurability and illustrates twelve inventions from US Patent database on the same issue. Each invention is analyzed from a TRIZ perspective to illustrate the contradictions, Ideal Final Result and Inventive Principles.

Mishra, Umakant, Inventions on User Configurable GUI A TRIZ Based Analysis (September 7, 2007). Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1271448 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1271448

http://papers.ssrn.com/abstract=1271448

http://works.bepress.com/umakant_mishra/65

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/255999453_Inventions_on_User_Configurable_GUI_A_TRIZ_Based_Analysis

TRIZ and new sciences of Inventionology and Creatology

Author: Dr. Sayed Mahdi Golestan Hashemi

Abstract:

Foundation of TRIZ is based on study and analysis of inventions (Patents) by G. Altshuller. In this Paper the author presented Inventionology (or Inventology) and creatology as a science and discipline . TRIZ is an important source for this sciences (Golestan Theort of Creatology).

           

Inventionology is scientific study of inventions and technological innovations from different aspects such as analytical, applied, philosophical, Psychological, Sociological and Educational approaches. The focus of Inventionology is to the technical application or hard aspects of TRIZ. Innovationology has branches such as analytical innovationology, Applied Inventionology, Philosophical Inventionology, Psychological Inventionology, Sociological Inventionology and educational Inventionology.

           

Creatology has been formed on the basis of all information taken from scientific studies of creativity and innovation in all fields. Creatology as a science and discipline is scientific study of Creativity and innovation in all of fields from different aspects. The focus of creatoloty is to the both technical and nontechnical applications of TRIIZ. Creatology has branches such as TRIZ oriented Creatology, Inventionology, analytical Creatology, applied creatology, Psychological Creatology, Sociological Creatology and educational Creatology.

           

Main total approaches of Inventionology and Ceratology are Inventionological approach and Creatological approach. Creatology is a vast science, thus is interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary science.

Inventions on auto-configurable GUI-A TRIZ based analysis

Author: Umakant Mishra

Abstract:

A GUI is intended for the end user but designed by the developer. Even the experienced developer cannot realistically anticipate what options will be required by the users at a future point of time. Besides, even a well-designed GUI may not be felt convenient to all categories of users as the skill, expertise and requirement of the users vary from each other.

Although the user can best describe his requirement and therefore can best configure the GUI, it is not advisable for the user to spend time and effort to configure the GUI. The user interface needs to be customized for the user but the user should not bother doing the job. This creates a contradiction.

           

This contradiction is solved by the concept of automatic configuration. In auto-configurable GUI, the elements and features of GUI are automatically configured to meet the requirement of the user. This article analyses eight inventions from US patent database relating to automatic configuration of GUI. The article illustrates how each invention solves different problems involved in automatic configuration and analyzes each solution process using TRIZ methods and principles.

Keywords: TRIZ, Innovation, Invention, Inventive Problem Solving, Software Patents, GUI, Software inventions, Graphical User Interface, GUI design, Menu, Main menu, Submenu, adaptive menu, automatic menu, menu configuration, dynamic menu, user configurable

Umakant Mishra, Inventions on Auto-Configurable GUI a TRIZ Based Analysis (September 7, 2007). Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1271450 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1271450

http://papers.ssrn.com/abstract=1271450

http://works.bepress.com/umakant_mishra/66

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/255999454_Inventions_on_Auto-Configurable_GUI_a_TRIZ_Based_Analysis