Activity-Centric Application Atomization for Task Coordination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional computer systems lack the ability to dynamically understand user activities and the necessary steps or resources required to complete them, forcing users to manually assemble and manage tasks across documents, applications, and devices, with little support for activity-centric interactions.

Innovation Solution

An activity-centric system that decomposes application functionality into atomic components, allowing for scalable and adaptable access to resources and capabilities based on user activities, with features like activity frame generation, monetization, and machine learning for automated action inference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional application-centric systems are used, then applications can perform their designated functions, but users must manually assemble and manage tasks across multiple documents, applications, and devices without activity context awareness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactivity context awarenessVSAvoidmanual task management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs activity decomposition, resource identification, and task coordination without requiring manual user assembly. The activity-centric system self-manages the complexity of coordinating multiple applications and devices by automatically understanding user intent and decomposing activities into actionable tasks with required resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The activity-centric system serves as a universal layer that coordinates across multiple documents, applications, and devices simultaneously. It provides a unified activity context that spans traditional application boundaries, enabling single-point management of complex multi-application tasks through activity frames and resource graphs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If traditional desktop metaphors with single filing cabinets are used, then system structure is simple, but user-friendly access to necessary resources for complex activities becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource accessVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments resources and activities into atomic components that can be independently managed and recombined. Activity frames decompose complex activities into discrete tasks, and resource graphs break down resource dependencies into manageable units, enabling precise access to specific resources needed for particular activities without navigating complex traditional folder structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system adds a new dimensional layer of activity context above the traditional file system hierarchy. Instead of organizing resources solely by location in filing cabinets, resources are organized by their relevance to specific activities, creating a contextual dimension that enables direct access to activity-related resources regardless of their physical storage location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If users manually assemble activities using existing pieces, then activities can be created, but users must mentally manage the list of assembled pieces with little system support

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactivity assemblyVSAvoidmental management burden
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides continuous feedback about activity composition by maintaining activity frames that automatically track assembled tasks and resources. Users receive system-supported visibility into what has been assembled, what resources are allocated, and what steps remain, eliminating the need for mental management through automated state tracking and presentation of activity progress.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary analysis of user intent to pre-identify required resources and task components before full activity assembly begins. Activity frames are pre-configured with relevant resources and dependencies, reducing the cognitive load during assembly by having the system prepare and suggest appropriate components in advance based on activity context.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS7970637B2Activity-centric granular application functionality
Publication Date: 2011.06.28 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • US7970637B2 patent drawing
  • US7970637B2 patent drawing
  • US7970637B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A system that can enable the atomization of application functionality in connection with an activity-centric system is provided. The system can be utilized as a programmatic tool that decomposes an application's constituent functionality into atoms thereafter monitoring and aggregating atoms with respect to a particular activity. In doing so, the functionality of the system can be scaled based upon complexity and needs of the activity. Additionally, the system can be employed to monetize the atoms or activity capabilities based upon respective use.